Day 52 Visit Plymouth and Cape Cod, MA

July 10

Visit Plymouth and Cape Cod, MA 

We started out by stopping at an RV dealer.  Looking for one of those maps to put on the RV to mark where we’ve been.  No luck!  Next getting fuel and the rains came!  By the time we got to Plymouth at the info centre it was just drizzling.  In about 10 minutes we had a history lesson on Plymouth, where to visit and what’s free and not.

Otherwise known as a Traffic Circle

First stop Plymouth Rock! Not quite what we were expecting.  A large rock inscribed 1620 with pillars and a roof over it.  I guess just marking the spot where the Pilgrims first landed. We wanted to see the Mayflower II but she was in dry dock for restoration.

Plymouth Rock

The National Monument to the Forefathers built 1897 and standing 81 feet tall, now that was impressive!

We walked by the Richard Sparrow House built 1640 and still standing.  Next door Plimoth Grist Mill at Jenny Pond a working corn mill.  Now also a pub on site.

We drove past some of the other buildings in town and down main street then headed towards Cape Cod but first stopped at a pink building, Marylou’s Coffee House for refills and pastry.  Cape Cod is about 60 miles to the end where we found the National Park Visitor Centre with a viewing platform.  We drove out to Race Point Beach, the most northerly point, and dipped our feet in the Atlantic Ocean.  Then back and around to Herring Cove Beach. 

Entrance to Park

At the edge of Provincetown is a plaque where the Pilgrims landed.  Behind us in the picture is a breakwater and at high tide it can be under water.

Provincetown was having a Portuguese festival.  The sun had already come out and people were packing the streets which are one way only.  We found a quaint Bistro and ate outside.  We walked along Commercial street and then along the dock.  This place thrives on tourists and there is a fast ferry that takes 45 minutes from Boston.

 

Daily Stats: 
Today's distance: 335 km 
Weather: Rain then Sunshine with clouds; High: 27 degrees; Lo: 22 degrees
Diesel Price:  $3.859 gallon and Reg. Gas $3.599
Campsite:  KOA Boston/Cape Cod
Walking:  6 km
Today's news event: “Haboob” dust storm in Arizona

Note Spelling:  Plymouth and Plimoth

Day 51 Visit Boston, MA

July 9  

Visit Boston, MA

We got driving instructions from the KOA to just south of Boston then told to park and get on the Subway and get off at the Aquarium Stop.  We picked up a City View Trolley Tour pamphlet at the KOA with a coupon for $21 per adult to Hop on/Hop off the trolley with 9 stops and a 45 minute harbour tour incl.  Got our tickets and walked a block to the harbour tour.  Perfect timing!

 Boston Harbour









After getting off the Freedom Independence at Long Wharf we hopped on the Trolley and began our tour.  Did you know that originally Boston was only about 487 acres?  A lot of its area has been tripled since 1640. Its land mass is about 150% more due to land filling.  A huge section of Boston has been built out onto what used to be water.  We got off at Stop 7 and walked past Boston Common, the first national park, towards the “Cheers” bar to have lunch.  

Back on the trolley and around to stop 4 to visit the USS Constitution otherwise known as “Old Ironsides”.  She was built with about 22-26 inches of thick oak walls so the cannon balls bounced off her sides, hence her name.  She was built in 1797 and is still active today.  She never lost in her 42 battles.  On July 4 each year she is towed into the harbour, guns fired then towed back, therefore still active.

The last trolley runs until 5 pm so it was time to head back.  Poor timing on our part.  Now to get the subway during rush hour to get back to the truck.  It all worked out fine.  Half an hour later we were walking to the truck and heading back to the campsite about a 38 mile drive.

Can you guess who?

Daily Stats: 
Today's distance: 125 km 
Weather: Overcast in the morning then sunshine with clouds; High: 25 degrees; Lo: 22 degrees
Campsite:  KOA Boston/Cape Cod
Touring:  Parking at Quincy Adams MBTA station $7 & $5 return per adult
Today's news event:  New Boston Police Officers graduate
Sports Event:  Sir Paul McCartney is playing at Fenway Park!!!! tonight

Day 49 & 50 Campsite Day & Florida, NY to Boston/Cape Cod, MA

July 7 & 8 

Sunday, July 7 – Campsite Day

Today is a relax day which means cleaning the RV and writing post cards.  In the afternoon we headed for the pool.  Met some New Yorkers, interesting guy, truck driver; told us of his travels!  Dark clouds were building and we could hear thunder drawing nearer.  We had to get out of the pool.  We didn’t think it would come our way but after ½ hour the skies got darker so we returned to the campsite.  Not a minute too soon.  It started to pour so Ross decided to wash the truck.  The storm lasted about 15 minutes but Ross hadn’t finished washing the truck.  Then it became very muggy with temperatures still around 30.

 

After the storm passed we were sitting outside when a little visitor came to the next campsite.

Daily Stats:  
Weather:  Sunshine, thunderstorm with pouring rain 15 minutes, then sunshine and muggy; High: 32 degrees; Lo: 25 degrees
Wildlife:  Bambi
Campsite:  Black Bear Campground
Walking:  2 km
 

Monday, July 8 – Florida, NY to Middleboro, MA

Heading to the Boston area today!  Again trying to stay off the interstates we took highway 94 north to Newburgh.  Curvy, hilly and very green plus some farm land with corn fields is what you will see.  At Newburgh we crossed the Beacon Bridge over the Hudson River.  Onto the interstate 84 and we had to pay a toll of $3.50 just over the bridge. 

We stopped at the Welcome to Connecticut centre to get a map and coffee.  Off the Interstate and onto highway 34 S E to the coast from Danbury to Derby to New Haven.  Part of the way beside the Housatonic River with beautiful houses and cottages and a lot of people enjoying the beaches and water.  Most of the houses are brick or cedar shake and we are noticing a lot more cemeteries dating back to the 1800’s and earlier. 

We took the scenic route and tried to stay close to shore. We caught a glimse of the water but for the most part unless we were crossing a bridge there were houses and lots of trees between us and the shores.  We had lunch at the info centre at Old Lyme as there were no real pull offs.

Niantic Bay near New London

Groton is the home of General Dynamics, the nation’s largest submarine producer.  They produced the first atomic powered submarine on Jan. 21, 1954.

Groton, CT

Rhode Island is very small actually the smallest of the 50 states but it was the first colony to declare independence from Britain and the last state to ratify the constitution until the Bill of Rights was added.  We drove most of the way to Providence on I95 which is the only city and also the capital of the state.  If you look at the state of Rhode Island, Narragansett Bay takes up about ¼ to 1/3 of the space we had to drive N E around it to get to Massachusetts.

Providence, RI

A longer day of driving than usual but now we can relax and enjoy the rest of the day.  We picked the KOA Boston/Cape Cod just because it is centrally located. 

Daily Stats: 
Today's distance:  394 km 
Weather:  Sunshine; High: 33 degrees; Lo: 24 degrees
Wildlife:   Bunnies in KOA
Campsite:  Boston/Cape Cod KOA-  $47.70 per night back in incl. full hookups

Walking:  5 km         

Today's news event:

Connecticut Stats:
Nickname:  Constitution State
Flower:  Mountain Laurel
Bird:  American Robin
Sales Tax is 6 percent

Rhode Island Stats:
Nickname:  The Ocean State
Flower:  Violet
Bird:  Rhode Island Red Hen
Sales Tax is 7 percent
 
Massachusetts Stats:
Nickname:  Bay State
Flower:  Mayflower
Bird:  Chickadee
Sales Tax is 6.25 percent 

Day 48 Scenic Tour of Orange County, NY

July 6 

Scenic Tour of Orange County, NY

Today we decided to take the scenic route around Orange County.  Taking the secondary highway from Florida we travelled south to Warwick along treed, windy roads.  Then southeast to Tuxedo going past Greenwood Lake and along the Sterling Forest, very picturesque!  Then north on highway 9 up through Harriman State Park, Bear Mountain State Park and eventually to the Hudson River.  Lots of curves, hills and small lakes but no pull offs for pictures.  We finally found a pull off and stumbled into Fort Montgomery right on the Hudson.  From here we could see the Bear Mountain Bridge crossing the Hudson and Bear Mountain.  We went into the info centre and then walked around the grounds where the fort was originally built in 1816. 

 Harriman State Park

Bear Mountain & Bear Mtn Bridge from Ft. Montgomery

 



West Point Military academy is just down the road.  The fee is $13/adult for one hour and foreigners need to show a passport, Americans have to show ID.   Luckily Marg had read this and we had our passports with us.  The tour was very informative and the grounds were very impressive.  New cadets have just started their training and only 1100 are taken each year but they receive about 15,000 applications.



 

Continuing north is Newburgh where we went to check out river cruises on the Hudson River.  We decided against the cruise as they only go as far as West Point.  They were about $22/adult for 2 hours and there were dinner cruises but we didn’t check prices.  Instead we checked out Orange County Choppers.  There were some very nice choppers on display from their shows dating 2002 – 2004.  Next stop the Woodbury Common Outlet stores.  Yay shopping!!

OCC Fire Fighters Dedication Chopper

Back at the campsite by 6:30 and it is still 33 degrees.  The campsite was offering free ice cream at the pavilion from 7 – 8 pm.  We joined in besides the pavilion is air conditioned.

 

Daily Stats: 
Today's distance:  170 km 
Weather:  Sunshine; High: 33 degrees; Lo: 25 degrees
Wildlife:   didn’t see anything today??
Campsite:  Black Bear Campground
Walking:  5 km
Today's news event:  San Francisco Air crash

Day 47 New York City Tour

July 5 

New York City Tour

With our tour guide Al and bus driver Shinaid, we left the campsite at 8 am in a full size, “Leprechaun”, air conditioned bus.  On the road to New York City, Al was updating us and giving us a history lesson on the surrounding area,.  He also informed us that a new house in this area (50 miles from New York) for $400,000 would have property taxes of about $13,000 of which $6,600 is school taxes.  Also taking a bus into the city from this area is $200 a month.

First stop, Times Square, Al dropped us off and let us know where there was a great place to get some New York cheesecake @ Juniors.  We had an hour to look around and shop. There are 5 Boroughs, as they are referred to in New York City; Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staton Island, Queens, and The Bronx.  The financial district is in Manhattan and referred to as SOHO District or South of Houston.  Manhattan has 19 bridges and 4 tunnels and it is about 15.5 x 2.5 miles.

We were told a good place to get tickets for shows are at TKTS where tickets are 2 for 1.  It is right behind me in the picture.  But be prepared to stand in a line up!  Good thing the “natives” the locals, as Al put it, were off today otherwise this place would be packed, wall to wall!!



But there were some strange characters walking around. We got our cheesecake before heading back to the bus.  I wish I had bought a bigger piece, it was sooooo good!

Trinity Church

 Bell of Hope

Inside St Paul’s Chapel

Three churches survived the falling of the Twin Towers; Trinity Church, St. Paul, & St. Peter.  We walked into and around the churches.  They are beautiful with their architecture and stained glass windows.  It is a miracle they were not damaged.  We walked by the Financial District or Wall Street and past the New York Stock Exchange.  We entered Manhattan via the Lincoln Tunnel and exited a few hours later by the Holland Tunnel (which was totally flooded in Oct due to hurricane Sandy) going under the Hudson River about 75 feet.  We were taken to Jersey City in New Jersey for lunch at the Liberty Park Diner.  Food was great and lots of it including coffees for under $20.  Al said if we had eaten in New York it would have cost double.

Buildings still being restored after 12 years

New York sky line 12 years later 



We couldn’t go to Ellis Island due to hurricane Sandy last October.  But the Statue of Liberty was just opened to dignitaries July 4 and today was the first day the public were allowed back due to the hurricane.  Where we loaded the ferry was an old dilapidated train station where immigrants came after they were processed on Ellis Island so they could head to their new homes in search of the American Dream from 1892 - 1954.  The station was closed in 1957.

After a 10 minute ferry ride we were on Liberty Island with a few thousand other tourists.  The Statue of Liberty was closed for awhile last fall while an elevator was installed to help seniors and disabled people get to the top of the statue.  It was just about to open when hurricane Sandy hit.  The copper skin of the Statue of Liberty is 2 pennies thick or 3/32.  It took the copper 30 years to turn green.  My only complaint is by the time we got to the Island we had ½ hour and had to be back in line for the next ferry.  What a fantastic day, just a little hot!

 

Daily Stats: 
Today's distance: 175 km in the bus
Weather:  Sunshine; High: 33 degrees; Lo: 24 degrees
Campsite:  Black Bear Campsite, Florida NY
Tour from campsite: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8 am – 6 pm $106/ person incl. $17 to see Statue of Liberty
Walking: Manhattan & the Statue of Liberty

Day 45 & 46 Niagara Falls, ON to Florida, NY

July 3 & 4                                                                                                

Wednesday, July 3 - Niagara Falls, ON to Chenango Valley State Park, New York

On the Road Again!!  Love it, beautiful sunny day!  Leaving Canada and driving over the Niagara River near Lake Erie into Buffalo, New York.  Border Crossing was a little busy.  The border guard wanted to know where we were going and where we were staying and if we were travelling with the folks in front of us, the Bogaert’s.  Maybe he noticed the BC plates.  Then he asked "to enter back there" so Ross opened the RV for him, he looked in and said OK to go!!  Whew!!!

 

Off the I90 and onto Highway 20A.  These smaller highways are more scenic and pass through smaller towns.  Hwy 20A is called “Big Tree Road”.  Rolling hills and very green, farmland with fields of corn.  We also drove past the town of Corning!  Can you guess what they made there?  They have the Corning Museum of Glass!

We stopped at the Chenango Valley State Park off I86 just N E of Binghamton.  Not bad for an overnight stop.  The park entrance was lined with American Flags for the Fourth of July celebrations.  The small lake is divided into sections per depth of the water and has lifeguards on duty.  There are picnic sites in the park and an 18 hole golf course plus cabins to rent.



Our campsite 

Daily Stats: 
Today's distance:  377 km 
Weather:  Sunshine; High: 28 degrees; Lo: 22 degrees
Diesel Price:  Dansville, NY $4.219, gas / gallon $3.669
Wildlife:  Geese, heron, bunny and deer
Campsite:  Chenango Valley State Park ($34.75 incl. electricity & showers)
Walking:  8 km around campsite


Thursday, July 4 - Chenango Valley State Park, New York to Florida, New York

Happy Birthday America 

Leisurely start to the morning since we don’t have far to go!  Leave via I88 south to I81 then onto 17 east.  We stopped for lunch in the rest area near Roscoe.   We didn’t know then but we were pretty close to Bethel where Woodstock was held in 1969!  New York has the Catskill Mountains but their maximum height is only about 4,000 feet.  Lots of small rivers and creeks to cross over and of course some road construction but everything is closed down for the holiday. 

Set up in the campsite #70 & #71 at the end of the row, very nice, room to put out the awning and lawn chairs.  Headed into town to get gas and groceries.  Had to drive to Chester about 5 miles away to get a decent grocery store.  Good thing, the tour to New York City starts at the campsite in an air conditioned bus.  We just paid $106 per person plus our camp fee so we are ready to go to New York City at 8 am in the morning!!

Daily Stats: 
Today's distance:  232 km 
Weather:  Sunshine; High: 31 degrees; Lo: 25 degrees
Diesel Price:  Florida $3.95; reg gas $3.61 gallon
Wildlife:  Fire Flies
Campsite:  Black Bear Campground $50/night full hookups w/Wi-Fi and cable

New York Stats:
Flower:  Rose
Bird:  Bluebird
Nickname:  Empire State
Sales Tax:  4 percent but New York City 13.75 percent

Day 43 & 44 Niagara Falls, ON & area

July 1 & 2

Monday, July 1 - Niagara Falls & Area

Happy Birthday Canada!! 

We got another 24 hour bus pass for $7 and headed for the parade.  The parade came down along Victoria and Queen streets towards City Hall where all types of booths and a stage were set up for festivities after the parade.  We lined the street with all the other tourists and locals to watch the parade which lasted an hour.  A lot of musical bands, gymnasts and cheer leader type acrobats in the parade, no real floats to speak of.  There were two blocks of old cars and trucks lined up for display.  Walked by the B & B area along the shore.  Beautiful old homes!!

 Church on Queen Street

 Looking down parade route

One of the old houses along Niagara Parkway

Back to the campsite to relax.  The pool and hot tubs were empty!!  Just waiting for us! We headed for the bus at 8 pm.  The colored lights on the falls started about 9:15 pm  The mist from the Falls was coming back on us and you could see all the moths in the lights.  Fireworks started at 10 until 10:15 over the water falls but close to the Rainbow Bridge and the American Falls.  What a way to celebrate Canada’s Birthday with a few thousand people!  After the fireworks it was a mad rush for the bus.  We got on the first Red Line but it took about an hour to get to the KOA.

 Canadian Flag on Niagara Falls

Lights on Falls, Skylon Tower in Back 

 

Daily Stats:  Monday, July 1, 2013
Weather:  Cloudy, light rain in afternoon; High: 24 degrees; Lo: 19 degrees
Campsite:  Niagara Falls KOA
Walking:  10 km - Queen’s District Parade, B&B area & Falls 
West Coast heat wave; Vancouver 31 and Okanagan 40 (our coolest day lately)

Today's news event:  19 Arizona Fire Fighters died fighting blaze
Cirque de Solie – Ka, one of the performers since 2006 fell


Tuesday, July 2 - Fort Erie to Niagara on the Lake

We drove south to Fort Erie, viewed a brief 12 minute video the War of 1812, then our tour guide in period dress guided us around the fort; then a demonstration of loading and preparing to fire muskets by a young man dressed in the Red Coat (British) and Grey Coat (American).  Orders were called and then they fired the muskets, twice, in case we missed the demonstration the first time.  When the weapons were fired, it was so smokie, hence the dress code of the time so your own guys wouldn’t shoot you. 

 Musket fire

 

Did you know why the American army went from Blue coats to Grey coats?

Along the Niagara Parkway we headed north and stopped at the Chippawa Battlefield which took place July 5, 1814.  Back in Niagara Falls we stopped at the Aero Car to view the Whirl pool.

Aero Car crossing Niagara River and Whirlpool

Now the sun was starting to come out again, beauty.  Stopped at the two Sir Adam Beck Power plants facing each other across the Niagara gorge!  There is a huge reservoir behind each of the power plants.

A quick stop at Laura Secord’s Homestead.  She was the lady that walked 20 miles to warn the British that the Americans were planning an attack.  Finally arriving in Niagara on the Lake.  A beautiful little community, probably not so small about 15,000 population, we walked around the Historic Main street and had lunch. 

Niagara on the Lake Main Street

Weather:  Cloudy, light rain in afternoon; High: 26 degrees; Lo: 18 degrees
Campsite:  Niagara Falls KOA
Walking:  10 km – Ft Erie & Niagara on the Lake

Answer:  The British supplied the blue dye but once the war started, no more blue dye so the Grey Uniforms for the American Army.