It was dark when we arrived in Santa Cruz last night so strolling the boardwalk, eating a corndog and playing arcade games was put off until this morning. We knew the roller coaster and other rides were only open on the weekends however according to the internet (and everyone knows the internet is always right) the arcades and bowling were open weekdays. Sadly, the internet was wrong which was a tough lesson for Monkey Boy and me.
The road from Santa Cruz to San Jose is beautiful. There are huge majestic trees that must be hundreds of feet tall. Everywhere I looked I saw lush green foliage. I do so enjoy my part as the “lookie Loo”.
Today we paid a visit to the Winchester House and it truly was worth all the years of waiting. There are several different tours available however the “Mansion Tour” is the only one that allows young children and I do believe it’s the tour that offers the most information.
1,257 windows, some of which only look into the next room.
The house had seven floors until the earthquake of 1906 when three of the floors were destroyed and many of the rooms were damaged as in the next photo.
Of the 1,257 windows many are beautiful stained glass that Sarah herself designed.
The rooftop can only be described as the rooftops.
Well built fences border windows that look into the rooms below.
One of the 53 skylights.
A stairway to somewhere.
One of the many kitchens.
There are 47 fireplaces but only 17 chimneys.
I loved the house. I would love to be alone to explore every bit of it. I was truly surprised with the craftsmanship and how sturdy and well made the house is. Sarah Winchester was a gal way before her time. She built this house with modern heating and sewer systems, gas lights that operated by pressing a button and three working elevators.
Carmen says
way cool house pictures. I’m a fan.
Jacki says
LOL…how do kids sleep like that? Emma still does and I just don’t kno how she gets full nights sleep.