Travel and Tourism – Page 2 – Circadianreflections Blog

Thursday Doors-Guest Doors

August 22, 2024Posted in Adorned Doors, Architecture, Doors, Photography, Thursday DoorsTagged Gillette Castle, Guest Doors, Photography Challenges, Thursday Doors, Travel and Tourism, Wood45 Comments

PLEASE DO NOT USE MY IMAGES WITHOUT EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISSION.

These aren’t Guest in the sense your mind probably went to when thinking about Guest doors, no. These doors were sent to me from a friend who lives in CT but, wishes to be anonymous for the time being.

She moved to CT oh, 4-5 years ago…time flies! Anyway a couple of weeks back she sent me an email saying,

“I visited Gillette Castle in Connecticut over the weekend and they had the most beautiful interior doors, all hand carved and I thought of you 🙂 Here are just a few but there were many! There were three stories’ worth and each one was unique. The castle was fascinating!”

She didn’t include the stories or details but, we have her images of three of the doors.

The door knobs are interesting. They’re wood!

*Image used with permission from photographer*

She included a close up the door knob as the third image. Those door knobs are different! The doors remind me of quilts with their square patterned designs.

I looked up the castle and it does look beautiful and interesting.

Here’s something about those door knobs.

“Gillette designed 47 one of kind doors made from Southern White Oak found on the property. They were all hand carved. Each door has a unique, elaborate latch intricately carved of wood.”

Here’s a little intro about the castle from the website:

” Atop the most southerly hill of a chain of hills known as the Seven Sisters sits the retirement estate of noted actor, director, and playwright William Hooker Gillette. Named the Seventh Sister by Gillette, the property’s focal point is a 24-room stone mansion reminiscent of a medieval castle”. There’s a photo of the castle at the link and lots more information about the man and more photos.

https://www.gillettecastlefriends.org/history-of-the-castle

The doors are lovely. Don’t you love our door enabling friends!

Here’s a BIG SHOUT OUT to my friend in CT for sending me these beautiful and interesting doors.🥰 May she continue to send me doors to share with you!

This post is part of the weekly challenge Thursday Doors hosted by Dan Antion over at https://nofacilities.com/2024/08/22/still-more-from-iowa/

Head on over there to see more doors from around the world or join the craze and add a door or two of your own. 😊

more to come…

Thursday Doors- The Round House

July 25, 2024July 25, 2024Posted in Architecture, Photography, Thursday DoorsTagged Ohio, Put-in-Bay, Round House Bar, Thursday Doors, Travel and Tourism31 Comments

PLEASE DO NOT USE MY IMAGES WITHOUT EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISSION.

This is the last door I have from our trip to Put-in-Bay, OH back in May.

The Round House Bar.

I love the arched door, color theme, the dome roof, and the structure at the top of the roof. What is that called? Viewing room? Oh, and the Rooster weather vane. I do like the rooster theme. Fun fact about me: I was born in the year of the Rooster in Chinese Astrology.

We didn’t have time to go inside, but I do want to return so maybe one day I will get to see the murals on the walls.

Here’s some history:

“Originally housing the Columbia Restaurant, this building opened in 1873. Back in the day, there wasn’t a good way to keep things cold. Thanks to intrepid island dwellers including Valentine Doller, they figured out a way. The Columbia Restaurant was able to serve up ice cream and cottage cheese using blocks of ice gathered from Lake Erie in the winter. Housed in what is now the Put-in-Bay Winery, the ice kept things nice and cold.

The famous circular bar was then built in 1944 by the Greunke family, commissioning the Cincinnati Brewing Company to construct it. It was the perfect place to hold concerts “in the round,” with Mrs. Greunke as the featured pianist. They moved the stage to its current location so the performer wouldn’t have to play with their back to the audience.

The McCann family has owned the Roundhouse since the early 1950’s. Most of the building is original, with the exception of the floor and front porch. The original plaster walls have remained. They were also responsible for painting it its signature red, white, and blue along with artist Scott LoBadio painting the outside. The inside walls features murals by Canoe Bob.”https://putinbay.com/dinings/round-house-bar/

This post is part of the weekly challenge Thursday Doors hosted by Dan Antion over at

More From Reiman Gardens

Head on over there to see more doors from around the world or join the craze and add a door or two of your own. 😊

more to come…

Thurs. Doors- Hampton Court Palace

November 12, 2020Posted in Nikon, Photography, Thursday DoorsTagged Hampton Court Palace, London, Nikon, Royal Palaces, Surrey, Thursday Doors, Travel and Tourism, Travel Photography32 Comments

It seems like an age ago that I shared an image for Thursday Doors or from our trip to London which was just this past January!

I’ve let some of these images marinate long enough. ☺ Here’s one.

One day we Ubered out to Hampton Court Palace the favorite palace of King Henry VIII. It’s 12 miles southwest and upstream from central London on the Thames River.

