Cabby Shack

Posted on August 8, 2013August 8, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Oh I’ve been busy, busy, busy. Monday and Tuesday of the past two weeks have been just beautiful. Low 80’s, sunny and minimal humidity. Perfect days for getting out and about.

I’ve been trying to cram a lot in those 2 days because that’s pretty much the only chance I have to get stories to tell you here. I’m still trying to figure out how my vacation time and money is going to work out with this new job so nothing to report on that front. I’d like to go to Yellowstone next year but I don’t know if that is going to work or not. In the mean time I’ll keep taking “Mini” vacations on Monday and Tuesdays.

The cabby Shack is located in Plymouth, MA right on the waterfront. It’s a typical waterfront restaurant with typical waterfront fare, fried scallops, fish and chips, clam boats, a smaller broiled section and a few burgers.

The food is good and you can sit inside or outside. I stopped there for dinner the other night. Believe me when I tell you that you won’t get any bargain here. I had the fried scallops and a light beer and the bill was $29.00! (Before tip) It’s one of those places where certain dishes are marked “Market price”.

It was good and for an occasional treat, certainly worth it. But back to the reason I chose this restaurant. It made me think of Key West. I know that’s a stretch but the first time I went to Key West we had dinner in a restaurant that had 2 levels. We sat in the upstairs level. The building was surrounded by palm trees.

Well, as you can see in the pictures, this little restaurant in Plymouth also has 2 levels and is surrounded by palm trees. If I have to pay a little extra for the ambiance of the Key West Connection, then so be it.

Now we just need a little Jimmy Buffet to make it perfect.

Totem Poles

Posted on June 2, 2013June 2, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Don’t feel bad if someone tells you you’re “low man on the totem pole.” Often, the most important figure can be found at the base, not on the top, as many believe. (Taken from the Port Guide of the Island Princess)

Ketchikan is home to the largest collection of totem poles in the world.

They stand sprinkled throughout the city, at Totem Bight State Park and at Saxman Native Village.

While we visited the Saxman Native Village we were invited to visit the carving shed, a large woodworking shop where totem poles and masks are carved by a master carver and his apprentices. Our interpreter joined us to give an explanation and answer questions.

The scent of the freshly carved wood permeates the carving shed with its fresh, clean smell. While we were visiting we had a chance to see a totem pole that was recently commissioned by a family in California. The carvings on the pole represented a baker and a wine maker. A figure is carved for each branch of the family. It is still a work in progress . The carving is still done by hand in the old tradition.

Nathan, the master carver, was in residence but could not be enticed to tell us the price tag on such a pole. His only comment was that “It was enough.” Nathan would not tell us how long it takes to carve a pole either. He is truly a man of few words.

A totem pole can identify a clan and placed by the front door of their lodge can tell the history of the clan.

Totem poles are erected for many reasons even to commemorate shameful events.
A potlatch was held in honor of Secretary of State Seward but when he did not reciprocate his ears and nose on his totem were painted red. A sign of disrespect. At one time his descendants asked how much it would cost to hold the potlatch now. When they were told the cost they decided to leave the totem painted as is.

Some Things Just Need to get Done

Posted on April 28, 2013April 28, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Yesterday was a beautiful day but instead of “going fishing” I ended up throwing open the window and sliding door to the deck to air out the condo. I started my spring cleaning. Seems like things really got out of hand this winter.

My condo is little, only 1 bedroom and with 3 cats it can seem pretty crowded. Since I moved in 6 years ago I’ve been trying to adapt the deck so that the cats could use it too. The problem is that the deck runs along the back of building from one end to the other. About 5 condos have sliders that open onto this deck and in the middle are the stairs to the 3rd floor and the fire escape to the ground.

I can’t just close off my section because the condos on the end from me need to be able to get to the fire escape by crossing my deck area and the condo by-laws prohibit anything from being attached to the exterior. That includes screens and TV dishes or antennas.

One of my favorite TV shows is “My Cat From Hell”. First of all the cats on this show are really out of control but the owners usually aren’t anything great either, still I do pick up some tips now and then and “Catios” are big suggestions. Based on some of the things I’ve seen on the show I’ve gotten some ideas.

I’m thinking of screened sections that could be folded up and moved out of the way when the deck is not being used. I could also go low and use the lattice fencing with an lightweight screen attached at a 45 degree angle. I think that might be more trouble than the screen scections. But one thing is for sure if I don’t want a run-in with the condo association…it has to be attractive!

The problem is I’m not sure I am up to the task of making this enclosure. I’m hoping that I am back to work quickly with a regular paycheck again and that maybe I can get a handyman/ carpenter to create this enclosure.

I did look into some of the “training area” fences and they are geared more to dogs and too low. I also looked into cat fences and they need to be attached to the deck and they were kind of ugly as well as expensive.

Anyone else have any ideas? Has anyone else created a “catio”?

Around the grounds of Gillette Castle

Posted on April 18, 2013April 18, 2013 by Dusty Roads

I’ve written about Gillette Castle before. https://aroundustyroads.com/2011/03/05/gillette-castle-and-state-park/

But up until now I’ve never had time to visit the actual grounds. I’ve always viewed the castle from the river.

I rolled into Haddam about 1pm and my River Cruise wasn’t until 4 pm so with time on my hand I followed the signs to Gillette Castle and State park.. The roads and entrance are well-marked making it easy to find.

The drive in is quite pretty even this early in the spring. There’s a little pond with a picturesque stone bridge just before you reach the main parking lot. You can pull in here and park or continue on to the visitor center and Castle itself.

I was still here too early in the season. Nothing was open except the grounds so you could walk around the castle, enjoy the views and follow the trails but the Welcome Center was closed as was the interior of the Castle and the snack bar.

That’s ok with me.

There will be plenty more to explore when I get back this way again.

Mount St. John School

Posted on April 16, 2013April 16, 2013 by Dusty Roads

This building is Mount St. John in Deep River Connecticut. I have never seen the building up close but each time I take a trip down the river I see that dome gleaming in the sunlight. The building fascinated me but I heard different things about it. On the river cruise on the Becky Thatcher the guide pointed it out and said it was a convent. But on the Riverquest cruise that guide said it was a home for troubled boys.

On my most recent trip down the river the captain mentioned that he thought the school had been sold and was being closed down this summer.

So here is the history as I have been able to dig it up.

Mount Saint John was founded as St. John’s Industrial School in 1904 in Hartford. This was a residential school for boys in need of care. The need rapidly outgrew the space in Hartford so in 1907 the cornerstone was laid for the beautiful building we see from the river today.

In 1908 the staff and residents moved from Hartford to the new property in Deep River. The Xaverian Brothers, staffed the school from its opening until 1919. While much good work was done, the future of the institution as an Industrial School was very uncertain. At the same time, an orphanage for boys in Hartford, conducted by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery, was in dire need of more accommodations. It was agreed that the orphanage would move to the Deep River site. At that time the Sisters of St. Joseph administered the home and school until 1958.

Then in 1958, a large addition to the original building opened to house new dormitories, classrooms, and a gymnasium/auditorium. The programs for the boys admitted are tailored for individual needs and have changed over the years as the types of problems presented has changed with society.

For more information on the history of Mount St John including photos I refer you to a great blog entry I ran across http://mountsaintjohnsschoolalumni.blogspot.com/

Although finding history on this building was easy, finding current news was not so I don’t know the current status of the building or it’s school. I can only hope that with its history of good works that the news our good captain shared is wrong and the legacy will continue.