A Blue-Eyed Boy Met a Brown-Eyed Girl: The Homestead 1766

Wednesday, November 07, 2012

The Homestead 1766

I am SO very lucky to be married to an incredibly talented, handsome husband who just so happens to work for an amazing company that treated us and a group of others to a long 4 day weekend at The Homestead Resort a few weeks ago♥

We took a route there that was just a tad bit out of the way so I could see my old stomping ground from pharmacy school. It’s been 3 1/2 years since I graduated, which feels more like AT LEAST a decade since I was there.

This is just one of the gorgeous buildings nestled in the hills of Virginia – while I waxed nostalgic that day, I never EVER wish to be back in pharmacy school, only for a reunion with the great friends I made there!

We even drove by my old apartment… this is where Nick proposed to me!

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh the memories♥

…and we got to witness America’s first two story Walmart, built after I graduated… BIG stuff in this extremely small town.

OK, onto the trip I was telling you about.

If you haven’t heard about the The Homestead, I truly suggest visiting their website. It is AMAZING and steeped with history. It opened in 1766 and many U.S. presidents have vacationed here, most famously Thomas Jefferson frequented the resort.

The lobby had me imaging all the “greats” that have walked through those grand halls!

Our room:

Our little balcony – so quaint:

The colors of the fall surrounded us on the entire drive as well as every activity we took part in that weekend – fall, as you MAY know, is MY FAVORITE so I was in heaven!

We had no agenda while we were there, just ENJOY and take part in whatever we pleased. We were just plain excited about the over abundance of uninterrupted sleep we were going to get on this trip, but the excursions turned out to be true adventures!

The first morning there, Nick went golfing on their beautiful, pro course while I went horse back riding with friends:

My horse Roanie… good times old friend, good times.

Then we shot a little skeet :)

Christine and I at the top of a mountain overlook. I really wish you could take in the whole scenic view in the picture, it was breathtaking.

I’m loving the panoramic picture option on the new iPhone…

Night time fun hanging out – got a little goofy…

On Saturday morning the company held an awards banquet… the president of the company borrowed this picture from my Facebook for Nick’s award slide – we laughed HARD when this showed up in the Powerpoint. Sneaky, sneaky, Tony!

SO proud of my baby!

We couldn’t travel all the way to Hot Springs, Virginia without visiting the Jefferson Pools. What a wild experience!

These “pools” are natural warm springs with the buildings set around them built in 1761. Thomas Jefferson and his wife frequented them often for their “healing” powers. There is a “ladies” and “gentlemen” pool, but they are both co-ed these days with the exception of a few hours during the day.

Our “changing” room to get in our swimsuits… it was COLD outside and those cracks in the boards you see are pouring in the outside air. We could only laugh!

We swam in the “gentlemen’s” pool which is deeper than the ladies. They provide pool noodles for your floating enjoyment ;)

Our friends, Christine and Nick in the year round 97 degree water. It was really comfortable once you were in. The floor of the pools are only smooth rocks, the water bubbles up NATURALLY from the ground… so weirdly wonderful!

It also smells like sulpher – yummmmmmm.

The ceiling of the pool here - it seemed like a strong wind could blow this rickety old building down on us at any time. But we didn’t let that scare us away from the experience ;)

Clean and “healed” after our sulpher baths:

What else is there to do after you’ve been magically invigorated by the springs than a swanky dinner back at the resort?!

Christine and I wanted just ONE last shot in the ballroom where we had breakfast every morning… I ask you, is this real life???

We went home with mixed emotions. Sad to leave but so excited to see our boy again!

It didn’t hurt that the views on the road trip kept me very content to be such a lucky, lucky girl.

Thanks to Christine and Nick, we also got to enjoy AWESOME cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes on the trip home, better known as “D.C. Cupcakes” for their TLC hit show with the same title. Great end to a great trip!