Archive for September, 2009
For those of you who are new to the blog, this is normally ‘Try it’ Tuesday. However, I don’t want to scare you all away with hundreds of posts and I still have lots to share from the wedding weekend, so we’ll get back to our regularly scheduled programming tommorow (with ‘Work it’ Wednesday). I promise I’m not normally this flighty — so bear with me! 
The wedding ceremony was beautiful — perfect, really.
Just look at the beautiful church!
Church
I’d love to share some photos of the beautiful bride and groom, but I want to respect their privacy, so just imagine a beautiful, glowing couple SO full of love.
Of course the Mister and I loved the excuse to dress up!
Me and the Mister
Closer...
Mom, Dad and Me!
I’ll be back later to share some reception photos (tease — cake is involved!)
Do you look forward to dressing up for weddings and other occasions or do you dread it?
After working up an appetite in Old Saybrook, we met some more members of my family at The River Tavern.
River Tavern interior
Recently recognized in Bon Appetit and The New York Times, The River Tavern lines the downtown area of charming Chester.
Chester, Connecticut
Want another History lesson? Cool, me too.
The history of Chester starts with its corporation in 1836, but its roots reach back to 1672. The territory then was divided into east and west sections, portioned off by a committee appointed by the regional authority at the time, the Town of Saybrook. The early property owners were probably just landholders, who used their grants for farming or grazing.
Boy would the townsmen be proud of what a fantastic place their territory has become!
From the Chester, Connecticut homepage:
The town of Chester has a picturesque Main Street lined with shops and restaurants. We have lakes and ponds, myriad hidden streams, cascading waterfalls, a state forest, the Connecticut River, marinas, Off-Broadway plays, a YMCA Camp, even a small airport.
Most of all, we have vibrant and creative people who welcome you to visit – and maybe stay longer than you planned.
We cherish our small town way of life, and do what we can to preserve it. Come experience Chester first-hand.
OK, back to the River Tavern.
After scanning the menu, I chose the salmon sandwich. It consisted of salmon, capers, cream cheese, arugula and red onion, all layered on a french baguette. It was served alongside local seasoned potatoes.
Salmon sandwich
How fantastic does that look? It was! I loved the creaminess of the cream cheese paired up against the salty capers. The quality of the salmon was superb, I did not want to finish this sandwich — as in, I wish it were neverending!
If any of you live in the area, you must give the River Tavern a visit. Everyone in our party loved their dishes.
But they certainly don’t rush you (nice way of saying SLOW service ), so make sure you aren’t pressed for time. — But the place is warm and inviting, so you don’t mind the extra time spent. Plus, the flavors and dishes are pretty fantastic — which is no surprise, since the restaurant promises to use local produce, when available.
Stay tuned for the ceremony and reception recap!
Is slow service a deal-breaker for you?
Since the wedding wasn’t until Saturday evening, my family and I had all day to explore Connecticut — well the area surrounding Hartford, anyway.
Our first stop was Old Saybrook. Would you like a small History lesson? Good, cuz you’re gettin’ one. Old Saybrook is one of the oldest towns in Connecticut, incorporated on July 8, 1854. The area has a long history, dating back to 1635 when it began as an independent colony known as the Saybrook Plantation. The colony was started when a company of English Puritans headed by Viscount Saye and Sele and Lord Brook, and led by one John Wintrhop, Jr. erected a for to guard the river entrance. Yale University was founded in Old Saybrook as the Collegiate School for the education of ministers in 1700. The Saybrook College of Yale University Seal is used as the Town logo on its letterhead and town-owned vehicles.
A community of approximately 10,000, Old Saybrook is located in Middlesex County, on the West side of the river, 105 miles from Boston, 101 miles from New York and 45 miles from Hartford.
Old Saybrook offers beautiful shores, vistas, marinas and an eclectic collection of shops and restaurants on Main Street and nearby.
It wouldn’t feel right being so close to the ocean and not taking advantage of it, so my family and I made the trek out to the coast.
Old Saybrook coast
Me and the Mister
I got a huge kick out of the locals breaking the rules.
3 feet away…
Rule breaker
Two of my favorite men - my brother is missing!
Mom and Dad
I’ll be back later to share some photos from our stop in Chester. It includes lunch at River Tavern – you won’t want to miss it!
What is your traveling style? Do you tend to explore the area or stick to where most of the activity is going on?