The drive there was lovely passing small towns and beautiful countryside.

This is an entrance to one side of the palace through the left door and the courtyard entrance in the center. I think the door on the right was a cloak closet, but it’s been awhile since being there that I’ve forgotten! I should have made more notes. It’s a palace I’d like to tour again one day.

Thursday Doors is the creation of Norm 2.0 Head on over to his blog to see many other doors from all over the world that other door lovers have shared.

Nikon Df| Nikkor 24-120mm| PS CC 22.0.0

more to come…

Thursday Doors: Lord John Russell Pub

January 23, 2020January 23, 2020Posted in iPhone 7 Plus, iphonegraphy, London, UK, Photography, Thursday Doors, Travel and Food, Travel and Tourism, Travel PhotographyTagged Blue Doors, iphonegraphy, London Pubs, Lord John Russell Pub, Russell Square London, Thursday Doors, Travel and Tourism, West Central London33 Comments

Whist in London over the Holidays I passed this pub on the way to the British Museum and had to stop to get a photo of the lovely Blue Door. I love the hanging sphere plants and that shade of blue. Lord John Russell

I did a quick search to see how long the pub has been there and found it’s been there a LONG TIME! In 1856 a John Russell was in the postal directory at this address.

Here’s the link to the London pub wiki that shares the pub’s history.

To see more doors from around the world visit our favorite Doorlican Norm here!

iPhone 7 Plus| PS CC 21.0.2

more to come…

Whatever Weds. The Santa Train

December 18, 2019December 18, 2019Posted in Christmas, Holidays and Observances, Nikon, Photography, Trains, Whatever WednesdayTagged Carson City Nevada, Christmas, Nevada State Railroad Museum, Nikon, Photography, Steam Engines, The Santa Train, Trains, Travel and Tourism, Travel Photography, Virginia and Truckee N°25 steam engine48 Comments

In December the Nevada State Railroad Museum located in Carson City, NV rolls out N°25 to drive The Santa Train.

You know when I went to the Railroad Museum before she wasn’t out that time. click here to see that post. I’ve wanted to get back up here to see the Steamie since.

Just as I did before I arrived early hoping to see the crew rolling her out of the garage, but I was a wee bit late she was already out and building pressure. N°25 was built in 1905 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. She’s a 78-ton 10-wheeler. She hauled both passenger and freight cars between Carson, Virginia City, and Reno from 1911 to 1947.

Now she runs on special days throughout the year.

One of the special events she’s rolled out for is during December when she’s The Santa Train which is N°25, a passenger car, and a red caboose. Passengers come for a ride around the station and Santa Claus is on the train to talk to the children, and I hear he passes out candy canes to everyone.

Here she is at the station getting some water, and passengers.

The Santa Train

I spy Santa! He’s with the Conductor, Engineer, the Brakemen, and some Elves disguised as cowboys. 😉

Santa Claus

Here comes THE SANTA TRAIN!! TOOT! TOOT!

The Santa Train

I don’t know if I’ll be posting much anymore this year things are going to get busy pretty quick. Big Baby Boy and The Crosscourt Kitty🐈 are arriving soon for the Holidays and #1 Grandson is coming to visit too!

There’ll be kids jingle belling, holiday greetings, gay happy meetings, and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago! It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

In case I don’t get another chance to let me wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year!! xx

I’m chugging out…TOOOOT! TOOT! 😍

Nikon D810| Nikkor 24-120mm| PS CC 21.0.1| Lexar Digital Film

more to come…

http://www.nsrm-friends.org/vtrr25.html

Wild Weds. 26/52 The Inn at Benton Hot Springs

June 27, 2018June 26, 2018Posted in Nikon, PhotographyTagged Architecture, Bed and Breakfast, Inn at Benton Hot Springs, Nikon, Travel and Tourism, Travel Photography58 Comments

I thought I’d change it up a bit and show you the Inn I stayed in the night before the Wild Mustangs trip.

The Inn at Benton Hot Springs

It’s lovely! The Inn features 7 rooms in an Historic 1940’s building, along with two private historic houses, with private hot tubs, and 10 private tubs for day and overnight use, and a wonderful breakfast in the morning.

The Inn is housed in a 1940’s block building constructed with local pumice materials. It was built to replace an old hotel where 10 small rooms shared one bath. The Inn was renovated in 1998, however the original structure integrity was retained. Therefore, all rooms except the Marquessa Suite (Room 7) share a bath. Two additional unique bathrooms with showers are available in a separate, adjacent building.

Prized for it’s western history, hot springs, remote settings, and dark skies.

The family has owned and operated the ranch for more than 90 years.

This is their Mission Statement:

“Our mission is to provide
guests with a tranquil and
peaceful respite from their
fast-paced, chaotic worlds.
During their visits we
encourage calm reflection
while lingering in natural
soothing hot mineral water.
We desire that our guests
leave in a restored and
reinvigorated condition,
returning to their worlds with
enhanced balance and harmony.”

