Small talk: I watched "A Room With A View" again after so many years. This time, on digitally remastered DVD. I can't believe how young Julian Sands, Daniel Day-Lewis & Helena Bonham Carter looked in this 1985 movie based on E.M. Forster's novel. *swoons* I'm giving you this six degrees of separation because Bonham Carter is engaged to Tim Burton & he directed Sleepy Hollow. We went to Sleepy Hollow today.


Heads Will Roll

No sign of Chris Walken here

Passed by the Headless Horseman Bridge. Passed by the Old Dutch Church. Passed by Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Didn't see any spirits. The cemetery is huge but well-spread out with tombstones dating back to the 17th century and mausoleums of various shapes and sizes. Cemetery euphoria again.

The Old Dutch Church as described in the Legend of Sleepy Hollow

The Old Dutch Church and its burial ground

Washington Irving's grave at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, adjacent to the Old Dutch Church

Mausoleums for the wealthy

William Rockefeller's mausoleum (brother of JD Rockefeller Sr.)

Anyway, we're here because we bought tickets to Kykuit (pronounced "kai-quit"); the family estate to four generations of the Rockefeller family. We stopped by Philipsburg Manor for a short video presentation and then, waited for our shuttle bus.

A few years back, Adrian & I came here to celebrate Halloween. The Manor's setting was amazing with ghastly ghostly-looking actors wondering endlessly and pale spirits dancing in the barn. Well, I could have met some real ones for all I know. They're all the same and pretty scary come to think of it now. The Headless Horseman appeared and started riding furiously for a while but stopped short for visitors to take photos. No flash, of course. What an anti-climax!

A picturesque Philipsburg Manor

Anyway, back to Kykuit. Kykuit as we were told by the tour guide is a Dutch word meaning lookout or high point. True to its description, the Rockefeller family estate overlooks the Hudson River from a great height.

Kykuit

J.D. Rockefeller Sr. made his money in oil. He co-founded the Standard Oil Company which later became ESSO (pronounced S-O) and now Exxon, as we know it today. Funny, when Adrian was a gullible young boy, some smart-ass kid told him that ESSO stood for East Sarawak & Sabah Oil. Yeah, right!!! Creative but not correct.

This is a best legs competition the entrance to Kykuit

The raised platform was meant for ease when getting out & down from horse carriages, back in the days. Kykuit even boasts the first central vacuum system and we're talking turn of the 20th. century here! The system is still working and there's also a functioning Otis elevator in the house till today.

So one might say, even with all its functionality and hi-tech intercom system that Kykuit is rather small for a very rich man. It's not a mansion like the Vanderbilt's. Well, Rockefeller Sr. was a strict Baptist and extremely frugal. Although he was America's first billionaire, he also gave half of his wealth away. He was in his 70s when he moved to Kykuit and continued his many philanthrophies there until his death in 1937.

Unfortunately but understandably, photography isn't allowed inside Kykuit. Because of this restriction, I went crazy with my camera when we toured the gardens. Here's the condensed version. Thank God, did you say? I thought so. I'll spare you all the pain :)

We finished the tour at 2.15 p.m. After a quick toilet break at the Philipsburg Manor Visitors Center, we drove down to Tarrytown for some Greek fare. Time to eat!

My lamb gyro...

Sliced steak for Adrian

A bowl full of salad to go with the sliced steak

I wanted to squeeze in some baklava but the gyro was too much for me to handle. Maybe next time.

The End from Sleepy Hollow, NY.