Photo: The old axe factory in Collinsville, Connecticut.
Photo: We crossed into Connecticut from Rhode Island, driving west.
Shortly after crossing the border from Rhode Island into Connecticut we stopped at a very enchanting town called Mystic. Besides possessing one of the coolest names for a town, Mystic also lays claim to a huge maritime museum, boasting five hundred years of colourful seafaring history. Like other port cities on the east coast, it was settled in the 1600’s. We walked the town and had a picnic lunch before driving on to Lebanon where we camped at Lake Williams RV and Campground.
Photo: The one-of-a-kind draw-bridge at Mystic.
As it was Sunday, it was fortunate for me that the campground had cable. That meant that I could catch up on a little NFL while Janice shopped for groceries. Later she cooked baby back ribs with roasted potato, carrot, red pepper, zucchini and spinach. Oh, come on, don’t be so judgmental. We did go for a walk later, and Janice got to watch the season premiere of The Amazing Race. We also discovered that we couldn’t buy any wine because no booze is sold in Connecticut on Sundays.
We left Lebanon under leaden skies and a forecast for more rain. We drove the back roads through the middle of the state, where the foliage was just beginning to change, before we found an agreeable spot at White Pines Camp Ground at Barkhamsted. We were only being charged the off-season rate of $15 per night including electric, water, cable and WiFi so, with the forecast still being unpromising, we decided to settle in for awhile and take some day trips, the first of which would be to the State Capitol, Hartford.
Photo: The hobby farm behind our campsite at White Pines Camp Ground.
The weather was dreary the next morning as we drove to Hartford, the first truly racially integrated city we’ve seen so far – pretty well divided equally between Caucasians and African Americans – from the suits and ties to the city workers.
We had a really good lunch at the Steam City Brewery & Café right downtown, and then walked to the Capitol District where we found the State Capitol Building to be the most impressive piece of architecture we’ve seen yet, on this trip. It’s stunning, both inside and out, truly exquisite in every detail.
Photo: The Steam City Bewery at Hartford, where we had lunch.
Photo: Janice checks the menu at the Steam City Brewery in Hartford.
Photo: The capitol building at Hartford.
Photo: Inside the exquisitely detailed capitol building at Hartford.
On our way back to camp the radio stations were issuing a tornado watch for our county. Right after we’d heard the warning we came upon a pleasant surprise, in Collinsville, where there was an old axe factory that had been built right on the river. Just as we got out of the truck to take some pictures of it, the sky opened up, and we were drenched by a huge downpour. We ran for the building, which is now an antiques mall, and asked the people there if they knew we were under a tornado watch. One guy said, “We don’t really worry about them.” I said, “Ya, but we’re in an RV park and that’s where they always seem to hit.” All smart-assed-like he replies, “Yes, the debate is still out about which is the cause and which is the effect.”
Photo: The old axe factory in Collinsville, Connecticut.
Almost every small town has a tag line like: The Hub City or, Birthplace of; Fishing Capital of; Oldest; Most Easterly; you know. Today we came across the one that wins the award for the most pedestrian: Cheshire – The Bedding Plant Capitol of Connecticut.
Two things I’ve taken a little flack from blog readers lately for are:
1. My latest choice of reading material: Memoirs of a Geisha.
2. Too many water pictures – that I seem to be obsessed by water – where are the fall colours?
Of course I have excuses for both.
1. As anyone who has done some RVing knows, you can’t use libraries because they won’t take a book back, for instance, in New York City that you took out in Boston. Because there’s a lot of time to read when you’re on the road, buying them new is too expensive, for my budget anyway. So, I’m left with the exchange system that many RVers use. At just about every RV Park there’s a book exchange – Take One, Leave One. Anyway, especially as I’ve never seen the movie, Memoirs of a Geisha is worth reading. It’s both entertaining and revealing.
2. Water photos. Yes, I’ll admit to having an affinity for the ocean – always have – and the fall colors are just beginning to appear here. In a week or two, you’ll probably all be sick to death of another ‘Fall Shot’.
Photo: Some of the colour at our campsite at White Pines, Barkhamsted, Connecticut.
We’ve been researching and inquiring of a few RV Parks in New Jersey that we’ve been told about but, so far, haven’t been able to book anything. We’re on the cancellation list for one that’s right across the river from Manhattan.
By the way, nothing even close to a tornado ever did materialize, and today is bright and sunny as we head for the Catskills in New York State…