2017-15
Litchfield Connecticut
Hartford Connecticut
Mystic Connecticut
Campground: White Memorial Foundation
Family Campground. $18.50. No utilities, except water nearby. Dump
station on exit. Campsites are rustic with picnic table,
rocks/boulders on sites. Half the sites are on the water. Tons of
little white flying insects when there's no breeze. They don't bite
or anything, but I think I've eaten a number of the little pests
every time I open my mouth.
Campground: Foxwood Resort Casino. Free Rv parking lot. Dry camping
Distance traveled: 205 miles
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route Ill be taking over the next couple of weeks
what a journey |
I traveled a southern route through New
York state along hwy 17 and a section of I-84. Hwy 17 was a
surprisingly pleasant 4 lane divided highway that bordered the lush
tree covered Catskill mountains. Using my trusted Google maps/gps
the first exit heading towards my camping destination in Connecticut
turned out to be a no go as the route was for “cars only”, “no
trucks, trailers or campers”. I therefore continued along I-84
letting the GPS select the next best route. As I exited the highway
to begin my northerly route, I stopped abruptly as a large sign
indicated a height restriction of 10' 5”. Yikes, that would never
do. The 3rd option turned out fine and I arrived at my
campsite after a stop for lunch along the way.
The day wasn't over with surprises
though. As I signed up for the campsite, a fair $18.50 a night, I
would minutes later discover the campground named “Point Folly”
had no utilities at the site except a water spigot. Point Folly may
be I sign, I'm not sure. What to do? Well, I do have solar panels.
The weather is expected to be quite overcast for the coming week
which will hinder the use of electrical items especially without the
possibility of collecting much solar energy. Temperatures are
expected to be in the mid to high 70's and fairly comfortable at
night.
Life is an adventure and so I decide to
stay. It will give me an opportunity to see what I can use in the
camper with limited power options this week. Besides, I am within an
hours drive of one of my main attractions/adventures for the summer
season. I'm going to see the home of Samuel Clemens better known as
Mark Twain. It's been on my bucket list for many years... too many
to count and it might make me appear older than my youthful
feeling/appearance. Ok the appearance part might give my age away
but my feelings at getting to visit this historic home sure keeps me
excited and feeling young.
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Samuel Clemens, (Mark Twain) would live 17 happy years
here with his wife and three daughters |
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before making a few bad investments. They would
close up the house, move to Europe where the family could
live more cheaply and he resumed a world wide speaking tour |
The next day, I drove some wonderful
country roads heading to Hartford Connecticut. Up and down some
awesome hills with grades between 8 and 9%. Traffic was a bit
congested along the route what with morning traffic and some
construction zones along the way. Past beautifully maintained
country homes, all in the New England style. With many small panes
windows, white square columns defining entryways, dormers and
multiple eves. All classic designs.
The Mark Twain house is stunning and
though I was not able to take any pictures of the inside,
I'll provide a link so you can see the
interiors. The guided
tour was excellent at $22 and they do have a number of other programs
with living actors portraying various members of the Clemens family.
Our tour took us through the richly decorated first floor, my
favorite being the spacious library and conservatory with all of its
plants and water fountain. The second floor bedrooms and all the way
to the third floor billiards room and office where Samuel Clemens
wrote so many of this famous works.
Thank goodness it was recovered from
being converted to an apartment for a while and almost destroyed to
build a new development on the site. Next door is the Harriet
Beecher Stow House also available on tour. My bucket list should be
getting smaller, though I seem to keep adding new items to it.
After the tour which lasted just over
an hour, I could have easily gone on it a second time just to look
over the house one more time, but instead I thought I'd drive into
the rather stunning looking downtown of Hartford. Planning on going
to their visitor center, driving into town with numerous jogs in the
roads, switches to one lane roads and odd cross medians, the
congestion and lack of easy parking made it impossible in my mind to
stop and park anywhere near the visitor center. I reluctantly headed
out of the city without exploring it further. My loss I'm sure. If
time permits, I may drive back into town and give it a second try.
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| downtown Hartford Connecticut |
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all traffic stops to let pedestrians walk in all directions
through the corner cross walks |
Along with writing the American
Classics like Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, Innocents Abroad and many
others, Mark Twain was also known as a superb lecturer/entertainer.
Traveling the world, telling his stories and adding bits of wisdom
and humor that never failed. Here are a few of Quotes from his books
and lectures:
- Man is the only animal that blushes, or
needs to
- We ought never to do wrong when people
are looking
- Never tell the truth to people who are
not worthy of it
- Always obey your parents when they are
present
- A full belly is little worth where the
mind is starved
- Nothing so needs reforming as other
people's habits
- Prosperity is the best protector of
principle
- An uneasy conscience is a hair in the
mouth
- There is no sadder thing than a young
pessimist, except an old optimist
- The man with a new idea is a crank
until the idea succeeds
Litchfield.
The heavy overcast skies, an evening of
rain and one lighting bolt and thunder so close it lit up the
darkened interior of the camper momentarily. After two days of this
the sun has once again shared it's sunny disposition with this part
of the New England States. Though a bit breezy with temperatures in
the low 70's, I enjoyed a walk through the historic part of downtown
Litchfield. Too early for most of the shops to be open, it was still
enjoyable to window-shop and then at the end of the main street, turn
right and enter a heavily tree lined residential area. Filled with
late 1700 and early 1800 houses. Beautifully restored and
maintained. Not all the shops and stores have made it, as some are
empty with for-rent signs in the windows. It must be hard to
maintain a business in a beautiful area as this, yet not really be a
tourist destination. I have noticed that the local restaurants are a
bit more expensive than I'm used to and many unwilling to substitute
the standard side items. Making it a bit difficult to order while on
a strict low-carb diet. I end up paying for many side items that
come with the meal, but asking they leave it off the plate. With no
substitute, my meals have been quite small lately.
