Didn’t do too much of anything exciting today, mostly cos the weather is crappy and we are leaving tomorrow so didn’t want to drive too far. We just took a spin into Old Sturbridge for lunch, Thai food, yummy and then did a little shopping. We did have to drive to Podunk Road just so Mike could have his picture taken; Podunk is his favourite place!
Spent most of the afternoon trying to walk Tal-y in between showers. Finally managed to get her somewhat worn out and make her a new friend.

Mike: Now I know where Podunk is!

Up and at them early this morning for the drive into Boston. It started of as a fairly nice drive until we were about half an hour outside of the city and then the traffic started moving at a snails pace. We figured there had been some kind of accident so we stopped at the toll road plaza for dunkin donuts (any excuse), but when we continued on there was no accident, just traffic – I guess all the big cities are the same. The drive into the city itself wasn’t too bad even though the roads and the drivers there are horrendous, and we found a parking garage that only charged us $25.00 for the day; that’s a whole $7.00 cheaper than we were expecting. Since we didn’t have a whole lot of time to spend there we decided to take a trolley tour and get an overview and some history which was fun and well worth doing. The bus drivers are amazing the way they maneuver those vehicles around the narrow streets, a little crazy but amazing. We rode all around Boston and into Cambridge; the area is very beautiful with all the parks and old buildings but there are just way too many people and too much traffic to see it in a day. Fortunately we’ll probably be back in a few weeks with Ma and Pa. We did get to take a boat tour and since it was a beautiful sunny day we got to cool down and view Boston from out in the harbour. We also visited the USS Constitution, more lovingly known as Old Ironsides, and got to walk around the deck area; she is an amazing boat, with sides that are three feet thick, but she looks more like a pirate ship than a Navy boat. She was very cool though and in excellent condition.
After finishing the trolley tour we headed home, Mike and I were both a little peeved when after having been made to pay to get into the city early in the day we then had to pay to get out off the city too – someone is taking the Mickey here.
I’m glad we got to visit Boston, and we will go back for another visit but I think I’ve kinda had my fill of big east coast cities for awhile, the little villages and towns are so much more fun and individual. After a visit to NYC I think I’ll be done till at least next year.

Mike: Boston, lots of history, lots of traffic! Ug! Man better off walking!

Headed into Springfield today which was about a half hour drive away from where we are staying. Since we didn’t head out till mid morning we stopped for lunch at On The Border, the first one since leaving San Diego. We had really good food, their enchiladas were better than in San Diego and I’d forgotten how much I love their salsa. Anyway, that was probably the highlight of my day, the highlight of Mikes was getting to visit the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. I have to admit it was actually a pretty cool place with lots of memorabilia and info about the game. Mike enjoyed remembering and reminiscing about all the players he’s watched since he was a little boy – it’s amazing how good his memory still is that he can remember that long ago! They also had uniforms and shoes from players and seeing the size of those trainers it’s amazing that they don’t fall over their own feet, they are huge.
There were a number of interactive items including being a sports caster and playing one on one with a virtual NBA player. Mike did both, his game calling wasn’t too bad but Jason Kidd schooled him in their virtual game – the mustard came off Mike’s hot dog on more than one occasion, but I think he had fun. After going through all the floors there was a full size basketball court where you could practice your game. I have to admit that I am terrible and thankfully no pictures were taken of me with a basketball in my hands. Mike however was awesome and he even managed to dunk the ball and pose for the camera at the same time, check it out.

Mike: That was a fun day! My long term memory is good! Where were we yesterday?

