Change is coming to my life and this blog. There is a new "horse" in the stable. After well over 300,000 miles on motorcycles and now living in the Mid Atlantic - read snow. - and a commitment to this blog and my travel lust; I decided to add a new component to my travels. So, tomorrow the plan is traveling out West to Colorado with stops in Silverton, Ouray and Durango. Then off to Moab and up to Idaho and across to Jackson Hole Wyoming. Drop down to Monument Valley and on to the Horizons Unlimited meeting in North Carolina. Drop into the Overland East Expo at the Biltmore Estate. All in all about 7,500 miles in 22 days. Done it before on the motorcycle, actually a few times; but this is late in season, and have some mods to the new ride. Bring on the rain, the snow, the heat. I won't care for I will be high and dry in comfort! Rest assured, my two and three wheel jockeys, not giving up on the "hack". Just not as thrilled as I have been in years past riding in the heat of the dessert, the all day rains, the snow, or sitting dead stopped in freeway traffic on a hot humid day! I have grown now understand the "comforts" of being hugged incapsulated in a motoring conveyance . These things are a wonder; for depending on the day, you can scoot down the road in air conditioning, or warmth all the while being dry. Oh, and sip your coffee too! The other aspect to "growing older" is we oft suffer from the frailties of our youth. Some of those skiing accidents have come to haunt the knees and back. R90S New 1976 K100RS New 1988 R11200GS New 2005 Hack built in 2010
Done are the days of the "Iron Butts" Dashing head long at high speeds; sitting for hours in the saddle suffering the elements. Been a fun ride. Not over. Just not doing the "mille miglia" anymore... I don't think. In the future I plan on motorcycle rides less then a thousand miles. Rest assured there will be many posts of travels within this radius. The addition of "four" wheels will allow us to venture perhaps up to the Maine coast and photograph lighthouses in winter. When sick and tired of the cold and snow; motor down to Florida for some beach time. I look forward to broadening the adventure. Please plan on coming along. Sancho! My lance! Ahhh errr I mean camera! The Quest continues. See You Down The Road
0 Comments
 Here in Part 2 of the Mystic Seaport I present an in depth view of this wonderful Maritime Museum. As you enter the facility you first will encounter the Gift Shop on the left just prior to where you purchase tickets. Be sure to save time to visit the Gift Shop and the upstair Art/Photo Gallery. Also within you will find a large book store on all aspects of maritime lore.  Exiting the ticket pavilion the Village is to your right. Shipyard to the left. Throughout most of the historic buildings are the exhibits. Do take time to step into the past and explore these exhibits.
From the Shipyard stroll to the Village. Here is the Museum's recreated 19th century seafaring village. Step into any of the buildings and you will find a docent to show you the history of seafaring - the chancellery , the foundry, the old printing press, the stores and the chapel. Take a break or find refreshments at one of the restaurants on site.
This stay, my room was spacious with a fireplace and a hot tub. The private patio was a great place to sit and enjoy the early evening, or a cup of coffee in the morning. After spending hours in the saddle and walking all over the "Seaport" the hot tub was a welcomed end to the day. On the property there is the Haley Mansion. Located just above the motor inn. This elegant 1904 Colonial Revival mansion was first the home of Mrs Catherine Haley. Tragically she lost the estate in the crash of 1929.
 Many antiques adorn the mansion. Here in the living room is the hand carved fireplace, The walls are made from 18th century pin pine wood paneling which were once in a duke's house in England. Even Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall honeymooned in the Gatehouse. Registered in the Historic Properties be sure to ask to take a walk through. Booking a wedding or a banquet the Haley Mansion offers classic charm and great views
 For dinner I highly recommend the HARBOUR HOUSE. Offering a menu and wine list that will not disappoint. This evening I had Filet Mignon sides were Harbour House potatoes, red pepper hollandaise, fresh vegetables, and a glass of "Cab". Two weeks later I am still salivating! The presentation was only surpassed by the meal! Don't pass on the Harbour House.
 Mystic Seaport "A Museum of America and the Sea" always a destination for a wonderful day. Every few years I wander over to Mystic. If you are into the history of sailing, Mystic Seaport must be on your "to do list". Mystic Seaport has the largest of its kind collection of past vessels of the romance of seafaring days. You can easily spend the entire day enjoying over 500 exhibits, library, the shipyard restoration, and gift shop featuring a large bookshop nautical collection. Be sure to enjoy the fine art and photography as well. Come aboard the CHARLES W. MORGAN the last surviving wooden whaling ship. There is the steamship SABINO which is the oldest wooden steamboat in regular service. 
Charles W. Morgan Another favorite is the JOSEPH CONRAD, built in 1832 in Copenhagen, Denmark. She has sailed under three flags, survived a sinking to rise again and is a beauty to behold. All in all there is about twenty vessels to see and explore.  Dedicated to the lore of the seafaring days Mystic Seaport maintains a full service restoration facility. Located to the left of the Tall Ships and Village be sure to stroll through, you might catch someone working on a vessel.
Above and in the video is the restoration of ROANN, one of the last fishing vessels that replaced the sailing schooners. Right is hull repair on Charles W. Morgan. What they are doing on the Morgan is caulking the seems. Here you can see the use of a a caulking mallet to pound and compress caulking with tarred hemp. After a long morning shoot it was time for lunch. So where would you go for lunch in Mystic? How about to the place that serves up the "Pizza the Made the Movie Famous" - MYSTIC PIZZA! Let me quote their story "It all began in 1973 when the Zelepos family opened Mystic Pizza. The secret to their success is the "secret recipe" in the pizza which has contributed to the long running success. The Day Hollywood Came To Town, it was back in 1988 when screenwriter Amy Jones chose Mystic Pizza as the focus and the setting fro her story of the lives and loves of three young waitresses. Filmed on location in Mystic and the neighboring towns." The movie stared Julia Roberts.  Located in downtown Mystic and only a few minutes ride from the Seaport, MYSTIC PIZZA serves up a wide varity of foods. Of course the pizza is what made the movie famous.
I have been here before and the pizza is indeed worthy the fame of the movie. Today, however, I opted for the fish and chips accompanied with a side salad and a local craft beer. Rob, the manager, took time to chat motorcycles and he has had quite the stable. Currently he rides a KTM EXC500, Honda XR650L, and Husquerna 701 Enduro. So stop by for lunch or dinner and chat riding with Rob. Or just enjoy a surpurb meal! Before we return to the Seaport let's take a quick walk about the quaint town of Mystic. Many fine shops and sights to capture your interest.
 The history of Mystic dates far before it was " the Village of Mystic". A long time before the europeans were here the Pequots had established a village on what is now the Mystic River. It was not until the 17th Century that the seed of what was to become the village of Mystic started to take root. Today, the village is a major New England tourist destination. Aside from the Mystic Seaport there is the Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration. And as stated above - Mystic Pizza! Be sure to spend a few days here to enjoy the area; and by the way located just a few minutes down the road in New London is the US Navy's Submarine Museum. Here you can see the first nuclear submarine, USS Nautilus. This was the first installment. In part two we will return to Mystic Seaport for an in depth view. See You Down The Road |
