Women's Chambers

Almost every month for the past five years, there's been a secret meeting of women...

...in the 'Women's Chambers', anything goes.

We meet for a purpose. Our cover story is a book club, but the purpose isn't always to discuss a book.

Sure, we share some thoughts and feelings on the writer's style, the plot, how ridiculous Nicholas Sparks is. But more than that, we share really good wine, yummy food, and friendship. We've listened to one another as we've planned weddings, funerals, shared stories of dating and relationships, marriage and children. We've laughed at each other's mistakes, congratulated one another on job promotions, and cried over pure heartaches and tragedies.

There are few groups of people I look forward to hanging out with more than this one. I'm so glad we came together over some beer five years ago and that really smart law student suggested we start a book club. Just as soon as she finished her bar exams.

This past weekend, most of the Women's Chambers ventured into the vast wilderness of Frontenac State Park to do some rough and rugged camping. It was crazy ya'll!

 Saturday morning brought us a two-hour breakfast. Always seems to take longer to make breakfast when you have several people magazines to catch up on... nothing to do... and have to wait for your baristas to get back with the coffee!

 But, we ended up with some really fantastic omelets in a bag... and some really delicious coffee. Much better than when I tried to make it with my coffee mill a few years ago...

After breakfast, we headed into Red Wing for some exploration. We hopped on our groupon-sponsored trolley tour to see the sights! I won't bore you with them, but there were many. Just trust me.

After grabbing a beer (or two) and the most delicious nachos and smothered waffle fries known to man at Marie's Underground Bar, we headed up to the lookout spot. We were on a bluff.

It might just look like a hill with trees. And it is.

But it's also a bluff. Says Jonie the Trolley Tour Lady.  

Then we headed back to camp. Gotta get some camping in, right? Played a few games, read some more people, had some good conversations.

And then it was time for a hike.

And some handstands.

and some modeling. Missy- this is the one that is going to make you go places. For sure.

 and one last self-portrait before the storms came rolling in...

The only thing that could have made this trip any better was having our fifth member there (that law student with the brilliant idea not so long ago). We really missed you Chris!

Don't worry though, we didn't really discuss the book, so you didn't miss much ;-)