What to do? What to do?

So as I explained in my last blog, we're planning to buy flight tickets for Vegas on Friday (aka Payday).  But our anniversary is tomorrow (6/13) and we're at the tale end of payment cycle.  Meaning? Low on cash!  We have about $100 to spend on Anniversary day.

We plan to go out to dinner at Bone Fish Grill tomorrow night, which works out great because Wednesday is $5 Bang Bang shrimp night.  Score!  I will both probably get a bowl of lump crab and corn chowder soup and an order of Bang Bang.  Plus a alcoholic drink for each of us dinner will still only be around $40-45! Sweet.

But admittedly that means we have limited means for what to do all day.  Now, we love to lay around the house doing nothing...but c'mon. We do that enough.  I want to get out!  Enjoy the nice weather!  (It's supposed to be about 72 here tomorrow, so not too hot!)

Too many of my ideas are either a) too expensive b)too far away or c) might hurt do to my stupid tennis elbow.

So, my ideas have dwindled down to these.
Idea #1:  We can rent bikes at our local bike shop and ride the trails (I have a bike but Jeff does not.  Plus my bike is in desperate need of a tune up).  Possible cost? $10 for rentals.  Plus cost of lunch and bottles of water. $40 max.   Problem?  We both don't work out as much we should so I don't know that either of us could bike more than say....an hour.  Up Side?  We live in a river valley and the trail for several miles is along the river.  Pretty to look at.  And both our downtown and the next town down the river have cute little places for lunch.

Idea #2:  We drive an hour north to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  Cute little touristy tour with shops, lake, etc.  Could spend about two hours walking around and throw lunch in there.  Possible cost? Just the cost of Gas, lunch, and if we buy any trinkets.  Problem? Do we really want to spend two hours in the car? IDK.  Up Side?  It's a very pretty area, walking is free.  We've never gone up there to just wander around, only for group dinner or to see the ice Sculptures in winter.

Idea #3:  Three Oaks Rec Center Lake/Beach/Etc.  Just four miles up the road is a new place that used to be a gravel pit they turned into a lake & recreation area.  They have touring motor boats (think row boat with small engine) for $22 for two hours.  That also gets you free admission to the beach.  And there are several walking paths on edge of the lake.  Possible Cost?  $27 for parking and boat Another $15 for lunch at Culvers (the chain they have their for food).  totals $42.  Problem?  The lake is not very big so can we really spend two hours just wandering around since we won't be fishing?  Jeff doesn't like laying out at a beach so aside from boating...Don't know that he'd really enjoy it.  Up Side? Very Close.  No physical work out to worry about.  We've never been there.

Idea #4: Hammond, Indiana.  If you're from Chicagoland you're probably like "What?! Why?!"  Hear me out.  They have an area called Wolf Lake within walking distance of Lake Michigan (from my understanding).  You can rent Kayaks and Canoes for just $5.  No parking fee.  There is both Wolf Lake, and their area on Lake Michigan...and finally...Jeff mentioned the other day that he needs to get 20 points at a Harrah's casino before his "points expire" in order to get us free hotel room for two to three of the four nights we'll be in Vegas.  Possible Cost? Well, first there is the gas to get there, then $5 for a canoe, then lunch, then gambling for probably an hour.  I have a strong feeling we would spend $60 easy here.   And then be cutting it close at dinner.  Problem?  Clearly, the cost.  And it's over an hour away.  UpSide?  If we time it good, we can grab lunch on the way at a place called "Paradise Pup" in Des Plaines that has been featured a few times on the food network that we've wanted to check out...and that's cheap.  We've get outdoors, and casino - which we like.  And if we win a little at the casino, we can play longer.  Plus since we'll need to play at some Harrah's property before August...why not.  Oh right, the money.

Since Jeff is out of town until after 10pm tonight I guess we will be making the decision tomorrow morning.  (And see if he came up with any ideas himself since he's been thinking on it too...he just hasn't had my time to research so it's whatever is in his head).  I'll fill you in later how we spent the day.