Traveling as a Family

Early Saturday, the 23rd, we started our adventure north.  We left at 7am.  We made it to Virginia and Grandma's house in time for dinner.  We went to Carl's after dinner and I took no photographs at all .  I am sad about that.  It was wonderful to see Mom and Andy.   We left early Sunday for more adventures.

Drive by farm in Virginia

Down toward the Shenandoah.

Not something you see everyday in skies over Pennsylvania

We stopped for lunch in Hazelton at a place called Daman's Grill. It was a sports bar. It was a good lunch.  Then we got back on the road and drove through much construction.  Mark and I took turns driving.

Drive by Connecticut!   We are finally in Connecticut

Lon wanted to take the Ferry across the Connecticut River.

We made one of the last ferrys. It was a wonderful ride. I am glad Lon made the suggestion

This is Gillette's Castle.  This next bit of information is from wikipedia

Gillette Castle State Park straddles the towns of Gillette Castle State Park straddles the towns of East Haddam and Lyme, Connecticut in the United States, sitting high above the Connecticut River. The castle was originally a private residence commissioned and designed by William Gillette, an American actor who is most famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes on stage.
William Gillette's "castle", called Seventh Sister, was built in 1919 on a 184-acre (74 ha) tract at the top of the southernmost of a chain of hills known as the Seven Sisters. Gillette died having neither a wife nor children, and his will precluded the possession of his home by any "blithering sap-head who has no conception of where he is or with what surrounded". The State of Connecticut took over the property in 1943, renaming it Gillette Castle State Park. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986
There are a number of oddities personally designed by Gillette, such as unusual doorknobs and locks, and a system of hidden mirrors for surveillance of the public rooms from the master bedroom. One can see the Connecticut River from the castle's garden.

The grounds originally had a railroad that visitors could ride around the estate, complete with steam engine and an electric engine. The engines were later purchased by Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut and used to transport guests around the lake. The remaining track was pulled up and the roadbed converted into walking trails. The engines were donated to the park in 1992, and are now on display.

The boys enjoying the Ferry

Lon had a book when he was little about this Ferry, it was called Ferry.

https://www.amazon.com/Ferryboat-Betsy-Maestro/dp/0690045204

Some history of the Chester Hadlyme Ferry

He does love being on a boat

I have always thought this was a gorgeous home.  It is right as you get off the Ferry

Almost to Grammalyn's house!

We arrived safely, about 5.

Godfather and Uncle Jeffy came for dinner, we ordered a Connecticut pizza. It was good to see them!

And if was wonderful to be able to spend time with Grammalyn !