Plan Your Storybook Christmas in Madison

A Classic Hometown Christmas

     In 1945, Hollywood coined the phrase “Christmas in Connecticut” after the movie of the same name. (My absolutely Favorite Christmas Movie!)

    Since that time, romanticists around the world have dreamed of spending at least one winter holiday in a quaint Connecticut hamlet complete with a town common crowned with freshly fallen snow and carolers strolling by storefronts and elder homes.

   The scene now depicted in your mind’s eye is not just a figment from a Currier and Ives print – it actually exists – and travel photojournalists Wayne and Judy Bailiff found it. Right here, in Madison CT.

   Read their entire article and enjoy a 20-photo slide show of Judy's photos HERE.

   Then call (203-245-8457) or email us to book Your Christmas In Connecticut weekend with us this December 1st and 2nd, 2012. That's the weekend this year when all that you just read about begins. 

   Thank you, Wayne and Judy, for capturing the heart and essence of Christmas in Madison CT.

Come, step “through the looking glass” into a classic home-town Christmas.

    Shop local boutiques amid strolling carolers, be amazed at the talent of local young dancers as they tell the story of Christmas, join young and old as they await the arrival of Santa, and sing carols at the evening tree lighting on the town green. Perhaps even take in a local Christmas concert or buy a fresh-cut tree to bring home. This two-night package (Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Sunday) includes two nights lodging, possibly with a fireplace, full breakfast each morning, tickets to “Ahavah” the story of a young girl’s search for the meaning of Christmas, performed by the Christian Academy of Dance, a schedule of the weekend’s local tree-lighting events for you to choose, a gift certificate for a dinner or brunch (you choose) at one of our favorite local restaurants, a gift card to Madison Chocolates for a special dessert, a Christmas in Connecticut ornament and a DVD of the 1945 film, “Christmas in Connecticut” starring Barbara Stanwyck. All-inclusive package begins at $490.00 plus CT occupancy taxes.




  

25th Anniversary Special - Gift Certificates Savings

Spend Less to Give More this Christmas and Beyond

   Give the gift of a Getaway at a savings of 25% - because it's our 25-year Anniversary as the Tidewater Inn, a Madison CT Bed and Breakfast inn, and we're sharing the celebration by giving this gift of savings to you.

   Treat your family, friends, or even yourself to the Gift of a Getaway. Buy gift certificates this November or December, 2012 for future visits to our Tidewater Inn, and pay only 75% of the full value of the gift certificate.

   They're the perfect gift for the couple who "has it all" or even that quirky relative whom we all love, but would love more if they stayed at the Tidewater Inn! A classic, comfortable, elegant and relaxing bed and breakfast in the heart of the Connecticut shoreline, a getaway at the Tidewater Inn can be the perfect gift this holiday season.

   Drop in, call, or send us an email before the end of December to buy gift certificates at 25% off for visits to the Tidewater Inn beginning after January 1, 2013.

   Our address: 949 Boston Post Rd, Madison CT 06443
   Our phone number: 203-245-8457
   Our email: escape@thetidewater.com
   Our web site: www.thetidewater.com

   How quickly can we get the gift certificates to you? If you drop in, Victoria can make gift certificates up for you on the spot. If you phone in or email your order to us by mid-afternoon you can pick them up that evening on your way home from work. If you'd prefer we mail them, either to you or to whoever you are giving them to [Yes, we can include a gift card from you] we'll use Priority Mail for delivery in 2-3 days.

   Make your list. Check it twice. Figure out who's naughty or nice. Then give us a call to Give the Gift of a Getaway!

This Gift's for You! - Celebrate 25 Years with Us

It's Our 25th Anniversary, and You Get the Gifts

   We've been celebrating 25 years of continuous hospitality as a B&B since May 1, 2012, and we'd like to share the celebration with others who have reached the same milestone between May 1, 2012 and April 30, 2013.

   Is the number 25 significant in your life this year? If that's a "Yes," then come stay with us between now and April 30, 2013, [excluding holidays] and "your significant 25" event will get you $25 off per night in one of our deluxe queen or king-bed guestrooms.

     Here's what we mean by a significant 25 event:

   - You are celebrating a 25, 50 or 75-year wedding anniversary

   - You are celebrating your 25th, 50th, 75th or 100th birthday
   - Your wedding date is the 25th of the month
   - Your birthday date is the 25th of the month
   - Your house, condo or apartment number is #25
   - You are celebrating 25 years of service in our USA armed forces
   - You are celebrating 25 years of service working for the same company

    Be sure to say "25 will get me 25" and tell us about "your significant 25" event when you book your reservation. If you book through our web site be sure to enter "25 will get me 25" in the guest comments spot. Give us a call [203-245-8457], send us an email, or book your stay on our web site. Be sure to tell us about your significant 25 event, and we'll lower the rate on your queen or king-bed guestroom by $25. Bring something that tells the date of your significant 25 event with you when you come. Any photos you'd like to show us would also be fun for you to bring. Let's celebrate together!

