newport, rhode island #3 The Elms

this was a 'summer cabin' for a coal baron built at the turn of the century. it would be difficult to describe the level of luxe decadence, especially for a place used only seasonally. still it was incredibly interesting to tour it, especially the technology and plumbing, and the huge basement kitchen and pantries that actually ran the place like a giant machine.

the Elms is so named because there was a vast grove of giant elms planted out back, all but a few were wiped out by a disease quite a while ago.

there are now quite a lot of these gigantic willow trees. the girls loved running free in the 'backyard'

we spent a lot of time under the willow trees, which were honestly just about as interesting as the house, and almost as large. the dappled light was amazing, and the great hollowed canopy was easily 40' tall. it felt like being inside an enormous, living, green room. the girls were pretty amazed.