Amazing Day!!!

It all started with the simple idea of a Bachelorette party....I was invited to tag along on Michele's funtastic day--with the premise that it would be a Twilight movie tour....it was that and SO much more! There were four of us: Michele (of course), Heather, Jenn, and I--would have been more but others wouldn't commit. Here is the run down of one of the best days (Pocket Edward's story will come later):

Carver Cafe

This is where we see Bella and Charlie eating and having Daddy/Daughter moments in the film. It's small and clearly a local hang out....until this movie. We walked in, were seated, and then asked if we were Twilight fans. When we answered, "yes," the waitress brought over a book for us to sign--which was already filled with hundreds if not thousands of comments--plus this book only covered this spring, who knows how many other books had already been filled.

The food was yummy, which seems to be typical of small local diners, that you find off the beaten path. They sold t-shirts that said "I got a bite at the Carver Cafe." Oh, and I forgot to mention that we sat in the corner where Bella and Charlie sat--though the table was different, it was the same place. Our jump into the Twilight movie world was beginning.....

Stone Cliff

Less than 5 minutes from the Carver Cafe is Stone Cliff. You drive up a very steep curve drive to come to a log cabin restaurant, set next to a forest, and stone cliff (hence the name). On the edge of the forest, is a sign, which shows exactly the place and the scene that was filmed. First of all, even if Twilight wasn't filmed, there, it would have been amazing. Large boulders creating caves and pathways through the forest, leading to the large stone cliff. But add that this is where the Lion fell in love with the Lamb scene was filmed, it just got better. A total of five scenes were filmed in this location, and each was marked by a sign, telling the exact point in the movie.

This is the point in the adventure that we got a we bit silly....we reinacted some of the scenes for pictures, which was awesome (Pocket Edward will tell more later).

View Point Inn

WOW!!! That's all I can say. This is where the prom scene was filmed. As soon as we walked on the property, we were greeted and asked if we were there for brunch or just looking around....we were just looking, so he let us know that we could walk around and get picture with the famous Monte Carlo Casino arch AND that the room where Victoria was watching Edward and Bella dance by the fountain was open and that we were welcome to check it out.

So we did. We posed under the arch, we got pictures with the view behind us, we wandered through the gorgeous building, and then upstairs into the rooms. The rooms were awesome! Each was unique and fun. It would be great to go stay there for an evening.

Again, even if Twilight weren't filmed here, it was amazing! The view alone was breath taking and I decided that I would be getting married at this beautiful place....just got to find the right guy! I was curious about weddings there, assuming that it would be really expensive...so I inquired. I did not realize that this would mean that the wedding coordinator would come and talk to me. I played along, and she filled me in on all the things you get when you book a wedding there--which is a lot for the money! Can I just say that it would be fabulous, and I have completely already planned it all out (including the night before and pampering which would take place at the next location) ! LOL!

Edgefield

This is where we verred away from all things Twilight....We went to Edgefield for lunch. Since I had never been there before, I was interested in checking out everything. We had lunch at the pub (typical McMenamins fare). Then we wandered to Ruby's Spa. We started discussing the possibility of getting a relaxing treatment there....we decided to wait and see if we could get in somewhere a bit cheaper. So off we went again, at this point not quite knowing where we were going. No other place had openings for anything, spa-ie, so we called Ruby's and made appointments for that evening-2 massages and 2 facials. It was perfect!

IKEA Game

We had a few hours to kill so we decided to go to IKEA and play a game that the others had played before, the IKEA Game. This is where you wander through the store's set up rooms and take pictures as though you are living in that room. It was SO much fun!!! Very silly, but definaltely a great game!!!!

Yo Cream

Right by IKEA is a Yo Cream. I've never been in one like this before. It was a make your own--and I mean, any combination of yogurt, toppings, and syrups, you put it together how ever you choose. You were charged by the ounce. I love this!!!! Wish there was one of these closer to home!

Back to Edgefield

We then headed back to Edgefield for our appointments at Ruby's Spa. Up first were myself and Michele--I got a massage while she got a facial. SO NICE, and needed!!! After Michele and my turns with the relaxation, it was Heather and Jenn's turn (Heather with a facial and Jenn with a massage). Since I was told to bring my swimming suit, I was able to go for a dip in their soaking pool, while waiting for Jenn and Heather. OMG, I am glad I did, it was like a giant hot tub, and in the middle are these shower things that rain down cool water! Michele and I hung out there (me in the pool and her putting her feet in), and chatted. I so want to go back there!!!

This was where we all were in heaven...feeling relaxed and carefree is such a great feeling. Heather was so relaxed she was acting drunk--and she hadn't had anything to drink yet! That in itself was truly amusing! We wandered into the hotel gift shop in our altered states, and found some great little key momentos of the day....which Michele was kind enough to get for us. She chose a special key for each of us: Prosperity for Heather--to wish her well in her job situation, Dreams for Jenn--to wish her well with her schooling, and Love for me--because I will be needing to fall in love soon, as I am getting married next summer at the View Point Inn. I then picked up a key for Michele that said Happiness--to wish her great happiness with her hubby to be.

We then got drinks and wandered around the campus. Holy moly!!! You could walk all around that place from building to building with a drink in hand. That was so great! It was the perfect evening. We actually played with the idea of getting a room and staying over night there.... but.... we had people (the ones that couldn't, well, really wouldn't come and join us for the daytime activities) waiting for us at Papa Hyden's for dessert. We really didn't want to leave, at all. But we had to, so off we went, promising that we would come back for a stay in the summer!

Papa Hyden's

Relunctantly we got in the car and headed to Papa's. We were already late, and by the time that we got there, I think we were about an hour late. Apparently, those waiting were upset....this I get, BUT, we were telling them we were running late, and to just join us at Edgefield, and they wouldn't (too far, or something). Though, as usual, the dessert was amazing....the company was lacking. They barely said much to any of us, except Michele. Plus later, it was found that one of the girls there was bad mouthing us on her facebook. How rude! Heather and I agreed that it would have been much better had we stayed and played at Edgefield...but oh, well....

And that brings us to the end of the day. Fun and relaxation was had!!! One of the best days, I do have to say! Pictures will be posted soon--I think maybe a slide show from each place :D (but maybe not....we'll see.