Sunday was our day off. We went grocery shopping, I did some laundry (there’s a convenient and free washer and dryer just down the hall) and, when I realized the predicted rain was not coming, I took a long walk around the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution.
I took lots of pictures, which I’ll share with you this week.
By the way, if you want to learn more about the Chautauqua Institution, visit their website by clicking here.
The incredible amphitheater, built in 1879. Yes, you see organ pipes behind the stage. So many famous people have been on that stage – the mind boggles. Last year, I heard the symphony play in this space, attended the Opening Ceremony, and listened to Tom Brokaw.
There are Houses (like this Presbyterian House) scattered throughout the grounds. People, presumably of that faith, can rent rooms and take part in all the summer activities.
Although, whoever is in charge of the sign needs to brush up on letter and number spacing.
The gorgeous (and huge) Athenaeum Hotel. There are rocking chairs all along that porch and sitting in them is a favorite activity around here.
A glimpse of a Victorian-era tower.
I love the railing on this building.
Seagulls perching.
I stood on this dock for a long time. Oh, to live on the water.
And then I sat on a bench here. My dream has always been to live on a lake. When I am lucky enough to visit a place like Chautauqua, which is situated on the shores of Chautauqua Lake, I feel my shoulders dropping, I take deep breaths, I relax.
Maybe some day?
The bell tower, which is on the lakeshore and is the symbol of the Chautauqua Institution. It chimes on the hour and half hour. Come to think of it, I think it chimes on the quarter hour, as well.
Ahhhh. My grandfather built the first cottage on a lake called Silver Lake. It was very modest. We used an outhouse when I was a kid. It was a big deal when the indoor bathroom was installed. My father and his siblings inherited it when my grandfather passed away, but my Aunt Lettie spent the most time there, so the other siblings eventually sold their shares to her. Nevertheless, it remained the Family Cottage and we all gathered there on summer holidays, as well as for a week or two at time during the summer.
Summers at The Lake, as we called it, were part of my growing up years and I suppose they have left their mark on me. I long to live on a lake, to hear the gentle sound of waves lapping the shore, to sit on the dock, to sleep to the sound of the water.
In the meantime, I will visit this lake as often as possible.
Don had to leave the house at 2 am this morning in order to be in Manhattan by 4:30 am. He was being picked up at that time by a driver who then took him to the film location in Brooklyn. He’s filming his third episode of Mr. Robot. Poor Don! I imagine he’ll collapse when he gets home. Friends of ours are stopping by to check in on Scoutie.
Happy Monday.
Good Morning Claudia, I know you are working hard but the enjoyment of this area makes us all jealous! Doris
I am working hard! Today I’ll be in rehearsal from noon until almost 10 o’clock – we get a meal break. But if I have to working, this is a beautiful place to be!
Love all the photos! I know when I lived on Cape Cod, I thought it was the perfect place to live. Ocean, cute little towns, ocean! :) I’m glad you got a chance to take some photos to share with us. I can’t wait to see Mr. Robot, I think it premiers soon?
Hugs,
Linda
It premieres this Wednesday, which is also Don’s birthday. He doesn’t appear until the 5th episode, I believe.
I’ll tune in!!
It looks like Chatauqua is a very big lake….beautiful pictures. I live a couple miles from Lake Michigan and it is where I go whenever I need solace. You could do what I do and get one of those white noise machines with the different sounds…..I go to sleep to the sound of waves every night! You can also find phone apps for it. It’s not quite as good as living on an actual lake but it is a soothing sound. I had a moment of near panic when I read that Don had to go into the city….what about Scout!? Whew!
I think it’s 11 miles long, Marilyn. It’s huge. There are lots of different communities along the lake.
You really help me imagine the place with your snaps! I have always lived near the water and can’t imagine not doing so.
I miss it. Lived near the ocean in San Diego…but it’s been a while!
Took the ferry I to Dan Francisco for a day at the waterfront. It was foggy and cold to start but eventually became sunny and cold! But, nice to be on/by the water.
Agggh, you know I mean SAN FRANCISCO!…..drat auto-spell…
Beautiful place to live, work, dream and relax. Lakes do that to you. And all those homes…stunning. Glad you got some time to take it all in…and the weather cooperated! ;)
It did. And it’s sunny as I write this, as well!
Hi, the sounds from a lake definitely inspire feelings of peace and solitude – we visit a friend on Lake Champlain in Vermont – the lake is an entity all on its own…always changing and always the same if you know what I mean. Leaving 111 degrees today for Las Vegas – driving through the desert as I write this. I am missing green trees and my own little bit of heaven at Frog Hollow Farm…looking forward to returning home in a few days. xxoo
You definitely chose a very hot area of the country to visit, Ann Marie!
So glad you had a lovely weather day to be off of work! Sounds like you accomplished some of the necessities of life along with some of the fun which we need to exist. We are in the midst of severe weather here this morning. We just checked the rain gauge and have received nearly 2 inches since it started just a couple of hours ago. So far no wind and hail which many others have been experiencing. whew!
