June 4, 2018

Brrr, but it felt so good!  It was 47 degrees when we woke up this AM.  Lovely!  We had to keep the truck bed completely closed up and so it was actually warm for us inside.  It rained all night and the camper shell remained nice and dry.  We were a bit worried (okay, Cheryl was) that the amount of rain we had would knock our pop-up tent down but it was fine and things under were still dry enough too.  We didn't hear any other camper noises during the night, so we still feel we were the only ones out there!  This campground was particulary nice as what needed to be mowed was mowed, but there were still gorgeous ferns everywhere, and downed trees served as "guard rails," and it was very natural. 

The camp sites were a nice-sized and there was electric and water. :)  We packed up and went to their shower house for a hot shower before hitting the road.  Tim, the 1/2 owner, was there doing the morning cleaning and it really was a nice facility.  He told us yesterday that he and his brother have owned it for the past 6 seasons, and they added the bath house last year.  

We drove through Bethel Woods again to take in one last look and then headed to Woodstock, New York.  Ironically, the Woodstock Festival was never supposed to be in Woodstock, New York, but in Wallkill, New York.  It was named Woodstock because two of the promoters (there were four) wanted to build a recording studio in/near Woodstock, NY.  Woodstock was/is a small, "artsy" town, already with a long, long reputation for music, arts, and theater.  One of the other promoters talked him out of that but suggested a concert instead in nearby Wallkill.  Their new venture was appropriately named Woodstock Ventures in January of 1969.

Woodstock, New York, is a small town, maybe topping out at 6,000 and feels like a Nashville, Indiana.  There are lots of little stores that are genuine and local with a mix of touristy ones.  Many of the roads to and fro hoped to entice travelers to their more remote locations with clever signs and such. 

We needed a post card so roamed around a little bit. We were up earlier so thought we'd catch a brunch and popped into Oriole 9.  We like to experiment with local suggestions and so Cheryl ordered the kale and mushroom bread pudding with mushroom gravy with eggs, over easy.  HOLY COW, it was amazing.  It was done up in a little cast iron skillet and deserves a picture. :) 

Andrew had the Huevos Rancheros and commented that it was amazing as well.  I'm not sure Huevos Ranceros can be done wrong!!  If anyone wants a picture of that, we can post it. ;)

We did find our post card so it will soon be on its way to its intended recipient.  We popped the other two post cards in the mail as well today.

Andrew couldn't wait to drive and share a tidbit of rock-n-roll info.  He was being very secretive and we meandered around until we found the "Big Pink."  The Big Pink served as the setting for Bob Dylan and the Band's basement tapes sessions in 1967! The house is also honored in the Band's 1968 album "Music from Big Pink."  Bob apparently enjoyed this area and spent time here!

The Band's song "The Weight" -- The High Road really nails that one --- was composed / rehearsed in that basement before heading to studios for final recording!  

I pulled in to Nazareth, was feeling half past dead
I just need some place where I can lay my head...

Our next goal for the day was a quick hike with an absolutely gorgeous waterfall.  The hike was "only" 1/4 mile to the top but it was an elevation change of 250+ feet.  :)  Ever since Grouse Mountain two years ago, we ALWAYS question "short" hikes and make sure we realize the elevation change too.  It really was beautiful and the hike up wasn't bad at all.  It is a matter of perspective!  We took a short video but we can't load them even though we know they are small enough. 

Back into the truck for Springfield, Massachusetts, the home of none other than Dr. Seuss.  He revolutionized children's books even though he was rejected 27 times with his first book.  Talk about perseverance!!  And to Think that I Saw it on Mulberry Street was his first book in 1937.  He and his wife were on a ship coming home from a European vacation, and the motor's "humming" was rhythmic and "got stuck" in his head with the words:  

And that is a story that no one can beat
And to think that I saw it on Mulberry Street.  

His wife told him basically to just "write it down already!!"  He took a short break from writing during WW II, where he actually worked for the Department of Defense creating short animated films. 

We parked in a quaint neighborhood of tall apartments, clean streets, and expensive cars!!  We wandered around the Dr. Seuss gardens, and then drove to 74 Fairfield Street, Theodor Giesel's home from age 2 until he left for college.  It is a private residence, but we snapped a picture anyway.  

What is wonderful is we get to drive down these many roads, most off the beaten path for sure!  Old houses, landscaping that is more native than grass (Cheryl's kind of yard!) with tons of flowers, including beautiful and HUGE rhododendrons. (Side note:  Did you know that Rhododendrons and Azaleas and Mountain Laurel are toxic to bees? So they are off the list for our yard.)

We encountered a road called "Dark Entry Road" and it was a dead end.  Wooo.  Someone painted a rock outcropping to look like a giant snake emerging from the extensive greenery in the ditch.  

We realized traveling fair shows have to "live" somewhere when they aren't set up and we found such a place. It was surreal driving by tons of rides, still, some smiling, waiting for their next gig, behind tall barbed wire fencing.  

You can tell a lot about a community that takes care of their cemeteries and we saw many beautiful and well-kept cemeteries.  Some had to be old old old as this entire area was settled a LONG time ago!!  We drove through a town that at one point manufactured woolens, sewing machine needles, ball bearings, and more and now these HUGE factories are all shuttered up and for sale. 

And we encountered our first bear warning sign. Sigh.  We haven't found bear bells yet.  

Many of these are while driving so it is really tricky to grab pictures. 

Our final destination for this evening is Hammonassett Beach State Park in Connecticut!  Camping near the beach is always wonderful!!