#4 Two Nights Are Not Enough

We have been traveling since June 29^th. I must have forgotten this important RVing fact from last years’ experience. For all of you wannabe RV’s, listen to me carefully. A two-night stay at any location is not enough. We have had several stops along the way that warranted a 5-hour drive from one campground to the next. With a stop for gas and a short break for Lucca, it is a long day of travel. But once you arrive, unless you have hired a crew, the real work begins now.

The Problem with 2 Nights

This portion of the blog is not for the faint of heart. If you are looking for cherubs and chocolates, better move down to the next heading. When we arrive at the campground, we check-in at the office. That was easy. We find our numbered site and I enthusiastically jump out of the truck (it’s a high truck so more like slink to the ground and hope I don’t break an ankle). Pam backs into our site with my direction, of course.

Raising this camper 8 inches on the passenger side required a feat of engineering or, at least, some magical razzmatazz. Once the 18 orange squares were positioned and Pam rolled up on them, we were level. A level camper is way more comfortable for walking and sleeping and the beer won’t roll out of the fridge.

Then we unhitch the truck. The chains are removed. The black stabilizer bars are removed etc etc etc. Eventually, we raise the jack to set the camper free from the truck.

Now we’re in place and ready for a beer right? Not even close. Let’s hook up the electric, water and sewer.

Put those pretty yellow buckets under the 4 stabilizers and bring out the slide. There is a rhythm to set up. When done correctly, it looks choreographed. Pam and I often get complimented by our neighboring campers.

Let’s not forget Lucca. While we set up, she waits in the truck.

Lucca gets a treat and we drink our celebratory beer in honor of our safe arrival. Day one really is a long day. We eat a quick meal and it is time to say nite nite to night 1.

Day 2 Is Our Fun Day

Oh boy, a fun day. On these short stints we sightsee, kayak, bike, tour, something that says, Vacation! It’s typically another full day. And next thing I know, it’s lights out on the second night.

Good morning! Take Lucca for a walk, drink coffee, reverse our set up routine

Move off our site by 11A. Let the travel day begin. Who is tired? Next year, help me remember that 2 nights are not enough. Luckily, we will soon begin our longer stays and the trip will spin from voyage to vacation.

There are two requirements for writing a blog, time and internet. This trip has been a struggle finding either of those. I’m hoping blogging will improve soon.

Back to The Cliff Hanger

Thank you for your patience waiting for the answer to the missing wallet cliff hanger. Where did that wallet go? “The last time I saw it, we were at the restaurant.” I called Maria Rose’s. Sure enough they found a wallet underneath our dining table.

My father used to say, “Never turn around.” But this time dad, we had no choice. Let’s take a 20 mile trip and extend it to 60 miles. Ouch! On the bright side, my wallet was found! I’m going with the bright side. Pam, how bout you? … Pam?

Which Way Do We Go? Not This Way.

It’s a travel day. Our RV Trip Wizard indicates we are going to Aces High RV Resort in East Lyme, Connecticut. Pam will vehemently express that this leg of the trip, from Pennsylvania to Connecticut on I95, was the most difficult and tension filled stretch of our 20+ years of RVing travels. Lucca agrees.

The slugway (I95) was bumper to bumper traffic for 3 hours. We endured the pounding pot holes, relentless road hazards and convoys of thunderous tractor trailers. Poor Lucca slithered to the safety of the floor board. Who chose this navigational nightmare?

I may have become a bit too complacent. We followed Waze to this point and did quite well. We also had Pam’s truck navigation system as a back up.

Yippee, our spirits lifted when Waze directed to a ramp and off I95. We were giddy on this nice smooth road, the Hutchinson River Parkway. But wait, there’s a sign and it doesn’t say, “Welcome.” No, it read, “No RV’s or Trucks.” How do we get off of this thing? Do I hear panicking? Why yes I do. We pulled off at the first exit and drove into a Wegmans parking lot to gather our thoughts.

Course Plotting or Plodding

As you can see, we pulled out all the technology available to ensure that we never ever make that mistake again. There was a perfectly good reason to restrict RV’s on the Hutchinson River Parkway. The parkway includes several 9-foot bridges. We would have sheared the AC unit right off our 10-foot roof. We may have made national news, Two women and a big honkin’ truck knock down one of Connecticut’s most historical bridges, stay tuned for details.

Mystic Seaport

We finally made it to the campground without further incident. This evening was meant for wine and sleep. But wait, “Where’s my hat?” It’s not in the truck. Can’t find it in the camper. Lucca didn’t eat it. Pam had lost her Tilly. Surprise! it wasn’t me this time. Maybe we’ll find it tomorrow when we’re rested.

We bought tickets online and drove to the Mystic Seaport Museum. At 10:30 we hightailed it to the Charles W. Morgan Whaling Ship, the last wooden whaling ship in the world.  The vessel is the oldest American commercial ship still afloat. We watched a demonstration of Working Aloft on a Square Rigger. The cool thing was, they were actually repairing the rigging.

It was a warm, sunny July day on the deck of the Morgan. Imagine stirring the hot cauldron of whale blubber in rocky, stormy seas on a hot day in July. It was not a glorious job. The guide said the smell of that bubbling lard churning into oil was horrific.

The Morgan sailed for 80 years from 1841 to 1921. The Morgan made 37 voyages, each lasting 3 years or more. When the 35 crew men left port, they never knew when or if they would return.

The whaling life was not for cowards. The accommodations were sparse. The men ate roach infested and moldy food. There was one toilet for the captain and his wife and no showers. If you work with me in storm restoration events, do these bunks look familiar?

Whaling was a tough job. The lookout perched 100 feet up on the mast and watched patiently for a spout thrown up by a surfacing whale. It could be months between whale sightings.

When the crew heard the yell, “Thar she blows” they lowered the whale boats and rowed with all their might.

The harpooning episode that followed was dreadful for man and beast. Many a whale boat like the one above was pulled to the depths of the seas by a harpooned ocean giant. However, when the crew won, you know the ending for the whale. Thousands of whales were harpooned almost to extinction.

After our tour of the Morgan, we boarded a NY fire boat. Understandably, fire boats were more prevalent and necessary when docks and warehouses were made of wood.

The fireboat we toured was deployed during 911. It also supported rescue operations during Captain Sully’s landing of Flight 1549 in the Hudson River. Our guide, piloted the vessel for many years and had very interesting stories to tell.

After all the ship touring, we were hungry. I am in search of the best clam chowder. It just so happens, a cozy eatery on museum grounds offered clam chowder. It was delicious. It wasn’t the best but it was darn good.

We spent several more hours visiting the many historical buildings, learning about the seaport and enjoying the amazing murals in the museum. We had a little more time before we needed to return to the camper and feed and water Lucca. Off we trekked to downtown Mystic. Gotta see the Mystic Pizza place.

Oh yes, and we needed to buy Pam a new Tilly. Maybe the dog did eat it.

It’s a good day. The internet cooperated. There will be more blogs but no guarantees on consistency. I’ve been told, Canada may be worse. Thanks for your interest and for coming along with Charlotte and Pam.