A Quick Trip to the Plantation

24/02/13 11:13 PM

Hurley looking out of the Riverside door

Hurley looking out of the Riverside door

Today we drove up to the plantation for a quick couple of meetings. We met with a bride to be and her mother and sister. We also met a new friend and her daughter that came through our Twitter connections!

And who should be the center of attention through it all…

our sweet Hurley!

The bride finalized her wedding plans with us and we have officially booked our first wedding/honeymoon night for Belle Grove Plantation! It is so exciting! And we haven’t even opened our doors yet! The best part was that she has asked to do her bridal photo shoot with us before the wedding and requested to have Hurley in some of those pictures! Well, of course we will have to consult with his manager, but I think we can work her into his busy schedule!

The new friend we met today was really wonderful! She has introduced us to a band that we didn’t even know existed! Now you know that both Brett and I are former military. Brett served 21 years in the US Navy as a field corpsman, an independent duty corpsman and instructor. I served in the US Marine Corps as a field radio operator. We met in Camp LeJeune where he was serving with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines and I was with Communications Company, Head Quarters Battalion. With our service and the fact that we are opening James Madison’s birthplace, you have to know that we are pretty patriotic.

Well this band has both of our loves! Patriotic and James Madison! The band is called “Madison Rising” and was named after the Great Little James Madison! It is a rock and roll band with a bit of an edge to them. If you grew up in the 80s and listen to Van Halen and other heavy metal bands, like Brett and I did, you can understand why we like them.

bigcd

http://youtu.be/c8C7i9kdEf8

http://www.madisonrising.com/

www.madisonrising.com

But the coolest part is the lead singer, Dave Bray also served in the US Navy as a field hospital corpsman with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines in Camp Lejeune! How cool is that! If you can a chance, check them out on their YouTube video. This one is their version of “The Star Spangle Banner”. It is really good and will give you chill bumps!

But we also wanted to share some picture we snapped at the plantation of everyone’s favorite “Plantation Dog”!

Believe me, he has a blast today running around and making new friends! 

We are currently booking his business schedule….. haha!

Hurley and Brett check out the river bluff

Hurley and Brett check out the river bluff

Hurley inspects the 1900 water fountain.

Hurley inspects the 1900 water fountain.

Hurley playing on the Riverside of the Mansion

Hurley playing on the Riverside of the Mansion

Hurley and Brett prepare to watch the "Evening Show", our sunset over the river.

Hurley and Brett prepare to watch the “Evening Show”, our sunset over the river.

To see more pictures of our famous Plantation Dog

Hurley

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Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Darnell History, Hurley | 49 Comments »

49 Comments on “A Quick Trip to the Plantation”

  1. Suzanne Says:

    It’s wonderful and I am so happy that you booked the wedding, it’s all happening!! I love Madison Rising, how exciting!!!

  2. Thank you! Did you know Madison Rising before us? I feel so behind… haha. Yes, I have a feeling we are about to get really busy!!

  3. Suzanne Says:

    I have only known about them for a couple of months, a friend sent me their video, I love their soulful renditions of patriotic songs. They are amazing!

  4. We have to agree!

  5. ryan Says:

    wow.. it’s beautiful house you got there…

  6. Thank you! Hope you have a chance to come by and see us some day!

  7. ryan Says:

    i hope so…
    just like in the movie…

  8. PigLove Says:

    Hurley – you are so photogenic and so beautiful!! XOXO – Bacon

  9. Thank you Bacon! You should come play and get pics together soon!

    Hugs back at you!
    Hurley

  10. PigLove Says:

    Hopefully one day soon. I wish you great vibes and best wishes for your opening day this weekend ((HUGS)). I’ll be thinking of you and so will mom. XOXO – Bacon

  11. Well Bacon, you are about two months ahead. We don’t open until May 1st. But thank you for thinking about us! Lots of Hugs and Sweet Kisses – Hurley

  12. PigLove Says:

    Aww darn it. I had my calendar marked wrong.

