Ditched the GPS!

Well, we didn’t actually “ditch” the GPS, we just ignored Ms. Garmin’s orders instructions and crafted our own scenic route through New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

It was more interesting than the interstate with much less traffic. (Not to mention, we avoided the toll roads.)  And guess who did the navigating? No one but ABN! (If you don’t believe it, her voice can be heard on the GoPro video giving directions.)

Taking the enjoyment of the rural beauty a step farther, we parked at a couple Harvest Host farms. In New Jersey we stayed on the Donaldson Farm near Hackettstown.

 Fellow travelers from Connecticut made for an interesting conversation as we shared experiences.

In Connecticut we parked by a lovely pond on Rose’s Berry Farm.

It was Monday and the farm stand was closed so we had the farm pretty much to ourselves until a young family from Minnesota joined us. They are full-timers home schooling their two children.

In the early afternoon on Tuesday, we arrived at The Minuteman Campground near Boston. With rain in the evening forecast, we quickly parked The Wanderer, hopped on the bike and took off down the Nashua River Rail Trail.

After about 10 miles, we found ourselves in New Hampshire. (It’s hard to get our heads wrapped around the fact that these New England states are so small and close together.) It was a 25 mile ride. 

The following morning the Boston adventure commenced. 

Captain (being Captain) had studied and pretty much memorized the commuter rail and subway system. Our campground host suggested we not board the train at the location closest to us but to drive about 20 minutes to the West Concord station “where there is always parking and seating is not a problem.” So that is what we did. Now we are not saying she didn’t know what she was talking about, but maybe she hadn’t ridden the train in a while. There was no available parking in the lot. However we did notice unoccupied parking spaces on a nearby street. There were no signs indicating it was private or limited. Considering the worst case scenario would be retrieving Roger if he were towed; (that could make an interesting blog post) or more likely we would have to pay a fine; we parked Roger and boarded the train for Boston.

During his research, Captain learned we could get half-price senior citizen subway tickets at the Charlie Store at the Park Station in Boston, so that is where we departed the train. Following the somewhat obscured signs, we went up and down and all around what was like a plain and ugly maze until finally we found the Charlie Store. It didn’t look at all like a store but more like a Motor Vehicle License Office. The instructions were to wait behind a line until we were called into the office; we were then given a number and told to take a seat until our number was called and to have a photo ID available. So we did. Proving we were over 65 we got a pass for half price fare and since we didn’t want a permanent pass, we didn’t have to wait in line to get our photo taken.

Using our discounted senior passes, we took the subway to the bus stop for the University of Massachusetts campus where we boarded a free shuttle jam packed (literally) with students that took us to the Kennedy Presidential Library.

About 3 hours later we were hungry, so we bought some clam chowder in the library cafe. Surprise! Every seat and table was occupied! However, extra seating was available in the picnic area. The rain had stopped, so we ended up eating our chowder as we looked at the Boston Harbor.

Since it was raining off and on, we decided to use that discounted subway fare and go to the Samuel Adams Flagship Brewery.

Soon it was time to retrieve Roger in West Concord, either from the parking space or the police impound and return to The Wanderer. So off to the train station we go.

So many people, so little space!

To our relief, not only was he there but there was no ticket! Free parking!

The next morning we left about an hour earlier than needed to catch the train back to Boston and ensure we had a parking spot at the train station. Taking a suggestion from a friendly chap on the train platform, we found the Nashoba Brook Bakery and enjoyed a scone and coffee while we waited for the train. (Love the friendly locals!)

Day 2 in Boston was not nearly as adventurous; after walking the Freedom Trail and having wonderful crab cakes at Legal Seafood, we returned to The Wanderer.

Friday we did laundry, cleaned, grocery shopped and prepared to move northward.

US 1 along the Eastern Seaboard was a bit more thickly settled (a term we learned in Massachusetts.)

We stopped over in Freeport, Maine to shop at L.L. Bean and to grab a beer at Stars & Stripes Brewery

Veteran owned, Veteran operated

and stay the night.

To our delight, parked next to us in the campground in Freeport was another Lazy Daze! (It’s a cult thing.) Jan and Bruce have been full timing in their 24-ft for a number of years. (Such interesting folks we meet in our travels!)

If all goes as planned, we will be in Acadia National Park tomorrow. It is now time for Frontier Soups, sweatshirts and hot chocolate! (And those new flannel pajamas from L.L. Bean!)

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