Tuesday, March 22, 2011

My Weekend Was - The Greenbrier


***WARNING***
If you have no interest in seeing (probably way too many) pictures of our weekend at The Greenbrier, you will want to skip this post!

It's funny, I have been to The Greenbrier before for the Greenbrier Classic.  You can read about that visit HERE if you want :)  Anyway, I didn't take any photos on that trip because you weren't allowed to have your camera out and about.  This weekend I was snapping pictures left and right (can we say tacky tourist?!?!?).  I realized how much my camera is lacking.  Not that I have any great skill level when it comes to taking photos, but please know that the following pictures were taken with my point and click...and they leave much to be desired.















Our room:







We got lost, but we didn't mind....






(TEN relaxing in grandeur)

Friday evening TEN and I had dinner at Drapers with Barbie and Ken, who were also at The Greenbrier for the weekend.  We did a bit of walking around, and then headed into the Casino.





No pictures are allowed in the casino, but we didn't stay for very long.  I wanted to watch people playing roulette, craps and black jack.  I wasn't 100% sure which game was going to be "my game" yet. 

After a few cocktails, a bit of shopping, and more cocktails we headed off to bed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday morning TEN and I walked the grounds before our appointments at the Spa.  We also visited the President's Cottage Museum, and took a tour.  Very interesting!



(the Spring House.  there is a nice little plaque that i photographed with information about the Spring House, but it's a sideways picture...so blogger is not cooperating.  sorry.)



(TEN looking down into the spring)

(this is what he sees!)


(i loved this sculpture made out of golf tees!  couldn't resist posting...even if it is sideways :)





There are some other really neat pictures from our walk, but again...they are facing sideways...so they won't load properly.  Booo....

After our walk we went to The Forum for an Italian lunch treat :) 




I had Baked Gnocchi Al Pomodoro.  It came out with the parmesan, fontina & aged provolone cheeses bubbling, and toasted bread on the side.  TEN had the Sunday Sauce Rigatoni with braised beef, pork and Italian sausage simmered in a red wine marinara sauce.  Both were out of this world!

We did a bit more shopping, and then attended a cooking demonstration by one of The Greenbrier's chefs.  It was great fun, and I ended up buying a set of The Greenbrier's cheese knives.  I've been searching for just the right set...and now I've got them :)

Off to the spa!  I sensed that TEN was a little leery of the spa.  He's had plenty of massages before, but any time I've mentioned a manicure, pedicure, or any other such thing he adamantly refuses.  I'm not sure why?  Anyway, I wasn't sure how this was going to go.  He had agreed to the Mineral Bath Soak.  I had a Mud & Mineral Bath Soak.  I thought this would be a good "step 1" for future spa visits :)


We didn't take our cameras into the spa, but I almost wish I had!  The soaks were in these OLD bath house type rooms.  You walked down the steps into the ground, which was tiled, and water came out from the spring.  It was heated, of course, but so neat!  The time flew by, and I continued to take my time in the women's changing room (showering, blow drying my hair, curling my hair).  There was plenty of the day left, and I didn't want to have to go back to the room before we could do something else.


I did begin to worry that TEN may be losing his patience, so I got myself dressed and headed out to the Spa Lobby.  What in the world was I worried about?!?!?  They had to go back and get TEN (after I waited/shopped for about 5 minutes).  He was having such a lovely time in the men's spa lounge room he wasn't in any hurry!  I couldn't have been happier :)  He went into the sauna, took a shower, and was hanging out in his robe reading the paper.  He met a man who had been there for 6 hours!  He said it was the only place he could go where he could get away from his wife & kids.  I'm not going to lie...that made me sad :(  I told TEN not to get any ideas :-o

After the spa we ran into Barbie & Ken who were enjoying an "original" Mint Julep.  Did you know that the Mint Julep was developed at The Greenbrier?  I had no idea, and I'll tell you what...they were the BEST Mint Juleps I have EVER had.  Hands down.


We all decided to take our Mint Juleps and head to the bowling alley for a friendly game of couple vs. couple. 



TEN and I won.  Not that who wins is important.  But I'm just sayin... :)

After bowling we headed back to the room to get dressed for the evening.  We decided to have dinner at Infusion (in the casino) with Barbie and Ken.  I did a bit more "watching" in the casino before we had dinner. 


I will say, our dinner at Infusion was our least favorite meal of the weekend.  The four of us were in agreement on this.  There wasn't much flavor.  It was rather drab.  And disappointing.  Oh well!  The ambiance somewhat made up for it...



I still wasn't sure which game I was most comfortable with.  I tried craps. 


Every time I thought I had the hang of the game, I was told "no, no...that's not quite right".  I finally gave up.  I took my $200 (or slightly less than), and headed to the roulette wheel. 


I proceeded to loose my next three bets in a row, and called it a day with this game.  There were various other games in the casino, but I decided that I would try black jack.  If that didn't work, I was done...


I have found my game :)  I started out with $200, and I walked away with:

(it should actually be $265.  I think one of the $20's is behind another)

I kept calling this the lucky clam.  I think it's actually a scallop?



