6 and 7 SEPTEMBER – STAR ISLAND and DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY MOVES ON

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Ray Boas

Thursday 6 September brought some nice weather, just perfect for our 10:15 ride on a biology lab work boat to Appledore Island where we explored until 1:45 breaking only to devour a boxed lunch.  Now owed by the Star Island Corporation, Appledore is leased to Cornell and UNH for the Shoals Marine Laboratory.  In the grand resort era the island was home to the famed Appledore Hotel which sadly burned in 1914 leaving only Star Island’s lodging for vacationers.  It was Celia Thaxter’s father who started the hotel, but Celia’s presence and love of the area helped bring it fame and renown as the spot for writers, artists and musicians including Hawthorne, Longfellow, and Childe Hassam whose impressionist paintings on the island are universally loved.

My affinity for rocking chairs has been nurtured on the porch here, and I rocked from 2:30 to 3:30 chatting with our instructor.  I have been frustrated with my images here and also with my lack of knowledge of all aspects of my camera, but as Arnie, our instructor, reiterates, “95% of what you want to do can be done in automatic.”  But it’s the other 5% plus that I need to learn.  Finally I realized that I cannot absorb my camera books in their entirety, and that is why he does not teach the camera’s levels of menu selections.  Instead photography basics are detailed, and he is so good at it.  I finally realized (or rationalized) that I need to focus (no pun intended) on just a few camera manipulations to conquer some difficult light and exposure situations.

At 8 PM we had a traditional island candlelight procession to the chapel.  Earlier in the day Ann, our Road Scholar gem of a coordinator, asked a few of us to read island and sea related poems, and I selected W. H. Auden’s ON THIS ISLAND, and prepared off and on throughout the day – I received a number of compliments later on my presentation.  We then enjoyed an ice cream social.

This morning, Friday, we had our last formal class lesson.  Throughout the week there has been ample time to explore the island through our lenses putting into practice what we had learned.  Preparing for a critique session has been our goal selecting 10-12 images to first discuss with Arnie and then share with the class for discussion.  But as I said, I have been disappointed with my work, and frustrated with learning my cameras, BUT, thoroughly pleased with the class sessions and the comprehendible presentations Arnie made.  So, after lunch I retreated to one of the stone buildings with my laptop, class notes and cameras to review my notes, and then review my images hoping to figure out what I needed to do before my one on one with Arnie Saturday morning.  I indexed what was key to me including the overview he gave us Friday morning on adjustments that can be made with Photoshop, which sadly I never taken the time previously to explore.  After about two hours I began reviewing my images many of which were experiments with camera settings on both my Canon S95 and my Nikon D3100.  I was getting happier with what I had taken, and there were a few that I liked except for the exposures and colors. I thought, “let me try what I learned I could do with Photoshop.”  So after another hour of playing with a couple images in Photoshop I was pleased with my “class portfolio” of ten items.  It was time with my attention span (I have to walk away from a project to think about it and solidify what I learned) to stop, so I pushed back my chair and WOW, there was an image with light on a bench I wanted to play with.

I have interspersed on this post images you have not seen before that I will discuss with Arnie and the class tomorrow afternoon.  Saturday night we will have another great history lecture by Ann, who happens to have made a longtime study of the Isles of Shoals – both she and Arnie are credits to the program.  Sunday is open time before our return to Portsmouth late afternoon.

My next report will be from Maine in a few days, unless I surprise you on Saturday or Sunday.  Thanks for spending more time with me, I find it hard to hold my words back, this has been great for me, and there is so much to share, but never enough time.  Bye, as always, RAY

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ISLES OF SHOALS – Continued 4 and 5 September 2012

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Ray Boas

 

Looking out my window

You know I always like to give you the view from my window

Not everyone can be content going back in time, but I am thrilled to have this experience.  I first stepped foot on the porch of a boarded up 19th century hotel in the mid 1960s and have been fascinated with the development of the American “vacation” and travel ever since.  With my reading on various 19th century summer resorts including Saratoga Springs, Cape May, the White Mountains, the Catskills and Adirondacks I know what the grand hotels and boardinghouses were, how they were designed and functioned and what the “vacationers” did.  Not many of these structures have survived because they were made of wood, and usually remotely located with inadequate fire protection.  Lightening was an enemy, but even the most careless open flame could spell disaster.  In my vast postcard collection I have a wonderful series of real photo postcards of a resort hotel burning, and everyone saving the furniture.

I am sitting in the grand open lobby of the Oceanic Hotel on Star Island and at this evening’s lecture saw a photo of the lobby when it opened in the 1870s, and nothing has changed.  Dining is a combination buffet and family style at the same tables and chairs as always – the meals are wonderful.  Rockers line the porches, groups are scattered about visiting, and in the day people attend classes on the various retreats here much as was done with the early summer religious conferences which were the beginning of the “vacation” at the summer resorts.  Amusements followed, and good health was promised from the pure ocean, lake or mountain air.  I just love sitting and working (or doing nothing) in the lobby or porch.

And, you know I like looking out windows

My digital photography class is wonderful, and I have had time (unlike home) to devote to learning the various functions of my cameras reading my various books.  But these new devices are not easy to learn, and I am focusing on the effects I want to achieve.  Yesterday, Tuesday, was overcast and not a day for outside photography, and today with the remnants of the hurricane due our trip to Appledore Island was postponed until tomorrow, Thursday.  But today the storm was blown away, the sun came out, and there was outside time for picture taking.  I have not taken any shots that I am thrilled about, but have been able to experiment trying the same image in 6 to 10 settings to learn the consequences.  So, some images are posted here, and I am even learning panoramas with my cameras, but thought I would also try Photoynth again with a 360 degree panorama which hopefully I will remember how to share with you (I did, see above).

So, please read about the island and its history, and plan your own peaceful retreat – the meals are wonderful.

 

 

 

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ARRIVING BACK IN THE 19th CENTURY – STAR ISLAND

Posted on September 3, 2012 by Ray Boas

Happy Labor Day. Three plus years ago I read that happiness comes from buying memories and experiences rather than things, and for me I have just started an experience that will provide me with a lifetime of memories.  You may have gathered that I have an affinity for 19th century resorts, hotels and inns, and the more original the better.  Other than some minimal electrical wiring having been added I could not be more original than in the Oceanic Hotel on Star Island, ten miles out from Portsmouth, New Hampshire (well, the ladies are not wearing hoop skirts).  Star Island has been on my list to experience for several years, but in February I read of a Road Scholar Digital Photography course on the island this week, and here I am killing the proverbial “two birds with one stone.”  And as I start writing I hear the surf, gulls, fog horn warning of the rocks, and a group singing in a distant parlour.  Tranquil, enjoyable, and I am looking forward to learning, and experiencing as much as possible.

The last few weeks I poured over 4 books I had accumulated in my library on the history of the island getting myself ready,  In addition I have been immersed in an on-line course on the WordPress software which I use for this website.  I have learned many new things and become unafraid to try the things I have learned.  I have a strong feeling that I will be gaining more confidence in the operation of my digital cameras this week with the hope that my images can provide even more of an impact on Shunpiking with Ray.  And, who knows where else that will all lead, but let’s get back to this journey (remember the journey can be more important than the destination).

Check-in time on the dock in Portsmouth was between 1 PM and 3 PM on the 3rdfor

The THOMAS LAIGHTON

The THOMAS LAIGHTON

a 4:25 sailing. I left a tad after nine, even though I only had a two and a quarter hour drive,  to cut over to Concord to pick up US 4 to Portsmouth.  Known as “antique alley,” sadly US 4 has changed a great deal since Cathy and I used to explore it, and after browsing a number of shops I never had to take my check book out.    The replica of an old steam ship, Thomas Laighton, sailed on time, and it was a treat to view so many sites I was familiar with, but from the water side, including: downtown Portsmouth, Strawbery Banke,  the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the historic Coast Guard station, and I could even see the roof of the historic Wentworth Hotel that we enjoyed shortly after its restoration.  Leaving the Piscataqua River the islands, albeit ten miles out, become the solitary mesmerizing point on the horizon, and I stood on the top deck the entire voyage taking it all in.

WELCOME TO STAR ISLAND

WELCOME TO STAR ISLAND

Arriving on the island you follow the path up to the hotel, check-in, and then everyone attends a safety lecture outlining fire precautions, water conservation (showers only allowed for a few hours Tuesdays, Thursday, and Saturdays), and recycling.  This is island life.  The expansive porches and public spaces are incredible – well this is my taste at least – and I will share images as the week progresses.  That short lecture was at 6 followed by

Looking out of the dining hall

Looking out of the dining hall

dinner at 6:30 in the dining hall – again a Victorian  treat and done just as is in the 1880s family style for the most part.  Later we adjourned to one of the small buildings for a Road Scholar meet and greet.  There are about 12 of us in the digital photography course, and about 22 or so in a watercolor class.  I talked with the instructor for awhile, after most of the others left and then I bid good night and continued my exploring of the old hotel.  As

My room -- just for sleeping

My room — just for sleeping

you can see my room is Spartan, and unchanged since built in the 1870s except for the platform bed. There is a pitcher of water in my room, one bathroom per floor and the larger one in the basement.  The sea breeze comes in my window which faces due west to catch the sunset.

One sitting room

One sitting room

This week I may not have many words for you, but share instead images to give you an idea of Victorian hotel life, and life on an island.  For the history however, do some reading on-line – Wikipedia at least.  Bye for now, RAY

The Chapel at sunset

The Chapel at sunset

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An “I’VE BEEN THERE DAY,” and Four More BORDER CROSSINGS – 7 August 2012

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Ray Boas

On Tuesday I left BACK INN TIME, in St. Albans, VT, shortly after 9 AM and went down the hill to take US 7 north to Route 78 towards the border.  The plan was to traverse along the border to pick up US 3 in New Hampshire to see the Connecticut Lakes (the beginnings of the Connecticut River) for the first time.  It ends up that this was a longer trek than I imagined and my driving day lasted 14 hours – but was worth it (more later).  My weather for this trip’s three days was perfect sports car weather and no rain, but if Black Beauty or Blue Belle had been with me it probably would have been a different story and neither of them has a full complement of weather gear – have to fix that.

I turned north on US 7, “but wait shunpiker, you have not been to St Albans Bay, so you

Good thing I did not need petrol in St. Albans Bay – closed since maybe 1960?

had better see what that is like.” So I took a back road west (no surprise there) and took a quiet drive along the shore of the eastern most part of Lake Champlain until I picked up Route 78 in Swanton heading east to Morses Line to cross the border.