Each room at the Inn is decorated in a different theme. I was in the Victor Room, but first let me show you the place setting and crumb cake we had as a starter to our breakfast. We had eggs, and hash browns, lots of coffee, and the conversation was delightful. You eat with other guests all at one table. There are two seating’s for breakfast. 8 o’clock, or 9 o’clock. Don’t be late! I wasn’t quick enough to get a photo of the whole table. 😕

Now, onto the Victor Suite. My room was on the end of left side of the building with a street view. There was a lovely chair outside my door with a view of the front courtyard. That image is still on my cell phone.

Brass bed… pardon my jackets on the chair please!

Victor Suite Rm 2

Each room had a Teddy Bear on the Bed(s)… after meeting some of the other guests that were also doing the Wild Mustang Trip I asked if I could see their rooms and decor and I said I’d be happy to show them my room too. We all did a little tour of each others rooms. It was neat to see 4 of the 7 rooms, plus the Miner’s cottage. The first question one of the ladies asked me was ,”Do you have a Teddy Bear on your bed? 😊

Victor Suite Rm 2

I loved the antique furniture, and collectibles in the room. That black door is to the shared bathroom. I didn’t take any photos of the bathroom.

Victor Suite Rm 2_IMG_8806

In this image below I don’t know if the thing under the table is for magazines or boots. I’m hoping it’s for boots! Oops, forgive my Ray-Ban’s too please.

Victor Suite Rm 2

…and a closer look at what’s on the white table. I love old bottles, and railroad spikes and do-dads.

Victor Suite Rm 2

For the History Buffs, here’s a bit of history on the town of Benton from the Inn’s website.

~://benhttptonhotsprings.org/history.php

Benton is one of the oldest existing towns in Mono County. Benton was founded by the western Indians who came to make use of its hot springs. As the nearby towns of Bodie and Aurora grew, Benton became a check-point for travelers on the way south in 1852.

Silver was discovered in the hills of Benton in 1862, and its population quickly grew. After hitting the initial strike of silver, not much more was found, but Benton’s profits were soon primarily from silver.

Unlike other mining towns, Benton was able to provide enough for the town to thrive and flourish for about 50 years. Most of the main activity took place between 1862 and 1890.

The Carson and Colorado Railroad reached the region in 1883, and made a stop at Benton Station, just four miles away.

I have some images of the old town that’ll be sharing in the future.

I’ll be staying here again in July, and hope to get a photo of the whole breakfast table all set up for breakfast, and if I get a different room you know I’ll be taking photos to share.

Oh, and I’m packing my bathing suit this time so, I can partake of the Hot Springs tubs!😀

Nikon D810| Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G| iPhone 7 Plus| PS CC 2018

more to come…

2017 National Train Day

May 13, 2017May 12, 2017Posted in National Historic Landmarks, National Train Day, Nikon, Photography, Trains, Travel and TourismTagged Barstow CA, Locamotives, Narrow Gauge Trains, National Historic Sites, National Train Day, Nikon, Photography, Trains, Travel and Tourism16 Comments

Since Dan over at No Facilities blog reminded his followers about National Train Day last year I have been looking for trains to photograph and saving them up for future National Train Day Posts. This year I’d like to share a little Red Engine that I’ve been saving since last September.

Some friends and I spent 3 days on Route 66. Our base was in Barstow, California. Not far from Barstow, CA is the Ghost town of Calico, CA. We spent an afternoon and evening there. For the History Buffs I’ve gleaned some information from Wikipedia about the Ghost Town, and the railroad that once operated there.

It was once a bustling mining town. “It was founded in 1881 which is when the largest silver strike was found in California. Over a 12 year span, Calico has 500 mines which produced over $20 million in silver ore. Unfortunately Calico lost it population in the mid-1890s because silver lost its value. “~Wikipedia

In the 1950’s Walter Knott bought Calico and restored it as a Living Museum. He restored the architecture to look like it did in the 1880’s. Several of the original buildings and railroad equipment were moved to Knotts Berry Farm’s “ghost town” exhibit, but most of it remains in the town. The Calico Ghost Town is now part of San Bernadino’s County Regional Park System.

We missed the train actually running but I did grab a shot of the little red engine.

“The Calico & Odessa Railroad is a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge^[1] heritage railroad in the ghost town of Calico, California, headquartered in Yermo, California. It was named for the town and mountain range of Calico and the nearby Odessa Canyon.^[2]

It is a remake of the 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge Waterloo Mining Railroad, the original narrow gauge railroad line that hauled silver ore (and later borax) from Calico to the mills of Daggett in the 1880s, although the present-day tracks do not follow the trackbed of the original one.”~ Wikipedia

I hope everyone has a wonderful week-end!

Nikon Df| Nikkor 28-105mm| Delkin Digital Film| PS CC 2017

More to come…

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: