OTPWB Day 3: CT!

After 3 back to back days of sightseeing, I thought our guests would be ready to take a rest.  Wed. morning we were relaxing and after a while (about 10:30AM) my Dad-in-law said, "So - where are we going today?"  So, we thought we could take a driving tour and explore CT. 

We drove to Lyman Orchard, (where I took Olivia's birthday pics this year) hoping to catch the apple blossoms.  Sadly the rain that was following us all week had knocked all the blossoms down.  The trip wasn't all in vain though.  We got to try lots of scrumptious goodies at the Apple Barrel: apple cider donuts, apple turnovers, and fresh apple cider all made on site.  We even bought a frozen apple pie that we made later that night.  We all agreed it was THE best apple pie we ever tasted! 

Next, we headed to Gillette Castle and explored the grounds.  The sun actually had come out by this time - it was wonderful!  We also explored the Nathan Hale schoolhouse in East Haddam. Nathan Hale was a Yale alum and state hero most known for his famous last words, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."  This was said before being hung as a spy by the British in 1776.

Down the hill from here is an old cemetary and we found this discovery of the oldest bell in the New World...This bell was cast in 815 A.D for a Spanish monastery.  When Napolean invaded Spain, the church housing the bell was destroyed and the bell was left in the rubble.  In 1834, the bell was hauled back to America by a Yankee sea captain. 

The kids were enjoying all the time with grandma, grandpa, and Aunt Kristie and Uncle Kevin.  They had plenty of bright yellow flowers to collect and hand to everyone who crossed our paths.  After dinner, the crowd headed out to explore Yale campus, but I stayed home with the kids!