Travel Diaries: Barnsley Gardens in Georgia

My family (minus my dad) had been thinking for weeks, how can we celebrate dad's big 70th birthday together, yet work around Georgia Tech football for dad and Clemson football for Todd (I have one older brother)!  Guess what?!?  We did it!!  Matthew called my dad two weeks before Labor Day weekend (Dad's birthday is September 6th) and asked if he could play in a golf tournament the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend at Barnsley Gardens.  My parents have always been the type parents to drop whatever they have planned to spend time with all of us, so even though a "golf tournament for United Way" should have sounded suspicious on Labor Day weekend, dad said, "Sure.  What time?"  Matthew told him around 12:00 (also strange for a golf tournament) and little did my dad know, we would all be there to jump out of the Barnsley Gardens bushes to surprise him!  He was beyond excited to show up and find out we were all there for a family weekend to celebrate his big 7-0!  We actually surprised him.  You could tell he did not have a clue!  We were so excited, we were about to pop!  My brother and nephew went to the opening Clemson game, so they were not there for the surprise part, but came in plenty of time for all the weekend festivities!  The girls surprised dad in their matching Lilly dresses!

Barnsley Gardens Resort is absolutely fabulous for a family weekend trip.  Situated in North Georgia,  Barnsley is a historic resort once known as Woodlands Manor.  It was an estate built by Jay Godfrey for the love of his life, but is now a resort that makes you feel like you are welcomed onto a Southern plantation with all the hospitality you think of when you are in the South.  As it states on the Barnsley website, "time can stand still and is touched in magical ways."  Isn't that what we all need in this crazy busy time of raising our children?

picture credit: Barnsley Gardens Website

Once we checked in, we were ready to explore.  We first went through a very English-inspired garden.  It felt like a maze to the kids, so they had a ball running through and we all enjoyed the gorgeous flowers surrounding us.  Honestly, the gardens reminded me of the rose garden at Furman University, where Matthew and I met.  I just love a fabulous English garden and Barnsley certainly has a great one.  After exploring in the gardens and the tree lined lined roads where cars are not allowed, we went and enjoyed lunch poolside.  We changed the kids into swimsuits and ordered our food.  I really think at this point, my dad was still in shock and had a smile on his face from ear to ear.  With everything he does for all of us, this could not have made me happier!  I wish I could tell you more about lunch, but the kids had grilled cheese or chicken fingers with sweet potato fries and Matthew had a hot dog, so not a lot of fine dining at lunch, but the kids thought it was great!  The music out by the pool was oldies music and made you want to get up and dance, or at least have an afternoon drink and watch the kids play!  After an hour, we went for a bike ride.  We took our personal bikes to Barnsley, but the resort has bikes available to rent, with plenty of places to ride and take in the beautiful surroundings.  While we were out bike riding, I found some super cute things in the gift shop, oh and picked up a new stuffed animal for Caroline.  (She forgot her stuffed animals she sleeps with and for those of you who know Caroline well, this is not a good thing.  It was worth the $22.00 for her new poodle by Jellycat for us to all get a good night's sleep, and yes, she is eight years old :) )!  By this time, my brother and nephew had arrived and we sat in the Adirondack chairs in front of our cottage.  (I wore this favorite top of mine, knowing I would have to soon put it up until next summer).  The weather was amazing and we listened to a band that was playing over by the Beer Garden.  We were so content on the lawn and played Go Fish with the kids.  After dinner at The Woodlands Grill, everyone did s'mores and waited for the movie on the lawn, Disney's "Toy Story."  We went to bed relaxed and content ready for a new day.  I have to also say, the guest rooms are adorable, each complete with wood-burning fireplaces and claw-foot-tubs.

The guys woke up on Sunday and played golf and we took the girlies horseback riding.  Sarah was too young, so she made friends with a goat and had an absolute ball!  It was hysterical!

After the morning activities of horse backing riding and golf, some of us went to the pool and others went fishing.  I, of course, would rather freeze in a pool in one of my favorite swimsuits with the girls than go fishing, but my brother, on the other hand, loves to fish!  This goes to show there is something for everyone at Barnsley.

I had planned for a photographer to come take pictures in the afternoon, so we all cleaned up around 4:00 for pictures at 5:00.  The following pictures were taken by Mike Knapp, who I have used as a family photographer for many years now.  The girls in Lilly Pulitzer dresses again, a favorite of mine because not only are the colors so happy, but with the age difference between Sarah and Caroline, Lilly Pulitzer is perfect when I want them to match (which is almost always)!

After pictures, the girls put their birthday party dresses on and we went to The Woodlands Grill for our 6:30 reservation.  We talked, laughed, and celebrated.  I am so truly lucky to have such wonderful family and to watch my parents who have been married I think forever :) (actually 41 years) to celebrate everything together!  I had picked up a delicious cake I brought from ChattaCakes located in Chattanooga, which had two of his favorites things on top, the word "Pop" and Georgia Tech colors.  After dinner, there was an awesome band playing in front of what they call the "Townhall."  We all went and changed into jeans and light sweaters after dinner and went and danced, sang and did s'mores again under the stars.  I wore this sweater with cut off jean shorts.  I wish you all could have seen Sarah dancing in front of the band.  I really thought she was going to take flight, she was bouncing so high!

The next day, with Barnsley being so close to where we all live, no one was in a hurry to rush right out!  Mom and dad took the older kids kayaking and I took Sarah to the playground.  We all packed up around noon and headed home.  What a wonderful weekend we will all remember forever!