A SHUNPIKER’S Border Crossing – Morses Line, VT

Next stop was Bedford, Ontario to pick up Route 202 heading east to explore Stanbridge East and the Missiquoi Museum.  If I had not read about this village in OFF THE BEATEN PATH, I (nor anyone else) would have known to leave the main route (if I can call it that) a

The Missisquoi Museum – Stanbridge East, QC

few tenths of a kilometer.  The residents take great pride in their village and the museum.  This area was populated by Loyalists following the American War for Independence even though the Canadian government wanted them further north and away from the border in case they still held sympathies.  My young college docent was very informative, and when I asked she told me she did consider English was her first language, and all those raised in the area are bi-lingual which they feel blessed as a result having more employment opportunities.  You know I cannot get enough history, and the current special exhibit was on the War of 1812 and its impact in the area was very informative.  The residents on both sides of the border did not care what was going on in London or Washington, all they knew was their trade was impacted by embargos.  The solution was smuggling by both sides.  In fact, the British army was kept fed by American beef driven across the border.  I read about skirmishes and raids by the US in Missisquoi Bay and Phillipsburg and need to learn more.  Another part of the permanent exhibit discussed the Fenian raid. These former Irish Civil War soldiers invaded Canada in 1870 at Eccles Hill hoping that their efforts would convince Britain to withdraw from Ireland.  Wow, so much ties together, remember last year in the Republic of Ireland I was attempting to understand the problems the Irish had with Britain over home rule. TOO MUCH TOO LEARN – TOO MUCH FUN.  I then traveled to the museum’s 12 sided barn recently renovated and Canada’s only such structure.  You may enjoy reading about this unique structure, and Alexander S. Walbridge.

From here my guide book suggested following Route 237 to the village of Frelighsburg, which I found to also be quite delightful.  I had a quick sandwich there (by now it was 2 PM) wishing I could have spent more time at one of the restaurants instead, but I had a mission – US 3.  The suggested route next had me head southeast out of the village on

Border Road through the windshield

Richford Road towards a “sleepy border cross” and to turn left instead at the border “and drive slowly along this lovely border road.”  Lovely to say the least, and drive slowly since

Straddling the border – – note border cut through the trees in distance

it was a dirt road hugging the border with fantastic views. The rest of this post will have many images, so do click on the thumbnails for the larger image.  Sadly the dirt ended on paved Route 139 towards Abercorn where I turned on “Route Scenic” (actually the road’s name) through nice wooded mountainous forests.  On reaching Route 243 I choose to make my way across the border to US 105 towards Newport and US 5 to Derby Line instead of staying in Canada and going north up around Lake Memphenmagog.  I had another mission, the Haskell Free Library and Opera House.

Most people cross the border into Canada from our area on I-91 or I-89, and my suggestion is DON’T.  Within almost a stone’s throw are the I-91 and Derby Line, VT crossings, and before crossing the border for the third time today I was stopping at

Best guarded library in the US – HASKELL FREE LIBRARY and OPERA HOUSE

Haskell Free Library and Opera House which is half in Derby Line and half in Stanstead, Quebec.  The library’s door is in the US, the book stacks in Canada, the reading room straddles the border, and in the opera house upstairs the audience is in the US while the actors are in Canada – (road trip Walpole Players!!!)  Sadly I did not know there were tours of the upstairs opera house, and I had missed the last English tour by about ½ an hour, but as you can see,

In the reading room – US on Left, Canada on the Right

I spent some time in the reading room.

So I don’t take a good picture especially when I have to take it !!!

Crossing the border my final part of this quest began.  I now switched to my Rand-McNally road atlas to cut across the Eastern Township lands taking 143 to 141 towards Coaticook

This is better of me !!!

where I followed 206 to Ste. Edwidge continuing on a ways before turning north on 253 to Sawyerville.  At Sawyerville I turned east again on 210 towards Chartierville where I would turn back to the border. This route was beautiful countryside, farmland with incredible vistas, minute villages, and no reason for curious tourists to be there with no man-made attractions or facilities for travelers.  The final leg of this 100 kilometer, over two hour journey, suddenly turned to dirt (but still suitable for 70 kilometers per hour).  Soon a sign warned trucks of the upcoming 11% grade downhill descent.  “Gee,” I thought, “at least there is a single power line running along-side the road through this dense forest.”  The poles suddenly stopped.  Arriving in Chartierville I was glad I had gotten a few liters of petrol in Ste. Edwidge since the village here consisted of only a few homes.  Turning south, and climbing a hill, there was the US Border, and the beginning of US 3.

The beginning of US 3 on the Canadian Border — note road dust on the “modern car”

I think I had just arrived at the most remote and seldom used crossing, and the friendly customs agents were thrilled to see me and visit, and chat.  Of course they had me sit on the bench while they searched the engine compartment and the cavities where the rear seats disappear.  I had no problem, nor did they except, maybe loneliness.  I asked about the Connecticut Lakes seeing the sign “Trail to 4th Lake” and they suggested for the half hour rocky climb I had the wrong footwear.  “Hey, I don’t have to do that, but thanks,” and off I traveled down this gorgeous part of New Hampshire – truly worth the effort I expended to see, and be able to say “I have been there!”  Here are a few images down the way.

Third Connecticut Lake

What I also was not fully aware of is that from the beginning of US 3 on the Canadian border back home was well over 200 miles and four plus hours driving time.  So what do I recommend following the about 750 miles I covered Sunday through Tuesday?  Seeing the Connecticut Lakes is great, and I am glad that I have now seen them, but it is an effort unless you have an obsessive need to say, “I’ve been there.”  Stanbridge East and its museum and Frelighsburg are a must, and you should travel to both crossing the border at Morses Line turning off I-89 on VT 78.  And by all means you should then follow the Richelieu River visiting Fort Lennox, Fort Chambly and the canal.  Once you arrive in Chambly you can always pick up Motorway 10 and be in Montreal in no time, but you have gotten a great flavor of the land and history by “shunpiking.”  Just remember lodging is hard to find, but hopefully on my next exploration in this area to fill in what I missed I will have those answers for you.  ‘Till next time, bye, yours, RAY

My first crop, harvested 8 August – send your cucumber salad recipes please

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FORT CHAMBLY, CHAMBLY CANAL, and FORT LENNOX – 6 August 2012

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Ray Boas

A day worth repeating !!!