    Your visit with us can be any time between now and April 30, 2013, excluding holidays, as long as there is a queen or king-bed room available. Advance reservations are absolutely necessary.  All reservation policies apply. This Anniversary Special may only be booked directly with us and is not available through other booking agents. This Anniversary Special does not apply for business travel.

    The Tidewater Inn was issued its first lodging license in May of 1987 and welcomed its first guests as a bed and breakfast inn that Spring. Beginning May 1, 2012, we've been celebrating 25 years of continuous hospitality as a B&B. Come join the celebration! Book your reservation today!

   I look forward to welcoming you,
           Victoria

American Express Puts $25 in Your Pocket on Nov 24th!

"Make your reservation on Small Business Saturday, and you’ll get $25 from American Express!"

     Yes, you're not dreaming. If you make a charge on your American Express card at a Bed and Breakfast Inn, like our Tidewater Inn, on November 24th, American Express will give you a $25 credit on your card.

     Why? Why because it's Small Business Saturday! And American Express is helping B&B's to Celebrate!

      On Small Business Saturday, American Express will give a $25 credit to any qualifying cardholder who makes a minimum $25 charge on their card at a B&B on November 24, 2012. Whether it’s a deposit or a room charge, any guest who books or pays for their stay with the AmEx card at a B&B on November 24th will receive a $25 credit! Making an Advance Booking? No problem. Simply pre-register your card at www.shopsmall.com and pay for your future stay on November 24th and you'll qualify for the $25 credit. Same with Gift Certificate purchases. So long as the charge to your registered AMEX card is made on November 24th, you'll receive the $25 credit.

   To take advantage of this American Express offer go to www.shopsmall.com to register your AMEX card. Registration opens on November 18th, and enrollment is limited.
     Small Business Saturday is a day for all of us to support the millions of small businesses that invigorate the economy and keep communities thriving. It began in 2010 when American Express founded Small Business Saturday to help small businesses get more exposure just prior to one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year. Last year, over 100 million people came out to shop at independently-owned small businesses on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Now, in its third year, Small Business Saturday 2012 is the day after Black Friday and promises to be even bigger.

     Here are three ways you can take advantage of this nice surprise from American Express:
1. Stay with us, the Tidewater Inn, on November 24, 2012.
2. Book a future visit with us, in person, by phone [203-245-8457] or by email, and pay for it on November 24th.
3. Buy a gift certificate from us, in person, by phone [203-245-8457], or by email, and pay for it on November 24th.

   Come on! What are you waiting for?! Celebrate Small Business Saturday with us, and American Express will give you the "party favor."

Honoring 115 Years of Military Service

Thank you for 115 Years of Military Service

   For the last three years we have invited active and retired military vets to come for a free one-night getaway on November 11th, Veterans' Day.

   Ten retired and active military vets came to stay at our Tidewater Inn as our guests this Veterans' Day holiday, November 11th. They traveled from as far away as Virginia and as near as Marlborough CT, and alltogether they represent a combined total of 115 years of military service and three generations of significant events in our nation's history.



72 Years of Military Service - Army

43 Years of Military Service - Army, Navy & Airforce
1940 to the present

   As our thank-you to these dedicated vets they were treated to a free one-night getaway and welcomed with a wine and cheese reception. We gathered around the warmth of a roaring fire in the fireplace in our sitting room to listen as they shared their stories and experiences.  As an innkeeper this is my favorite time of day, when I sit with our guests and get to know them as they tell about their memories and travels.

   I am always fascinated by the exchange among the vets, themselves, as those who are retired compare their life experiences in the military service with those who are still active. Both the young and the old are always reverent toward each other.  Each has wisdom to offer to their comrades.  As for me, I am grateful for every day that they have served, and continue to serve, protecting the freedoms that I hold dear and take for granted.

   In the morning we continued to thank the vets by serving a bountiful breakfast, and together we enjoyed more conversation and fellowship before they went on their way to explore the shoreline before heading for home. 

   Our oldest vet this year was 91 year old Bern, who was a pilot in the Navy. On the day that Japan surrendered to the Allied forces in Hawaii on the USS Missouri, Bern was flying one of 4 planes that circled overhead to protect the ceremony.  We told him about the CT River Museum in Essex, where he could see the Turtle, the world's first submarine, and then about the Submarine Museum in Groton, where he could see the Nautilus, the world's first Nuclear submarine. Both were on his way home to MA, and he and his wife decided to take two detours to see both.

