Time in New England - Took me away

Boston

HE SAID: It was sad to say goodbye to NYC. We had such a blast there we could have stayed another week easily. Now getting out of the area though proved to be a big challenge. First off, we only drove a few blocks from the RV park and were stopped for a marathon. Being so big, we couldn't due a U-turn or go down any narrow escapes. We had to just sit and wait. Added only an extra half hour to the trip.  We were told by our Utah RV neighbours that we had to avoid the tunnels to go north. We managed to make this happen and we even got on the upper deck of the George Washington Bridge (which we were also told to do).  The traffic was insane. At one point they had five lanes of traffic merge into one.

We weren't prepared as well for all the road tolls. We forgot to get cash in our wallets before we left. Between us we only had a 10 dollar bill.  None of the toll booths are set up for plastic...cash only or you have to have an EZ pass. Our first toll booth, they said no problem, just send the money in the mail and gave us a bill to mail. The second one (the George Washington Bridge - wanted 76 dollars. I said what??? Are you serious??? They said yes!!! I told them our situation they said...so sad too bad. We will get a bill in the mail based on our license plate number along with a fine.  Great!!  Our third toll, I told them the story again saying we only had a 10....the guy in the booth said it was my lucky day as his toll was only $5.00. Yay...one we could pay. He also told us he was the last toll on this highway.

Our first stop on our way to Canada via New England was Mystic River Connecticut. It was a large RV park, that had only just opened for the season. Even with it being a weekend, there was still plenty of room. Pat got the price really cheap, so they stuck us in a corner lot that was very poorly marked. They could have put us in a pull through as there were so many of them empty. Oh well, at least the park staff were very friendly.

We did find a chapel near by for Church the next morning, then decided that we would take a drive to Providence Rhode Island which was only 45 minutes away. We had even booked a camp ground in Rhode Island, but didn't realize it was so close to Connecticut.

Providence was a beautiful city.

I was excited to see Brown University as my first missionary companion in France had attended there and I heard all about it. 

It was a beautiful campus.

On our way back, we drove through the town of Mystic River. Pat wanted a picture of Mystic Pizza, which is used in the movie of the same name.

The next day we packed up and moved on to Brattleboro Vermont.  This RV site was just across the border.  We decided instead of going to Rhode Island we would do Vermont. I wanted to fill in our map of the USA that is on the outside of  the RV. I didn't think we would be back this way again. 

This RV park was also very empty, and we had our choice of sites. It was unseasonable warm so we had the AC going full blast. We were behind on our laundry and the only laundry place in town didn't have AC...argh!!. We got back to the RV and gave it a thorough cleaning before we put everything away. 

The next day we took a trip to the Yankee Candle flagship store.

I love these Candles and was happy to go through this store. It was an enormous store, easy to get lost. We actually made our own Yankee Candle from Scratch. They also have a Christmas section that snows every 4 minutes. We spent more then we planned, but bought lots of gifts.

Our next New England stop was Boston. This RV park only had electricity and it was only household current, so we had to have an adapter. This didn't work well with the air conditioner.  Our site was directly across from the bathrooms/showers so it was easier on our water supply.

The next day we went into Boston to take a hop on/hop off bus tour.  I was impressed how the bus got through all the narrow streets, but wasn't impressed by our tour guide. We found out at the end he was just a lunch fill in. He gave the fastest tour we have ever had. I was snapping pictures so quickly I can't even remember most of the names of the sites.   A few stuck out. The first was this cool sculpture that you see when you drive into the city.  The tour guide set the net was made of extremely durable fibre that will not break.

  Of course Boston is where Paul Revere did his famous ride. Here is the North Church tower that was used as a signal,--

"One if by land, and two if by sea."

The tickets Pat got us on groupon also included a tour of the harbour. Not a very long tour but we got some great pictures of the city skyline.

After went back to the RV and had a nap, we took a drive with the dogs to Plymouth Rock. Another item on our bucket list. You are taught from an early age this is where the pilgrims landed on the journey to America on the Mayflower.

Plymouth Rock

Where they shelter "the Rock"

We also got to see the oldest street in America here.

We had a great supper at a fish place and we were able to eat outside, which worked well with having the dogs with us. The supper was great. This was a beautiful costal town. 

Our final spot in the USA before going home to Canada was Bar Harbour Maine. On our way there we where able to stop in Bangor Maine. For those of you big Stephen King fans, this of course is his home town and sight of many of his stories. 

Not really a very private location, but I loved the way he did his fence with spider webs and bats.

We went to one of the best RV parks this trip. It was a KOA, with full service, including a full cable package, and good speed internet.   We went sight seeing the day after we arrived. Bar Harbour had fantastic scenery.  It was sad that it was really too early in the season and not much was open. Additionally it was very cool when we where there. 

 

The morning we were to leave Maine was Mothers Day. The KOA was on the ball. They organized a pancake breakfast delivered to your RV. We got ready so fast that morning, I had to go and ask for our breakfast early. They gave us three large blueberry pancakes and sausage with juice, as well as a flower for Pat.  

I'm glad we took our time going through New England. Had we planned it better we probably would have spent longer in each area, but we were anxious to get back to Canada, and not have to worry about exchange.

SHE SAID:

Just reading what John wrote makes me tired!  We did a lot and saw a lot.  Our stay in each place was 2 nights - one the night we arrived, and then a day to look around, sleep and move on in the morning. The drive between stops was fairly short, but took longer than if in a car - a 30 foot RV towing a car, with 2 Scottish Terriers tends to slow the parade moving along.  We did manage well, though with beautiful scenery along the way.  As we have moved north on this trip, it seems that we are in eternal spring, arriving in an area as the buds and blossoms are coming out.  It has been lovely, as spring is one of my favourite times of year!

It was so busy leaving NYC - traffic like I could not believe, tolls that were astronomical!  The campsites moving north have also been fairly empty, and at times finding one that is open before May 15 was a challenge, leaving a somewhat smaller choice than when we were in the south.  Amenities have been somewhat sparse.  We have been in more rural settings that some places we stayed.  Our tours were fun, and allowed us to see a lot more that had we tried to see 'everything' on our own, allowing John to enjoy scenery rather than fight traffic.

A few comments on Johns comments - Yankee Candle was not his first choice, but as it was close to where we were I was able to convince him of the merits of the 'flagship' store of this company.  It was better than expected with many different 'shops' and displays.  Steven Kings home was interesting to drive by, but John - big fan that he is - pulled in front of the house, stopped and got out.  He expected me to jump out with him.  I refused, feeling that everyone deserves their privacy.  A small discussion ensued - I agreed to take a picture of him, standing at the gate, from the RV.  I would not agree to a joint selfie :)  

Bar Harbour was chock full of lobster pounds - restaurants - I got a bee in my bonnet that I wanted lobster for mothers day, so we decided to go out on Saturday evening for my 'fix'.  Well, we didn't leave until 6 - driving to the highest rated place, all of the pots that had been outside, boiling away earlier in the day were not there - the place was closed, as was every other place nearby.  It was getting late, so we found an open cafe, and we ate there.  Their claim to fame was that they grew everything that you ate - I found it distracting that there was a picture of a pig on the wall - pork bellies and pork chops were on the menu - I opted for eggplant parmesan.  I still have not had my lobster and as we get further away from the coast I will have to wait for that itch to be scratched.  

As we drove around it seemed that Barry Mannilow was the musical soundtrack running through my mind - what a beautiful part of the world!  I am glad we took the time to check it out.