TRAVEL NOTES

Yes, Moonbeam, I am back and while I was gone, the first blizzard of the year hit and I missed it – damnit to hell! Ya, you can see my smile from there, can’t you?

I gotta tell ya, Connecticut is a fun state – and for reasons I don’t fully understand I never realized it was “that” hilly or had that many “trees,” but oak trees definitely gave those folks lots of raking opportunities. They haven’t heard that raking is not good, just mow over leaves, mulch them into the yards and it’s a great fertilizer and actually does a great deal of good, but no, they rake and rake and rake. And guess what, it’s happy work, they smile the entire time they are raking!

Connecticut people have to be the friendliest and politest folks around. I mean, we didn’t run into one rude, bored or snarly individual. Everyone was pleasant and willing to assist us no matter how inconvenient it might have been to them. Seeing out of state plates, they were more than willing to let us “cut into lanes” in order to keep on the route we obviously needed to take – amazing. And guess what, like most states, they too have construction happening. Only they bring a smile to your face with signs at the beginning of construction sights that read: A better road is ahead. Ya gotta love that viewpoint, right?

Yes, we had a good time, and dining out was a grand experience as well. It was fun while enroute to the Mohegan Casino and Michael Jordon’s restaurant. My sister was reading the local brochure of places and things to see and do at the casino. Without any change in her speaking voice she proceeded to tell us that if we should become lost, while gambling, we were to go to the middle of the floor, cry loudly and yell Mama. If that didn’t appeal to us, we could proceed to the Lost and Found area, which was clearly marked and in the native language, explain we were lost. At this point my daughter who was driving remarked, “That’s stupid, we don’t know the native language, that is really dumb, why they would do something like that,” and this rant went on for a few minutes. Sis and I could no longer contain our straight faces or hold back the laughter and when we roared, she knew she’d been had! Oh it was precious and priceless!

Mystic seaport is truly a wonderful tourist attraction and as this was off tourist season, it was even more appealing. Yes, it has all the quaint little shops and over priced junk but there was some nice finds and some decent, reasonable prices too. However be careful which shop you visit because one has a very squeaky floor board and if you step on it just right, it really will create some major embarrassment because the sound is flatulent – record setting flatulent mind you and nobody would ever believe it was a floor board, trust me, they do not buy that story at all. You’re only recourse is to remind your car mates, better here than in the car and then, leave the store and never enter it again!

Lemme ask you a few questions here. Have you notice, lately that when you dine out, the dish with your order is huge? Does it not look like something you’d use as a serving dish? And don’t you look at the plate and think a family of four could eat this and I’m supposed to consume all this by myself? If you answer yes to any of these questions, we’re on the same track! No wonder places have “people bags” and/or they haven’t heard about the obesity issues in this country! Ya, I know we want our money’s worth but ye gads, the helpings are huge and there is no way you can eat all that and as you are traveling, who in hell wants a people bag – sorry, I don’t haul a refrigerator or ice chest with me to stack my leftover food!

As the election draws closer have you noticed the campaign signs are getting bigger! Makes me wonder just how big these signs will be by November 4th – ya, Election Day! And while on this subject, I do hope you will get out and vote – we have lots of people to thank for this right and we should honor their sacrifices and vote – it’s that simple and that important.

DON’T FORGET – SET YOUR CLOCK BACK TONIGHT – and welcome to November – the fun month!!!