Loony Toons

Wild Life Update!

Gentle Readers,

Tonight  we are camped at a Yogi's Jellystone Park. 758 campsites means  we are packed in- claw to claw.  It causes me to wonder...is this really camping or a 21st century  Hooverville? There is a man made lake and some very odd Halloween decorations that add to the je ne sais quois. Dogs are around, a bunch of 'em. All must be active members of the canine chorus -lots of barking. Of course Yogi Bear and Boo Boo are quite prominent throughout the-ahem-park and we were so lucky to score a "lakeside" campsite. Oh yeah! Did I mention that the lake has a fountain - such a nice touch. Because things are so tight, getting the rig into the site required some big time maneuvering . And inspite of it being a prime "waterfront" locale, it is a bit off kilter shall we say. Kudos to the Big Fella- he squeezed us in and for the love of pete did his best.  But alas, we are hopelessly tilted to the right. Leveling this thing was not in the cards. So what the heck, the cupboards open themselves. It feels a bit ghetto-ish especially contrasted to our site last night next to the Merry Meeting River in Alton, NH. Adding to the atmosphere, our neighbors have a  Jefferson Airplane album a playing at max volume. Tonight might be interesting but we will make the best of it. And you know nothing says camping like a deejay spinning dance tunes in the community room. Again, just the right touches. Could be tons of fun and we may go down there. Hoo boy.

More inane happenings...

Ok a recap -

Grab a Life Boat!

It's been a busy couple of days with some nasty weather.   Two days of impressive rain and one 15% grade slowed our pace but not our spirits. Torrential downpours in NH were significant enough to warrant flash flood warnings. At times the wind shield wipers could not do the job. Visibility was bad, and the roads narrow. Although The Fella thought the two lane roads easier than the interstate - fewer cars, slower speed, less spray. During the storms our rig sprung a leak which was only discovered at bedtime -wet sheets anyone? I know you are thinking they must've left the ceiling vent open. Ha! It was closed tight.  We don't know where the water got in but the bedding got a bit damp. Fortunately it dried out  today. During all of the rain we managed two inside activities. Near Wolfeboro, NH is an old estate called Castle in the Clouds. An apt description the day we visited. I won't bore you with the details, but it was built by a millionaire in 1914 and sits high above Lake Winnipesaukee. The home was built with many modern features for that time  -like indoor plumbing including showers and central heat. Visiting Castle in the Coulds was The Big Fella's idea and boy it was interesting,but he had another motive because... Also, near Wolfeboro was a boat museum full vintage mahogany boats and a World War II museum.  The boat museum was closed -a real shame as it sounded wonderful- but the WWII museum was open.  So, after Castle in the Clouds the WWII museum beckoned.  In the Fella's words, " Now, that was well presented." Can you say tanks? Yup there were at least three  - a Sherman, a Pershing, and they all look alike to me so I cannot recall the third one but it was there along with a USAF fighter plane suspended from ceiling, various jeeps and motorcycles. The Fella took pictures. 

Alice?

After the castle and the tanks, we found our way to the Turtle Kraal Campground which is on the Merry Meeting River. It was quiet and lovely.

The rain stopped sometime during the night and we awoke to a pleasant morning and a day of rural roads. Today's destination  - Sturbridge, MA. and more specifically Old Sturbridge. Old Sturbridge is a colonial themed village. Some of the buildings are original to the property and others dismantled and brought from near by.  It was fascinating.

Old Sturbridge

Before we arrived in Sturbridge, lunch was had in Brookfield, MA. As some of you know, I am an amateur genealogist. While I strongly identify with my paternal side which is 100% Irish and  more recently arrived to this country, my mother's side has New England roots which date to the late 1600's early 1700's. Over the years, I've done a bit of sleuthing and learned that Brookfield, MA was the birth place of my 4th great grandfather -Joseph Gilbert. He was veteran of the Revolutionary War, and did  two stints -one as a drummer boy. It was not planned but having lunch in Brookfield was the right thing  to do. Less schmaltzy stuff...bits and pieces...

While we were at Old Sturbridge Village, the sheep were let out and ran through the village with reckless abandon. Apparently, the dinner bell rang and the herd knew just where to go. Walter, the old ram brought up the rear. No dogs were chasing, no humans following, it was a herd on a mission-to the trough, boys!!! While the sheep were in a foot race to the food stash, two white back oxen tried to dismantle a fence and make a break for it. No luck, they were caught in the act and banished to an inferior field. Later they were seen in a yoke walking to the back of the cafeteria line.

 More random stuff...
Along the way I notice things that seem unique and pass along because you need to know, such as:

Board and Bisquits is the name of a doggie daycare near Afton,NH there is a town in NH named Center Sandwich not to be confused with Sandwich and West Sandwich. Also  there is a sign directing folks to a Sandwich Recylcing facility. Hmmm, interesting concept. And of course Lake Winnipesaukee because it is fun to say, and the Merry Making River because it is.

Snore Symphony no. 61 has replaced Jefferson Airplane so it must be time to say good night. Yogi and Boo Boo give their best.

And it is still about the leaves.

Near Castle in the Clouds