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November 02, 2000 - A fall-foliage adventure up north• The Suffolk Times • November 2, 2000 A fall - foliage Time out for a quiet walk along a golden, leaf- covered back road, taking in the glorious fall foliage of Ne adventure up nort Focus ON NATURE by Paul Stoutenburgh We haven't been up to Vermont or New Hampshire or even Massachusetts for quite some time, se we thought this would be a good time to take advantage of the beautiful fall color these states have to offer. We'd take the Bridgeport ferry and then head up through Connecticut. I must say we weren't disappointed. rverywnere we tooxea the roaostoes and hillsides were ablaze with color. In some areas it was so intense it fillet the car with its glow. The rain tried to discourage us on our first day out but it couldn't as we sped along the roads and headed north to a cabin Barbara had arranged for in the Berkshires. Previously,she had called every- where to see about cabins and was told that the campgrounds and cabins in that area were closed for the sea- son. We have to remember up there winter comes much earlier than down here.. We finally did find one place that stayed open year 'round and were able to' get a cozy little cabin at Shady Pines in Savoy. All went well until we hit Pittsfield. It's a busy little town, especially around four o'clock, when we pulled up to a stop light. Then it happened. Our car died completely. What to do? I couldn't even open my door. Neither the electric door nor the flashers would work. Everything was dead. Luckily Barbara's door was open so she could get out and tell the people our problem. Right behind us was an 18-wheeler that sat and tried to figure out how to get around our car. Lucky for us there were good Samaritans everywhere and a contrac- tor working nearby saw out plight and helped push the car off to the side of the road. There we stood by our dis- abled car in the rain. This gave us an opportunity to tr) out our road help people and in no time we had a tow truck there, whose driver called a taxi, who took us to a garage where we got a rental car. Things just fell into place and in no time we headed off to our little cabin about 10 miles away. Cozy cabin, rainy night We got there and found everyt mg fine. The little cabin had four bunks in it, a nice heater, which had been turned on, so the cabin was warm when we arrived. There was a cook stove with pots and pans, table and everything we needed to make us comfortable. You did have to walk to an outside john, by the way, which wa a bit chilly. The next day we called and found our car ready and we were on our way with a new alternator and a bill for $245. We took all the side roads and drove up into Vermont and over into New Hampshire, traveling and stop- ping here and there. At one place there was an apple farm that remind- ect us very much of the Wickham farmstand because they had hayrides and cider and they made breads, pies and cookies and, of course, you could pick your own apples. We left there with some fresh cider and homemade blueberry turnovers. Every once in a while there would be a "Moose Crossing" sign. Unfortunately we didn't see any, although we've heard they have moose that have made a terrific comeback. Nevertheless, as we went along the rivers and lakes and spots where we thought they might be, we kept our eyes open. What we did see were beaver dams. This all made us feel as though we were in some magi- cal country entirely different from our own East End. Vermont cheese was advertised along the roadways and, of course, maple syrup signs were everywhere. At one point we stopped along a reservoir to have lunch. The chip- munks must have known that people who stop often leave scraps and, sure enough, they were right there to see what we were going to leave for them. We have chipmunks on Long Island but none that I know of here on the North Fork. Between our heavy popu. lation and our farms they evidently can't succeed here. I'm afraid also we have too many stray cats waiting in the bushes that do in the little chip- munks. Signs of heavy snows Since winter snows often cause a problem getting out to the highway, many of the older houses we noticed were built right close to the road. The barns were often attached to the house so that the farmer didn't even have to go outside to take care of the animals. In that way, particularly if you were a dairyman — and we saw lots of dairy farms — you would be able to get your milk to the edge of- the road for pickup. Today the houses are built farther off the road and because of snow blowers and snowplows on pickups, farmers don't have that problem, but then they didn't have those luxuries so the best way to take care of winter's snows was to have everything close to the hiehway. To drive home the point of heavy snows, we noticed the fire hydrants had reflected extensions on so they could be located easily in deep snow. And, of course, in the area of Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and even in Connecticut, we'd see huge woodpiles on porches and in back yards waiting for winter's arrival. No high cost of