We Travel To Manchester, Massachusetts

Jim says:

On another hot and humid day we drove the motorhome and Bronco South for the about 40 miles to the town of Manchester on the Northeastern coast of Massachusetts. We are parked at American Legion Post #113 which over looks the scenic and peaceful harbor.

Our parking spot overlooks the harbor of Manchester, Massachusetts.

Along the way yesterday we passed through the town of Ipswich, Massachusetts which is celebrating its 375th anniversary this year. It’s the home of the famous Clam Box Restaurant which has been in operation since 1935.

The Clam Box has operated in Ipswich, Massachusetts since 1935.

Years ago when I was in the construction business I knew a guy by the name of John Brandt who claimed to have traveled the world and also be a clam connoisseur. I remember him proclaiming…”There’s not a finer tasting clam in the world than one from the Ipswich River in Massachusetts!”. According to a newspaper article on the wall…the clams are first dipped in evaporated milk then corn flour before being dropped in the fryer. After the first one Mary proclaimed…”I’ve never tasted a finer fried clam!”.

We ordered a small order of fried clams and two clam cakes.

The next town along the way was the town of Essex which is reputed to have been the wooden ship building capital of New England having built nearly 4,000 ships from 1650 to 1982. Unfortunate the Essex Ship Building Museum was closed but we were able to wander around and take some photos. Here are four of them…

To see the other 27 photos I took, click this link…
http://picasaweb.google.com/jimjrver/072710

Here’s a Wikipedia informational link about Essex…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essex,_Massachusetts

Today we will leave the motorhome in Manchester and use the Bronco to tour nearby Cape Ann.

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2009
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.panamaorbust.com

The Ivoryton Playhouse and The Buddy Holly Story

Jim says:

Ivoryton is a small village in the town of Essex in Southeastern, Connecticut. Its current estimated population is 2805. My son has live in this town for 15 years and it’s where our motorhome is currently parked.

The major intersection of Ivoryton, Connecticut..

The Ivoryton Playhouse is a small professional theater located in the village of Ivoryton Connecticut. It produces shows year round, March through December.

The Ivoryton Playhouse today.

Since 1930 famous stars such as Katharine Hepburn, Cliff Robertson, Marlon Brando, Ethel Waters, Art Carney, Tallulah Bankhead, Helen Hayes, Betty Grable, Groucho Marx, Myrna Loy, Gloria Swanson, Dorothy Lamour, Maureen O’Sullivan and many others have performed there.

Last night Mary and I went to see the Buddy Holly Story. It was very professionally done and a most enjoyable experience.

This photo is from the Ivoryton Playhouse Website.

Here’s a Wikipedia informational link about Ivoryton…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivoryton

Here’s a Wikipedia informational link about the Ivoryton Playhouse…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivoryton_Playhouse

Here’s the official Ivoryton Playhouse website link…
http://www.ivorytonplayhouse.org/

In other news…
Yesterday we also completed the transfer of data from Mary’s laptop to her notebook computer. The rest of the day was spent reading in the air-conditioned motorhome hiding from the hot temperatures and high humidity.

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2009
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.panamaorbust.com

ERIC THE MAN AND THE GREAT WILLIAM GILLETTE

William Gillette may have something over Eric Jaillet, but not in this family. We attended Eric’s baseball game early Saturday morning. He plays catcher, and third base. First up, first pitch of the game, he hit a single and ran it home.
Eric is 12 years old and plays for a team that ramps that ball around like a fast pitching pro team. Its not the Little League my kids grew up with. I was on the edge of my seat watching these kids field, pick up that ball,  and blast it to the base; no missed catches; everyone on point; disciplined to their position; never missed a cue. Just like the pros. WOW!
Eric went on to make a double play and a home run. The opposing team had a better pitcher, but his team, The Gamers, won by a strong lead.

Here the team pummels and praises a fellow player after a home run. These are 12, 13 and 14 year olds. I felt like I was watching the pro players of tomorrow enroute.

Eric playing catcher while the opposing team is up. The pitchers, on both teams, cover the catcher when he chases a foul ball. The pitcher and catcher watch those batters trying to steal a base. Batters watch for a hole in the field; Eric says if the fielders step back, he tries for a line drive. If they come forward he hits to the outfield. These kids know where to hit that ball to bring runners home. Fantastic discipline and dedication for young people who love this game.

In this advanced league, you hear no complaints about the umpire’s calls, from kids, coaches or parents. Everyone is civil and professional. They have base coaches on the field. Sportsmanship and civility are practiced here. The teams high five each other as they leave the field at the end of the game. They’ve learned the important art of winning and losing gracefully.

Yes, there is proud dad and grandpa at the end of the game. But, Eric, is THE MAN.

