Monthly Archives: October 2012

With a dismal weather forecast for the day and the prospects of spending more time being cold and damp, we decided to look for some indoor activities.  We tracked down a drug store and got our flu shots and then decided to head into Connecticut to see some of that State (Granville is just over the Mass/Conn state line).  Mystic Seaport sounded way too cold, so we started reading the small red print on the Atlas and something that sounded like it would be an acceptable way to spend the afternoon.

To our amazement, we found a hidden jewel.  Bristol, Connecticut turns out to be the clock building capital of the country and houses the American Watch and Clock Museum.

Clock museum – Bristol, CT

Eli Terry was a young clock maker living in Bristol in the 1700’s and actually was the first one to mass produce clocks, which had all wooden parts at that time.  This historic building displays hundreds of watches and clocks dating from Eli Terry’s time to the modern-day, including the CBS worldwide clock used by the TV station for all its broadcasts in the world from 1962 into the mid 1980’s.  There are huge grandfather clocks and shelf clocks made with intricate detail and artistry in excellent condition considering their age.  There are even several steeple clocks, including one still working that sits on the first floor with the pendulum and weights hanging into the basement.  Each week a Board Member and the Executive Director wind the clock to keep it working for one more week. Continue reading →

We arrived in Massachusetts in the rain.  What happened next was a first-time experience!  Although we had agreed beforehand if it was raining hard, we would not set up but just drive to the site and wait for it to stop.  Once we got there, we instinctively non-verbally agreed “let’s just get it over with”.  My motive was I wanted to get inside out of the damp and cold, in front of my fireplace with a warm cup of something.

The campground is in a mountainous area so most of the campsites are not totally level.  It’s so rural we had a black bear cub right in front of us as we got close to the campground.   My mind flashed back to Guntersville State Park and not sitting on all four tires.  Little did I realize I was being prophetic, but after unhitching and going through the leveling process, we had two tires not touching the ground!  Bear in mind, all of this is happening in the rain.  We needed to prop up the tires on the side that had taken to the air.  Jim got some wood planks from the office and we had to hitch back up and back the RV onto the 6 inch wide planks.

I admit I thought it would be too difficult to do on a first try.  I even tried to talk Jim out of the plan, but fortunately for me he knew what he was doing and got us on the planks on the first try.  From there, it was a quick 30 minute process to finish the hook up and get inside.  The weather is supposed to be miserable for the rest of our stay with only glimmers of hope on days with only a 40% chance of rain but cloudy 100% of the time.  I now realize why some people in the North have such bad attitudes.  If I lived here, I would be one of those people!

This was our last day in New Hampshire so we had to make the best of it in spite of the clouds and rain.  We heard about something called the Franconia Notch State Park and couldn’t resist checking it out.  There are two ‘must sees’ in the park and we wanted to see them before left on Tuesday.  The first of these sights is the Flume Gorge which “includes an easy walk of about 2 miles”, according to a 70 something looking woman at the visitor center.   She was quick to tell us she has walked it several times.  Well, how could I say I can’t do it!  After doing the walk I realized why she looked like she is 70 something.

Franconia Notch State Park, NH – MG getting tired going up steps on trail

That gorge is so different from anything I have ever seen.  It is created during the Ice Age Glaciers and cuts right through this mountain of granite and rock.   It’s only about 8 feet wide and runs off the top of the mountain in that area creating the Swift River (Pemigewasset River is the Indian name).  The sheer power of the river flowing down is almost frightening but spectacular to see.

Franconia Notch State Park, NH Top of Flume falls

I just don’t understand how it could be a 2 mile loop and be uphill the whole way!  As you walk through the gorge you actually climb about 180 steps all made of wood.

Swift River in Park

My advice to anyone wanting to see the wonderful things we have seen in the White Mountains is to do it before your knees get too old.  I can’t explain how my knees got so much older than the rest of my body, but I know they are.

Covered Bridge we crossed as we walked the park

The second “must see” is the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway and the Old Man of the Mountain.  Unfortunately the rain and fog made that trip impractical.

Franconia Notch State Park, NH – View from Rangers station

The foliage was spectacular and the mountains are awesome, but I sure would like to see some flat ground and sun again.