Dear Diary,
Friday, October 12, 2012:
This is my last full day at the Tidewater Inn in Madison CT, and Victoria promised to show me the local sights today. I can't wait! Just from driving through the center of Madison on our way to other destinations these last few days, my first impression is "genuine small-town America." If Norman Rockwell came here, he would be sure to paint it.
The blue skies and sunshine of the early morning drew me outside long before breakfast. I went straight for the English garden, walking across the front and over to the West side of the inn. Two arched trellises covered with climbing hydrangeas define the perimeter and welcome you into this sanctuary.
The morning symphony of bird-song is a cheerful serenade. We're only a mile away from Hammonasset State Park, and many of the migrating birds find their way over to the feeders here as well. What a visual and audible treat. A feast for eyes and ears.
As I stopped for a moment under the arched trellis I tried to keep from squinting. The morning sun was shining right into my eyes, and it felt so very very good. Look! I'm Sun-Bathing! Do I look more red? ... a healthy tan?
Partially shielded from the nearby Boston Post Road by a tall pine to the right and a graceful weeping cherry to the left, this garden is an oasis of peace and calm with several benches, a table or two, and carefully placed market umbrellas for added shade. I should have brought my morning coffee out here and a book to read too. I could stay here for hours, lost in my own thoughts. I made a mental note to return in the early evening to sit out here with a glass of wine.
I'm naturally curious. I think you've figured that out about me by now. I wandered all around the garden, followed every cobbled path, and sat on every bench and at every table, just to see what it was like. Finally I found my favorite spot to sit awhile, right beside a cheefully blooming mound of Montauk Daisies. It's so nice to have daisies in October, don't you think?
Pink Begonias circle the bird bath, and a variety of Coleus add color to the shadiest corners. I can see azaleas, lilac, and the dark red and green foliage of the "Wine and Roses" Weigela. It must be so colorful and fragrant here in the Spring! I'm told that there are bleeding hearts and lily of the valley too. I see the autumn color of the leaves from coral bells. How lovely they must look when they're in bloom.
Just across the cobblestone path to my left is the inn's herb garden. Mint is encouraged to take over the space, as some is harvested every morning to add color and flavor to breakfast fruits. Sage, Chives, Greek Oregano, Tarragon and Rosemary share the space. Lavender and Basil grow in pots around the sunny side of the inn, and yet another clay pot full of herbs is growing on the stairs leading to the front porch.
The front porch is another welcoming spot to sit and enjoy the outdoors. The wicker rocker and cast iron bench invite you to sit and have a chat. Flowers in pots on the steps, on the porch, and hanging above, themselves create a colorful potted garden.
The aromas coming from the kitchen, of fresh brewed coffee, cinnamon, and something else that's wonderfully enticing, lure me into the dining room. I take my place at the breakfast table, eagerly anticipating what's to come.
And, Oh! What a bountiful breakfast it was! Orange juice so fresh that it must be what liquid sunshine tastes like was served with pears baked with maple syrup and filled with craisins and walnuts. More Autumn flavors followed as I enjoyed fresh out of the oven Ricotta Canoli muffins and then Pumpkin waffles with absolutely delicious local Maple syrup and plump and hearty pork sausages. Yes, there really are sugar maple trees and sugar houses in Connecticut! Here along the shoreline too. Who knew?!
It's October, and scarecrows have invaded Madison once again, for the third year in a row. Everyone's talking about them, so I just had to go out to see what the buzz was all about. I heard that there were over 60 of them all over town. I decided that the best way to see them was to take a walk.
The first one I saw was right in front of the sign at the Tidewater Inn. Right here, and sitting on my red chair cousin's lap! It's a Blueberry Muffin! It's a sassy one, too, with a juicy blueberry popping right out of its top.
Just a few houses down the street I saw a flock of owls roosting in front of the
Audubon Shop. They were a friendly bunch and invited me to join them. I kept my feet on the ground though. No tree climbing for me, thank you.
In the centre of Madison one Realtor scarecrow proclaimed the sale of a shoreline property. She couldn't wait to tell me all about it.
Just down the block I met another Realtor scarecrow. He was displaying his properties for all the world to see.
Every few steps I took I met another scarecrow! Just look at this cute, cute, cute hound ... a reporter-dog scarecrow for the local town newspaper, "The Source". I'm beginning to catch on to something here ... there's a theme to these scarecrows.
I convinced the reporter-dog to give me the scoop: The scarecrows are traveling incognito. They don't want to be recognized as scarecrows, so they've disguised themselves as part of the business or store they have invaded. Amazing! How clever is that?! They've even set up a popularity contest among themselves, and people can vote for their favorite one by going on the internet. Imagine that! They each gave themselves a "QR code" that passers-by can scan with their fancy phones to place their vote. What will they ever think of next? Oh, and I'll have to cast my vote for my host's scarecrow, Blueberry Muffin. It's the right thing for a guest like me to do.