We decided we needed a group picture in front of it:


And then it was off to bed!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Sunday we all met in the Main Dining Room to enjoy the Sunday Breakfast Buffet.  OMG...it was so much food!  And so good.  And I'm pretty sure I dreamed about the buffet Sunday night while I lay sleeping :)

(TEN and I after brunch, before we did one more bit of shopping and then head home)

Overall, an absolutely LOVELY weekend :)  We decided that the next time (yes..there will definitely be a next time) we go we will do a few things differently.  Not that this trip wasn't fantastic, but we picked up a few tips along the way...
T

24 comments:

mrs.mfc said...

Lovely lovely pictures just as I expected!! Looks gorgeous! And I just love the dress you wore.. I guess Saturday evening? So pretty!

Anonymous said...

ahhhhhh, so beautiful! Sounds like you had a fabulous time! I absolutely love the black dress and your pearls! Such a gorgeous lady who was so in her element at those astonishingly beautiful surroundings!!

Jess said...

Your life is seriously fabulous!!!

Annie said...

Love it!!! Great pictures of you and TEN!!!!! So glad yall had a blast!

MCW said...

OMG. I want to go there SOOOOO badly. Thank god you took so many pictures. I LOVE it.

PS - The clam makes me laugh.

Dee Stephens said...

I have never been but am dying to do so! I might make this a trip for us in the next few months!
Fun with another couple.
Funny story -- but I had the same experience when I went to the spa in my co-hometown of Hot Springs. Old bath house where the men were on one side and the women the other. I was panicked that Brad was fuming and embarassed to only realize it was one of the best experiences of his life! He wants to go back there everytime we go to HS.
HAHA! Before I plan our trip we need to talk.
I tend to visit the same places over and over b/c I'm familiar. I'm trying to break out of my shell.

Alexandra Bee Blog said...

i am so jealous of your trip! what perfect weather for the weekend, too!
AND..you looked GREAT in that sparkly dress you wore to dinner at the casino!

Life Through Preppy Glasses said...

looks amazing!!

The Defunct Curator said...

It looks so nice and like you had a great time. Great pictures too.

Tote said...

What great pictures! Looks like you and ten had an awesome time. It does look like a beautiful place to visit. I will def put The Greenbrier on my Bucket list.

Susan

Molly said...

I LOVE The Greenbrier! Haven't been there in years, but from the looks of your pictures, it doesn't seem to have lost any of it's charm :)

Anonymous said...

Looks like you had a great time! I have heard fabulous things and your pictures prove that...I LOVE your room and all of the decor!

That is SO funny about TEN in the spa...Chad is always the one to suggest we go so I never have to worry about that ;)

Have a wonderful Tuesday!!

xoxo
Jess

Trish {Pink Preppy Lilly Lover} said...

Hey sweet thing! I know how much you were looking forward to this weekend getaway at the Greenbrier, and I am SO glad to hear it was just as lovely as can be! Glad you picked up a couple pointers for your next visit, always good to know what to do and what to skip. The food overall sounds FAB! Perhaps some inspirations for your cooking club? ;) The story of TEN enjoying himself at the spa was awesome. Glad he really embraced it and had fun!!! Your "suite" was GORGEOUS! Love all the yellow, so cheerful. And you looked GORGEOUS in all those pretty dresses! Yippee! Hooray for romantic road trips! You know, come to think of it I think you and TEN need to plan a romantic trip to New Orleans! (That might or might not be for selfish reasons heehee!) Hugs to you lovely lady xoox

Pink Champagne said...

Sounds like a lovely weekend, and I loved ooohing and aaaahing over all the gorgeous decor! It is a must-visit for Husband and I someday. And who knew that the Mint Julep began at the Greenbrier? What a fun fact! So happy your trip was so fab! XO

katelyn w said...

Looks/sounds like such an amazing weekend!

Twenty Something Blonde said...

Sounds amazing....I am so jealous!!! glad you guys had such a wonderful weekend! :)

Unknown said...

I loved reading this post and enjoyed all the pictures! The Greenbrier is just stunning!!!!! I love the pictures of you and TEN. :) Sounds like you guys had an amazing weekend!
XOXO
-Vy

Miss Sweet Tea said...

Looks like such a fun weekend!

Ann said...

Wow that's some fabulous place. Glad you had a good time.
I have to say that I really love that shot of the bowling shoes

jillian :: cornflake dreams. said...

how fun! it looks like you had a great time! i really love the giant gazebo! xoxo jcd:: cornflake dreams

Kassie said...

I've seen so many bloggers talk up the Greenbriar--it's on my list! Love that dress. Oh and TEN's a cutie. ;)

Whitney and the Preppy Puppies said...

I cannot get over your room- amazing!
P.S. You look gorgie in your gold dress. xo xo

how i met your father blog said...

your pictures look like it was such a blast!! so glad the two of you had a lovely time. you look gorgeous!

BelleinBows said...

I loved look through these pictures and reading about your great weekend. It looks and sounds like you had a great weekend.