fuel here. Also we noticed ladders on the roofs of the houses so that if there was a chimney fire you could get up to .it in a hurry and put it out. Chimney fires are a product of wood stoves. They give off creosote and tars that accumulate in the chimney and then catch fire, and what a roaring fire it is! Chimney fires are scary things. I remember once when our chimney caught fire. My dad went up on the roof and poured sand down the chimney. He put it out, but man, did we have smoke in the house that day! Another thing you notice when you are going through these little New England towns; particularly where there is a river or a waterway of some sort, are the mills that were built on them using the water power to run the machinery. Many of them are skele- tons today. Some are being used but most of them are boarded up, just sit- ting waiting for something to happen. The last day of our little adventure we started out in Keene, N.H., and wandered down through Massachusetts enjoying the lovely color and little town on the back roads. What would catch our eyes were the yellow quaking aspens whose leaves appeared like sequins as they fluttered in the breezes. Then we decided to head for the Mashantucket Pequot Museum in Connecticut. Our son had been there and told us how fantastic it was. After an early lunch of buffalo burgers we spent the after- noon indulging in the history of this unique tribe until they closed the doors at 6 p.m. For those of you who have not been there and have the slightest interest in our Native Americans and their plight for recognition, this is a must. We left the gambling to others. From there it was a short trip to our ferry at New London. Yes, we were part of the heavy traffic along our roadways enjoying the beautiful weather and fall foliaee. • The Suffolk Times • November 2, 2000 A fall - foliage Time out for a quiet walk along a golden, leaf- covered back road, taking in the glorious fall foliage of Ne adventure up nort Focus ON NATURE by Paul Stoutenburgh We haven't been up to Vermont or New Hampshire or even Massachusetts for quite some time, se we thought this would be a good time to take advantage of the beautiful fall color these states have to offer. We'd take the Bridgeport ferry and then head up through Connecticut. I must say we weren't disappointed. rverywnere we tooxea the roaostoes and hillsides were ablaze with color. In some areas it was so intense it fillet the car with its glow. The rain tried to discourage us on our first day out but it couldn't as we sped along the roads and headed north to a cabin Barbara had arranged for in the Berkshires. Previously,she had called every- where to see about cabins and was told that the campgrounds and cabins in that area were closed for the sea- son. We have to remember up there winter comes much earlier than down here.. We finally did find one place that stayed open year 'round and were able to' get a cozy little cabin at Shady Pines in Savoy. All went well until we hit Pittsfield. It's a busy little town, especially around four o'clock, when we pulled up to a stop light. Then it happened. Our car died completely. What to do? I couldn't even open my door. Neither the electric door nor the flashers would work. Everything was dead. Luckily Barbara's door was open so she could get out and tell the people our problem. Right behind us was an 18-wheeler that sat and tried to figure out how to get around our car. Lucky for us there were good Samaritans everywhere and a contrac- tor working nearby saw out plight and helped push the car off to the side of the road. There we stood by our dis- abled car in the rain. This gave us an opportunity to tr) out our road help people and in no time we had a tow truck there, whose driver called a taxi, who took us to a garage where we got a rental car. Things just fell into place and in no time we headed off to our little cabin about 10 miles away. Cozy cabin, rainy night We got there and found everyt mg fine. The little cabin had four bunks in it, a nice heater, which had been turned on, so the cabin was warm when we arrived. There was a cook stove with pots and pans, table and everything we needed to make us comfortable. You did have to walk to an outside john, by the way, which wa a bit chilly. The next day we called and found our car ready and we were on our way with a new alternator and a bill for $245. We took all the side roads and drove up into Vermont and over into New Hampshire, traveling and stop- ping here and there. At one place there was an apple farm that remind- ect us very much of the Wickham farmstand because they had hayrides and cider and they made breads, pies and cookies and, of course, you could pick your own apples. We left there with some fresh cider and homemade blueberry turnovers. Every once in a while there would be a "Moose Crossing" sign. Unfortunately we didn't see any, although we've heard they have moose that have made a terrific comeback. Nevertheless, as we went along the rivers and lakes and spots where we thought they might be, we kept our eyes open. What we did see were beaver dams. This all made us feel as though we were in some