Everywhere I go everyone turns to look at me. Some folks even stare. I can tell they're trying to figure out what I'm all about. Where did I come from, what am I doing here, how long will I stay? Well, the fact is, that as much as people like to look at me, I like to people-watch even more. So, I look for places to sit and settle in where I can casually and unobtrusively watch the world go by.
I found the many benches along the sidewalks in the center of Madison to be perfect for this favorite pass-time of mine. Here I am in front of
Flavor for Madison, a delightful little sandwich shop. With that wonderful big picture window, with two small tables and chairs right there up to the glass, I think that might be an even better place from where to watch the Madison world go by. A cup of coffee, a sandwich or wrap ... Hmmm ... I decide to go inside to try out my theory.
Yes. I was right. Protected by the glass, I can sit and peacefully watch the comings and goings of the citizens of Madison, and for a change in scenery, I can turn my chair and watch the comings and goings of everyone coming in to the shop. They come in, they stop to read the menu painted on the wall and to ponder their choice for the moment before ultimately approaching the display case in the back and placing their order. Then comes the choice of where to sit, if they're to stay. Interesting to observe this decision-making process.
I have two more places that I want to visit on my "do not miss" list, and I ask Victoria to take me to the
R.J. Julia Bookseller and to the
Madison Wine Shop. These are two of the several long-standing iconic establishments that define the center of Madison.
The folks at R.J. Julia's welcome me warmly and invite me to stay and settle in with a good book. There are many inviting corners in the shop with comfy chairs to sit in, to read, reflect, and, once again, people-watch. This very special independent bookstore is very dedicated to putting the right book into your hands. Shelf-talker notes, like a mini book-report, are everywhere. They are written by the staff, who are avid readers, with the hope that this little extra bit of "insider" commentary will help you to choose to buy or leave behind the book that first attracted you by its cover.
I was also invited to stay to meet this evening's visiting author who was coming in to talk about their latest book, to meet and greet those who signed up to come to the event, and to personalize and sign copies of their new book. Authors must love to come here, because R. J. Julia's has a very busy year 'round visiting-author schedule, often 2-3 authors a week.
The
Madison Wine shop, just down the street, was offering a wine and cheese tasting today. Fridays and Saturdays are wine tasting days. On Thursdays they offer craft beer tastings. This is new for the shop, along with their craft beer club, to complement their offerings of fine wines from around the world. You can count on good reliable advice about food and wine pairings from the folks here. Choosing the perfect wine is easy with help like that.
Madison's Sculpture Mile effectively turns the center of town into an outdoor sculpture gallery. Twenty-three sculptures of various sizes are displayed outdoors throughout the downtown area and a bit beyond, but within walking distance. The sculpture mile is sponsored by the Hollycroft foundation. We can walk around on our own to see what we can see, or we can use the free guidebook that they kindly provide: Their free current catalogue describing each sculpture is available at various businesses as well as at the library or online for download from their website. The foundation also offers free guided tours May-October and who oversee the exhibit. A number of the sculptures are changed each year, keeping the ever-evolving collection fresh. Sculptures range from the familiar to the obscure, and from whimsical to thought provoking. What do you think of the one I found just around the corner from the wine shop? I like it because it's red. You knew I was going to say that.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
It's a free day! Tomorrow is a travel day to my next destination. Today is a day of rest and relaxation ... at least for me. The inn is full of guests, and Victoria and her friendly staff are busy attending to their needs. We've had four full days of touring about and sight seeing, and I am ready to stay put and spend the day watching the comings and goings from the perfect vantage point ... with my red chair cousin, by the Blueberry Muffin scarecrow out front by the Tidewater Inn sign.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Farewell Tidewater Inn. I've been invited to visit the Mountain View Inn in Norfolk CT. It's time to move on to my next adventure. But know this, without a doubt, I have thoroughly enjoyed my stay with you. I never knew there was so very much to see and do here, and now I know that in the last four days we've only scratched the surface. I took a look at
VisitCTShoreline.com last night and was amazed at all the possibilities. Now I know why your motto is "Once you've come we'll welcome you back again and again."
With hugs all around I settle in to the back of Victoria's Volvo for the trip to the Northwest corner of CT. We pick up another friend along the way and make it into a leaf-peeping adventure. We're "Sunday Driving" on a Sunday. Hooray!
We arrived at the Mountain View Inn in mid afternoon and Victoria reluctantly passed me over to Dean and Jean Marie, with whom I will spend the next few days.
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Dean, Me, and Victoria
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If you'd like to know where else I have been and to where else I am going, you can follow all of my adventures on my personal web site,
RedChairTravels.com .
Until we meet again, "May peace be with you while you stay and joy be with you on your way." (from a tapestry at the Tidewater Inn)
