Monday, July 30, 2012
Hammond Castle: The Library
My favorite room was designed as Thomas Jefferson had designed his library in the round where conversation could easily be heard across the room due to the acoustics.
Bill and I explore another Castle....
We started our drive at Dunkin Donuts. After some great coffee we took to the road driving through a small state park down a winding, twisting road until we came upon-- Hammond Castle. I said Bill let's stop here for a visit and I hope it's up to our castle standards. Bill said, well, let's take a look.
I can tell you it is an interesting castle to visit. Most of it is a recreation to look like part Norman castle, part Gothic Church with flying buttresses and some later add-ons to the castle. The historical artifacts, suits of armor, stained glass windows and sculptures all reach from originals to recreations. However, none of this detracted from the fact that you were viewing a lived in home and work place.
Me Hammond is considered the father of remote control and was at the forefront of the technology that now uses drone airplanes. We walk upstairs, downstairs (no dungeon) through the great hall, visited his work space where he did top secret work for the government during WW 2. My favorite room was the library. The room was designed as circular with books shelves lining the walls, ceiling murals and views overlooking the ocean.
I can tell you it is an interesting castle to visit. Most of it is a recreation to look like part Norman castle, part Gothic Church with flying buttresses and some later add-ons to the castle. The historical artifacts, suits of armor, stained glass windows and sculptures all reach from originals to recreations. However, none of this detracted from the fact that you were viewing a lived in home and work place.
Me Hammond is considered the father of remote control and was at the forefront of the technology that now uses drone airplanes. We walk upstairs, downstairs (no dungeon) through the great hall, visited his work space where he did top secret work for the government during WW 2. My favorite room was the library. The room was designed as circular with books shelves lining the walls, ceiling murals and views overlooking the ocean.
Sir William the Serious with arms crossed
Sir William the Grim: do I have to pose for another photo?
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Exploring the Coast: Rockport
I returned to the Inn to find Bill up and ready to roll. I took him to Duncan Donuts and got him his coffee and away we went to explore the Rockport coastline. The sun started to shine and the ride was easy and picturesque. We explored various inlets and roads looking for secret spots to hang out. There among the high hedges scatted along the ocean are "cottages" with wrap around terraces, porches and multi level terraces. A quiet coastline with winding tree lined roads.
At one point on our drive, we saw a small beach but the sign said do not entered from on part of the road. I figured we needed to loop around and find the entrance to the beach. Not an easy talk when many roads a private driveways and others dead ends. We did mange to circle the beach. We tried finding a place to park as most parking you needed a resident permit. We finally found a place and walked to the rocky beach. The rocky beach made it perfect for us to search for stones to skim on the water. After enough skimming, we walk and found another beach a short distance from our car. This beach had pristine sand, and ocean for as far as the eye could see. We located ourselves and nice bench we we sat in the sun and watched the kids play in the ocean. More people showed jptravels4fun@gmail.com with blankets, coolers and chairs to relax.
The day was getting humid so we decided enough of sitting and sweating. I mentioned to Bill to lets find this place Jack mentioned called Rocky Neck in Gloucester. The ride back was uneventful until we started reading signs to Rocky Neck. A wrong turn handed us a golden opportunity to view the coastline line along Atlantic Avenue. The fortuitous occasion of getting lost afforded us the opportunity to see a number a wonderful hotels and Inn right on the water for future reference. I can not tell you how many time when you travel some wrong turn or mistake turns into a great day.
In travel like in life it is not about content, the getting from place to place but about process what goes on internally, moments of self reflection, or as with travel the getting lost leads to finding a new way.
We ended up eating at MadMax fish grille right on the water. It was here as we ate overlooking the harbor that this monstrosity to opulence of a yacht docks right in front of the restaurant ruining everyone's view. The owner comes up to the restaurant and mentioned to me and Bill how we look relaxed, enjoying ourselves. I said we were until you parked that thing and ruined our view. I told him a gentlemen from the old school would pay for our bar tab to make up the inconvenience. Bill started laughing. The guy laughed and walked away. Bill said I guess he was no gentlemen. He is probably some nickel millionaire ready to go bust.
