Where did the last 10 days go? It seems like we just got back from the trip we took to Lewisburg, but it’s been a while now! So, it turns out, the Greenbrier resort is in White Sulphur Springs, WV, a few miles from Lewisburg. The Greenbrier is one of those pretty high-end resorts that reminds me of where Daddy tried to put Baby in the Corner. It’s not a place I really understand, but they have really pretty grass, so why not?
Emily and I decided to go and walk around the place and enjoy the beautiful views and take a tour of the declassified bunker that was built into the mountain during the Cold War. The bunker was called Project Greek Island and was built to allow government to continue to exist in the event of nuclear war.
The bunker itself is not all that notable, but the tour given by staff is well worth the cost of the tickets. There was so much secrecy and Cold War intrigue in its construction that simply seeing the structure without the story would be to miss the real gem.
We had a lot of fun walking around the grounds as the staff prepared for the Greenbrier Classic. We spend a few moments indulging our fantasies of wealth and importance and the state of the world during the Cold War. I think the Greenbrier is exactly built for that…a place to get away from reality and ponder things. The cool part for us, at least, is that we didn’t have to pay to stay in the hotel or eat at the restaurants. We were able to escape for a few bucks for the cost of the bunker tour. And even better was leaving with my savings in my pocket, my wife at my side and a reservation back in Lewisburg!
I learned of the bunker a many years ago and was amazed at what they allowed to be shown back then. I’ll bet the tour was fascinating.
Some day when I feel rich I’d love to see this too.
You know I never thought about going there just for the tour! lol I just couldn’t see myself spending that much for a room to stay there. One of my husband’s old employers rode his motorcycle there from DC. They quickly escorted the man to a side entrance because he was dressed in his motorcycle leathers. The man was loaded with money but they treated him like a peasant.
Oh my, that is truly heinous wallpaper!!!
I think that would be an interesting tour.
Have a happy Fourth of July!
I was fortunate enough to spend a weekend there a few years ago (free, with a woman’s club I was in at a conference-whew!). It was an amazing experience. (Of course, I felt like Jethrene at a ball.) The highlight of the trip was the bunker tour. We’re planning on taking the Awesome Kids there this fall just for the history lesson.
I first learned of this only a few months ago on the CBS Sunday Morning show on which they had a segment. I can’t say I would go there to see the bunker but I might go there to pamper myself if I’m ever in the area.