After the game, Jim and I visited the nearby Gillette Castle State Park.
Gillette and Jaillet are pronounced the same way. William Gillette was an actor/playwright who perfected and personified the role of Sherlock Holmes. He wrote the plays and gave personality to Watson, making memorable the  phrase, “Elementary my dear Watson.” It was his hawk like profile that is the rememberable and thereafter copied vision of Holmes, along with his choice of the hat and pipe. He wrote a novel, invented many stage tricks, props and lighting techniques. And, he made a lot of money.

He was born in Hartford, CT. but decided to retire to this beautiful area in the Seven Sisters mountain range next to the Connecticut River at East Haddam, CT. He designed and had built a medieval looking stone castle in 1919-1924. It took twenty five craftsmen five years to complete the structure.

As fascinating as the rough hewn rock castle is, the inside is innovative and quirky as well. Gillette invented a sliding table on runners; mirrors strategically located can check on his guests in various places in the house; secret stairs allowed him to make a surprise entrance where he was least expected; The guy was obviously a bit eccentric, but practical too. He had a system of piped water all through the house and a ceiling sprinkler system that could be set in motion at the pull of a handle in the event of fire.

The 24 room castle had 47 carved wooden doors, no two alike. Even the electric light switches were carved wood. He designed a carved wooden apparatus to turn out the light over his bed.

It was difficult to believe the apparatus above is light switches. The castle has beautiful grounds, a huge, free picnic area near a small lake, hiking trails and remnants of his fascination with trains, a station, some of the original 3 miles of track and a couple of engines in the visitors center. The castle tour has a charge. It has sisal wall paper, carved wainscoting, stained glass pieces, giant fireplaces, an indoor waterfall, and his original beds, china and books. For anyone interested in wood carving or stone work, this is a must see.

After the castle visit, Jim and I took the ferry to Chester, drove to Essex, had lunch and visited the Connecticut River Museum. More on that tomorrow.

A Ball Game, Lake, Castle, Ferry Ride, 1776 Inn and Museum, All In One day!

Jim says:

Another full day!

First was a ball game with my 12 year-old grandson Eric. It was an away game held in Salem, Connecticut, about 25 miles distant. I once lived here in 1966-69.

Eric will be 13 this August.

Eric practices his swing on his hit-away device.

Eric with his dad…my son.

Eric in action behind home plate.

Eric breaks for home plate with his dad coaching third base.

Eric at bat went 3 for 3…a single, double and a home run.

Eric in his full-dress catcher’s gear.

Eric’s dad coaching third base.

While in Salem I decided to show Mary one of the several places I have lived in the past.

I lived here in 1966-69.

A view of Gardner Lake.

Then a visit to Gillette’s Castle State Park on the Eastern shore of the Connecticut River. William Gillette was an actor who portrayed Sherlock Holmes on Broadway many years ago.

William Gillette’s Castle.

Here’s the official website link…
http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325204Then a ferry ride across the Connecticut River. This ferry run has been operational for more than 200 years.

The view of the Hadlyme-Chester Connecticut Ferry from Gillette’s Castle.

Onto the Town of Essex where we had a New England Clam Chowder and Fish and Chips lunch at the Griswold Inn, operational since 1776.
Here’s the Griswold Inn official website link…
http://www.griswoldinn.com/Low_index.htm

Then a short walk to the Connecticut River Museum which tells the 450 year story of this 410 mile-long river.

The Connecticut River Museum is housed in the old Essex Steamboat Dockhouse.

The Essex Steamboat Dockhouse portrayed during the steamboat era.

The British fired Essex during the Revolutionary War.

A long-time popular product of Essex, Connecticut.

Ivory Tusks from Africa came through Essex on their way to Ivoryton (where my son lives 5 miles distant) to be made into piano keys and billiard balls.

Here’s the official website link…
http://ctrivermuseum.orgJust another wonderful day in the life of a full-time RVer!

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2010
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.panamaorbust.com

Jaime’s #1!

Jim says:

Jaime is my nine-year-old grand-daughter and she’s also a real firecracker! She’s a fourth-grader at the Essex Elementary School in Centerbrook, Connecticut.

The fourth, fifth and sixth-graders…a total of 250+ students…recently all submitted What Memorial Day Means To Me poems in competition. And guess who was #1???? That’s right…our own Jaime!

She did a professional job of reading her poem to the large crowd.

Here’s some photos…

Jaime really liked the Mardi Gras beads we brought her.

Jaime while waiting for the school bus yesterday.

The Memorial Day Flag Raising Ceremony Program.

These students were part of the 500+ people in attendance.

The Essex Elementary School Band has 100+ members.

Jaime reading her poem to the 500+people crowd.

A very proud day for her, her parents and her Grandpa…That’s me!

Later it was time for a late afternoon baseball game…

Play Ball!

Jaime at bat.

Jaime playing third base.

Jaime catching.

What a girl!

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2010
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.panamaorbust.com