Ringing It In

Twelve Barker's have invaded the Grove Park Inn to continue our annual tradition of ringing in the New Year in Asheville, North Carolina. The hotel is lovely and when we arrived there was still SNOW on the ground from the White Christmas.

We are staying in the Arts & Crafts themed suite. When the GPI opened in 1913 the Arts & Crafts movement was at its height. The suite features a lot of quarter-sewn oak and hammered-coppered detailing.

Each year the hotel hosts a National Gingerbread Competition and this is the Grand Prize Winner from this year. I have heard many mumbles from guests that is not a true "gingerbread house" but whatever it is, it is made from completely edible materials and is amazing!

Tonight all the kids will dress up in their fancy frocks and we will head to the Great Hall where there are fireplaces, food, drinks and a band to help us ring in 2011. The kids especially love the big tree and sleigh found in this grandiose lobby.

And tomorrow morning, this mama is going to start her New Year off right with a trip to the awesome spa located at the hotel. Ranked #13 in the world, the spa is more than 43,000 square feet in size and hosts mineral pools, waterfall pools, steam rooms, contrast pools and even just quite rooms with fireplaces to sit near and soak it all in!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!