Nautical Nuptials
Written: Aug 09 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Sea-side setting, friendly staff, Bob & Otto
Cons: Shared baths, shared baths, shared baths
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| gungian's Full Review: Massachusetts |
The bride wore a white off-the-shoulder gown; the groom wore a black high-collar tux; and The Paquachuck Inn wore 173 years of character.
One weekend in July we attended my cousin Kate’s wedding. Now Kate is an art teacher by profession so one did not expect a run-of-the-mill setting. We guests were not disappointed!
Westport Point, Massachusetts is at the intersection of the Westport and West Branch Rivers. The Massachusetts/Rhode Island state line is just a couple of miles west. This is the quintessential New England coastline. The water seems in perpetual motion and the sea breezes blow near continuously. The skies are filled with the sounds of screeching gulls and the air is heavy with the smell of fish and drying lobster pots. Right in the center of this spit of land sits The Paquachuck Inn.
The Cory Family constructed The Paquachuck Inn on this spot in 1827. It was built of hand-hewn timbers and local stone. [Some claim that the area’s bumper farm crop is stone! The many piled-stone walls that grid the area would seem to support that contention.]
The building originally was used as a ships chandler [kind of a general store] to service the local whalers and fishermen. In 1856 the whaleship Kate Cory was built on this sea-side site. The Kate Cory was later immortalized in a John Stobart painting entitled “Sunset Over the Westport River, 1864”. Over the years the facility morphed through a variety of identifies including forge, sail loft, post office, customs house, and general store. Each use altered the structure somewhat and all added distinctive characteristics to the site.
One hundred years after the launching of the Kate Cory, the old building was converted to a bed and breakfast and opened as The Paquachuck Inn. This is not your citified “Holiday Inn” but a more traditional New England lodging. The main level boasts an expansive kitchen, a bath, and some cozy public rooms. The two upper floors contain the 8 bedrooms and each floor has a single shared bath for guests. Each of the bedrooms [with nautical names such as The Captain Borden Cabin] has a water view and windows to let the sea breeze in.
The surrounding area is rich in history and ideal for walking. The nearest movie theater or mall is miles away. Inside The Paquachuck Inn there is but one TV, a radio, lots of books & magazines, and your imagination for entertainment. Don’t waste your time looking for air conditioning, ashtrays or Internet connections for you will look in vain.
There are two resident cats [Bob & Otto] so other pet visitors are discouraged. The father/son felines make certain that you know that this is “their territory”. While we were staying, father Bob had surgery to remove a diseased eye. Son Otto paced all the day while his father was off-site. Post-surgery Bob once again took up residence and the two settled down together on the over-stuffed sofa in the front parlor.
You don’t have to be planning a family wedding to frequent the Inn. Perhaps you are simply looking to escape the frantic pace of your work-a-day world. The Paquachuck Inn might be just the place. You can find particulars at www.paquachuck.com.
Tell Bob & Otto that Gungian sent you.
[HINT: If you stroke them just right behind the ears -- they just might move a whisker or twitch a tail so that you can share the sofa with them.]
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
gungian
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 - Top 1000 |
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Location: Falls Church, Virginia
Reviews written: 222
Trusted by: 439 members
About Me:
10/16/06 - Life is hectic - but good! Write On!
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