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| 1780's to early 1800's |
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| side porch detail |
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| so many large homes/mansions |
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| dogwood in bloom |
Camper Update/Solar panels.
With the first couple of days being
completely overcast, I limited my electrical use to running the
fridge on gas, as well as some electric being used to monitor the
unit. LED lights can be used at night, but I've refrained from using
the TV or radio, just to conserve power, especially not knowing how
many days it will be overcast. I have noticed that even with
overcast skies, a trickle of solar energy has recharged the batteries
enough to keep the basics running. Today, with the sun expected to
be out most of the day, I turned on the inverter which
provides the a/c, alternating current, to run the TV and
recharge all my electronic devices of which there are many. With a
constant breeze today, and all the windows in the camper open, it is
very comfortable without the need for a/c. It's been great sleeping
weather at night. I've been able to watch TV throughout the day
without depleting the batteries, which remain fully charged with all
that sunlight. I should be able to use the coffee pot tomorrow
morning as long as the sun comes out to recharge the batteries even
for part of the day. And I could use the microwave while the sun is
still out. Life is good in an “unplugged” camping world. I'm a
very Happy Camper.
I took another tour of historic
part of Litchfield today. Going into the Jeffrey Tillou Antiques
shop. What an awesome collection of New England antiques. Most in
the 10-12 thousand dollar range and higher. I was able to take a few
pictures throughout the 3 story gallery. Later I would go into the
Litchfield Historical Society museum and as expected, the collection
in the Tillou Antique shop was much more impressive than most of the
displays in the Historical Society. Both were free entry today so I
think I came ahead on that deal for the day.
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Delft Charger, Adam and Eve
$12,500 |
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| Eagle, Ca.1820-1840 $85,000 |
Distance traveled: 88 miles
Foxwoods Resort Casino
Mystic Connecticut
I'll only be at the Casino and Mystic
Connecticut for two days, but this is a return to a very special
place for me. Not the casino, though I'm sure I'll enjoy a good
buffet meal and put a few dollars in the slot machines. No, my goal
is to once again to walk down what was a magical street and place back
in time when I was in my late 20's.
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| Foxwoods Casino |
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| Tangier Shops/casino |
A Mystical Experience:
I was on my first big adventure back in
the 1980's, and I had driven all the way from Orlando Florida,
heading up the east coast to visit a few spiritual retreats in
Massachusetts and Upstate New York, before heading back home along
the Skyline Drive. The trip would take a full two weeks, driving my
Toyota Corolla station-wagon. I would sleep in the back of the
station-wagon along the way. I would stay in a state park in New
Jersey and pick wild blue berries along the hill in the back of
campsite.
Mystic Seaport was not on my agenda, it
just happened to be on the way. And what a remarkable experience it
would be. Today, as I drove into town from the north end, high up on
the hill, next to the tall white church and steeple, the bells began
to ring. Back in the early 80's when I arrived, I saw the white
church up on the hill as I entered town from a different direction.
Getting out of the Corolla so many
years ago, I walked a short distance, and then entered a shop next to
the seaport and lift bridge. The proprietor was open and friendly
asking me where I was coming from and where I'd be going. As I
started to tell him about my journey and that it was a bit of a
spiritual journey at that, he became so interested in my story that
he called over to a local boy in town and asked him to go down to the
pub and get a six pack of beer, so we could relax and he could hear
about my journey through life.
As we talked I caught a glimpse of a
large Sailing ship passing by the back door window as the shop was
right on the bay. We shared our goals in life and what we most
wanted out of it. To have a stranger interested in my story, such as
it was at the time, has always been a moment I've remembered
throughout the years. Walking out of the shop and viewing Mystic
Connecticut, probably through rose colored glasses at the time, I was
very tempted to call into work and tell them I would not be coming
back.
It was that special of a feeling.
Fortunately, my desire to be a gypsy and vagabond came with a
caveat.. I didn't want to be a poor one. So of course I did
eventually finish my spiritual travels and return to work. But now,
here I am, experiencing it all once again. Oh the original shop and
shop owner are no longer there, but the town of Mystic is still here
and so once again I'm able to walk down those streets, talk to the
shop owners, have an awesome lunch by the seaport all while enjoying
my gypsy lifestyle.
And that's what I call a 5 Star
experience and adventure worthy of repeating. My heart is filled
with joy, thankfulness and a humble gratitude for being able to do
just that.
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| which boat would you choose? |
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| Mystic Harbor |
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| Mystic, with it's iconic white Church on top of the hill |
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I believe this may have been the store
my where my story took place so many years ago |
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| so many colorful flower boxes throughout town |
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| Mystic Seaport |
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| drawbridge leading into Mystic Conn. |
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This could have been the shop I entered so
many years ago, such good memories |
I shared the above story with a delightful sales
gal at a most unusual shop called
Sea Bags: Maine. Learning about
what life is like today here in Mystic. The story I'm told is that
the owners traveled the world, enjoying every place they went.
Eventually coming back to Maine, where they wanted to start a company
that could employ locals and give back to the area they so loved.
Using old sails, they created bags made from what would normally go
to a landfill. Each a unique design hand crafted. The shop sells
sea bags made from the used sails they say have “soak(ed) up the
sun, salt, smiles and adventure” before their craftspeople
transform them into bags. They now have 12 stores along the east
coast. Now that's a success story all and of itself.
Sharing life's moments along the
way....
Additional photos:
