When Jeremy and I heard that his cousin Lara was getting married in Connecticut a few months ago we decided to make a long weekend out of the trip (leave Friday, return Monday) and take the train up and back. This was the first time I had the opportunity to ride the train (Amtrak to be specific) for a long distance in the US (had ridden overnight in France and Italy before but never in the States). Jeremy and I left the Williamsburg station around 10am and almost 12 hours later stepped off the train in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Overall the train is definitely a pretty nice way to travel, especially when you spring the extra $40 for business class seats, more legroom, quieter, a little footrest, it’s the little things that make it nice 😉 We called the local cab company when we arrived and they sent out their only cab to pick us up and we headed to the Copper Beech Inn driven by a nice guy who had grown up in (as he said) “Bad News” (aka Newport News) so we all chatted about the area for our 10 minute drive to the bed and breakfast. Cabs are a bit expensive (was $20 for the 10 minute ride) but didn’t have too many other options at 9:30 at night. We checked in and promptly went to sleep, who would’ve thought sitting for 11+ hours would make you so tired?
The next morning we enjoyed the Inn’s tasty full sit-down breakfast in the glassed in patio, Jeremy had the Bread Pudding French Toast and I had an omelet with leeks, bacon, mushrooms and cheddar cheese, very tasty. Since we had no means of transportation yet we called the cab again to take us to the rental car place after breakfast, picked up our swingin’ Toyota Corolla and then just wandered around the various little towns for the afternoon. Our first attempted lunch stop  (per Yelp’s high recommendation) was the River Tavern in Chester but, after multiple attempts and drive-bys, we were unable to find the restaurant, there’s an empty lot at 23 Main Street so apparently only locals are allowed to find it. Instead, we stopped at the Whistle Stop Cafe, very cute little place (literally little), with one main inside room and then picnic tables under a permanent tent in the back. Since it was cool outside (low 70s or so) figured it was nice enough to eat outside so even before we sat down the only waitress got our drink order and told us to take a seat anywhere. Jeremy ordered the Reuben (which he left no trace of) and I ordered the “Mr. Okinawa” which was a tuna melt with tomato and bacon on rye, also very tasty. The sandwiches came with either chips or a salad, and since on the train ride up the day before we had only eaten cheese and crackers and trail mix I figured I should get some greens in so I ordered the salad, which was surprisingly tasty for a small side-of-the-road-cafe salad, it was simple with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, carrots and a spring mix with balsamic dressing but I guess I must’ve been missing those vitamins.
We headed back to the Inn after lunch for a nap before the wedding at 4:30 that afternoon. The couple picked a gorgeous location for their ceremony and reception at the pavilion in Rocky Neck State Park. The pavilion is a huge two story stone structure built in the 1930’s through the Works Progress Administration (which was created to provide jobs after the Great Depression). The bride was beautiful, the rain held off, and the ceremony and reception were great, it seemed like everyone had a really nice time, my best wishes to Lara and Dan!
Pictures to come…