Off today out of New York and into Massachusetts. The drive through to Sturbridge was beautiful as the leaves are just starting to change. We had a pretty good drive as the weather stayed fair the whole way until we actually pulled into the campsite, then it poured down. We would have been all set up before the rain started if someone hadn’t gotten us lost on the way here. Apparently there are 3 addresses that are 19 Mashapaug Road in this area all in different cities, and someone put the wrong city in Nell so we ended up a little out of our way, in Connecticut! He is no longer allowed to input our destination, he had to call the park people and get GPS coordinates – hopeless.
We finally found the right place, the address that actually had a camp ground at it, and got checked in when the heavens opened. Fortunately for Mike it was only a short storm and he didn’t get too wet getting us all hooked up. He even made a friend who came over to see if we needed any help, and Tal-y met some fellow countrymen and ladies, our neighbour has four corgis.

Mike: Ug! Man navigates by sun and stars! Sometimes it's cloudy!

Got up this morning and finally got Mike to come for a walk with Tal-y and me around the campsite. It’s a really nice park to walk around especially now while it’s quiet, as there are so many trees and wooded areas. Tal-y loves it here as there are squirrels and chipmunks at every turn; she still has yet to catch one though as I am way to slow on the other end of the leash.
After a nice leisurely stroll we headed off to Saugerties to another festival, this time a garlic festival. We had intended to be there right around the time it got started but unfortunately Mike does not know the difference between north and south and headed us in the wrong direction. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, just get off at the next exit and head the other way, trouble was this was a toll road, next exit 18 miles. He was a little bit mad for a while as we did 36 miles more than we needed to.
The garlic festival is apparently the largest food festival in the country and we weren’t at all disappointed today, there were loads of booths and tons of people. Just a warning though if you don’t like garlic then don’t bother going to this as absolutely everything contains the yummy bulb in one manner or another. We wandered around the place for a good few hours and tried lots of garlic flavoured food, pestos, dips, kraut (my favourite thing there I think) and just plain old garlic; for lunch we had garlic fries. Mike tried the garlic vinegar shots, and I can’t say for sure that’s it was more potent but it certainly did the trick! We both stunk for the rest of the evening, but at least we stunk together.

Mike: I love garlic!!! Ug! Man drag woman by hair to cave!

Mike thought all his dreams had come true today as we visited Kelder’s Farm who were holding their fourth annual pie festival. We got there about mid morning and it was more like a village get together than a pie festival as everyone seemed to know each other; there was not much fest going on once again. There was however a lot of homemade pie with every kind of fruit imaginable in them; and some pies with things in them that I’d rather not imagine like jellied worms and blue gunk – what a waste of a good pie crust! Well of course we had some pie, Mike had apple and I had peach; they were good, although not quite like mam makes. We wandered around for a while and met the worlds largest garden gnome who lives on the farm and keeps watch over route 209 in Kerhonkson, NY.
Since all we got to eat at the festival was one measly slice of pie we stopped at the Pizza Barn on the way home and had us some yummy New York pizza. It was the first pizza we’ve had in New York and it was really good, real thin, extra cheesy and made with organic ingredients to boot – so much better than Chicago pizza.

Mike:Ug! Man kill veg and fruit to cook over fire!

Took a drive to the north of us this morning along the country roads past some gorgeous old brick houses that were built in the early 1700’s, and into Kingston which is a nice little town right on the Hudson River. We tried to have lunch at a cute little Mexican restaurant but we walked out when the waiter basically ignored us and served all the other tables; Mike of course gave him a piece of his mind before leaving. The service here in New York is certainly nothing like the service in So Cal!
We did grocery shopping this pm so that mike could make yummy beans for dinner, mmmm.

Mike: Ug! Man cook over fire!

We finally left Parish today which I am glad of, as there wasn’t a whole lot of anything going on in the area. I guess I did warm to the campsite as the week went by, it really wasn’t so bad. I think I was a little biased towards it since it was so miserable when we arrived.
It did take us a little longer than usual to get going this morning, as everything outside the trailer had to be hosed off as it was all super muddy. When we did get going the drive was lovely as all the trees here are starting to change colour and there are so many variations of reds, golds, oranges and greens. We got to the park this afternoon in Accord and it’s a nice one with plenty of areas to walk and not too many people – it should be a good few days here.

Mike: Nice chill out time!