Breakfast with Canadians was fun, and my veggie omelet and the fruit, and croissant just divine.  So off I headed back north to pick up Border Road out of Alburgh towards Canada 225.  Seems as though I have crossed at all the small border custom points – such fun.  “Why are you entering at this point?” the Canadian customs guard challenged me.  “I like travelling the back roads,” I replied thinking he may not appreciate or understand my saying I was a shunpiker, “and I am heading up to Noylan to go west on 202 to pick up 221 north to Napierville and eventually to Fort Chambly.  Impressed with my knowledge I was waved along with, “have a nice day.”  I continued north on 221 from Napierville until reaching the 35 Motorway which shortly ends at the 10 Motorway, but fortunately Chambley was straight ahead down a nice residential street.  If you don’t have your map out yet you can pick up your IPAD, IPOD or IPHONE and use the maps function to plot my route.  I do not yet know how to save multiple routes, but fortunately for a detour coming back on 223 I was able to use what had been downloaded as my last map and could scroll around, enlarge, and confirm just what I should do.  I love paper maps, don’t like little voices telling me to drive through lakes and over mountains without roads, and now I do like the even better maps you can get on the I-Devices – just have to learn how to save them.  But I am rambling now – was going to be brief with exciting stuff.

FORT CHAMBLY

I arrived at Fort Chambly just after its 10 AM opening.  It strategically sits at the mouth of the rapids of the Richelieu River.  As I usually do, I started first watching the video about the history of the fort (in English – the parks I visited today were all bi-lingual – but I need to relearn French now, along with learning Italian) and then at 11 I attended an archaeology presentation.  I was the only attendee and the young college intern helped me more with an understanding of the background to the French and Indian wars, the fur trade, and the strife with the French, English and eventually Americans with the forts going back and forth.  I am starting to get it, and my understanding has now expanded from the forts on just Lake Champlain to include these important ones on the only route from Lake Champlain to the St. Lawrence River.  He spent over an hour with me, Gail G. (our local archaeologist extraordinaire) you would have been fascinated how he presented the various layers in a case with drawers representing the layers with examples of what was found.  The unique information he was able to provide was impressive, just wish I had he memory he had.  I encourage you to learn more about the fort and river.

From there I crossed the street to view the Chambly Canal which opened in 1842

LOCKS 1, 2 and 3 on the CHAMBLY CANAL

bypassing the tough part of the Richelieu River for 19 kilometers making travel and trade possible from the St. Lawrence to Lake Champlain and further south.  I watched some boats locked through Locks 1, 2 and 3 before I headed down Route 223 south following the river and canal.  Now also a park, the old tow path was filled with bicyclists.  The canal ends and rejoins the river in Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu but I continued on 223 to the Fort Lennox National Historic Site arriving shortly after 3 PM.

On an island in the middle of the river, there is a short ferry ride to the fort.  Read all you can and plan your visit soon.  There were several forts built here over the years, with this

FORT LENNOX – Outside Guardhouse

final fort built between 1819 and 1829 in case there was another war and attack from the Americans. Since it was a time of peace, they were able to take time and have the Royal Engineers work with stone. The Canadian park system does an excellent job of interpretation, and the English tour was beginning at 4 PM, just enough time for me to see the exhibits first.  The guide was excellent with his facts and anecdotes.  The fort was garrisoned until 1870, but another “activity” lecture began at 5 PM, and this was on the fort from 1940 to 1943 when it was used as an internment camp for Jewish refugees from Great Britain.  There were a number of such German Jew camps throughout Canada, and the internees were divided into 3 categories with the “worst” being those thought to have Nazi sympathies – and in fact the Canadians thought at first they were handling German prisoners of war.  Click on this link for a recent newspaper article  This lecture was over at 6, and we remaining guests left with the staff on the last boat.

I had not made a lodging reservation for tonight not knowing how far I would get – and I did not get as far as I thought I may – just had too much learning and fun.  I found nothing in Canada, and thought I would head over to pick up 133 to take me to I-89 to run down to St. Albans – had to be something there.  But wait, small sign showed another border crossing sooner, so I checked the “saved” map on my IPAD, and off I headed toward VT 78 to Swanton through the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge for the first time.  Finding no lodging in Swanton I picked up my favorite US 7 to shunpike to St. Albans thinking there has to be an old inn or B&B on main street from what I remembered on my last drive though on my way to Montreal in 2009, and at the worst there has to be things at the I-89 entrance.  Well, nothing to be seen, and the La Quinta Inn at the exit/entrance had two rooms left.  “You don’t need the two room suite,” the clerk said, “but I have one double left for $175.”  “I don’t want to buy a room,” I have always wanted to say, “I just want to sleep for a few hours.”  But instead I said, “I prefer B&Bs getting more for my money.” “But we give you a continental breakfast.”  “Oh boy,” I thought to myself, but instead asked, “do you know of any B&Bs in St. Albans.”   “This is one, go to the second light, turn left, and a ways down on Fairfield Street you will see Back in Time.”  It was 7 PM and I do not think it nice to knock on a door unannounced that late, but I did, and my Victorian B&B is

 

BACK IN TIME B&B – St. Albans – My room is on the second floor with the bay window.

