Our Sunset Sail on the Schooner Argia - Mystic, CT

The highlight of our Connecticut weekend was a trip aboard the 81 foot schooner, Argia.
Ours was a sunset cruise from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
We appreciated the silence of moving through the water using only wind power.
What a treat to see the scenery along the Mystic River!

Enjoy my photos from that evening, as well as shots of the Argia
taken as we spotted her each day on the river.

Such a memorable experience to share with my Sweetheart on our anniversary!

The Mystic River Bridge opened for us to pass.

Watch for an upcoming post with more on this bascule bridge!

Afterwards, a stroll through downtown Mystic for some ice cream!

More on The Schooner Argia:

Website

Facebook


Other posts in my Connecticut series:
Mystic Seaport
Abbott's Lobster in the Rough
Strolling Through Stonington
S & P Oyster Company
Ford's Lobsters
Touring B.F. Clyde's Cider Mill
The Bascule Bridge (+ Mystic Pizza)

The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen - Lancaster, PA

On one of my strolls through downtown Lancaster, PA,

I came upon 335 N. Queen Street, the headquarters of the 

Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen.

I love the Guild's mission:

"Recognizing that the making of craft enriches all,

Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen seeks to

encourage the practice of and nurture excellence in heritage and contemporary crafts.

We do this through education, advocacy & support of the practicing craftsman."

There were so many fabulous handcrafted items 

either on display in the gallery or for sale in the shop!

Go to the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen 

website or Facebook page
where you can become a member or sign up for a workshop.


You can also learn about their fabulous juried fine craft fairs!
There's one coming up October 10, 11 & 12, 2014
at Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia.


Here's a link to a post on one I attended last spring:
PA Guild Fine Craft Fair - Rittenhouse Square.

S & P Oyster Company - Mystic, CT

My very favorite restaurant in Mystic is the S & P Oyster Company!

It's located at 1 Holmes Street, right on the Mystic River and next to the bridge.

The dining room offers huge windows with perfect views

and the gorgeous outside patio is cozy and inviting!

Steve chose the Fried Oyster Taquitos and was not disappointed!

It was the Stonington Sea Scallops for me. Out of this world!

Not to mention the Fresh Corn & Pecorino Romano Tamal - Amazing!

Our dessert? Delicious New York style cheesecake!

S & P Oyster Company:

Website

Facebook


If you'd like to read more about our
vacation in Mystic, Connecticut,
you can find a list of links HERE!

Bonus: Here's the great hand-carved and painted sign

that welcomed us into Mystic!

Hooray for High Five New York!

Now, THIS is what I love to see!

Lighthearted, smile-bringing, life-loving FUN!

Spotted this on Mashable.com.

Strolling Through Stonington, Connecticut

During our recent weekend in Connecticut, we had 

a most enjoyable afternoon strolling the streets of Stonington.
This little town was so quaint and peaceful, just exuding charm!
Bright colors, sweet details (like that arched window & shutters, below)
and fabulous flower-filled window boxes!

These are the homes at the end of the street above. Sigh...lilac and blue.

Take note of the widow's walks; they're rooftop platforms on many homes 

of coastal New England where wives of mariners would watch 

for their husbands' returns from sea. Sadly, too often they did not.

A coral door with coral geraniums to match, plus a nautical rope wreath,

and Old Glory adding the finishing patriotic touch!

This is the Elkanah Cobb House. Built in 1769, it's one of the oldest homes in town.

It features many of the architectural details of that era:

1 1/2 stories, a gambrel roof, cedar shake shingles,

 a center fireplace, and a rectangular transom over the door.

Notice the windows; they're double-hung sash with an uncommon 9 over 6 panes.

In this close-up photo, you can see a historical nameplate next to the door.

How intriguing to see the year and who owned the the house when it was built.

We saw similar plaques in Groton and Mystic, where some also included 

the owners' professions, such as Carpenter, Banker, Merchant and so on.

And you know I'm lovin' the color of that door!

A raised foundation was common during this time period.

Kelly green & pink! I fell in love with these lush flower boxes!

So, after wandering around the neighborhood, we headed down to the docks.

What a thrill to see so many fishing boats up close!

Lobster traps ready to go.

A sailboat in for repairs.

More Connecticut blog posts:

Mystic Seaport

Abbott's Lobster in the Rough
S & P Oyster Company