My 34th Bday

Gma & I both share and October birthday. She turned 90 on the 7th and I turned 34 on the 15th. My sister thought it'd be nice to take us both up to French Lick & West Baden to see the renovations done to the old hotels. Such a lovely day.

French Lick was discovered in 1778 when George Rogers Clark discovered the natural mineral springs and salt licks of the area. The first French Lick Hotel was built in 1832 and West Baden Springs was built in 1855. In 1888 West Baden was transformed into a true resort and the wealthy people of the time made it their goal to visit. The original building was destroyed in 1901 by a huge fire. Lee W. Sinclair then saw this as an opportunity to create his dream. A huge circular building, with a domed roof and the indoor opulence of the finest resorts in Europe. In 1902 the new hotel was opened for business. For the next 27 years it remained a place for people to come see the "Eighth Wonder of the World" and to reap the benefits of the numerous natural mineral springs which were believed to cure anything that ailed you.

When the stock market crashed in 1929, the hotel virtually cleared out overnight. It was sold to the Jesuits for a dollar and was used as a college for the next 60 years, after ofcourse, they removed all of it's elegance.

In 1989 a huge ice storm collapsed the dome roof and destroyed what was left of the interior. For the next 10 years the hotel went through limbo of partial reconstruction and abandonment several times. Finally in 2003 the final restoration began and it was reopened, in its original glory in 2006.

Roses Grandma received from a friend. Hard to believe she's 90.
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The first thing you see when you walk into French Lick- the gorgeous intricate floors.
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And the pertiful sparkly chandeliers. I cringe at the thought of cleaning them though.
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And the pertiful sparkly lights throughout the hotel.
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Then you enter the main lobby. Spectacular is the only word to describe it.
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Ceiling murals.
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Gorgeous work.
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I love all the long hallways.
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Then we made our way over to the West Baden Spa & Resort.

Dina & Gma Siltz
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Me & Gma Siltz
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Me & Dina
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One of the prettiest drives. It actually takes you back to the early days.
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View of the dome from the gardens.
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The old family cemetery.
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Again, LOVE the zoom on the camera.
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Grandma's first view of the restored arboretum. It brought tears to her eyes, as she remembers the state it had been in all her life.
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The dome in all it's glory.
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Truly breathtaking.
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Continuing to take in the view.
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Dina in her favorite chair.
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Grandma taking a break as well.
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Detailing.
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Ceiling detail - Zoomed in from across the dome.
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Looking up.
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The gorgeous tiled floor.
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Each stone was removed individually, numbered, cleaned and restored back into position. The finest craftsmen from Europe were brought in for this job.
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I LOVE this fireplace!! It really needs to be in my home.
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One of the many pretty stained glass doors in the lobby.
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Love this old door. Thick paned glass...very cool.
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I want this old lamp.
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Enjoying the front porch and the view of the estates.
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The entire property is surrounded with thousands of these roses. Gorgeous...and smells so good!
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Once we took Gma back home, I went to visit Mom & Dad.
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...and MaMaw.
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It was a nice 34th birthday. I'd love to go back up and spend more time....maybe even stay for a night, but I doubt I could afford such a thing...nor could I justify spending so much money on such opulence.
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