I kidnapped Scott this weekend for our anniversary. Pretty much everyone in the world knew this, except him. I took the day off work and picked him up from his work at lunchtime on Friday. (Thanks, Scott's boss - I did say pretty much everyone in the world knew, right?) He was very surprised.
We drove to Mystic, Connecticut for a weekend of fall fun. The trip took way too long thanks to massive delays on the highly unpleasant George Washington Bridge. But we finally arrived, and headed to Latitude 41 at Mystic Seaport for dinner.
Do NOT, I repeat NOT ever go to this restaurant! The food was mediocre at best, and at worst - let's just say I spent the evening suffering the ill effects of food poisoning from the entree. (Both Scott and I had entrees that were cold by the time they were brought out, and were most likely never that warm to begin with). The desserts were even disappointing - the worst creme brulee ever and a cheesecake that crumbled into dry clumps when you tried to eat it. Ugh! Couple that with the insane prices and it was the low point of the whole trip.
The next morning, we set out, determined to salvage our trip. Fortunately, after the Latitude 41 debacle, the rest of the trip was fabulous. We started at B.F. Clyde's, a steam powered cider mill.
The mill was almost completely deserted, probably because of the very cold wind blowing through the area. We wandered around looking at the cider making equipment.
Scott wanted to try some apple wine, but the wine tasting didn't open until 10, and we had a train to catch.
But we did get some delicious cider and donuts.
The mill was situated in a very pretty area near the town, and we enjoyed the fall atmosphere and the New England architecture we saw on the way over.
Next, we headed for the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat.
(Sorry - that picture just called for the antique treatment. Here we are.)
We had seats on the parlor car, which meant not only did we get plush swivel seats and beverage service, but Robert Bell, the president of the railroad, dropped by to chat with us before the final whistle. He told us that he had people out in rowboats on the Connecticut River painting the trees for us.
He also mentioned that he had gotten a special gambling license from Connecticut just for this trip - it would be just like the casinos, he told us. Then he instructed us to take out all our money and hand it over.
The trip had many scenic vistas, which were hard to capture through the train glass. The peak colors hadn't yet occured in most places due to the drought and then the overabundance of fall rain, but it was still pretty.
Then we boarded the Becky Thatcher for an entertaining, but COLD trip up the river. We heard the story of eccentric millionaire William Gillette and the castle he built.
It would have been a great trip, but it got progressively colder as we went along. Still, the bratwurst from the boat snack bar was tasty, as was Scott's hamburger and rum and Coke.
Next, we headed to the Mystic Aquarium. The Aquarium is partnered with Dr. Bob Ballard, so we got to see great exhibits about the Titanic wreck and the work he's currently doing in the Mediterranean with ancient shipwrecks.
We also saw some beautiful local glass artwork commissioned for the aquarium.
Oh, and fish.
Lots of fish. (These are apparently all the same species who have evolved different skills and so differentiate their outer appearance to find mates. Sounds like some humans I know.)
And we found Nemo, of course.
This turtle wanted to find us - as soon as I crouched down to take his picture, he posed.
We headed next to Old Mystick Village, a shopping center with several potential dinner options. We ended up at Bleu Squid, an artisan grilled cheese sandwich shop.
As I told the proprietor, the food was 1/8th as expensive and 8x as good as Latitude 41. Scott had this amazing spinach pesto grilled cheese.
I had a bacon and tomato grilled cheese. He had a white chocolate brownie for dessert and I had this mocha cupcake.
It was a great dinner. We enjoyed the hotel pool and went out to see the movie Red. Oh, and hit an Irish pub called "Harp and Hound" down by Mystic Pizza. Yes, that Mystic Pizza. It was a full, fun day.
On Sunday morning, we headed back to the aquarium. where we met this friendly beluga whale. He squirted us, and then laughed about it. We were the only people nearby and it was a really cool interaction.
We also checked out the sea lion show.
And the penguins. It was much warmer today, so we were glad we had waited to catch all these outdoor exhibits.
In fact, the weather and foliage was downright gorgeous.
For lunch (and souvenir shopping) we headed back to Old Mystick Village.
This time, we went to Mango's Wood Fired Pizza Company. We enjoyed a pulled pork barbecue pizza, and Scott got some kind of local India Pale Ale. I tried to order a Diet Coke, but was thwarted again. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a Coke in Connecticut??? Everywhere is Pepsi or Kola. 
We gathered up a bunch of souvenirs for the kids and Grandma and Grandpa and headed home. The trip back was much shorter, and our trip over the George Washington Bridge was fast and actually pleasant (we were on the upper deck this time).
It was a great weekend, and I would recommend everything about it to anyone - except Latitude 41. Only problem is, I am keeping my travel companion. I've had him for fourteen wonderful years, so you'll just have to find your own!
But I don't like it because for some reason, the weather ALWAYS sucks. This time was no exception. Cold, and just as Saucon took the field, raining, too.
So after Saucon played, we hightailed it out of there. But our timing was just right to catch a nifty show - the Easton band warming up in front of the school, casting these truly awesome musical shadows. The picture doesn't do it justice, but it looked cool.
Kai was all business, and caught the eye of one of the camera operators, cause she showed up on the jumbotron constantly.
