Chicago: Day 7.2

Dear Diary,

I'm now at Starbucks writing this post while waiting for my laundry to be done. 

Steph's gone to the laundromat to move our clothes from the machines to the dryer. I kinda like the experience. It's interesting.

After work, Steph came home and we had a home-cooked dinner. I had pre-cooked the rice while he was on the way home and set the marinated beef out to thaw. So all we had to do was to fry the beef and cook my mozarella cheese omelette. It was our very, first home-cooked meal together (excluding instant noodles). We took a drive down to Bryn Mawr after that, where Steph usually goes to get his laundry done. He had a month's worth of laundry and needed bigger machines. 

By the way, I had to cancel my booking at The Camillia Inn, just after they sent me the confirmation :( Sob. But I guess, all factors weighed, Sonoma itself might be a better choice for us to drive to and explore rather than Healdsburg. This is because (1) the journey is much shorter and nearer to San Francisco (about 60 miles as compared to 80 miles). Steph would get to rest more and he wouldn't be so tired out driving from place to place. After all, the vineyards themselves would require some driving, which can be pretty taxing overall. (2) From reviews, it appears that Sonoma has more things for us to do in the city itself should we choose to give the wine exploration a miss.

The gorgeous exterior of the Inn

The Budget Room

I'm pretty upset though that we had to give up on The Camillia Inn. That's because there are a lot of interesting perks in staying at The Camillia - for one, every Wednesday is Chocolate Covered Wednesday. Which means we get Chocolate treats on Weds and special chocolate breakfast on Thurs. Secondly, the Inn itself has free cheese and wine sampling in the evenings for guests.  That makes the novelty of staying at an Inn special. Thirdly, guests get wonderful homemade breakfasts that's guaranteed to blow your mind away. Last but not least, the innkeepers themselves give really good recommendations on the vineyards to visit. They've been in the business for a long time now and apparently Lucy makes all the difference to the experiences of her guests :)

Tempting chocolates...

Fortunately, Best Western Plus Sonoma Valley Inn has lots of good reviews AND an attached bathroom which is a perk. (The one at the Inn would have been across the hallway)

Oops! Ok. Gtg. Starbucks is closing!