  13. That’s okay! Now you can plan to see us sooner! 😉

  14. Great band! So excited about the wedding. Love you Hurley.
    Semper fi!

  15. Thank you! We are really getting excited!

  16. Ogee Says:

    Congratulations…on the booking and on discovering the hidden sales talents of Hurley!

  17. Thank you! Who knew that Hurley was going to be such a “star” 😉

  18. Lisa Says:

    Congratulations on the booking already!! I’m so excited about your beautiful plantation! Hurley is a wonderful plantation star!!

  19. Thank you! We are so excited to get such a wonderful jump on things! Hurley is asking us for a “star” on his bowl now.. lol.

  20. john Says:

    Great pics and a great American band too. 🙂

  21. Thank you! We think they are really good too!

  22. Dianna Says:

    Exciting times! Yesterday’s sunset was beautiful. How wonderful to learn of Madison Rising. It’s a small world, as they say.

  23. Thank you! What a weekend we had! Thank you for being a part of it! 😉

  24. Deb Says:

    Hurley is obviously so “at home” at Belle Grove. You can tell he loves the place as much as you do. Will there be any other plantation animals in the future? As with bookstores, it seems as if a plantation cat is in order nicely curled into a warm chair by the fire.
    I picture a slightly disdainful tabby who will of course rule the house yet dispense welcome tail twitches and occasionally curl up in your guests laps if encouraged 🙂

  25. Hurley is very much at home there. He is going to be a welcome companion in April while I am there alone. We have thought about a cat, but with some people having some issues with cat hair we may have to put that one on hold.

  26. Anne Emery Says:

    So proud of you two. Things are looking up! Blessings to you all. Can’t wait to visit. 🙂

  27. Thank you so much Anne! We hope to see all of you there!

  28. inkspeare Says:

    This is awesome news, congratulations! And your dog is adorable 🙂

  29. Thank you so much! Hurley is such a big sweetie!

  30. Brigitte Says:

    So happy for you! Things are moving along!

  31. Yes they are! You may be getting a call soon too!

  32. dcwisdom Says:

    I thank you and Brett for your service. God bless you. I’ll check out Madison Rising.

  33. Thank you so much! We would do it again any day!

  34. It really sounds like things are moving forward … yeah 😉

  35. Yes they are! Thank you!

  36. sarahlouisek Says:

    Whoa! That really got me pumped up.

  37. Thank you!

  38. Jen Says:

    Oh, Madison Rising is a very cool band! Maybe someday they can do a concert at Belle Grove. How cool would THAT be?

    And I do love the Hurley pictures. He looks very handsome indeed as he patrols his new place! He must be quite proud of his new responsibility. 😉

  39. Thank you! You know it was our thoughts too! We would love to have them with us! Yes, Hurley is so proud of his job at the plantation!

  40. Patty B Says:

    Me thinks Hurley is becoming a star! 🙂 I hope you are able to post some of the pictures from the first wedding held at Belle Grove.

  41. Thank you! Yes, Hurley has told us “Duke” from the Bush Baked Beans commercial needs to watch out! 😉 Yes we are going to be able to put up pictures!

  42. Patty B Says:

    😀 ha ha ha Watch out Duke –

  43. 🙂

  44. Shelley Says:

    Wonderful band, inspiring video and I agree, they should probably be at your ribbon cutting ceremony in a couple of months. 😉
    I hope all the last minute prep work is falling into place and not wreaking havoc with your head. So excited for all of you – the woofer included.

  45. Thank you! I don’t know if we can get them there for the ribbon cutting. It would be great to have them. But it is quite short notice. But we will see if we can get them there soon! Work is coming along. Just need to get rid of this current job (March 29th) so I can focus on what needs to be done at the plantation!

  46. Things are looking great…good thing Hurley is keeping an eye on things 😉

  47. Thank you! Yes, I am so glad Hurley loves the plantation like we do. He is going to be my companion in April while we get the last things done.

  48. That Hurley! Earning his keep every day 🙂

  49. Haha… he is such a good dog! 🙂