Goal # 44 - Dates with Devin (1 of 20)

Last night for our weekly date night, Devin and I completed date one-of-twenty for Goal #44 -  "Go on 20 of the dates listed in the books Dates on a Dime and Coffee Dates for Couples."

This date idea came from Dates on a Dime:  

"Go on a digital scavenger hunt - and your the booty! As you visit fun places in your town or city, ask passers-by to snap photo of you and your honey in these place."

We headed to historic downtown Chandler to go on our digital scavenger hunt. Even though we live right around the corner, we had never actually explored this area of our hometown. I highly recommend doing something like this in your area.

Being lead by the "self-guided tour" plaques we learned about what all of the historical buildings used to house back in 1914. Here we are in front of what used to be "Sink's Pool Hall" and is now a flower shop:

Here is Devin in front of Murphy's Law Irish Pub (because "anything that can go wrong, will go wrong"). This building was best know for being the location of Saba's Department Store in the 1940s.

During our walk, we ran across many pieces of.... interesting art.

We also happened upon an outdoor farmer's market that is held here every Thursday night. We got to sample some incredible relish dips from Relish This and some mouth-watering cheddar/jalapeno bread from Great Harvest Bread Company. Yummy!

Quickly becoming aware of how little we new about Chandler, we visited the Chandler Museum to brush up on our local history. (Did you know (or care) that Chandler was the first in the nation to have a federally-funded water project? Fascinating stuff right there...)

They had historic re-creations of the general store, school, tent houses and hotel.

And what classy, historic museum would be complete without it's very own (previously used) genuine outhouse....

Before heading to dinner, Devin wanted to grab a few shots of the old fire house for his Project Thre3 6ix 5ive blog.

(my version of the shot - taken on my point-and-shoot camera)

Up until this point, we had experienced an incredibly fun and incredibly free date. Buuuut.... we just happened to have a buy-one-get-one-free-entree coupon for Urban Tea Loft. Which, much to our (sticker) shock, was considerably more expensive than anticipated. However, the atmosphere was unique and the food delicious, so it was almost justified.

They had this awesome tea dispenser. All you have to do is place the bottom of the pot onto the top of the cup and it pours automatically. Then, lift up the pot and it instantly stops pouring. Genius.

Enjoying our over-priced tea for all it's worth.

I thought my meal was great... until I tried Devin's dish. Which was utterly to-die-for.  I won't lie to you...I spent the rest of dinner coveting.

 (Brazed Pork Shanks- Fall off the bone tender shanks nestled in a tangy orange & ginger tea glaze)

So while our pocket books probably can't splurge for another night at Urban Tea Loft, we had an over-all fantastic time on our first of twenty dates from my list of goals.

Q4U- What is the best thing about your hometown?