And, not written until a week later (and maybe an extra day or so) – my excuse – it was preparation week for the next issue of my newspaper – THE WALPOLE CLARION. But, a chance for me now to relive a fun weekend with son, Gary, and our explorations. I have wanted for years to see the Providence, RI, Roger William Park Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular with over 5,000 glowing Jack-O-Lanterns, but I had not made it there. But then in one of my news feeds I learned of the first New England Halloween Fest at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut on October 17 and 18. I told Gary, he agreed, we had to see the show in the 145,000 square foot exhibition hall, with activities in adjoining rooms. A plan was made, a place found to sleep (near where we lived when he was five years old – fifty years ago). This story for me to remember is long, so sit back with your favorite beverage and hopefully spend some time with me here.

You have heard the term, “make lemonade from lemons.” Gary and I are good at that. As I was leaving home an email came in — the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular was canceled that night due to forecasted wind and rain. Oh well, that was a bonus for the Halloween Fest. Stay with me here, there is another lemon — and then the lemonade was fantastic.

Below the sign entering the massive event hall. To “set the stage” here are the pages of hype for the things were were to see for $40 a head – more for the “deluxe package.” Open from 10 am to 8 pm, we arrived by 10:30 planning to stay until closing.

below the pumpkin carver and Gary getting read to enter the Paranormal Exhibit. To be honest (and I always am) Prof. RAB could have done a better job with this exhibit – but you know that.

A number of Ben Cooper costumes owned by the promoter of this event. Curious — remember I just visited a Ben Cooper exhibition in Bennington, Vermont.

We did enjoy the “Scare Zone” — probably the only good thing (but I have seen better)

There were many vendors including someone selling honey, a tattoo artist – but we were expecting Halloween themed vendors at a Halloween Fest — SADLY this was about the only Halloween specific vendor. — oh – the 145,000 square feet was sparsely filled, and the crowd even sparser. See the blow mold below? Lit and stands out – $75 – mine is in my front room making sure I am safe at night.

in the center of the Event Center.

Featured as a pumpkin patch with amazing carvings, a true “bait and switch” where it was simply a vendor selling patterns — the display pumpkins were plastic, and not exciting unless you know the little-known characters carved.

about the best thing — the carpeting outside the exhibition hall.

Gary and I covered everything — less than two hours – more than $20 an hour each. What to do with the rest of the day?

Well, on the plan for Sunday was to head to North Kingstown, and cruise by 133 Brookhaven Drive where we lived from 1972 to 1976 while I was the Fuels Officer for the Antarctic Support Force, and then Officer in Charge of the Navy Finance Office in Newport. Drive right there? You know us by now – NO. To get northeast we drove south to Watch Hill, RI (part of Westerly) to then follow the coast on US 1 and 1A east then north. Check your map.

I showed Gary the now seasonally closed carousel in Watch Hill (still have to share my visit in October 2025), and then drove up the hill behind the village – never done that before, and WOW – there was the Ocean House – MY KIND OF PLACE – almost. I needed to see it. Valet parking only (valets may have been armed) – no street parking – I begged Gary to stop illegally awhile. I checked the website to see if we could visit, then I checked availability. It was Saturday, they still had vacancies, STARTING AT $4,200 plus tax. I checked meals. Three to Five courses, $155 to $355 PER PERSON. I checked midweek the following week – well, tad more reasonable at $1200 per night, but still I would only roam the place and not want to waste time sleeping. Well — I do have great places I stay, and their Saturday night tariff would cover me for a few weeks elsewhere. But it was fun to see (albeit from the street) and dream.

Headed up US Route 1 and 1A through Charlestown and Narragansett, Rhode Island, Gary and I finally felt it alright to share our thoughts about the Halloween Fest – we were both disappointed and felt deceived and cheated. Were we alone? Later that night back in our lodging we scanned the internet – we were not alone, and others were furious at the lack of appropriate vendors and the exhibits not as “advertised.” The next day finding the event’s Facebook page we found that any comments would be posted only if approved by the admin. What does that tell you.

BUT THE LEMONADE – how sweet it was, and will be for you. While driving along the southern coast of RI I told Gary of having discovered years ago Gilbert Stuart’s birthplace in the Saunderstown section of the town we lived in – North Kingstown. North of Narragansett he saw a small sign and turned left. Down the country roads we arrived – THE MUSEUM WAS OPEN. Below is, yes, a Ray photograph — this little hollow is picture perfect looking like a water-color paintings. The map below shows you the location as compared to the Jamestown Bridge.

You enter, pay admission to the volunteer, and can continue into the art gallery with many original Gilbert Stuart portraits on the walls. I believe I read he painted over 1,000.

we checked out the “discovery center” which appears a great asset to students, and exiting below is the view of the grist mill and pond and sluiceway leading to it.

another view

looking at the grist mill from the path to Gilbert Stuart’s birthplace

do enlarge and read and learn, please.

going inside the grist mill, nothing is wasted. Here are worn millstones used as steps.

and the mill itself. In the right hand image you can see the massive hook that can be swung over to lift the stones over to be reground to maintain effectiveness.

If a faithful follower here I have mentioned that I have been fascinated by water power since the fifth grade and built an overshot wheel for the science fair. It worked, but sadly I no longer have it after almost 70 years nor the oil painting I did of the side of an old mill. Hope it is proudly now on a museum wall somewhere.

the mill pond on a too perfect fall day.

Gilbert Stuart’s birthplace, in a snuff mill — do read on.

his birth room

on left, room on same side of house as above – note fireplace in corner of room – on the right is the “keeping room” (learned you kept your better things in your “keeping room” – hope not a country myth, time to research) – again note the fireplace in the corner of the room — makes efficient sense.

I now know what snuff is – read below, the grinding equipment, and another panel to read please.

the wheel outside the birthplace that drives the “snuff mill” wheel and equipment.

and looking back – again looks like a water color painting I think – pleased with this image as well.

in the foreground above is the dooryard garden described below.

Jamestown, RI, was next to visit. From 1974-76 I would daily cross the old Jamestown Bridge, cross the island, and take the bridge to Newport. In 1966 when going on Midshipman cruise out of Newport the Newport Bridge did not exist, so I drove my 1956 Chevy crossing from Jamestown on the Ferry — on the map to the right the WAZE destination symbol is at the “downtown” with the shops and site of the former ferry landing.

But see the arrow indicating where I took this screenshot? I had never been to this area of Jamestown, let alone know of its existence. WOW – we went into exploring mode.

Note above that Jamestown is at the entrance to Narragansett Bay – and you can see labeled the Naval Station location – a major facility during World War II. Looking at the map for Jamestown we saw three places to explore: Fort Wetherill State Park; Fort Getty Park; and Beavertail Lighthouse Museum. You may be able to see Fort Adams State Park on the map in Newport. In reminiscing Gary remembered (at five years old) when I lost David down a hole in the “closed-up” fort there — eight year olds are small.

If you look closely there are old batteries everywhere protecting the waters and entrance.

We saw the lighthouse at Beavertail, but with a one way packed parking area we did not stop but headed back to the main part of the island to see Fort Wetherill. Gary hesitated about getting out to walk, but did…

and was pleased when we saw this….

the open gate invited exploring.

and heading out of the park there is a cove were a diving scene was filmed in a movie — my picture here another “award winner.”

and more fort.

We had dinner in “downtown” Jamestown – our restaurant selection not good, so I will not mention the name. We headed back up US 1 once back on the mainland, visited our old home again and drove over to David’s first school, then back to our hotel where we chatted and did “research” down various “rabbit-holes” the rest of the evening.

Having done little of what was planned – BUT we had a wonderful time with unplanned adventures, Sunday it was time to depart. Gary for about an hour drive home, and me taking about eight hours for my two and a half hour drive home – but you know me and back roads and towns I have not seen.

The plan was to see (and hopefully photograph a sign) in Webster, Massachusetts. Found a great backroad from Smithfield, RI, to my first destination – Douglas, Massachusetts – a great road and leaves, and then I arrived in Douglas (reading about Douglas once home, I will return to explore more). A small and wonderful Common with a scarecrow contest.

I headed west on Route 16 towards Webster — look at your map and you will see a very large lake. I wanted to get a picture of a sign for the lake – but alas, since the longest geographical name in the US, I guess they could not make a sign for the name to fit (at least for me to see) — on no, forgot and here are the details I just realized I had saved in my laptop, but did not look at when there — but for you to now do.

“Road trip to Lake Chaubunagungamaug—officially known by its 45-letter Nipmuc name, Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg (commonly shortened to Webster Lake)—is a fantastic New England adventure. Located in Webster, Massachusetts, right along the Connecticut border, it holds the title of the longest place name in the United States

Half the fun of driving here is tracking down the massive road signs bearing the country’s longest name.
The Route 12 Sign: Head to the southbound side of Highway 12/Worcester Road to find the famous green welcome sign. Local wisdom says it took six years to fix a couple of typos on this exact sign
The Route 193 Sign: Enter Webster heading north on Route 193 right at the town line.
The I-395 Overpass: Keep your eyes peeled where Route 193 meets Memorial Beach Drive; the full 45-letter name is painted boldly across the overpass”

From Webster I continued west to Dudley, then up to Southbridge, then to Sturbridge. I have not sadly visited Old Sturbridge Village (one of my favorite places) but swung into the parking lot to find it overflowing — so nice to see, and I had not seen that before.

Then to Palmer, and back roads over to Route 202 on the west side of Quabbin Reservoir – another favorite road, and great leaves. And, I always swing into quiet and bucolic New Salem to the Common. WOW.

looking south down the Common – could almost be my front yard.

And then home — I hope you got this far.

RAY RECOMMENDS:
1 – VISIT the GILBERT STUART BIRTHPLACE & MUSEUM – one of the finest small museums I have spent time at.
2 – Learn about BLACKSTONE RIVER VALLEY – been there before, touched on the area this trip – NEED TO SPEND a couple days here.
3 – Explore the areas in seldom traveled northwestern Rhode Island, and along the Connecticut and Massachusetts border to the west.
4 – Have fun and stay well.

Luv, RAY