THURSDAY 10.10.19 CONNECTICUT to MASSACHUSETTS

Moving day. 

The first thing we noticed when we walked out of the trailer today was the color. How much more vibrant and bright the fall colors were.

We are enjoying the autumn foliage so much that we just sorta stood there, not saying anything, just taking it all in. 

Yep, we sure are enjoying this.

Today's trip was an easy one. It was cloudy but not raining and only 106 miles to Bedford, Mass. where we'll spend the next few days. At first I thought it might be just a two night'er because the campground fees are outrageous. I called several places and hearing $70 to $90 a night was not unheard of. Ones that were less expensive, but still so in our view, were all booked. No way, that ain't happening! So I looked up Elks Lodges to see who had RV spaces. I found two but they were both full already. What to do? What to do? The Internet is my friend. I pulled up Military Fam Camps in Mass and BINGO! there was the answer to our dilemma. Hanscomb Air Force Base was 1/2 hour away from both Boston and Salem, the reason we were going to Massachusetts....AND....they had room for us at only $26 a night! Color us happy campers!

By noon we were all set up an ready to do something. It was decided that we would run into Salem, get the lay of the land, find out where parking is and see if there is a sightseeing trolley. I am so looking forward to visiting Salem,,,,,IN OCTOBER! We've heard the downtown section is all decked out for Halloween. We've already decided that we are going to take one of the evening tours, A Ghost Walk. I've got goosebumps already.

So the GPS is set for Salem and we're off! We make our way to the I-95 ramp and we STOP! Oh Em Gee, a rolling parking lot moving at an astounding 3 miles an hour! What the .......? We have no choice but to keep going. S L O W L Y ! What is going on here??? Where is this traffic coming from? Then I remembered where we were. What month it was. That it was a 3 day weekend. And that I had read a half a million people will visit Salem this month. I think they are all here THIS WEEKEND! It took us a half hour to go just under 6 miles on a 55mph Interstate! Oh this was not going to work! We got off on the next exit and headed back to Bedford,,,,if in fact we ever got out of Bedford!

So we went to the base, checked out the BX and made a trip to the Commissary.

Tomorrow will be a better day.

WEDNESDAY 10.9.19 CONNECTICUT - MYSTIC

Today we woke to a rainy, dreary miserable day. We didn't want to spend the day sitting in the camper so after some computer research we grabbed our umbrellas and decided to go see a cider mill.

I can't believe we have to deal with this nor'easter. Actually, I can't believe I just typed the word nor'easter. Been a long time since I've even said that word! But, here we are, rain, strong winds, the whole nine yards. We are so over it!

Turns out that Clyde's Cider Mill was a lot closer than we thought. Established in 1881 by B. F. (Frank) and Abby Clyde, it is now run by the 6th generation of the Clyde family.

There is a small store on the grounds in addition to a wine tasting facility. The store sells apples, apple pies, jams, jellies, honey, fudge and dozens of other things.  This caught my eye right away!

Now we all know strawberry jam is made from strawberries and apple jelly is made from apples, just as peach preserves are made from peaches so I wonder what this is REALLY made of!  Whatever it is, a jar went home with us as did one for me made with three kinds of berries, its a pretty red color.   Walt's beer jelly is the color of beer and I have to admit, I did willingly (kinda, sorta) taste it and it wasn't all that bad.

The mill only operates during the months of September through December.  Its not a very big building at all.

Apples waiting to be processed.

They operate the mill with the only steam powered cider mill in the country.

In 1994 Clyde's Cider Mill was designated a National Historic Landmark

After we did the cider mill thing our next destination was Mystic Pizza! Address googled, loaded into the GPS and we were one our way. All to no avail. There was no parking to be had anywhere near the pizza joint nor was there any parking for blocks around! I was so disappointed. But at least I got a picture of it!

We filled the gas tank, made a stop at Walmart and called it a day.

MONDAY 10.7.2019 DELAWARE / CONNECTICUT

Today we started the rest of this journey.  It was great to be at home seeing family and friends but the need to make the wheels go round and round is strong.  We have much more to see and do.

Bev, how do we thank you for the use of your driveway?  Your furkid-sitting Boss when we needed to be away?  For sharing the CRABS with us?  Oh wait, let me put this a different way.  For making arrangement with Chris so that we could all enjoy some BLUE CLAW CRABS for dinner.  That's much better!

So family, friends, we'll see you all again in two years, God willing.  We are headed in a different direction next year so we won't be home.

We are headed for Connecticut!