The Homestead

Mike and I went on our yearly overnight anniversary trip!  Our 11 year anniversary was August 10th, but we decided to wait until the kids were back in school before we took our trip.  It's easier on the babysitter to not have as many kids!  We got our super babysitter, Anne, to come watch the kids while Mike and I slipped away for a couple of days.  We drove to Hot Springs, VA (it's in the middle of no where in Western VA, about a 3 hour drive).  It was a beautiful drive in the George Washington National Forest.  We stayed at The Homestead - a beautiful and peaceful resort! We got the 'unlimited activities' package and had a great time.  We rode horses, Mike went skeet shooting, we went on a hayride, had s'mores, went swimming (in a pool that was fed by the natural springs, so it was warm and had water slides!) and soaked in the Jefferson Pools - free flowing pools fed by natural hot springs that Thomas Jefferson, among others, soaked in for good health!   We had a fabulous time. 

 Mike getting to know one of the horses

 Mike on his horse, Harry.  He was very slow and not really interested in walking much.   My horse, Chance, is in the background

 Roasting s'mores at an outdoor fireplace

A view of The Homestead hotel (it's huge)

On our drive out we talked about how much we love living in Virginia and how we have so many fun places to explore and visit - we can go to the beach or the mountains, the city or the country.  We have rich history to learn about and also the new and exciting to explore.  As sad as it is to be so far from 'home' we really do LOVE Virginia.