At one point on our drive, we saw a small beach but the sign said do not entered from on part of the road. I figured we needed to loop around and find the entrance to the beach. Not an easy talk when many roads a private driveways and others dead ends. We did mange to circle the beach. We tried finding a place to park as most parking you needed a resident permit. We finally found a place and walked to the rocky beach. The rocky beach made it perfect for us to search for stones to skim on the water. After enough skimming, we walk and found another beach a short distance from our car. This beach had pristine sand, and ocean for as far as the eye could see. We located ourselves and nice bench we we sat in the sun and watched the kids play in the ocean. More people showed jptravels4fun@gmail.com with blankets, coolers and chairs to relax.
The day was getting humid so we decided enough of sitting and sweating. I mentioned to Bill to lets find this place Jack mentioned called Rocky Neck in Gloucester. The ride back was uneventful until we started reading signs to Rocky Neck. A wrong turn handed us a golden opportunity to view the coastline line along Atlantic Avenue. The fortuitous occasion of getting lost afforded us the opportunity to see a number a wonderful hotels and Inn right on the water for future reference. I can not tell you how many time when you travel some wrong turn or mistake turns into a great day.
In travel like in life it is not about content, the getting from place to place but about process what goes on internally, moments of self reflection, or as with travel the getting lost leads to finding a new way.
We ended up eating at MadMax fish grille right on the water. It was here as we ate overlooking the harbor that this monstrosity to opulence of a yacht docks right in front of the restaurant ruining everyone's view. The owner comes up to the restaurant and mentioned to me and Bill how we look relaxed, enjoying ourselves. I said we were until you parked that thing and ruined our view. I told him a gentlemen from the old school would pay for our bar tab to make up the inconvenience. Bill started laughing. The guy laughed and walked away. Bill said I guess he was no gentlemen. He is probably some nickel millionaire ready to go bust.
The essentials....
I woke up in the early morning to see a misty fog rolling in off the water. The smell of the salt air filled my nostrils as i took in a deep breath and enjoyed the sent of the seaport. I walked to the local store and picked up a few papers to read. I now had to locate a little coffee shop for the morning habit of caffeine and a place to read. A block or so down from the paper store was a placed called morning glory. A hash house with outside tables and only served breakfast.
I walked in and was promptly told by the old battle ax waitress/owner that they were closed. She informed me in that she got a late start. I sat outside until they were prepared to open. She came over to me and took my order and told the help to get a dry rag to wipe down the tables. This was the kind of woman who would have no problem cuffing you around if you got out of line. She should of ran a bar or a bordello. The coffee was coffee. I finished my coffee and walk down Main Street looking for a place to do laundry. About 6-7 blocks down, I came across a laundromat dropped our clothes off and went back to the Inn.
I walked in and was promptly told by the old battle ax waitress/owner that they were closed. She informed me in that she got a late start. I sat outside until they were prepared to open. She came over to me and took my order and told the help to get a dry rag to wipe down the tables. This was the kind of woman who would have no problem cuffing you around if you got out of line. She should of ran a bar or a bordello. The coffee was coffee. I finished my coffee and walk down Main Street looking for a place to do laundry. About 6-7 blocks down, I came across a laundromat dropped our clothes off and went back to the Inn.
Another Passport.....
Another evening an time to look for a place to eat. Jack had recommended a place called Passports. A quaint, seafood place on the corner by the waterfront. I had stuffed haddock that was excellent and Bill had a crab meat BLT which he enjoyed. They serve dinner with fresh warm popovers that are divine. I had a Raspberry beer and Bill his usual Malbec. The place was a hit and worth a return engagement. Afterwards, we walked on the waterfront before retiring to the Inn.
I noticed I inadvertently caught myself on camera through the reflection of the glass window.
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