New Bedford, MA

After misreading the literature, Bill and I loaded up the dogs and took off for New Bedford. We understood that they had a dog area but when we arrived the brochure meant that we could walk them on a leash. But Rojo made the best of it. New Bedford is a quaint, old town with narrow, cobblestone streets.

It has an amazing amount of history. It was the whaling capital of the world. We crossed over a walkway to visit the working waterfront. Rojo picked up a whiskey bottle on the way and brought it with us. It employed large numbers of African Americans and quickly became a vehicle of the Underground Railroad. It was a place people of color could show up, find a job that took them away for long periods of time (5 months to 5 years) so they couldn't be caught and could earn a living. They had opportunity also because some became a mate and even a captain.

Herman Melville embarked there. Melville wrote Moby Dick considered to be one of America's greatest novels. He sailed on a whaling ship and learned about the life. Moby Dick is based on the true story of the Essex (an American whaling ship). Frederick Douglas began his career after running away from slavery. Douglas led the people of color in their fight for freedom. He was a powerful spokesman for equal rights.

We visited The New Bedford Whaling Museum. It was fascinating. There is a blue whale, a humpback whale and a right whale skeleton hanging in the lobby. One of the whales was killed by hitting a ship and she was pregnant so they had the skeleton of the baby in her belly. There was a exact model of a whaling ship that you could climb up in and look around. The museum had a replica of the quarters where the workers slept. There was also an amazing display of artwork as well as a nice gift shop.

Dog Days

Bill and I took Dixie, Dolly and Rojo to a local dog park to play. They ran their hearts out.

We took them back to the RV and Bill and I went to Providencetown, which is the furthest most town on the cape. We drove out stopping at a couple of local potters and saw some neat stuff. (see pics below map) 

We visited Cape Cod National Seashore which is a national park on the way out there. We traveled on 6A and there were studios, galleries and restaurants all the way out there. When we got to P-town we found narrow streets full of people walking and riding bicycles.There were inns and bed and breakfasts on every corner and restaurants in between. P-town at the end of Cape Cod on the bay which is part of the Atlantic. We made a couple of loops and headed back where we came from. We stopped at a seafood restaurant on the way back and had a late lunch or early dinner, whichever. It was outstanding. We came                                                                     

back to the RV and took the dogs for a walk. We watched a movie (Appaloosa, a movie written by one of my favorite authors who died recently, Robert B Parker) and worked on a few projects.   Our RV park is in South Dennis. At one time it was a trailer park but now it is weekend and vacation homes and a few transients like us. Property here is at a premium. It is very expensive and not much of it. They have used every inch of Providencetown.                                                                                                                                          

Great pre-Labor Day in Cape Cod

We went to brunch at Betsy's. Blueberry pancakes, mmmm.........

Then relaxed and enjoyed the sun and soft breeze. Around lunch time Bill, Bob and I rode to Hyannisport where we saw the fence of the Kennedy compound! Then the country club at Hyannisport where Bob and the Kennedy's play golf, no not together. But the view was breathtaking.
Then we toodled over to Osterville for a stroll down the street. We visited an art gallery, antique shop and, of course, the chocolate/ice cream store. Back to Betsy's for more good family fun and hamburgers. We visited and watched NASCAR or at least some of us did and, as you can tell by the picture, tried to tell the biggest whopper! Bob won!

Kennedy compound

View from Hyannisport Country Club

Finally! CAPE COD

We got up and started driving early today for a change. Hated to leave Foxwoods behind but Cape Cod is waiting. We made it about noon and got set up and went over to Betsy's. We are staying at a park that has mostly permanent residents. I imagine it is people here for the Cape. Our satelite is nonexistent and the local channels are minimal so I guess we'll have to talk! Can't believe the town has signs blocking this beautiful greenery. Rob (Betsy's significant other) was at her house and Bob was out playing golf. We visited the better part of the afternoon and around 7 friends drifted in bearing food. Betsy and Rob made steak, chicken, grilled veggies and delicious potatoes with goat cheese. Sue and John brought a great salad in an antique wooden dredge she used as a bowl.  Laura brought dessert in the form of Bill's favorite pie, strawberry rhoubarb, in addition, she brought a Key lime pie and ice cream, to die for, and brownies. This all came from Oprah's favorite right here on the Cape. Rich and John brought the main guest, Norman, who was prepared for "Earl" (see pic below). Those kind of friends I can get in to. We had an outstanding dinner and great company. They were delightful. Betsy has bought a beautiful 2nd home. We sat around talking and laughing until 11:30. I was too tired to blog when we got to the RV. 

