Sometime after noon we set off and stopped in the town of Bennington to photograph AbqL's proof of location. Here we noticed several fanciful moose sculptures on the road side.We had parked in a vacant lot while Gillian went to take the requisite photos while Art stayed with the dogs. He was quickly distracted by some wonderful smells and went to investigate. On the corner was a food cart selling hot dogs, hamburgers, kielbasa with sauerkraut, corn chowder etc. All advertised as all natural ingredients and fresh made. Art noticed that the wieners and hamburger patties didn't go on the grill until ordered and the beef patties were formed at that time as well! Not quite fast food. There was a crowd standing around that had already ordered and were waiting for their food to cook. Art got in line and was just doctoring his hot dog when Gillian arrived and bought a corn chowder to go. Sorry no pics of the stand--hands were full!
Back in the rig we set off again, lunch taken care of. Gillian's soup was too hot for her so she set it aside for a while. She later pronounced it "The best ever."
Just into Williamstown we were stopped by a voluntary toll, operated by the local Volunteer Fire Department. As a long time member (17 years) Art couldn't say no and handed over a few dollars.
As we continued across Massachusetts, essentially on highway 9, the weather remained good, the drive enjoyable until the clouds rolled in and the rain began drizzle down. Soon however we arrived at Sturbridge and Yogi Bear's Jellystone RV Park.
Between showers Gillian headed up the hill to the laundry where she got a weeks worth of washing done. As is common in RV parks the dryers were rather inefficient, it took a couple of attempts to get things dry enough to put away.
At any rate, all we needed was done; fresh water filled, black and grey water tanks emptied, satellite dish working so we watched the news from home and went to bed to the sound of rain on the roof.
We woke to the continuing rain, had breakfast, spent a bit of time on the internet trying to plan our trip to New York City where we would visit Art's nephew. How close dared we take the rig? That is the question of the week.
Happily it was just a short trip today, the driving rain making driving a chore. We stuck mainly to the Interstate 395 south through Connecticut and then the 138 into Rhode Island.
The Whispering Pines RV Park sounded good and we found it without trouble. The office was closed, the sign on the office read "Open at 1:00 PM. As it was 1:35 we parked for a few minutes wondering what to do. The place was heavily treed and the roads very narrow. We were just about to leave when a man arrived on a golf cart labeled "Security" We had a word and he set off in search for someone. A few minutes later another cart arrived and led us to a space out in the open. Satellite TV again!
Our site was not exactly flat but with a couple of blocks under the right rear wheel and the hydraulic jacks we got level and stable. The rain continued to pour down so we spent minimal time outside. Gillian though decided that we should make use of their laundry facilities, so she picked up the laundry bag, detergent and roll of quarters and set off. It was a long walk up hill, by the time she got done trudging back and forth she was well ready for "happy" hour. The dryers weren't particularly efficient so we ended up with clothes hanging all over the inside of the rig. It kind of reminded Art of his bachelor days in the rooming house he lived in in Kelowna.
In the morning, rain continuing, we decided to carry on anyway for a planned visit back into to Massachusetts to Cape Cod. We couldn't have chosen a day with worse weather. Well maybe we could have; at least there was no hurricane. Just a two and a half hour drive in rain and fog.
We managed a few interesting pics along the way but for the most part there was nothing to see. Trying for a photo of the bridge, Gillian said "Are you taking a picture of my nose?" "Of course not!" replied Art.Until he looked at the photo. Then he couldn't resist posting it. It is after all a very cute nose!
By now it was getting on to lunch time. Checking the road atlas we noticed that the first town along the north coast was Sandwich! How fortuitous! Entering the town name into the GPS (the road atlas wasn't too clear as to the best route) and off we went.
Somewhere along the way the navigator (the one with the not so cute nose) made a small error and we missed the turn to the town centre. Before we could turn around we came across this sign and jumping quickly on the brakes, though missing the entrance, Gillian was able to turn into the exit!
The exterior looked promising, the interior even more so.
While Gillian went to wash up Art made an executive decision and ordered two Boddingtons, a favourite English ale. The menu was extensive and held much promise, which it lived up to. Chicken Pot Pie for Gillian and a Turkey Pastie for Art. No room for desert!
After this most enjoyable break in an otherwise dreary day we continued on along the coast road to where the cape turned north. We turn around and took the main highway back, covering in forty minutes what had taken us an hour and a half on the “scenic” route. After a stop for gas we changed drivers, Art took the wheel and we returned through the rain to the rig in time for dinner. We did get a little lost a few miles from home but it only cost us a few minutes, which paid off the next morning as we found a shorter route to the freeway!
The heavy rain continued, pounding on the roof throughout the night. We woke in the morning to pouring rain and as Art went out to connect the car he noticed the right rear jack had settled a little.
In retrospect we should have put pads under the rear jacks. The overnight rain had resulted in a small stream running under the motorhome, right over the jacks. The right rear jack had sunk a few inches into the mud overnight. This of course is the the jack with the weakest retract springs! This had happened several years ago in a grassy field and that time it took us half an hour to extract it!
All packed up Art started the engine, letting the air pressure build, retracting the slides then the stabilizer jacks. They all came up, including the one in the mud. When we parked here and leveled up the right rear tires came off the ground. This situation is not recommended so Art lifted the right side even more, slipped a one inch plywood pad under each tire and lower them down again. Remember this.
There was no sewer connection at our site so we drove to the dump station to find a large muddy puddle covering the site so we set off with near full waste tanks. We would need a little waste water management tonight.
Wednesday, Oct 6th
By 10:50 we were on the road again still in driving rain. We were on our way to New York but had still not spent a night in Connecticut (though we had passed through) to earn the sticker. We had planned to get as close to the New York state line as possible but the rain made driving a real chore so two hours later gave up and stopped at a Walmart in Waterbury, Connecticut for the night.
We pulled off into a parking area at the far side of the Walmart lot and Gillian went in to ask permission to stay the night. Art meanwhile put the jacks down and the slides out hoping for an affirmative response. Gillian soon returned to confirm our welcome so Art turned on the inverter and activated the dish controller, set up the lap top and new external wifi antenna and Presto! We had TV and internet. The wifi was courtesy Panera Bakery across the street so after the dogs were walked we walked over for coffee and scones and to thank them for the wireless. Worth the trip.
Art's cell phone (now with our US AT&T chip installed) beeped with a text message—the phone card was about to expire! Still over $100.00 on it, but the time was about to run out. We had a one year card, updated last year on our way to Mexico. He dashed into Walmart to buy a new $100.00 card—only $96.00 plus tax! The phone is now now good to October 2011 ! With $200.00 credit we won't be afraid to use the phone!
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