There was a ferry crossing across Lake Champlain that lasted an hour. The last ferry left the New York side at 4:50 p.m. It was also about noon. Not to worry though, if we missed the hour long ferry ride there was a ferry crossing further north that operated 24-hours per day, 7 days per week.
It was a nice day for a drive, partly cloudy and mild. We stopped for gas at a rest area. While SWMBO was walking Becke, I reloaded my firearm, put it back into my right front pocket and looked at a map to plan our route.
Just for laughs I programmed our "Tom Tom" navigation aid to also plan our route. The route Tom Tom planned would have us in Plattsburgh at approximately 7:30 p.m. I thought following Tom Tom's route would be much quicker than remaining on the interstate. Therefore, I decided to follow Tom Tom's route to save some time.
As it turned out, this was another in a series of poor choices that I had made since we began our vacation trip. Tom Tom's route brought us over mountain passes and through every podunk one-horse town in upstate New York. At one point we were negotiating a mountain pass and I noticed that we would need to stop for gas soon. The only problem is that there are not a lot of gas stations in podunk New York. I had visions of becoming stranded on the side of a narrow mountain pass at the mercy of the weather and the indigenous wildlife...Black Bears in particular.
We pressed on, listening to some CD's we brought with us and we sang along to help pass the time. We had to stop a couple of times because Becke the wonder dog needed to empty her tank(s). Still no gas stations in sight.
We arrived just south of Plattsburgh and found a gas station. YIPPEE! SWMBO availed herself of the use of the plumbing while I refueled the car. It was after sunset and I thought that we should pick up some food for supper. We picked up a salad and a sandwich then we hit the road again. We arrived at the ferry crossing at about 9:30 p.m. A short ferry ride across Lake Champlain followed by a short drive and were were checked into our hotel by 10:00 p.m.
After a good night's sleep we awoke, had a cup of coffee and hit the road again...destination Quechee, VT, and Dana's Restaurant. SWMBO and I love Dana's because they serve a magnificent fruit cup and other breakfast and dessert fare. Dana's Restaurant is one of the reasons that we like Quechee, VT.
We arrived at Dana's at about 11:30 a.m. We walk up to the door and just our luck, there's a sign on the door that says the restaurant will be closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, today being Thursday. "And the hits just keep on coming!" So, we went up the street to the Shepherd's Pie Restaurant. After lunch we went the the Quechee Gorge Ice Cream Stand for dessert.
The next thing on the list of things to do was a walk across the bridge over the Quechee Gorge. We took a number of photographs and remembered our 25th Wedding Anniversary which we celebrated in Quechee. Next stop...Scotland by the Yard.
Scotland by the Yard sells tartan material for kilts, tartan material sashes and neckties and Scottish bric-a-brac. We found some chocolate flake and a key ring with SWMBO's Clan tartan and crest on it. SWMBO found a silver friendship clatch ring that she just had to have. A few more photographs...next stop Quechee Village Shops.
At the shops we bought some Maple Butter for me. A Christmas gift or two for friends. It was getting to be about 3:00 p.m. We needed to be home by 5:00 p.m. so we hit the road again, next stop Goffstown, NH.
We arrived in home in Goffstown at about 4:30 p.m. Despite everything that went awry, we still had a wonderful time together. Was the trip worth all the trouble and grief? You bet it was! SWMBO is really a great traveling companion whether we are traveling on the road or just traveling through life.
What a trip! It sure was fun!! Thanks for taking me along... Love you
ReplyDelete