Summer Vacation Part 1

 Astronomically autumn does't arrive until September 22, the equinox, some three weeks in the future. Labor Day is next week.  But the meteorologists will tell you that, from their perspective, today is the first day of fall.

So let me tell you about my summer vacation.

You didn't know I had a vacation?

Let me tell you about it. Part One today, Part Two on Thursday, Part Three on Sunday.  And a really great playlist for Music Monday.

(Musical Interlude:  "On The Road Again", Willy Nelson)

So Drew said to me:  "Want to go to Mystic for the weekend?"  And I said "Of course."

There are two ways to get from Long Island to Connecticut.  You can either take a ferry from Port Jefferson or Orient Point and cross Long Island Sound, or you can taker the Throngs Neck Bridge or the Whitestone Bridge to the Bronx, and hop onto I-95.

So on Friday morning we packed up Drew's car and pointed ourselves in the direction of the Bronx.  But first, coffee at McDonald's.

And a good thing we stopped, too.  I left the EZ Pass in my car.  Had to go back for it...

But finally we were on the road.  

And it felt so good,

Destination: Mystic Seaport Museum. Located on the Mystic River, it's part recreated 19th Century village, part active shipyard  and even part modern marina.  

(Musical Interlude: "Drunken Sailor", the Irish Rovers)

There are a few things you can't do as a result of Covid-19 restrictions (e.g., you can't go below deck on any of the historic ships), but most of the museum is open.  

We started with the shipyard, where the art of building a wooden ship is on display.  We learned that other museums send their wooden ships to Mystic to be serviced and repaired.  

We had just missed the Mayflower II, which returned to Plymouth just a few weeks ago, but discovered that the Amistad was in port for a visit.

Drew couldn't help but notice the 1929 Ford:

Next we took a ride on the Liberty.  It's a short tour of the river, you can see the ships and the village from a unique perspective.  And then, of course, we explored the village and the ships on foot.

Fishing boats:

The Gerda, a Danish craft used during the Holocaust to ferry Denmark's Jews to freedom in Sweden:

The pride of the collection, the whaler Charles W, Morgan:

She is majestic.

The Amistad.

Some of the sites around the village:

Drew posed for a photo in front of the light house.

Notice the mask under his chin.  Yes, most visitors were mask compliant.

We didn't get a chance to visit the planetarium.  Maybe next time.

(Musical Interlude:  "Holiday Inn", Elton John)

Yes, we stayed at a Holiday Inn. Pretty standard room, clean and quiet.   We had a lovely Italian dinner in La Luna, the onsite restaurant; Drew had veal, and I had eggplant parmigiana.  It was not glamorous, of course, but enjoyable nevertheless.

To be continued...