Good morning, Homestead ... Friday GOP Advance events

 The Casino on a frosty Friday morning before the sun peeked over the mountain.

 The ice skating rink and fire pit next to the Casino.

Steam rises as workers spray water on the skating rink.

This is the view out my window as I wake to a frosty cold morning at the historic 245-year-old Homestead Resort surrounded by the beautiful Alleghany Mountains. The hotel has been bought by KSL Resorts since the last time we were here with the Advance in 2008 and there have been some changes and improvements.

For one, the extensive outdoor Christmas lights that were turned off at midnight in the past stayed on until day break. Our room overlooks the Casino and the new ice skating rink so all the twinkly lights added a festive atmosphere throughout the night. This morning as I look out the widow as the frost-covered grounds, workers are spraying down the skating rink preparing for a busy weekend with a packed resort.

Also new is the fire pit adjacent to the rink where a roaring fire last night had families gathered around enjoying the cold mountain air. Lighted arches over walkways as well decorated lamp posts, faux carolers, deer, and trees add to the holiday feeling.

Indoors, the signature multi-story Christmas tree anchors one end of the Great Hall with its colored lights and decorations while a grand piano anchors the other end as a pianist plays seasonal music. Doors and arches throughout the resort are dressed in garlands and red bows, and the annual gingerbread house has turned into a gingerbread village in the garden hallway.

The Homestead is a winter wonderland, offering skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snow tubing, and snowmobiling. This weekend, there are hayrides available in the afternoons along with archery, paintballing, hiking, golfing, bowling, and shopping ... and don't forget people-watching in the Great Hall sitting cozied next to a crackling fireplace. It has been nice to once again see familiar employee faces. They are a wealth of information about the history of the place and interesting to talk with.

With over 600 Republicans registered for the Advance, the resort will be hopping. Registration begins at noon today in the South Parlor.

Tonight's RPV Welcome Reception will be sponsored by Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling in the Grand Ballroom West.

Tonight's hospitality suites will be headlined by Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling's "Bowling with Bolling" at the Homestead bowling alley from 9-11.

Also headlining will be former Governor George Allen's "A-Team Huddle" in the Players Club from 9-11.

Others with hospitality suites tonight:

Room 900 – Virginia Conservative Victory Fund, hosted by Delegate Ben Cline
Room 906 – Virginia Senate Republican Caucus’ “Campaign Candy Land”
Room 1005 – Americans for Prosperity
Room 1006 – Dessert with Dave and Martha Foster
Room 1105 – Pat Mullins for Chairman
Room 1106 – Congressman Eric Cantor, U.S. House Majority Leader
Room 1200 – Delegate Rob Bell with "Camp Bell" -- s'mores and more
Room 1400 – Senator Mark Obenshain
Room 1520 – Delegate Bob Marshall
Bowling Alley – Lieutenant Governor Bolling’s “Bowling with Bolling”
Players Pub – George and Susan Allen’s A-Team Huddle
Washington Library – Keith Fimian - Growth Opportunity and Prosperity Fund

The complete lineup for the weekend can be found at RPV's website. Meanwhile, I'm going to roam the grounds, the building, and catch up with fellow blogger Jeanine Martin while watching for Republicans to begin arriving this morning. It's time for the 28th Annual Donald Huffman Republican Advance.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
2 December 2011

Back at the Homestead for the Republican Advance ... Christmas is in the air

 It's a beautiful sight ... the Homestead Resort in the Alleghany Mountains of western Virginia.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell and SWAC Husband
1 December 2011

The land of Goshen, Virginia

Goshen in western Virginia ... green and lush in late summer.

Thousands of Boy Scouts have enjoyed the Goshen Boy Scout Reservation, a gift of 4,000 acres from Marjorie Merriweather Post donated to the National Capital Area Council. Providing a rustic atmosphere for camping, hiking, swimming, and learning new skills for new badges, it is made up of six various "camps" around Lake Merriweather, named after Mrs. Post.

Surrounded by the George Washington National Forest and the Goshen Natural Preserve, boys have been camping at Goshen Boy Scout Reservation since 1967. The location put Virginia in the running for the permanent National Scout Jamboree in 2010 but lost out to nearby West Virginia.

Back roads, mountains, hiking trails, wildflowers, wild critters ...

... and the Maury River that carves its way through the mountains. 

See also post with more photos: Goshen Pass, Virginia ... the Maury River

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
24 August 2011

Waterfalls, the mountains, and SWAC Niece

Falling Spring Falls in Alleghany County was at full force today. Winter snow and plenty of rain has filled rivers and streams throughout western Virginia.

SWAC Niece was awed by the view. We took a picnic and spent part of the day roaming the mountains.

Interesting information about Falling Spring Falls.

I took a photo of SWAC Niece taking a photo ...

... and then the rain moved in so we reluctantly headed home.

Photos by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
8 April 2010

One year ago today: Murder at The Homestead

The Homestead Resort

It was March 23, 2009 -- one year ago today -- when shots rang out in The Homestead's kitchen as employee Beacher Hackney allegedly shot and killed two co-workers.

It was a busy Saturday night at the upscale resort ... the kitchen was bustling ... and the shooting took place just feet from guests eating in the formal dining room who were unaware of what was going on nearby.

The western mountains of Virginia suddenly became the scene of a massive manhunt as authorities searched for Beacher Hackney. He has not been seen since.

Where is the Homestead Murderer?

Did he escape into the rugged mountains and make his way into West Virginia? Did he end up 20 miles away at I-64 and escape to points unknown? He was a known loner but could an accomplice have helped him escape?

There are more questions than answers. Bath County Sheriff’s Department’s lead investigator Noel Dunnagan said recently that he felt the murderer was still alive, according to the Lynchburg News & Advance:

“At this time we’re still collecting leads from America’s Most Wanted,” said Bath County Sheriff, Larry Norfleet.

The story has aired several times and has brought in dozens of leads, but none of which have lead to the suspect, so after a while you have to wonder is he still alive.

“I still think he’s alive,” said Norfleet. “Due to the fact that he had a hermit nature, you know, he could certainly exist inside for sometime as long has he had supplies.”

So where did Beacher Hackney go?

Cross-posted at Virginia Virtucon