 

My Bedroom

amazing.  Pauline had 5 vacancies.  But by the time I got back from dinner down the street in town she had had calls filling up.  No one could find a room anywhere.  One family from Montreal wanting to shop in Burlington (a half hour south) found no vacancies in Burlington or South Burlington, and had to come back north arriving at 9:30.  She and I chatted, and she said it has been crazy like this.  But again, my good fortunate worked out, I am

My Bedroom from doorway

in beautiful surroundings (you can click on the thumbnails to see larger images of the rooms here).

Tomorrow I will go back to Canada again, explore the towns along the border, get to US 3 and travel through the Connecticut Lakes in New Hampshire and back home.  New territory, new adventures, but today’s adventures I will readily do again, and encourage you to do the same. Guess that will be all for now, sadly.  I have typed away for 1 ¾ hours, and still have to resize images.  If you ever wondered what I do at night while shunpiking, I spend hours reliving the day.  Remember a year or so ago I told you, “to write about something is to live it twice!”  Good night, as always, RAY

My view in parlour while writing this post

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Sunday 5 August 2012 – ALBURGH, VT – POSITIONED TO EXPLORE THE RICHELIEU RIVER AND CHAMBLY CANAL

Posted on August 5, 2012 by Ray Boas

Today was both a disappointment and a bonus and a pleasant surprise.  I am at the Ransom Bay Inn in Alburgh, VT ready to explore the Richelieu River and its forts and the Chambly Canal tomorrow and the next day if need be (afraid there is too much to see and do – not a problem).

I left home about 9 this morning, and forgot that Burlington is but about two hours away (have to remember that since it is a nice area to visit), and then crossing the northern most Lake Champlain ferry to New York, I was in Plattsburgh, NY in a tad over 3 hours.  I had lunch at the marina there right on Lake Champlain.  Last year coming back from my Canadian Rideau Canal exploration via Saranac Lake (at a great B&B) I was impressed by Plattsburgh as a place to revisit, but sadly it did not turn out that way.  I wanted to start there to finish US 9 up to the Canadian border and see the rest of the historic sights – but there must be “blue laws” in this area since everything is closed Sunday through at least Monday if not Tuesday (I did know beforehand that a few were closed on Sunday) .  Downtown was a ghost town, and even in the less than a year since I was last here the town became boarded up – even the fabulous restaurant I had supper in was gone.  When the Air Force base closed it had a big impact, and the closing of the Army installation dating from the early 1800s did too.  I enjoyed again touring the deserted historic bases, and there is work being accomplished to preserve the buildings and attract new business, but overall Plattsburgh was not as intriguing as I remembered.  So off I went up US 9 along Lake Champlain reading historical markers relating journeys by Benjamin Franklin, Ethan Allen and General Burgoyne.  US 9 (now replaced by I-87) used to be the main way into Canada at Rouse Point, NY.   I-87 enters Canada at Champlain, NY where US 9 ends.  The original US 9 is a right hand turn south of Champlain becoming US 9B to Rouse Point.

My disappointment with Plattsburgh put me ahead of schedule, so I decided to cross the border on I-87 to be able to stop at the information center to gather more literature to help plan my explorations, plus I had time to make one stop at the original blockhouse in

Blockhouse at Lacolle

Lacolle.  I crossed the border, went to the tourist information bureau, and took the first exit to the Blockhouse at Lacolle where a young man explained the history and showed me the original bullet holes in the exterior walls.  I then went into the village to a tiny new museum with artifacts from the War of 1812 skirmish in the area and headed down a back road to cross back into the US for my reservation in Alburgh, VT.

Finding a vacancy in this area was a two day challenge (due to a lack of rooms, and also the popularity of the area for Canadians), but I only needed one room and yesterday morning I lucked out, really well it ended up.  From the border I crossed back to Champlain, NY to pick up US 9 South back to US 9B so I can say I was on all of the original route (pretty sure I have now covered all of US 9 now from NY City to the border.  Arriving in Rouse Point I then crossed the bridge on US 2 back into Vermont and down to the Ransom Bay Inn and Restaurant (table on website is where I had dinner).  Cathy would have loved it, and trust

Ransome Bay Inn and Restaurant

me, worth the trip from home just for the quaint (and exceptionally clean) room and wonderful meal.  Later I will go down to the sitting room where breakfast will be served in the morning, separate from the dining room.  I enjoyed my salmon dinner from about 7 to almost 9 PM with chardonnay and my travel brochures, and am peacefully writing in my Victorian room with thick stone and marble walls

My Room – showing some of the antiques

Tomorrow I will take back roads up to my northern most starting point in Chambly, Quebec, and work my way south along the Richelieu River and visit Fort Chambly and Fort Lennox at a minimum.  The plan is then to follow some back roads along the border heading east (a route I discovered in a great book from my own library, and confirmed with the information I gathered today).

A disappointing start in Plattsburgh, but the plan was to position myself for an early start tomorrow to explore this region in Canada, and I cannot wait.  Wish you could join me, but I will try to share, WI-FI access permitting.  Good night, as always, RAY

Did I ever tell you I love old architecture, particularly old “country stores”? This is Champlain, New York

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A BLOOMING UPDATE – Part 2 – FLOURISHING FLORA – 2 August

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Ray Boas

This morning I got up saying, “Ray I want to blog,” but I was able to wait until this evening.  And just now I finished some sautéed vegetables, and opened a Dove chocolate with a saying inside – “Sleep Late Tomorrow.”  So lots of time to write, here I go – not to worry, I will be brief.

