Day tripping close to home



I don't know how I happened across this place on the internet, but was amazed that there was such a neat gem only an hour from our house. Located in Stockbridge, MA, Naumkeag was the 44 room summer cottage of the Choate family. It was donated to the Trustees of Reservations in 1959 and is open to the public. One thing that makes it unique is that all the furniture are actual pieces that were in the home--not period pieces like in most museums or home tours.



We started with the inside guided tour. It is filled with unique furnishings and rooms with beautiful views and two turrets.

This was the gong that sounded the begin of our tour. Its loud gong could easily summon anyone from the surrounding gardens. 



These were the chaise lounges by the door we entered. The "Great Seat" facing to view the sun setting beyond Tom Ball Mountain.

First was the dining room. President McKinley was a guest here.



They loved books as much as we do.

 

I love the piano in the turret.

 

This is the view from the front hall.

 

I love this bench in the front hallway. It is opposite a beautiful fireplace.

 

One of the many bedrooms.
 

Another view of this same bedroom.



The other part of the bedroom above.


 



The reflection from the lamp shows in this picture but I wanted to post it because it is interesting. First the bedroom had many pictures. These pictures were actually hat boxes that the ladies liked so much that they had them put in picture frames. This one that caught my eye said Sandy Hook with a picture of a lighthouse.


 

 



This is my favorite bedroom. It is on the 2nd floor and the door opens to an enclosed porch overlooking a beautiful garden and a mountain view. There was a refreshing breeze drifting in the room. I could just imagine sitting on that porch with a hot beverage and reading or writing in the fresh air surrounded by such beauty.

 

This is a view of the garden from a different bedroom window.
 

Fireplace in a bedroom.
 



Another neat turret area.



 



This is from the third floor--servants' quarters.

Servants' quarters and where visiting children slept.


After the 45 minute tour of the house, we went outside on this perfect day to explore the many beautiful gardens.

 



 

Bronze statue: Young Faun with Heron 1887
 

My friend, Kathy, is right at home here!

 
 

 

Water Runnel 1938 Water collects in the middle and connects to the fountains in the Blue Steps.

 

 

This swamp white oak tree was the place the Choates picnicked and is said to have been influential in their decision to purchase the 49 acre estate.

 

Pagoda 1936

Chinese "philosopher stone" on marble base.
 

 

Long teak bench
 

Linden Walk
 

 

 

View from the top
 

 

There are fountain in this blue area.

 

 

The Blue Steps. 1938. This is said to be considered one of the most famous built landscapes in America.

 

Evergreen garden

Kathy and I. A road trip again after many, many years.
 

 

Rose garden



 

 

Mable Choate had a love of China, hence this Chinese-style temple.

 

Circular Moon Gate

 

 

 

Of special note, this is also quite close to the Norman Rockwell Museum and across the street, we did not have enough time, but there is the National Shrine of Devine Mercy. We rode through quickly. and will have to put this on a list to return.

 

I highly recommend a visit to Naumkeag. It is only open seasonally. I am often one to say, "Been there done that," but I would go see this again.

 

 

 

 

A mini-adventure

 

After George said that we should go to all the Connecticut state parks (which will take us years), I said we should go to all the miniature golf courses. I have always been a miniature golf fan with most of my games having been played at Cape Cod with their elaborately decorated courses with waterfalls, pirate ships or statues of animals and playful characters. I have driven by several in Connecticut and since they are not as eye catching and siren-tempting as the ones at the Cape, we never ventured onto many courses. Also, miniature golf was always a vacation thing with us. Well, we are pretty much on vacation now, so we will be attacking the miniature golf courses along with the state parks and some museums too.

Today we started our maiden voyage at the Riverfront Miniature Golf course in the Unionville.

Ice cream was an option, but since we got there at 10 am, we did not partake. It was interesting, though, that you could get as little as one ounce of ice cream for 50-75 cents depending on whether you got hard or soft-serve. What is an ounce? A spoonful?

The games were $6.00 but we had a coupon from the Entertainment book, so we had buy one get one.  Spoiler alert: we enjoyed this course so much that we might one day consider the 10 round frequent golfer pass.


This course did not have any fancy figurines or other distractions. Rocks and water were the appropriate theme as it borders the Farmington River.

Being a rock hound, I loved the rock designs.

The only complaint I would have would be that on a couple of the greens, the hole had been swapped out to another and from the teeing off area, one could be faked out to think the other circle was the hole when it was blocked off. Our advice is to walk up and see where the actual hole is.

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Beautiful view of the river

 

 

The course was challenging and quite enjoyable.



Of special note, this is one of several locations where you can "rent" bicycles for free to ride the trail. That is on our things to do list too.

Thanks for a great time, Riverfront Miniature Golf! When we continue these mini-adventures, I will post the score, even though I rarely beat George.