Another 'Traveling' Weekend :)

Okay, this was one crazy trip. It started out that Jerry was going to take me to Costco to get my new camera! (Which I did 'finally' get and I love it!) On our way to Costco's, I 'innocently' suggested we go to Hot Tomatoes in Hartford for their absolutely delicious Chicken Panini Sandwich. So the next thing I know, Jerry is headed toward Hartford. He said we can go eat and then stop at Costco's on the way home. I was so excited about getting to eat that sandwich again, I was not about to argue!! *LoL*
After our delicious lunch, Jerry asked if I wanted to go across the street and get better pictures of The State Capital since it was nice out and last time we were there, it rain and there was a horrible thunderstorm. So we walked across the street and found out that they were setting up for a Jazz Festival that afternoon. We didn't know about it so we were prepared with anything to sit on. And it was so hot and humid too. So we decided to just walk around Bushnell Park, in front of the Capital and take pictures.

Beautiful waterfall in Bushnell Park in front of the State Capital

One of the Indian figures that surrounds the fountain

Hartford setting up for their Jazz Festival in Bushnell Park

 

 The arches you have to go through to get to the State Capital,

behind the vendor tents that are part of the Jazz Festival

 

Now in no hurry to go home, Jerry suggests we head to East Haddam and go through the tour at the Gillette Castle that we missed out on when we went our last visit. So off we go...

Half an hour later, we arrive at our destination. Not as bad of a ride as I thought it was going to be. I am so glad we came back. What a gorgeous castle. The inside wasn't very big at all. And it was very cozy. And the grounds were absolutely breathtaking.

We found ourselves in for a treat when we found out we could take pictures inside the castle!! Pictures are always forbidden in every mansion and castle we have ever been in. So I was in camera heaven, until my batter died in my camera!! Can you believe it??!! I finally get a chance to take pictures inside a castle and the battery to my camera dies!! Luckily I had my cellphone with me and was able to take pictures with that. But they would have came out 'way' better with my camera.

 

Oh well, here we go...

 Entering The Castle

Heading up the stairway to the Main Room

William Gillette's work room. This is were he created all the

beautiful doors throughout the castle.

Looking at the work room from the stairway as we go up and into the living area

 Entering the living area, I call it the living room. Maybe known as the receiving room? Where any guest who comes to the Castle is meet and welcomed?

 

 

Such a beautiful room

Garden Room

 This was the dining area. The table on the left was on sliders. And it would be rolled out when in use, and rolled back against the wall when it wasn't needed anymore.

 Kitchen :)

 Stove :D

 This couch was heated!!

 William Gillette had that couch put in first. Then found that the door could not open all the way because the couch was in the way. So he cut the door to fit 'around' the couch

 

 William Gillette's office. He has the same sliders on his chair at his desk. He didn't want scratches or marks on the floor from the furniture

Heading upstairs now...

 

 William Gillette's nieces bedroom when she would visit the castle

 The light switches, designed by William Gillette

 Guest bedroom

 Every door in the house was designed by William Gillette and they were all different in design. So pretty

 William Gillette's bedroom. Funny but I would have thought his bedroom would have been bigger :/

 

And up the stairs we go again. Now to the Art Gallery/Library

 

 A view out one of the windows

 Picture of William Gillette

 A collection of books in his library. The first book I saw was

'Cooks of The Gods' *LoL*

 So many letters that William Gillette wrote. This one was so funny :D

 Heading out. Jerry had to take this picture for me cause there was no way I was looking over the edge!!

 

 

 Now onto the grounds outside. I know this is a really long post, but there is just so much to share!!

The view from the back of the yard. There is no where to look that isn't breathtaking

 

See that puff of smoke in the distance? It had just finished raining. And the ground was so hot, it created that steam. Just to give you an idea of just how hot it was out

 Picnic area for the family

 Here I am, standing in the hot sun, sweating away while I
wait for Jerry to take a picture :/

 

 

 

 

This is a sample of the original train track that William Gillette made and installed all around his property. He was very much interested in trains. Sadly, the tracks are all torn down now

The train that William Gillette road around his property

 I can't remember if he built this or designed this himself.
I will have to do some research...

 

That is the end of the Gillette Castle Tour *LoL* If you are ever in the area, it is definitely worth stopping to see. And I know I have mentioned The Gelston Restaurant in another of my posts. But there was no way we could 'not' stop again. Especially since we had to drive past it to go home. And it was dinner time :D

 

Gelston House Restaurant

View from the porch

The Swinging Bridge

View of the restaurant from the water

Jerry's Lobster Shepard's Pie

A 'blurry' picture of the best Crab Cake ever! :D

 The Goodspeed Opera House right next door

 

And our day finally had to come to an end. Guess I'll be getting that new camera tomorrow. Was worth putting it off a day :) Had such a nice time. Thank you Jerry for another fun filled weekend.