My porch in background – where I love to live

I just cannot believe how much can develop in a week.  No travelling, but lots of travel plans fell into place.  When 2009, 2010, and 2011 started I worried how those years would fill up, particularly the last two when I decided to start travelling.  When this year started I had no such concerns figuring it would just happen – and it has.  Remember last Wednesday I told you about the email from Cunard?  Well, last Thursday morning, knowing it was a “bargain price” I booked 11 more days on Queen Mary 2 from NYC to NYC stopping in Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, Halifax, Saint Johns NB, and two days in Quebec City followed by a two day sail back to the city.  My Queen Mary friends told me I would get hooked and also receive bargain offerings.  This trip will see foliage along the way, and will be different with the port stops.  I was still considering booking a crossing to England in January 2013 for $900, and still may do it, but I will now be in London and England the end of October for a week or more.  David emailed yesterday and asked if I would travel with them to watch Alex and Lisa while they run a conference in London the end of October.  He had mentioned this earlier in the year, but they hoped that Mari’s parents may be able to join them from Italy, but that may not now happen, so off I go.  Well, yesterday I ordered Frommer’s LONDON WITH KIDS, and it arrives (via Amazon Prime) tomorrow.  Can’t wait to plan with Alex (while he and I spend a week together later this month) what he and Lisa would like to do in London.  Once they fly back to the states I will spend a few more days, rent a car and head to the British Heritage Car Museum and a Canal Museum at a minimum (hey, research on Narrow Boating on England’s Canals – I need to get a group together – any interest?)

This summer I was hoping to travel the Erie Canal by car (I took a cruise on the canal in 2008), and there has also been a Burlington to Montreal and return cruise that I have read about travelling up the Richelieu River and Chambly Canal – but I could not justify the

Flourishing – looking East down the drive

price which is much, much more that what my next Queen Mary 2 trip is costing.  It struck me two days ago, “Ray, you can see more along the way by car.”  And, that is what I am going to do.  98% sure I will leave sometime this weekend and finish up War of 1812 adventures in the Plattsburgh, NY area, and then head north.  There are forts, museums, scenery, and I am afraid that I will only scratch the surface of Canada’s Eastern Townships, but can plan more journeys.  In my preliminary research only about 6 percent of the population speaks English in this region.  Tonight I pulled my passport and Canadian money from my “secret place” and have it with my wallet so I will not forget them when I decide to pull out.  Actually the genesis of this trip comes from a “shunpiking” related book I recently found, WHERE THE OLD ROADS GO: DRIVING THE FIRST FEDERAL HIGHWAYS OF THE NORTHEAST.  There are chapters on all the US route numbers, and my initial thought was to travel up US 9 in New York, cross through Canada to US 3 in New Hampshire and travel down past the Connecticut Lakes which I have not done.  As this trek is developing I may not make it to US 3 this time – but no problem, there is the next time.  Not sure if I will make it this time, or next, to the library and opera house that straddles the border with one half in the US and the other half in Canada.  The benefactor wanted to provide culture to residents of both border towns – too much fun !!!

So what else happened this week?  David C. found that Blue Belle’s regurgitation of oil was due to an improperly seated o-ring on the oil filter.  The flow seems to have diminished, but there is still a residual drip so too early to tell since it could still be oil left on the engine (did not clock any miles since, sadly – but Black Beauty was out tonight), but I am sure she will be fine (remember if a British car does not drip some oil something is wrong – as David tells me).  I spent all day Sunday as an actor in a pilot TV film our star talent, Gail G., wrote and produced for Fact TV in BF, and today prepared and mailed the August edition of THE WALPOLE CLARION.  This past week Debbie H. (who came with the house along with my contractor Mike B.) painted the exterior of the shop and prepped the garage for me to repaint.  I painted the shop when we built it 10 years ago, and I have no idea when the garage was last done, but it is not bad.  Cathy would be pleased that I am trying to keep everything up especially as I am refinancing again reducing my payment to provide more travel funds.

And finally, as the title implies, my silly garden is flourishing and providing pleasure.

This “baby” is about 3 inches

When I included my neighbor, Jill, in my email advising of my last post she asked if I was using Word Press.  Yes, I replied, and she mentioned some on-line courses.  Well, you know me and research, and before you can say research I was corresponding with the instructor.  In looking at my blog he said I did not need the introductory course, but could learn a great deal with his second course using Word Press for my bookselling website.  Well, tuition paid, and that course starts on the 15th.

What else?  Enough for a week.  Catch you from Canada, as always, RAY

Posted in Miscellaneous Musings | 3 Comments

A BLOOMING UPDATE – 25 July 2012

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Ray Boas

Wondering what do to tonight – it hit me – WRITE!!!  Have not written anything since

Looking from my walk to the raised beds along the porch

Monday when I wrote my monthly article, DID YOU KNOW THAT… ? for our newsletter, THE WALPOLE CLARION.  But when I get a flash to my mind to write, I have to write!  I know, this is dumb and probably one of the strangest posts you will read (hopefully), who cares, just remember I am doing this for my own gratification.

