Every once in a while, I find myself having an unexpected adventure that was completely unplanned or even considered as the result of a happy accident or an innocent error. Most of the time, these unexpected adventures involve meeting new people in a new place and those people becoming dear friends, discovering a restaurant or shop I’d never known about previously because the one(s) I had been planning to pop into were busy and overcrowded, or stumbling upon something breathtaking simply because I took a wrong turn.
This past Sunday afternoon, the unexpected adventure was a result of the last example – because after I’d pulled into a state park to try and correct my malfunctioning GPS as it struggled to get me through a particularly patchy network area in Connecticut – I got to tour a a magnificent and quirky castle for no charge whatsoever.
Let me back up just a little. While making my way through the backroads near Chester, Connecticut over the weekend, my phone malfunctioned mid-drive, partly because of the excruciating heat (the air conditioner could only do so much!) but more than likely because of the extended touch-and-go connection as I bobbed and weaved out of more rural, remote areas.
Not wanting to get too out of the way and get home later than I would have liked, I pulled over into the parking lot of Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam to restart my phone and stretch my legs a little since I had been in the car for a couple of hours, and still had a couple more to go.
I hadn’t been to the park since I was a kid, but I’d known about the existence of Gillette Castle for as long as I can remember. Once the home of the eccentric stage actor, playwright and inventor, William Gillette – who was most famous for playing Sherlock Holmes throughout his career – the grounds offer a spectacular view of the nearby Connecticut River, walking trails, and a look at a decommissioned steam engine constructed by Gillette that once circled the property.
As I took in the exterior of the mansion while getting some steps in, a number of staff near the property asked if I wanted to see the inside, as well – as they were giving their tour guides a chance to reacclimate themselves to the property before the official grand reopening of the castle for the Summer season planned for this coming Memorial Day. I’d never been inside it before, and jumped at the chance!
The interior of the castle is just as unique as it’s outside – filled with art, elaborately carved doors (with no two doors being the same!) and stained glass fixtures, antique furniture and fine china sets, as well as so many nods to Gillette’s many, many pet cats he housed over the years, It was so unique and so, so cool – unlike anything I’d ever seen before! I spent a couple of hours there just taking everything in and snapping photos, and was so grateful I’d stopped in the first place. I would have completely missed the opportunity otherwise!
I was reading a pamphlet provided to me about some of the upcoming events they have at the castle leading up to the holiday season, all of which sounded like a tremendous amount of fun – so I anticipate a return at some point soon to check them out.
Until then, I’m so thankful to the staff for letting me get an extended and early view of the inside of the castle, and for the excellent and informative tour that was provided. It was such a great way to spend an afternoon!
Next week, I’ll be back with a look back at my upcoming long weekend plans in Maine, a compilation of some of my favorite things from this past Month, and my review of May in all it’s glory before we get ready to head into June.
Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 