Glad you have kind neighbors to stop in and check on sweet Scout! She will enjoy the company, and likely be happiest when all of the “nonsense” is over and all 3 of you are back at the cottage ~ together again!!
I wonder if we’ll be getting that weather tomorrow? Yikes!
Scout will be very happy when things are back to normal. She does not like it when one of us is away, especially in these ‘elder’ years.
I’m new to your site…and I confess I cannot remember how I “found” you…but I’m so very glad I have! I’m enjoying your blog very much. Today’s pictures are beautiful, reminding me of my love for the mountains, possibly with a lake, or a waterfall? THAT’S were I’d love to live!
Also, I’ve been inspired to pull out (first of all…find)all my dollhouse pieces and again work on a half-completed structure. I became discouraged when a move with my then military husband found all of my well organized dollhouse pieces scattered among a dozen or more boxes! They have not been corralled, but you’ve inspired me, thank you. I envision a “resident” in my house too, lol!
Pets are most at peace when their human family are with them, don’t you think?
Blessings,
Debbie
I’m so glad you have been inspired to renew your work on your dollhouse! That makes me very happy.
Welcome!
And yes, I think our pets are at peace when the ‘pack’ is in place, where it should be!
To live on the water is a drea of mine also. To watch the fish swim here and there, to listen to the calls of the loons. Did you know that loon parents carry the new chicks (?) on their backs? It is lovely to see.
My family didn’t have a lake house, but we were fortunate to have family friends that owned a resort on a lake. My love of being on the water started early.
Now if I could be on the water AND live in the Victorian you photographed I would be totally and utterly satisfied.
I did not know that about loons. What a wonderful thing to know!
Beautiful pictures. I used to put the letters on our church sign. Unless it is under glass and has a lock people rearrange the letters. They also steal them. Probably the day the letters were put up the sign was right.
Ah….that explains it, Olivia! And I bet these letters have been there for a while as the season is just starting. How annoying it must be to have everything just so and then have them rearranged.
Although I think these were under glass, but under lock and key…I’m not sure.
For my first 10 years, I lived along a lake too. Luckily I don’t live far from where I grew up and, except during the Winter, I usually take a drive along the shore at least once a week. I like smelling the air, seeing the lake and other things that have been unchanged since I was a child. You’re right. Whether it’s a river, lake, sea or ocean, whenever we’re near water, our shoulders let down. We exhale, relax, breathe slower and deeper. Something says “home.” I think the connection to water is deeply ingrained in our DNA. Glad to hear Scoutie is well enough for be alone for a few hours, but I bet she doesn’t like it much! How are you making out on the electrical homefront?
I think you’re right. We come from water, and our connection to it is very, very strong. Electrical seems fine – I think it was the faulty dehumidifier, which has been unplugged and will be replaced when I get home.
Don just got back about an hour or two ago and Scout was just fine. Our friends came twice – at 8 am and noon and all was well. Whew! That’s a sigh of relief.
Although you are both working, getting paid and doing interesting stuff this week (and in what I view as exciting and intriguing locales), I’m sure a big part of you might wish you were home, together, and not having to leave Scout. Sigh.
I enjoyed your lake reflections. I haven’t been much into lakes or the mountains but I am definitely a ocean-beach/seashore person which will always prevent me from moving to somewhere like Santa Fe or Omaha (nice places, both of which my husband and I know).
I need to be near water, although, curiously, I am not a swimmer.
I also need a view. When I’ve lived other places, to where opening a window means you’re staring at someone else’s window, the living was less inspired but I guess I’ve just been spoiled or lucky.
Knowing someone who moved to the Great Lakes area and seeing photos, those are lakes that look like an ocean…but I doubt I could handle the severe winters.
Well, I don’t like being away from Scout at any time, but especially during a time of unexpected illness and surgery! I long to hold her right now, but Don is taking very good care of her.
The Great Lakes (where I grew up, by the way, in Michigan) are huge and I’ve been in and on all of them. They are gorgeous. But yes, the winters are a pain in the butt!
Claudia! As always, your pictures and your descriptions make us feel as if we are strolling along the lake with you. Thank you!! We head north next weekend for my beloved Door County–I also long to be by the lake, sitting on a rock by the beach watching the sunlight ripple across the water. Your sparkly “water stars” in your dock photo is beautiful!! Thanks for allowing us to share a little of your fun and your amazing views…
LOVE the pictures of Chataqua. I must put it on my bucket list of places to go in this big ole United States.
What gorgeous photographs, Claudia. You’ve captured the atmosphere. I can almost smell the lake.
Off to check out the website.
And sending loving, healing thoughts to Scout.
Even your pictures of the water give me a relaxed feeling Claudia..I am one who also feels the pull of the water to my body and soul..Even taking a walk along our little stream down back gives me that feeling..I must get down there to pick some wild raspberries..I make shortcake with them every year but I have to share some with the birds or they would be quite upset with me..lol..Keep those beautiful pictures coming..I could never tire of seeing them..
Such a beautiful place. I can only imagine how relaxing it must be to sit on the porch and watch the lake. Glad you had a break from the rain.
Claudia – That is a gorgeous place. Love all of those buildings.
Judy