NORMAN

Refugee from "Earl"

Bill and I got up and decided we could not go to Cape Cod because Hurricane Earl was headed there and it might be a little crowded! We are anxious to see Betsy and Bob but decided it would be safer to hang out at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. Besides it was only a couple of hours away. We were hoping they had an RV park but.... not to be. So we  just parked in the parking lot and used the generator. The RV parks in this part of the country are covered with trees and we thought it might be safer to be in a big open parking lot. Of course I managed to find a no limit Holdem table. I had a ball losing all my money. Before I went broke Bill and I planned to have dinner at Hard Rock Cafe but those jerks took my money so we decided to eat in. We found a small seafood grocery and bought some shrimp for dinner. They also had some ravioli stuffed with lobster. That with bread and cheese was quite a feast back at our little home on wheels.

Riding, riding and more riding

Nothing interesting to write about today except that during the night the AC quit. That is worth a mention. Fortunately the nights are comfortable. Bill tinkered with it this AM and it came back on. We pulled out around 11 AM headed east. But not to far east because hurricane Earl is moving in and they mention specifically Cape Cod. Se we decided to find an RV park around NY and spend another night. RV parks in the upper East are not easy to find and you don't see many on the highway. Curious. Bill did find one in Connecticut. It is a beautiful park nestled in among a very nice neighborhood, beautiful trees and well kept. We had problems with the AC off and on so we were exhausted when we finally quit driving at about 6:30 PM. We quickly made some hamburgers and crashed. So far this evening the AC is working good but we have our fingers crossed. We tried to get in to a repair shop but I guess with the holiday (Labor Day) they are either busy or not open. Frustrating. I sure hope we don't have to go without AC because the temperatures and humidity have been unbearable. The park is full tomorrow night so we will have to either move on or stay in their overflow camping. (That has no services) We may have to move on toward Cape Cod. Earl is supposed to be gone by Sat. and I sure hope so. Bob has to fly home Sun. so that only gives us one evening to visit. I'm sure Betsy has to go back to work on Mon. so Earl has sure messed with our plans.

Another day in Amish Country

Bill and I took the dogs to a local dog park where they ran and played their hearts out. We brought them back to the RV and had lunch and then hopped in the Jeep and made our way to Strasburg, PA, with the intent of visiting a toy train museum but when we got there it was closed. We were pleasantly surprised when we discovered that next door was a motel made from train cabooses. It was neat.

From there we went to The Pennsylvania Railroad Museum also in Strasburg, PA. It was an amazing place. It was huge and housed a "brazillion" old trains. They had been completely restored and had complete descriptions of their use, construction and fate. There was a timeline describing the life and near demise of trains. After a 1/2 hour I wondered off to the gift shop but Bill went through the entire thing. He took pics from a catwalk overhead. It was fascinating. At the entrance they had a HO scale train that was great. I love small things.

ALL ABOARD!

When we finished at the museum we rode around the countryside once again marveling at the Amish farms. They work so hard. They harvest the tobacco by hand, one row at a time.  They also harvest the corn one row at a time. For the most part there isn't a weed to be found. They plant in small patches instead of acres and acres of corn or beans like we see in our area. We stopped at a small Amish restaurant and had a traditional meal. We got home and walked the dogs and kicked back but with limited TV Bill read and I worked on the blog.  Busy and interesting day. Didn't make it to the potter's because he never called back. You can only visit his gallery by appointment. Maybe tomorrow. We have to leave here tomorrow because the park is booked so we will head east in hopes of staying somewhere out of the reach of Earl.