  Our youngest vets this year are in their 30's and parents of young children. Husband and wife are both in active service in the Army Reserves. All of this year's veteran guests have served all around the world.

  Veterans' Day is our National Holiday to honor the men and women who serve in the many branches of our military, putting their lives on the line to protect the freedoms that we hold dear. The freedoms that define life in these United States of America.

   Several years ago innkeepers in the USA and Canada began the "B&B's for Vets" program to honor veterans and active military personnel, and our Tidewater Inn has particiated for the last three years. Every year on November 11 the Tidewater Inn opens its rooms and its heart to veterans and active military personnel, inviting them to come for a free night getaway, including a welcome wine and cheese reception, time to gather together to share experiences, and a bountiful homemade breakfast the next morning.

   With so many millions of military personnel still to thank, we'll be offering this thank you getaway through the "B&B's for Vets" program every year. Reservations are taken beginning when each year's program is officially announced to the military services, approximately the end of September, and are open to active or retired vets who have never yet been thanked by any participating B&B in this program.

  Thank you, veterans. You are appreciated far more than you realize.

The Red Chair Diaries at the Tidewater Inn - IV

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. 



Dean, Me, and Victoria

   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)

The Red Chair Diaries at the Tidewater Inn - III

Dear Diary,

Thursday, October 11, 2012:

    Oh what a beautiful morning! Oh what a beautiful day! ... just want to start out singing today. It's all blue skies and sunshine!

    Here I am at the Tidewater Inn for another fun day of adventures and surprises along the CT shoreline. It's so nice here that I sometimes have to pinch myself to be sure I'm not dreaming ... it's all real.


Cousin Scarlet and Me

    And here's my first surprise of the day - my cousin Scarlet's here too! She came out front here for some morning sunshine before breakfast too. We have lots to share and catch up on. I haven't seen her in who knows how long. We decided to have a nice long chat. I invited her to join us for today's touring, but she already had plans for the day. She and I will have stories to tell each other this evening over wine and cheese.


Barrels and Barrels of Wine

    Before coming to the Tidewater Inn I had enjoyed a few days at the Fitch Claremont Vineyard BandB in Bozrah CT. It's a working vineyard, and it was time to bring in the harvest and crush the grapes. It was hard work but lots of fun too. So, Victoria thought I might like to see the end result of such labor. To do this we visited the nearby Chamard Vineyards, less than 10 minutes drive from the Tidewater Inn, in Clinton CT.

Wine Cellar

      Chamard Vineyards grow several white and red varieties of grapes and produce fine white and red varietal and blended wines. So delicious that they are served daily at the Tidewater Inn for wine and cheese time. At the vineyards we were able to go into the barrels rooms where the wine was lovingly cared for and watched over by the wine maker until it was just the right time to bottle it and release it for us all to enjoy.  The bottled wine was carefully stored in their wine cellar. Here's a photo of me taking it all in. I wanted to taste some, but they wouldn't let me ... no I.D. handy to prove I was of age. Can you imagine! They said I looked far too young to be drinking wine.    

     We returned to the inn for a light lunch and then went in search of dessert. This girl knows her way around the foodies scene on the shoreline and she drove us straight to Sugar Bakery in East Haven - winners of the Food Network's Cupcake Wars!


Cupcake Champs!

     Wow! I never saw so many delicious looking treats in one place at one time! I had a tough time choosing and finally settled on three: Red Velvet, of course (need I say more?), Toasted Almond, and Chocolate Fudge (I asked for the cupcake that tasted the chocolatiest. This is supposed to be it.). I couldn't wait to take my first bites of these wonderful confections. Going to have to take a few long walks after this to burn off the calories, but it's all worth it.

    I found out that they even have a cupcake truck, so you don't have to go to the bakery to buy your favorite treat. If you follow them on facebook you can just check to see where the truck will be on any day. Now isn't that so nice of them to bring the treats out to us?


Bird Houses at Meigs Point

     OK, I said we had to walk some of those calories off, so now we're at Hammonasset Beach State Park, and specifically at the Meigs Point Nature Center. I'm especially interested in why this is such a popular spot for birding. It turns out that this part of the CT shoreline is on the North Atlantic migration path, and the park is an ideal location and stopping point for migrating birds. Including the migrating birds and those that make this spot their home there are hundreds of species that can be seen and identified here throughout the year, and Spring and Fall are the most popular times with new species coming and going every day.

