Get away

 My husband and I ran away for a few days!  We took advantage of a Groupon deal and stayed for two nights at Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris, GA.  It was wonderful to get away from everything and relax.

We rode horses for two hours the first day.  I hadn't been on a horse in about 7 years. And this one kept tripping on the trail.  Yes, tripping.  I had to alternate between standing in the stirrups and gripping the saddle tightly with my legs.  So, yeah, I feel like I did about 2,317 plies.  (That should be read like the french ballet term, not the word that rhymes with "dies," although there were times I wondered if that was what might happen to us on some of the steeper mountain trails.... but I digress...)

The hotel had a great heated indoor pool, whirlpool and sauna.  We took advantage of those every day, in part to recover from our trail ride.  I also enjoyed the most indulgent spa experience I've ever had.  I'm going to recount it here, just so I remember it when the laundry starts piling up and the kids are attacking each other with the ferocity of rabid raccoons.  Indulge me, will you?  And try not to be jealous...

I started off with a half an hour before my appointment to soak in a Eucalyptus steam room, take a Swedish shower, relax and change into my robe and spa shoes.  Next I went to the "relaxation room" (which was a fancy waiting room, pictured above) with the most comfortable adjustable chairs, delicious hot and cold herbal teas, trail mixes, relaxing fountains, and a smoky fireplace/incense smell.  Then came my massage.  I love, love, love getting a massage.  I love everything about it, from the enya-esque music to the aromatherapy oils to the amazingly comfortable table.  I even love the way my eyes look all scrunched up from the face rest when it is over.  And I especially love the relaxation.  (I do not, however, express my love for massages like Claire does...)

After the massage I sat a little longer in the relaxation room.  I stood at the windows and looked out at the sundeck with its hydrotherapy pool and the Cherokee style hothouse and then to the golf course where Hubby was playing his 18 holes. It was too windy for me to go out and enjoy the outdoor portion of the spa, and nearly too windy for his golf game, but otherwise the weather was beautiful.  And, because it was cooler and "off-season" we had almost the entire resort to ourselves.  In fact, when we went to breakfast the first day, we found that they did not even set up the buffet because there were less than 30 guests in the whole place!

We spent a lot of time enjoying the views, reading (and soaking) in the quiet, and even star-gazing.  I also beat my husband (badly) in a game of checkers in the fireside lounge. It was relaxing, romantic, and reinvigorating all at the same time.

 I appreciate my parents for coming down and staying with the girls and the dogs and making it possible for us to get away.  Little Sis was worried the first night when we called to check-in, asking me where we had gone and then saying, "but we don't have a mom and dad anymore."  Even if she didn't understand when I said we'd be right back, she knew she was in good hands with Nana and Papa.  And we could relax because we knew it too.  Thanks again, guys.

It was just what we needed!