First Homestead Visit

Last weekend we went on our annual fall getaway weekend but we visited a new spot---The Homestead in Hot Springs, VA.  After a long and adventurous drive (almost 6 hours) we arrived at the fog covered resort.  We enjoyed a yummy dinner in one of the hotel's restaurants and then headed to the game room.  Savannah and Walker had so much fun playing rollerball, air hockey, pinball, basketball, and other arcade games.  I think this was their favorite spot at the resort.

Saturday morning we had a fabulous breakfast buffet in the main dining room before catching a shuttle to the equestrian center for a morning carriage ride.  Despite the misty, foggy morning we were still able to enjoy the beautiful fall scenery during a quiet, peaceful trail ride.  Afterwards we headed back to the main hotel and went for a swim in the indoor pool at the spa.  Walker took a nice long nap after lunch while Savannah and Oscar went back to the game room and briefly checked out the put-put course.  Dinner was at Sam Snead's Tavern located in the town on Hot Springs, just behind the resort.        

S bowling

W preferred playing with the balls over actually knocking down pins

running wild in the lobby

S having a chat with one of the horses

family photo on the carriage

the fog really started to roll in by late morning

thanking the horse for the ride

the front of the hotel 

the grounds behind the hotel

the view from our room

a wedding outside our window

the indoor pool

on our way to dinner

The part I dislike most about traveling is bedtimes.  No one goes to bed on time and it's always a struggle to get everyone settled.  Savannah slept between me and Oscar and Walker slept in a crib next to the bed.  Walker was the last to go to sleep because he's too busy watching everyone else try to fall asleep.  I think he finally quieted down around 10:00.  And just like on every vacation, he's still up bright and early.  I went for a run both mornings and he woke up right before I returned to the room.  We snuck out Sunday morning so Savannah could get a few more minutes of sleep.  My little man and I headed downstairs for a coffee and enjoyed sitting on the front porch of the hotel just rocking away. 

We went back to the room, woke up Savannah, and headed down for another glorious breakfast buffet.  We had hoped to spend the morning outside but the rain killed those plans.  So we took a few pictures before loading the car and heading home.  Thankfully we cut off an hour of the drive by taking a less adventurous way home.  We made it home before 4:00 and still managed to make our weekly Jason's Deli date.

early morning with W

breakfast time

my two most favorite little people

my boys

So there goes another fabulous fall weekend getaway.  I love these yearly quick trips.  It gives us a chance to spend a little more time together and to form new memories as a family.  As much as I have enjoyed these past few years of visiting Virginia and West Virginia, I'm kinda looking forward to just going 2 hours west to Asheville next year.  This mama is just not cut out for road trips and unless we're going to Sea Island, anything further than three hours away is too much.
Now it would be nice if Mother Nature would send some of that nice fall weather our way.  I'm ready for those crisp, cool mornings and having the fire going and pulling out the cozy sweaters.  Maybe this is the weekend that it comes :)