Yesterday I took a spin over to visit my friends at Sports Car Services which is always fun.  Blue Belle is regurgitating oil somewhere, so David infused some ultraviolet dye so we can search her organs later this week for the break in her innards. While he and I were out test driving a 1947 MG (after taking a spin in a 1957 MGA) we returned to find that his fellows had filled Blue Belle with veggies.  You know what they say about leaving your car unlocked in NH or VT during squash season – it will get loaded with the surplus.  Well just imagine what someone can get rid of in a convertible !!!  Seems as though the farmer pasturing his cattle in David’s fields dropped off cartons of surplus, and for some reason the guys would prefer to have cars in the bays instead of veggies.  I am set for awhile, yeah!!!

Overall view of beds and pond

Which brings me to my garden, and the reason for this post.  Not quite two weeks ago I told you that after four years of trying I finally got a slow start playing in my dirt, and shared an image.  I have had some great growth.  Last Thursday I began digging a hole to

Frog at work

line for a pond.  I have had a cast iron frog for years that I have wanted to squirt water into a pond.  About 8 PM when I had the hole done and lining in place Blue Belle and I squirried to Keene to pick up a pump and tubing, and by 9 PM the gentle soothing sound of running water could be heard.  I have been watching my cherry tomato plant race to the sky, and fortunately I put in only one small cucumber plant as it is taking over my real estate.  Today my neighbor, Jill who runs the Walpole Farmer’s Market on the Common, came with some seeds for carrots, dill and beets and showed me how to plant them.  She also suggested that I get something to get my cucumber plant to also reach for the sky, and I got something late this afternoon.

Unless you have done it, you probably have no idea how much fun it is to watch something grow, particularly veggies.  I remember planting some carrots as a small child, but think I got nowhere, but am having fun now.  And, this post is to share some of that excitement in

Right to left my Cherry Tomato Plant and now suspended Cucumber Plant

case you do not have some greenery to watch yourself.

Earlier today number two son, Gary, emailed me saying he was reading Paul Theroux’s THE GREAT RAILWAY BAZAAR, and was getting the “itch” for a train trek.  I checked my computer and sold my last copy in 1999, but still had on the shelf (now on the porch with me) Theroux’s THE OLD PATAGONIA EXPRESS: BY TRAIN THROUGH THE AMERICAS.  So, this vicarious journey shall begin later this evening.

And then, tonight I got an email from Cunard – a Sale on single fares!!!.  Trans-Atlantic crossings from $899.  What a great price to get to England, and I currently have two things I have to do there: 1) Dickens World in Kent and 2) Heritage Motor Centre Museum in Warwickshire.  And, second they have a sale (for a sail – ha, ha) from NYC and back stopping at Newport, Boston, Saint John and Halifax for $1000 for 7 days.  Throw me in that pot too.  Who wants to join me?

So, besides watching my garden, who knows what is next.  Hope you enjoy these silly pictures.  Maybe I should chronicle the same cuke every 24 hours for a month or so.  As always, yours, RAY

PS — more images below — if you dare !!

 

Lettuce

 

One of maybe 14,000 baby cukes

 

Posted in Miscellaneous Musings | 10 Comments

HIDDEN GARDENS AND RETRACING TRACKS – 14 and 15 July

Posted on July 15, 2012 by Ray Boas

I feel like writing tonight.  The concert is on the common and there is light rain on the porch roof.  I love rain on the roof, and if it was dark I would light some candles – soon!!!

Last Sunday Cathy’s friend, Carol B., emailed asking if I would like to join her and friends on The Gardens of Westminster (Vermont) tour on Saturday.  Her David did not want to go.  Sounds great I replied.  She arrived in town at 10:30 to visit over Mocha coffee at Burdick’s and then we joined two other couples in Vermont shortly after Noon.  I have wanted to garden around my “estate” for years, feel inadequate to do so, a feeling which is exacerbated when I take a garden tour – hey, but it was really great and fun to be with Carol – she is always a “hoot”.

We toured the five gardens until about 4:30, and would you believe I knew the significant others of two of the garden owners – the two gardens that I like the most.  Our first stop was at Cyndy Fine’s garden and there was Mike, the owner of Café Loco on Route 5 . Any food item that Mike touches turns into a treat, and Cyndy’s grounds are delightful.  She is

All I want is something simple to divide my back yard.

a landscape designer, (her firm is Genius Loci ), and I just may have her give me some suggestions.  The other special hidden garden retreat we experienced was that of Kathy Leo – “a mix of wild and cultivated gardens that have revealed themselves over time.”  Ironically greeting us was her significant other Tom, who I met at a lecture in Alstead on Wednesday evening.  As I pulled into a small parking lot in Black Beauty (TR3) he followed me in his MGTD that he has owned since he was 15.  The lecture was by the author of one of my

Fountain idea.

favorite books since it came out in 1984, BIG HOUSE, LITTLE HOUSE, BACK HOUSE BARN, and Tom, an architect, was there for the same reason.  Oh, the rain is wonderful now, sorry concert goers.

The other night Scott and Betty called from Pennsylvania to catch up, and Betty asked for a picture of my “garden in process” which I took and sent to her.  So here it is for you too – truly a temporary work in progress, but I finally got started again after five years, and it is such a thrill to see the growth and changes each day.

My continuous “work in progress”

And, I get inspired on garden tours, BUT the most important thing I learned from Carol was OAT – more on that later.

Today, Sunday, was a Blue Belle day.  She has now covered over 300 miles this week, and ironically I looked at the odometer in my “modern car” this week, only to discover it (notice gender, or lack of) has traversed less than 300 miles in 6 weeks, two thirds of which was to David’s and back.  Now, am I partial to BB1 and BB2 or not?

