October 1 & 2: Colorado and Utah

 We drove through the Rocky Mountains and then to Utah and Arches National Park. The scenery was spectacular at every turn. Vail was a wash of yellow aspens. White River National Forest in Colorado was breath-taking. Arches was amazing. We have never seen such beautiful red rock formations. We want to come back and stay longer.

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Glenwood Springs

Sept. 29-30: Illinois, across the Mississippi River, Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado.

After having a late breakfast in Joliet, Illinois, we continued our journey on I-80 and traveled through Iowa (Cedar Rapids and  Des Moines), Nebraska (Omaha and Grand Island), and finally, ended our day in Denver, Colorado. Iowa was beautiful as farmlands go; gentle rolling hills, cornfields, bright fall colors and of course, red barns and silos. Nebraska and eastern Colorado, on the other hand,  were flat and very dry-not an area I would visit again. We were happy to see Denver which was beautiful. We didn't stop and explore the city because it was getting late, and we needed to set up camp for the night. We drove into the  foothills of the Rockies just outside of Denver. Since the weather was getting very cold (in the 30's), and there was a chance of rain, we decided to stay in a cabin instead of our tent. We rented a very nice rustic one (without running water, only heat) at Golden Gate Canyon State Park just outside of the City. It was great.

Cabin #3

Fall colors in Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Colorado

 Very cozy cabin #3

Sept. 27 and 28: Heading westward through Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.

We were on a quest to get to Nevada as fast as we could (except for camping if we came to a great place). We saw some beautiful country and brilliant fall colors. It rained pretty much all across the state of Pennsylvania. Signs read "burroughs and townships" - something you don't see in the West. We didn't do much sight seeing. Finally, we made it to Clarion, Pennsylvania which is not far from the Ohio border.  We decided to stay there since the weather was so bad,  and it was getting late. Clarion is home to Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

The next day, we got an early start and were off to Ohio which was not that far from Clarion. We  decided to turn onto the Lincoln Highway - 30 West. We had heard about the Lincoln Highway and wanted to experience at least part of this historic cross-country road.  We saw lots of farms and miles of green fields of corn. There were no billboards nor large trucks on this Highway. It's a slower more scenic way to travel.

Pennsylvania - I-80

Scranton, PA - home of "The Office"

An old hamburger restaurant

One of the multitude of farms seen as we crossed the Mid-West

Scenic and peaceful - Lincoln Highway

By Friday, Sept. 28th, we had gone all the way to Joliet, Illinois.  We stayed in a very nice Mariott Hotel in Joliet which is about 40 miles south of Chicago. We want to go back to this area and explore Chicago and Oak Park where there are lots of homes designed  by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Sept. 27, 2012: Decided to head for home

After spending a wonderful week exploring Massachusetts and New Hampshire, we decided it was time to head west for home. We left Manchester early this morning and did a marathon drive all the way to Clarion, Pennsylvania which is almost to the Ohio border. We just had to stop in Hartford, Connecticut to check out the Mark Twain House. Wish we had more time, we would have loved to take the tour of the interior of the home. The exterior and grounds of the home are beautiful. We'll have to come back here someday.

Rear view of Mark Twain House - conservatory

Beautifully carved entry door

Home is said to resemble a "Mississippi riverboat" style

Sept. 25, 2012 Lucknow/Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough, New Hampshire

Mr. Thomas Plant, Owner- Builder

 After our visit at the Hartshorn's cabin at Lake Winnipesockee, we went north to Moultonborough, NH, and to the "Castle in the  Clouds" which was originally named "Lucknow" by mega-millionaire shoe industrialist, Thomas  Plant. It is a 5,500 acre mountaintop estate overlooking the Lake. First, we drove into the wooded setting, and then followed the trail  to the falls. Afterwards,  we took a shuttle up to the main house. The house was built in 1913 and is just incredible. Here are some pictures that we took on our self-guided tour  of the mansion.

 "Pebble Rock" --- not...

 Alvah & Ebby at the Falls

Front entry to the mansion

Mr. Plant's office

Entry door with amazing hardware

Surround shower - way ahead of the Kohler version

Hand-crafted window hardware

One of the many bathrooms

Exceptional "Craftsman" style architecture

Guest bedroom

Guest's suitcase/cosmetic bag

The attendant's (sewing) room

Rear view overlooks Lake Winnipesaukee

Maid's quarters

Early version of a skylight

Mr. Plant's bathroom - looks like Restoration Hardware ad

Old push-style electrical switches

 Mr. Plant waited two years for the stone to become marbled for this fireplace

 Formal dining room that overlooks views of the Lake

 Tiffany light fixtures throughout the house
 
Living room fireplace
 

Butler pantry sink

 Cast iron stove in kitchen

Baking area

 Kitchen

Butler's pantry - Serving area

 Mr. Plant's secret room

Entry to "secret room"

Dinner chimes

Rear view