Where oh Where is The Road to Gramercy Mansion?

When Jordan’s dad, a long time associate, hired me to photograph his youngest daughter’s wedding, I knew the wedding would be in Maryland. BUT, I had no idea WHERE it would be. They said Baltimore. Well, Baltimore is where Baltimore always was, and that is 50 minutes from my house. Gramercy Mansion is a beautiful, restored, private home, circa 1902. It is a wonderful place for a wedding, as a matter of a fact, Jordan’s was the third of the day. The ceremony was in a secluded clearing in a forest, an unbelievable place to tie the knot. The reception’s dinner was in an indoor/outdoor room with an unusual charm.

Gramercy Mansion was built in 1902 by Alexander J. Cassatt, owner of the Pennsylvania Railroad and brother of the American Impressionist painter, Mary Cassatt. Dad presented the house and grounds to his daughter Eliza as a wedding gift and the estate is now a quiet bed and breakfast with eleven guest rooms.

All that said, Gramercy Mansion AINT in Baltimore, no matter what Google says. It is in the small town of Lutherville, so small it is not on Google’s map.

Being so far away did not detract from the fun family, friends, and guests had. The DJ was nonstop, spinning the platters and exhorting all to rise, get on the dance floor and PARTY, and they did! It took two hours to get home.

Blogging from Venice

Being without a computer since last Sunday has been more of a pain than you can imagine. Our B and B, had line trouble and had no phone or internet for 4 days. Relying on internet cafes and hot spots was time consuming, very expensive and dangerous to my computer (picked up a piece of malware that junk mailed my address book.)

Venice is a city designed for photographers. Everywhere you look that are 5 photos that you must take. Each is rustic, quaint, and beautiful. Therefore, you keep photographing, knowing there is no way possible to print all or even show them to friends. Our host at the B and B welcomed us with an unexpected meal, on him,we learned later. The photo above is the 1st course. After we unpacked, washed our faces, and changed, it was hardcore tourist time. In Venice that means WALK, WALK, and continue to walk. It was 4 miles the first day. Photography was on my mind and I wanted to capture as much as I could. The bed felt good that night.

Predeparture E-mails

Two important last minute emails arrived in the last36 hours. One was from the Congress Co-chair. He asked me to be his official photographer, something I have done for him in the past. My immediate reply, it will be my pleasure.

The second was from our B and B. My radar alarm bells went off and my thinking was "Now what? and gingerly opened the email like you do a paper envelope when you don't want to read the contents. It was a shock!! A cordial welcome e-mail from the owner telling us we were in the Julia room and asking what time we would arrive. What a pleasant surprise.

My response was: "How nice to get a welcome email from our home away from home. My brother and I arrive separately in Venice at 0940 and 1015 AM. We have to process, get money, find the luggage, buy a Venizia pass etc. Then it is time for a gelato. After that we will water taxi, train, or bus to the island. Then it is time for coffee and pastry. We hope to arrive at your home ~ 1400-1500 hours. Is that good for you? By that time and after all that heavy lifting, we might need another gelato.

The B and B

I spent 16 hours on the net looking for a hotel in Venice before striking pay dirt. We are in a 6 room B and B, called the Residenza Rivera, located in Dorsoduro Est. It sounds charming and the reviews are very complimentary. The location, the location, the location, is great. Take a look at some of the photos from the internet. My twin brother, Louis (MD, PhD) will stay there with me for 4 nights and then we move to a venue on the island of San Clemente for two days where we will attend the First World Congress on Twin Pregnancy. We have not seen each other for several months and are really looking forward to the trip. Our plan is an activity followed by a gelato, from morning until night. Louis says the pistachio is to die for, my preference is the berry flavors.