The Homestead
I had the great fortune to spend a weekend at the Homestead , Hot Springs Virginia Homestead
We began our stay with Skeet shooting and Target practice. The guys Jeff and Rodney tried their hands at skeet shooting and they did great. Marcia and I were handed a 22 gauge rifle and sent down to the range. I looked at Marcia just a bit incredulous thinking, OMG are they expecting us to do this on our own? We made it down to the range; put the targets up….. loaded the clips and proceeded to aim at the targets. I let Marcia load first as I was scared to death that I would load them backwards, I am sure there is little chance of that actually happening but I tend to worry about everything. Much to my amazement we actually hit the targets and were right in the bull’s-eye. I do have the targets to prove it. Now I am not saying I could actually hit anything that was moving because I am pretty sure that they would move before I ever got them sighted in…. They guys finished skeet shooting and joined us on the range, being the good sports we are we let them have a turn… at the stationary targets as well, UM, they weren’t quite as accurate as we ladies were. The homestead features many other outside activities as well such as Skiing, snowmobiling, skating and carriage rides to name just a few. They also have an amazing spa facility which they use the hot springs
Back to the Homestead for high tea and little finger sandwiches in the Main hall which boasts at least three crackling fires in Grand fireplaces. My first experience with High Tea, yes I was sure to hold my pinky finger up. They also had hot chocolate for those that did not enjoy tea. Well, me I enjoyed both. We then took a tour of the incredible historic hotel. They have a bar called the Presidents Lounge aptly named for the 22 of the 45 presidents that have stayed at the Homestead Homestead
The weekend we were there was a bitter cold one and the nights only got colder. Of course those of you that know me well know that practicality is not always a strong suit of mine, it is all about the fashion even when it is 10 degrees out. I did wear those opened toes shoes because DAMN they looked amazing and I was sporting a fresh pedicure. I never complained once that my feet were freezing. I will say that I was happy to be able to be seated next to the crackling fireplace at Sam Snead’s Tavern for dinner.
Dinner was no disappointment either. We all had some sort of BEEF! I had the rib eye which was cooked exactly like I like it. Others had Filet Mignon and I think one had a Seafood dish (it has been a while since the trip to the Homestead). We had a great bottle of wine. I was so proud of my husband Jeff, when we met he was not as much of a wine drinker as myself, I know again shocking. The reason I mention this is that Rodney, Marcia and I were trying to discern what we were tasting in the wine and Jeff pops out with Vanilla. We are all scratching our heads thinking really vanilla and wow Jeff knows that. We gave him crap of course thinking we would know if it was vanilla but none of us came up with that. So thank goodness for smart phones we were able to Google the wine and find out what the flavors in the wine were…… OK YES it was Vanilla. Jeff you are my new favorite sommelier. The walk back did not get any warmer but the lobby of the hotel again boasted a crackling fire where we could warm up.
The weekend albeit brief was great. I recommend everything about the Homestead, well with the exception of the ride out there. Don’t forget to try the Main dining room for Brunch, again excellent. Also check out the two story wine cellar, yes that was two stories. I of course did try to get in to check it out but the maitre’de was not having any of that.
Make the time to treat yourself to a fantastic spot for R&R
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