St. John’s, Newfoundland

It’s incredible at how much a place can change in so little time. New box stores and huge buildings going up, or subdivisions being built up in what used to be forested areas. When I think back, it doesn’t feel like I’ve been away from Newfoundland for very long, when in actual practice it’s been close to ten years since I moved away from the ol’ homeland.

I thought it would be fitting to show you around The Rock, my home of St. John’s, Newfoundland (Canada), while my bestie from home is visiting.

Enjoy the view and those jellybean row houses downtown. I can’t stare at the pictures for too long, they’ll make me a bit homesick. Guess that means another trip shall be planned soon.Striped-homes

Georgestown-Bakery

Military-RdThis intersection was my nemesis when I first got my license. 5 ways traffic could go, so to navigate it I started following cars in front of me for the first few times. The rounded building on the left side is where The Guy and I had coffee with a family friend (also a Justice of the Peace) who married us! Behind this picture, is the Newfoundland Hotel (now the Sheraton) and it’s where we spent our wedding night.

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The-Narrows See that red house with yellow trim on the left side of the hill? My friend Lori lives there, and as you could imagine, has the most breath taking view of The Narrows. It’s where we spent our New Years Eve this year.

Hope you enjoyed a little piece of my home.

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Alfie explores Dolores Park

Dolores-Park-with-AlfieI knew before my friend Megan moved back to Toronto, that we’d have to have a doggy play date at some point. So a few days before I flew back to Newfoundland (I’m still here for a few more days!) I thought we’d get the pup’s together and head out to Dolores Park in San Francisco. It was my first time hanging out there, and the view of the city was simply beautiful.

Alfie-and-BuffyBefore we walked down to the park, Alfie and Buffy had to meet in person. To say my face was sweating when I was first introducing Alfie to Megan’s frenchie, Buffy — was an understatement. Alfie is a bossy dog, and doesn’t want any person or animal near him or me. It took a while to calm him down, and Buffy is a playful puppy so it was two completely different dog personalities thrown in, forcing friendship. Oh Alfie, why can’t you ever have pup-friends? He’s so protective of me!

As always (such a predicable dog) Alfie calms down after a half hour or so. Then we headed out to the park for a bit where we snapped these gorgeous views of the city.

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Mission Dolores Park
19th & Dolores St, San Francisco, CA 94114

 

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Winchester Mystery House

Winchester-HeaderWinchester Mystery House is a historic house in San Jose. The still unfinished mansion is full of strange hallways, hidden rooms, and supposedly various ghosts. The Guy and I took a tour there while on our San Jose Staycation a few weeks back.

Winchester-WalkwayThe house is so beautiful, yet so very strange. A woman residing in Connecticut, had quite the untimely death of her 6 week old daughter, and husband shortly after.

The-Guy-at-WinchesterNever getting over the grieving period and mourning of her loved ones, she moved out to California after given the advice from someone she trusted. Apparently she was so superstitious that she needed to keep building and building her home in California. She continued to build for 38 years straight. Contentiously. Could you imagine? Every day. Building.

GardenWhen she died, all building of her home stopped. Her house belongings were sold at auction and took 8 truck loads per day for 6.5 weeks to move all the furniture out. MAN! For one person!

Cherub-and-Winchester-House

Winchester-HouseI’m not one to feel claustrophobic but holy smokes due to the small rooms, narrow switch back staircases, we were on a tour with a group of about 20 people in total, with kids included. A 65 minute tour of the strange house was definitely long enough for me! The Guy couldn’t get enough of it though — he loved it. I mean, I did too, but I felt so strange being in there.

Sitting-outside-WinchesterI definitely got an eerie vibe from the house. I definitely wouldn’t want to go trick-or-treating there or get lost inside. I’d never be found, haha! If you really want to get spooked, do a flashlight tour, which happens every Friday 13th.

Cherub-at-WinchesterMrs. Winchester loved her home, and built it so architecturally sound that it withstood many earthquakes. However, the mansion was 7 stories high at one point, up until the large 1906 San Francisco earthquake which took the home down to four stories.

Bush-13 Fun facts about the Winchester Mystery House I learned on the tour:

  1. 160 rooms in the home.
  2. 40 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, yet one shower.
  3. The design of the house was so strange. Doors opening into walls. Staircases to go nowhere, or a ceiling
  4. Her séance room had 1 entrance yet 3 exists.

I don’t want to ruin anything for you guys in case you decide to do the tour yourself one day. So I’ll leave it at that, and finish it up with photos of the grounds. We weren’t allowed to take any photographs inside.

Side-of-Winchester

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I would say it’s definitely worth touring the house at least once if you visit San Jose, even if you’re not totally interested. I had absolutely no idea what we were getting into on the tour. And I’m still thinking about it a month later. I’m seriously fascinated by it all.

Winchester Mystery House

525 South Winchester Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95128
408.247.2101
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