     Walking past the Butterfly Garden, behind the nature center, we saw bird houses mounted way up high on poles. Hospitality for feathered friends, they could be called B and B's for birds!

Seashells Sculpture

     Around the corner I spied the biggest Conch shell I had ever seen. I wandered over to look and realized I'd been fooled. It wasn't real. It was part of an outdoor sea shell sculpture exhibit. Don't I look nice standing there among the shells?


Amazing Driftwood Tree

     We're by the sea, at the beach . How can we not go and take a walk along the shore? It's an irresistible draw, walking on the beach, and at this state park there are over 2 miles of seashore to enjoy.

     Over here at the East end, by Meigs Point, there is a huge piece of driftwood. Look! It's almost twice as tall as I am. I am fascinated. It was the better part of a whole tree, and I am at the roots end. It's got lots of character. Victoria showed me her photos of it from last Spring. It was much more whole and has weathered and deteriorated much over the summer. I wonder if the nature center would ever take it inside to preserve it for future generations to see and appreciate?


Hugs from my Apple Tree

      Autumn is happening along the shoreline. Trees won't be turning to their finest colors here until the end of the month, and that's when the leaf peeping will be best, but right now the apple trees are heavy laden with ripe fruit ready for picking. We went to Bishops Orchards in Guilford and right away I found this tree that was almost more red than green with all the hundreds (had to be hundreds at least) of apples on its branches. Look at the photo and you'll see that those apples were jumping right into my lap, begging to be picked and later enjoyed.

These particular apples are the Stayman variety. We asked about them and found out that they have a thick skin, are sweet-tart and crisp, and great for baking. When we returned to the inn we peeled and cut one for a taste. Delicious! I'd never heard of them before, but now I like these just as much as my favorites, the Macoun's.


Hiding in the Hay

    There's lots of fun to get ourselves into at Bishops, and I couldn't resist playing hide and go seek among the hay bales. Problem: with my bright red color I stick out like a sore thumb!


Can you see me now?

     Ok, so then I thought I'd hide among all the crazy, colorful, bumpy gourds - the pumpkin's exotic cousins.  Seems that now I'm too tall and still easy to find. Oh well. I should have tried to hide in the Corn Maze. Next time, just you wait! I think I'll just go to the pumpkin patch and wait for the Great Pumpkin.



The perfect pumpkin patch

    Wow! I made it. I found the perfect pumpkin patch. Surely this is where the Great Pumpkin will rise this year!  Look at all of those pumpkins! Big, little, round, short, tall, but all of them a bright and deep orange. I wonder how they tell each other apart. Maybe the Great Pumpkin is already here ... Hmmm. I'd better look more closely.



A closer look

      The late afternoon sunshine was gilding everything with a warm, golden glow. Even me! And then the shadows came softly. It was time to move on, but not before taking a moment to stop by a "picture spot" to create a memory.

Apple of her eye



        I tried to put my face in the opening. I sure did look funny. In the end I decided it would make a better memory with the pumpkins in the face opening and me by its side.  Victoria says I'm still the Apple of her eye.

     As we were in Guilford, we decided to make one last stop before going home. We didn't want to miss The Old Stone House -- The Henry Whitfield State Museum. 



Henry Whitfield House

      The Rev. Henry Whitfield's family home, built in 1639, is Connecticut's oldest house and New England's oldest stone house. Built with a steeply pitched roof, casement windows and thick and sturdy stone walls, it served as a fort for the community. All this, and more details and history are on their web site, just saying. In case you want to know more.

 

     Of course, there's nothing like being there to see for yourself. We arrived just after the museum had closed for the day but enjoyed looking at the Old Stone House and the beautiful grounds.

 

Getting Acquainted

     I stepped up to the door and stayed awhile to get acquainted. This Old Stone House has stories to tell, and I wanted to hear them all. And what a great contrast between this, the oldest stone house in New England, and Gillette Castle, built three centuries later, that we saw yesterday. Both were built from the stones of their land, but look how they are so entirely different from each other - like night and day. I find it fascinating to have seen them both within 24 hours.

Intimate Chat

     Speaking of architectural contrasts, just down the street from the Old Stone House, right in the same historic neighborhood, is a condominium structure that looks like it could be part of the fleet of the Starship Enterprise. (Who of you reading this can remember that?) Perched high on a hill, designed and built in the late 1980's by an architect known for his Modernist style, to take full advantage of shore, salt marsh, and ocean views (now partially blocked by grown trees, alas), it looks like a space station about to take off.  "Everyone asks me about that," the Old Stone House told me quietly. "What is it? Who allowed it? It sticks out like a sore thumb. ... These are the comments we hear all the time."