magi- cal country entirely different from our own East End. Vermont cheese was advertised along the roadways and, of course, maple syrup signs were everywhere. At one point we stopped along a reservoir to have lunch. The chip- munks must have known that people who stop often leave scraps and, sure enough, they were right there to see what we were going to leave for them. We have chipmunks on Long Island but none that I know of here on the North Fork. Between our heavy popu. lation and our farms they evidently can't succeed here. I'm afraid also we have too many stray cats waiting in the bushes that do in the little chip- munks. Signs of heavy snows Since winter snows often cause a problem getting out to the highway, many of the older houses we noticed were built right close to the road. The barns were often attached to the house so that the farmer didn't even have to go outside to take care of the animals. In that way, particularly if you were a dairyman — and we saw lots of dairy farms — you would be able to get your milk to the edge of- the road for pickup. Today the houses are built farther off the road and because of snow blowers and snowplows on pickups, farmers don't have that problem, but then they didn't have those luxuries so the best way to take care of winter's snows was to have everything close to the hiehway. To drive home the point of heavy snows, we noticed the fire hydrants had reflected extensions on so they could be located easily in deep snow. And, of course, in the area of Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and even in Connecticut, we'd see huge woodpiles on porches and in back yards waiting for winter's arrival. No high cost of fuel here. Also we noticed ladders on the roofs of the houses so that if there was a chimney fire you could get up to .it in a hurry and put it out. Chimney fires are a product of wood stoves. They give off creosote and tars that accumulate in the chimney and then catch fire, and what a roaring fire it is! Chimney fires are scary things. I remember once when our chimney caught fire. My dad went up on the roof and poured sand down the chimney. He put it out, but man, did we have smoke in the house that day! Another thing you notice when you are going through these little New England towns; particularly where there is a river or a waterway of some sort, are the mills that were built on them using the water power to run the machinery. Many of them are skele- tons today. Some are being used but most of them are boarded up, just sit- ting waiting for something to happen. The last day of our little adventure we started out in Keene, N.H., and wandered down through Massachusetts enjoying the lovely color and little town on the back roads. What would catch our eyes were the yellow quaking aspens whose leaves appeared like sequins as they fluttered in the breezes. Then we decided to head for the Mashantucket Pequot Museum in Connecticut. Our son had been there and told us how fantastic it was. After an early lunch of buffalo burgers we spent the after- noon indulging in the history of this unique tribe until they closed the doors at 6 p.m. For those of you who have not been there and have the slightest interest in our Native Americans and their plight for recognition, this is a must. We left the gambling to others. From there it was a short trip to our ferry at New London. Yes, we were part of the heavy traffic along our roadways enjoying the beautiful weather and fall foliaee. • The Suffolk Times • November 2, 2000 A fall - foliage Time out for a quiet walk along a golden, leaf- covered back road, taking in the glorious fall foliage of Ne adventure up nort Focus ON NATURE by Paul Stoutenburgh We haven't been up to Vermont or New Hampshire or even Massachusetts for quite some time, se we thought this would be a good time to take advantage of the beautiful fall color these states have to offer. We'd take the Bridgeport ferry and then head up through Connecticut. I must say we weren't disappointed. rverywnere we tooxea the roaostoes and hillsides were ablaze with color. In some areas it was so intense it fillet the car with its glow. The rain tried to discourage us on our first day out but it couldn't as we sped along the roads and headed north to a cabin Barbara had arranged for in the Berkshires. Previously,she had called every- where to see about cabins and was told that the campgrounds and cabins in that area were closed for the sea- son. We have to remember up there winter comes much earlier than down here.. We finally did find one place that stayed open year 'round and were able to' get a cozy little cabin at Shady Pines in Savoy. All went well until we hit Pittsfield. It's a busy little town, especially around four o'clock, when we pulled up to a stop light. Then it happened. Our car died completely. What to do? I couldn't even open my door. Neither the electric door nor the flashers would work. Everything was dead. Luckily Barbara's door was open so she could get out and tell the people our problem. Right behind us was an 18-wheeler that sat and tried to figure out how to get around our car. Lucky for us there were good Samaritans