LEAP YEAR - LEAP DAY - AND - GILLETTE CASTLE...FEBRUARY 29 2012.....

What do they  have in common?  Absolutely nothing.  It just happens that I planned to write about Gillette Castle today, and it is leap day in the leap year, which only happens every 4 years, thank goodness.

Wish I only had to celebrate a birthday every 4 years and that I only aged 1 year in that 4.  How can you age a year in a year that doesn't have the day of your birth?

If you have the answer, please let me know.

Now - GILLETTE CASTLE.  This is a continuation of my week in Connecticut that I have been writing about.  Day 3 was spent in Gillette Castle State Park.  What a neat day.

In the mid 1800's a baby boy was born to a family named Gillette (not the razor blade Gillettes), and when he grew up he became a writer, playwright, and actor.  He actually was our very first SHERLOCK HOLMES character in the early 1900 black and white movies. 

William Gillette was born in 1853, and died in 1937.  As an adult he wanted his home to be a castle.  Don't know why, he just did.  He bought acreage, and  committed to have a castle built.

It took 7 years to accomplish.  The stone had to be Connecticut stone, so it was hauled in from all over the state.  He threw lavish parties, and had  quite a few innovative features inside the building. 

Upon his death the castle stood empty until the state of Connecticut decided to purchase said property and turn it into a state park.  The grounds are open year 'round, the interior of the castle open for tours from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

There have been many mentions of hauntings while touring the castle, the faint odor of pipe tobacco (Sherlock always had a pipe in his mouth), footsteps, doors opening or closing, furniture moving slightly, all that spooky stuff. 

It was a delightful day, something to remember.  If you are ever in Connecticut, this is well worth visiting.

The last couple of days in Connecticut were spent just roaming around, seeing covered bridges, 

light houses,

whatever I happened to come across.

  It was a fun week, took lots of pictures, have lots of memories.  It is so true that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Every time you look at a picture that you have taken, it brings back the memory of where you were, who you were with, what you  were doing.  It might take several paragraphs to describe what that one picture is telling you.

Sometimes you have forgotten, but it all comes back. 

I hope you have enjoyed your tour of Connecticut, and that you have the opportunity to take this tour.  There is an entire world out there to visit and enjoy.  Things you never dreamed of.  Pictures, worth more than 1000 words.

Have a great day and God Bless.