American Dreams of a Welcoming Irish Pub

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Beer and Ice Cream in Mystic, CT

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

Folks, my 84-year-old mother is not doing well, and that's why I haven't posted the last two weeks.

But I'm determined to keep you guys happy! You need your fix of Americana, so, onward! 

Let's browse in Connecticut again this week and next.

This Irish pub, near the drawbridge, has been here since my parents moved to Mystic 22 years ago. I've never been inside -- somehow it doesn't invite me. What about you? Do you feel the same way? Comment below.

This is Drawbridge Ice Cream Cafe. When the traffic bar on the left goes down to stop cars on Route 1 so the bridge can open, the people on line (especially in summer) are stuck in front of the ice cream shoppe (so sad!). Next time I go there, I'll get shots of the interior of this indie coffee shop. I avoid going in because the scones are too tempting!

Not far from downtown, fall roses flourish beside an historic house.

A view of a three-master docked at historic Mystic Seaport, with a wood-hulled two-master behind it.

Stonington Vineyards and an Incredible Tree (and Inn)

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American Dream: To Be Surrounded by Beauty

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

You're aware by now that sometimes I'm not season-appropriate. But offering an escape from the greys and whites of winter to the colors of fall isn't such a bad thing, right?

A vineyard in Stonington, CT, not far from my mother's in Mystic, CT.

The buildings (and a strange photographer's shadow).

Kind of inviting for a September wedding, no?

The buildings with their view of the vineyard behind them.

This is the Old Mystic Inn, located, strangely enough, in Old Mystic, an historic town one mile from Mystic. Have you ever seen such a glorious tree? Do you think they picked the color of the inn to go with the tree?

The front door. I love the details in the woodwork and paint. How about you? What is your favorite bed and breakfast? If you like my blog, would you sign up to follow it? Thanks!

American Dreams of Discovery: a marvelous shop in NYC

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American Dreams: Ribbon Haute Couture

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

I walked on East 38th Street, in the Garment District, and a window display captured my gaze.  Inside the store I found eye-popping color and infinite variety of patterns. I was in a ribbon store! Look at this gorgeous stuff!

Did you say you were interested in stripes?

How about dots?

Do you prefer checks?

Embroidered ribbons...

Dragon, anyone?

Flowers?

This is less than 1/3 of the store.

Looking for white?

More stripes...

Top shelf - antique tassels.

The view toward the back of the store.

Here's some ideas -- what you could do with some of the ribbons.

This shop won a Zagat rating four years in a row!

This is the shop's name. Come see! It's a world unto itself.

Cabela's and the American Dream (spoiler alert)

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The American Dream of the Rugged Individual

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

Even though few of us know how to stalk, kill, skin and harvest the meat of a wild animal, there is a part of the American psyche that compels us to think we ought to -- and can -- go it alone in all circumstances and be self-sufficient.

What a lot of hooey!

But it's interesting to look at a place that perpetuates -- and capitalizes on -- that part of the American Dream. Cabela's, the nationwide sporting goods chain, has a store just off Route 78 in Hamburg, PA, on the way home from Athens, Ohio (see recent posts).

The propoganda starts outside. Folks, this is American ideal--a strong individual vs. nature and everything else. Just step inside to make the ideal a reality -- via your credit card.

Inside, among the acres of camo clothing and camping gear, among the thousands of fishing rods, guns, and knives, there are these odd displays of stuffed animals.

I don't know what to make of it exactly. What is this doing inside a retail store?

We've left the American continent apparently. I intended to poke good natured fun today, and failed. Instead I feel irritated that this store uses wild animals to promote its stuff. Ideally, I would feel irate, and write letters, and do something to change things, but I feel that expending all that energy would be in vain, so I won't do it, so I've failed again. 

How about you? What do you think? Feel free to argue your case in a comment below.  And if you like my blog, would you sign up to follow it? Or RT, +1, or Share? Thanks!

Cumberland, MD - A Whole Other American Dream World

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American Dream: A great porch on which to dream American Dreams

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

More pics from Cumberland, MD.

I think the homeowners in this town compete (without admitting it to themselves or anyone else) for the title of "best porch ever."

A front door flanked by a bay window on the right, and an upstairs circular room on the left. I love the half-moon, stained-glass window, center.

This house was quite different -- painted brick. I get a big kick out of tower rooms. I used to have hair like Rapunzel.

I stayed over in Cumberland in a highway motel outside of town. In the morning, I found a diner and saw this line-up. "Deer Assassin," a U.S. Marines keychain, "B&B Meats," and "London, England." What about you? What does your cap say? 

Chambersburg, PA, American Dreams

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American Dreams in Indie Coffee Shops in Unexpected Places

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

As I headed home from Athens, Ohio, by way of Cumberland, Maryland, I passed a sign for the Gettysburg battlefield. I was eager to get home, and the sign said "30 miles" which meant at least 30 minutes of driving, and I decided not to go there. 

As I drove, I regretted the decision. I might never pass that way again. So when I saw a sign for "Chambersburg, 2 miles," I took the off ramp and went on another American Dream adventure.

An indie coffee shop! Any town with one of these rates highly in my book.

Here's the interior, complete with local people.

Have a cup of coffee, sit down, and dream...

An exceptional Chambersburg door.

Falling Spring Church, founded in 1734. This building was built in 1803. The early churchgoers had big dreams of prosperity that many of us have scaled back on in today's economy. How about you? Have you scaled back on your American Dream? Comment below. And sign up to follow!

American Dreams: Historic Homes in Cumberland, MD

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By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

American Architectural Gems 

On the way home from Athens, Ohio, I broke up the trip by stopping in Cumberland, Maryland. I was astonished at the historic significance of the town, and its architectural treasures.

This is the Lexington County Courthouse, with a statue of George Washington in front. It commemorates his visit here in 1794 to lead Maryland and Virginia militia against the Whiskey Rebellion.

One street was chock full of historic homes. Look at the tower! Look at the beautiful details in the moldings under the eaves of the tower, the second story, and the first-story bay window! Wow!

Another gorgeous house.

Think of the servants who slept under the eaves behind these third-story windows. What American Dreams did they have of owning a home of their own?

The doors to these incredible houses are detailed, elegant, and beguiling.

Here's someone's front porch. How beautiful!

Here's the side porch of the same home. It makes me dream of gracious Southern living…How about you? Would you like to have a mint julep while sitting on this porch? Comment below! If you like my blog, would you take 30 seconds to sign up to follow it? Thanks!!