   "Yes, it's clearly a different architectural style than the rest of the neighborhood," the Old Stone House reflected, but reminded me that when the Rev. Henry Whitfield's house was built in 1639 it too was the odd structure in the neighborhood. Both buildings have stood the test of time, along with many others of various architectural styles that also call this historic neighborhood and shoreline town home.

There's something about a New
England Stone Wall

     Stone walls are iconic to New England, and Connecticut has more than its share of them. There is a certain romance and attraction connected with these old dry-built stone walls. They, too, have stood the test of time.  I find the ones at the Old Stone House property absolutely irresistable.  Warmed by the rays of the late afternoon sunshine, I sat in the elongated shadows by the side of this wall and listened to see if I could hear it tell its tales of all who jumped over it, sat by it, climbed it, built it, shaped it, walked along it ...



A peaceful ending to
a perfect day



     As the sunlight became more golden and the shadows grew long and tall under the wide-spread branches of this majestic tree it was time to turn toward home after another delightful and inciteful day along the CT shoreline.  It's amazing how much we've covered, how much we've experienced, and how much we've seen.

   I'm told that tomorrow we'll explore the center of Madison itself, home of my host, the Tidewater Inn. I may be tired now, but already I'm anticipating another exciting day. I wonder what the dinner plans are for tonight? .... Hmmmm ...

The Red Chair Diaries at the Tidewater Inn - II cont'd.

Dear Diary,

Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - Part 2:

    I was about to tell you about the Wee Faerie Village at the Florence Griswold Museum. Various artists, I think around 30 of them, have created miniature works of art in and among the gardens and throughout the entire museum property. They are creations that depict subjects of nature that are found in landscape paintings such as those by the artists of the Lyme Art Colony who lived and painted there.

   Look at how tiny they are and how big I am. I felt like a giant next to these faerie dwellings.  The detail is amazing.

  The Wee Faerie Village first appeared in 2009, and has returned each Autumn ever since.

   The museum property is along the bank of the Lieutenant River, and this bucolic landscape was a favored subject of all of the Lyme Art Colony artists. When you walk beyond the gallery buildings toward the river you suddenly have a feeling of deja vu. You've been here before. You're sure of it, when, actually, you've seen this vista time and time again in painting after painting.

    Look! I'm sitting in a famous landscape! Wheeeee. Paint me! Paint me!












   Speaking of rivers, we've now got to cross the CT river from Chester to Hadlyme to go over to see Gillette Castle. We're going on a little ferry as CT Rte 148 crosses the river that way. It's a hard-working ferry and gets very upset when I call it "Cute." ... but it is!
 

   Once across I rested on the far bank of the river and watched the ferry as it faithfully returned to Chester with another load of travelers like me.  It was so peaceful there that I decided to stay awhile.

 Gillette Castle sits at the top of a cliff along the CT river, right above where I had stopped to rest. The views of the river from up there are indescribable. I've got to show you. Here, look at these:

 

    Gillette Castle is nothing like the castles of Europe or of fairy tale imaginings. It is built out of the fieldstones from its land, and on its web site it's callled a midieval fortress.

     Personally, I think it's the quintessential and ultimate man cave. Designed singularly for his own enjoyment by William Gillette, an actor best known for the role of Sherlock Holmes, it lacks for nothing and is a witness to his creativity and genius. On my next visit to this part of CT I hope to get to see the inside too. Right now I've had to be satisfied with Victoria's first hand and enthusiastic descriptions.

    I decided to put my feet up and rest awhile just out just outside the conservatory. Looking in the window panes I could see the indoor water feature that would keep the humidity just right for the plants that grew there.

 

     I was finally able to tear myself away from the wonderful views of the river and the amazing architecture and structure of the castle to look around and appreciate some of the other picturesque and interesting stonework in gateways, bridges, fences and archways.  Victoria had me pose in various "picture spots." I just enjoyed and marveled at all the stonework and wondered at the ingenuity that went into it all.

          These pots of begonias were put here just for me. Right? And just look at this magnificent archway! Doesn't it draw you to walk through it to see what's beyond?

     Driving out of the park we saw the lily pond and a few trees showing a bit of their Autumn colors.  The foliage display is just beginning here on the shoreline. I've been told the peak is usually around the end of October and the beginning of November just along the shoreline and long after inland trees have shed their leaves.

 
 This looks like something the impressionist artists of the Lyme Art Colony would have painted, doesn't it? I wonder if they wandered over here to paint. It's near enough for it to be possible.

Ah, well. Took a few moments to relax and enjoy the lily pond up close before returning to the Tidewater Inn for the day, tired but happy. It's been a full day, and I've got lots of somethings to write home about.