After church I came home to play with the cats and do a little work, and then by 11AM, off we went.  The plan was to go to Crow’s Bakery and Café in Proctorsville, Vermont  and then to Plymouth Notch and the Calvin Coolidge homestead  –  two of my favorite places and road trips.  Off I went, stopping first at the Stone House Antique Center in Chester (the spot where we decided to abandon New Preston, CT, and move to New Hampshire).  I made my tour through, and bought 5 books.  Oh, am I good!!  Pricing them when I got home, I made a very good day’s pay once they are sold.

You probably do not recall, but my first ever post made “on the road” was from Crow’s Bakery and Café on April 10, 2011.  (Oh, the rain is beautiful now – 7:16 PM – and the band is still playing to no one – and you thought I was odd.)  Of course, Blue Belle wanted her picture taken in the same spot, and here it is.

Blue Belle in same spot Black Beauty graced at Crow’s Bakery

I planned to wait to eat at Plymouth Notch, but a special at Crow’s Bakery was Vegetarian Chile – I had a cup (huge – glad I did not have a bowl).  It reminded me that I have wanted to travel here at least once a month – remind me – it is great!!!

Off I sprinted then towards Ludlow (remember to follow your maps to track me) to pick up VT 100 towards 100A to Plymouth Notch.  Again, Blue Belle wanted proof that she was here too, and here is that proof while she is getting a few gallons of petrol at the country store once owned by Calvin Coolidge’s father (Calvin was born in the rear wing of this building).

Filler er up at Plymouth Notch

I have toured the historic site many, many times, but a new museum had been built which I was able to take a look at.  Fortunately then I became a tad hungry so I walked up to the café which has basically always been a café in the building where Calvin’s mother grew up.  A tasty chicken salad sandwich reminded me that I have to get here more often too.  I enjoy talking with the proprietor (the state owns the building along with the rest of the site) and told her that I always “voted with my dollars” to support places I enjoyed.

My plan was to head down Route 100 to Weston and the Original Vermont Country Store, but the overcast day it was began to look ominous and there were some showers.  I decided it would be wise to head straight home.  I had some light rain, but at 50 MPH sports cars seemed to be designed to keep the cockpit dry.  At 30-40 however, sunglasses can get a tad wet.  I arrived home about 4, which is the time that rains were due according to the weather maps I had read before I left the house.  That concluded a great Blue Belle day retracing some of Black Beauty’s first tracks.

Do you remember Carol told me about OAT?  OAT is Overseas Adventure Travel .  She and David have travelled in OAT’s small groups of 10-16 and found them not only a bargain, but the trips are arranged so you get to really experience different cultures, and she told me that they have “real” last minute deals.  I took a look, and yes, real last minute, often half price specials, and often without single supplements (even the case for the normal fare).  I would have booked Machu Picchu & the Galápagos for 16 days in August if it weren’t for the fact that David and Mari already “booked me” to watch Alex for one of those weeks.  I have but 2 continents to visit to have been to them all (yes, I am one of the few who have not only been to Antarctica but the South Pole itself), so that trip (which I have recently been reading about) would cover South America, and then I need Africa, but OAT has a fascinating trip called “Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge and Tented Safari”.  When that goes on sale, “I am out of here!”

You know I am impulsive with my decisions, but not really because there is a great deal of background thought and research before I make that quick jump.  For example, on Friday I spent 53 minutes on the phone with USAA and refinanced my mortgage.  Guess what?  The savings is one more great trip a year, so “stay tuned.”

Posted in Miscellaneous Musings | 2 Comments

Happy 4th from Salem, Massachusetts — and beyond

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Ray Boas

Here is a multiple of firsts: 1) blogging from my iPad 2) transferring photos from an SD card to my iPad 3) sailing with David and family for a few days 4) and finally posting when David creates a hot spot.

When I experimented at home I had voice recognition, but you must have to be on-line for that because now the microphone icon does not appear when in the Ipswich Mass harbor – the family and two friends are playing on the beach. Not being a beach or sun person I am happy to play with my iPad, and I even have loaded two movies and shame on me, a BOOK – Archer Mayor’s first mystery.

I got to David’s at 12:30 on the 4th, and we started settling into his 33 foot sailboat after 3 PM, which is in Salem next to The House of Seven Gables, soon to be joined by Mari, Alex, and two young men from their lab. Dinner on board was followed by wonderful lightening in the distance with fireworks everywhere in 360 degrees, but the biggest show was Salem’s.

I just tried to insert my first image here, but it appears that I have to be on-line for that also. The insertion failed, so I will learn later. So, having learned some more I will go topside to read — yes on my iPad!

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Is now Friday July 6th in Ipswich Harbor and David turn on his Wi-Fi hotspot which also gives voice recognition. I just tested and I will have to make some corrections but it will save some time.

On Friday morning we got up sunrise 5:15 AM and headed off to Plum Island in Massachusetts but the current was kind of rough getting in and shallow so we just moved on and anchored in the lower part of Ipswich harbor but in the evening moved to a mooring at the yacht club and actually will spend a second night here this evening. the kids are all going to later go off to the sandbar to play for the day too hot for me to deal with but I can just relax on for the sailboat all day. I am a quarter the way through an Archer Mayor Mystery. I’ve got several history videos that I downloaded and what more could I ask for. One of the first little candies I opened after loosing Cathy had a saying inside that – it’s all right do nothing – and that is what I am enjoying.

See you soon and thank you for bearing with my iPad test. Yours, Ray

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Posted in Day (or maybe two) Trips | 3 Comments