everywhere and a contrac- tor working nearby saw out plight and helped push the car off to the side of the road. There we stood by our dis- abled car in the rain. This gave us an opportunity to tr) out our road help people and in no time we had a tow truck there, whose driver called a taxi, who took us to a garage where we got a rental car. Things just fell into place and in no time we headed off to our little cabin about 10 miles away. Cozy cabin, rainy night We got there and found everyt mg fine. The little cabin had four bunks in it, a nice heater, which had been turned on, so the cabin was warm when we arrived. There was a cook stove with pots and pans, table and everything we needed to make us comfortable. You did have to walk to an outside john, by the way, which wa a bit chilly. The next day we called and found our car ready and we were on our way with a new alternator and a bill for $245. We took all the side roads and drove up into Vermont and over into New Hampshire, traveling and stop- ping here and there. At one place there was an apple farm that remind- ect us very much of the Wickham farmstand because they had hayrides and cider and they made breads, pies and cookies and, of course, you could pick your own apples. We left there with some fresh cider and homemade blueberry turnovers. Every once in a while there would be a "Moose Crossing" sign. Unfortunately we didn't see any, although we've heard they have moose that have made a terrific comeback. Nevertheless, as we went along the rivers and lakes and spots where we thought they might be, we kept our eyes open. What we did see were beaver dams. This all made us feel as though we were in some magi- cal country entirely different from our own East End. Vermont cheese was advertised along the roadways and, of course, maple syrup signs were everywhere. At one point we stopped along a reservoir to have lunch. The chip- munks must have known that people who stop often leave scraps and, sure enough, they were right there to see what we were going to leave for them. We have chipmunks on Long Island but none that I know of here on the North Fork. Between our heavy popu. lation and our farms they evidently can't succeed here. I'm afraid also we have too many stray cats waiting in the bushes that do in the little chip- munks. Signs of heavy snows Since winter snows often cause a problem getting out to the highway, many of the older houses we noticed were built right close to the road. The barns were often attached to the house so that the farmer didn't even have to go outside to take care of the animals. In that way, particularly if you were a dairyman — and we saw lots of dairy farms — you would be able to get your milk to the edge of- the road for pickup. Today the houses are built farther off the road and because of snow blowers and snowplows on pickups, farmers don't have that problem, but then they didn't have those luxuries so the best way to take care of winter's snows was to have everything close to the hiehway. To drive home the point of heavy snows, we noticed the fire hydrants had reflected extensions on so they could be located easily in deep snow. And, of course, in the area of Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and even in Connecticut, we'd see huge woodpiles on porches and in back yards waiting for winter's arrival. No high cost of fuel here. Also we noticed ladders on the roofs of the houses so that if there was a chimney fire you could get up to .it in a hurry and put it out. Chimney fires are a product of wood stoves. They give off creosote and tars that accumulate in the chimney and then catch fire, and what a roaring fire it is! Chimney fires are scary things. I remember once when our chimney caught fire. My dad went up on the roof and poured sand down the chimney. He put it out, but man, did we have smoke in the house that day! Another thing you notice when you are going through these little New England towns; particularly where there is a river or a waterway of some sort, are the mills that were built on them using the water power to run the machinery. Many of them are skele- tons today. Some are being used but most of them are boarded up, just sit- ting waiting for something to happen. The last day of our little adventure we started out in Keene, N.H., and wandered down through Massachusetts enjoying the lovely color and little town on the back roads. What would catch our eyes were the yellow quaking aspens whose leaves appeared like sequins as they fluttered in the breezes. Then we decided to head for the Mashantucket Pequot Museum in Connecticut. Our son had been there and told us how fantastic it was. After an early lunch of buffalo burgers we spent the after- noon indulging in the history of this unique tribe until they closed the doors at 6 p.m. For those of you who have not been there and have the slightest interest in our Native Americans and their plight for recognition, this is a must. We left the gambling to others. From there it was a short trip to our ferry at New London. Yes, we were part of the heavy traffic along our roadways enjoying the beautiful weather and fall foliaee.