Let's Play Pretend - Greenbrier Style

This weekend we pretended to be country club orthopedic surgeon types at the Greenbrier, and it was great!  This funny adventure started with Brian writing a paper with a few orthopedic surgeons last year.  Unbeknownst to him, the paper was submitted and accepted at the Southern Orthopedic Association's yearly conference, held at the Greenbrier this year.  However, neither of the two ortho doctors could go to present it this weekend, so they asked if Brian could go - to which he cooly answered affirmatively, but inwardly was doing fist pumps.  Or maybe that was me doing the fist pumps.  Either way, we found a free family ticket to a 5 star resort, all for a 6 minute presentation!  Score! 

For those people not familiar with the Greenbrier - it's in White Sulphur Spring, West Virginia - and it's fabulous.  It's old and historic and fancy pantsy.  Presidents stay there and they even had a bunker hidden there for over 30 years ready to relocate congress at a moments notice in the event of a nuclear attack.  This is West Virginia at it's finest!





I have been there twice before, but never as an overnight guest.  I went for a luncheon as a DECA state officer and a I also attended a friend's prom there, but it was so fun to roam around and try out all the amentitites.  The indoor pool from the 1930's was super cool.
 We taught the kids how to play billiards,
 tried our hand at shuffleboard,

 enjoyed the outdoor infinity pool overlooking the golf coarse,

played some checkers,
 and enjoyed the afternoon tea (or at least the cookies) each day. 
 Before tea was served they danced the "Greenbriar Waltz" and announced tea.
 Haley enjoying her cookies listening to the pianist.
Here's Brian looking over his presentation in the victorian room.


 A few years ago they added a really fancy casino for hotel guest only.  Here is the entrance.

 I love these kids!
The kids enjoyed the little playground.

 Here is the White Sulphur spring that started it all back in the 1770's.  People would come here for healing properties from the water.


 Awww!  I finally got a nice picture of the two of them!!!
 ...and I also got a few of these...
And last, but not least - I must tell you about our room, with it's crazy wallpaper (which the Greenbrier is known for).  Before we came, the secretary arranging the trip managed to upgrade our room since they only had king beds left and when we got there the check in guy said he could upgrade us again to help accomodate 2 roll-aways for the same price.  No-brainer, right?  Needless to say, the room was absoluetly huge. 
 With it's own walk in closet and sitting room.
 We didn't know if it was a mistake or what (this was a $1200 room), but we weren't going to ask!  It was heavenly!
 Well, Brian may be a Ph.D, not an M.D., and we might fit in better in a mountain hideaway than a country club (which is fine with us!), but it was super fun to play pretend for a few days!   

Comments

Anonymous said…
The Greenbrier is spectacular!! So glad you guys got to stay there. What a treat! You've gotta love that wallpaper. Nice swimming pools too. The kids looked so grown up. Just like they fit in that fabulous lifestyle. So happy for you!
July 22, 2012 at 9:03 PM
Bev/Mom said…
Glad you all had such a great time. We just saw the kids but they look so much more grown up in these pictures.I'm as proud of Brian's PhD as any mom would be.
July 22, 2012 at 11:20 PM
Anonymous said…
Wow-that IS fancy-pantsy! We stopped in the lobby on the way to your house last year just to get a glimpse of it. Fun fun!

Cara
July 23, 2012 at 8:49 AM
Jennifer's Kitchen said…
That is SO FUN!!! I had never heard of Greenbrier, but it's obviously THE place to go!!! What cool adventures--all of it!! I love the waltz and pianist with tea and cookies. The wallpaper rocks. I love that the coach matches. Yowza. What a great time!!!!!
July 23, 2012 at 10:50 AM
Amy said…
Livin' the dream! So cool. Haley looks so demure at the tea 'party'. I love the silly picture of the kids!
July 23, 2012 at 12:39 PM
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