Day 3 and Day 4 East Coast trip (Sept 21 , 2023)

Day 4, September 21 ,2023 At Cape Cod MA I had skipped the Day3 on the blog but will update a little bit as we move in to day four. Traveling from Central New York near Albany and moving across the Hudson River into western Massachusetts (Connecticut River) we managed to get a campground really off the road near Otis, Massachusetts. 

After 19 miles of driving off the freeway, to the campground, we did get settled in what many would call a field with water and electric for the trailer. Comfortable and quiet. It was a very quiet night and not many birds, but when we started take a shower in the morning realized there was no water in the lines. When we started to take a shower in the AM there was no water in the lines. Talking with the owner she stated that there was a leak somewhere and no water in the tank and Ed was in the process of fixing it, but there would be no water until afternoon at the earliest . We got packed up without our usual shower, and headed out to I 90 by a different route avoiding that very difficult road with the trailer. It was a good move even though it took us almost 50 miles out of her way to get back to where we started the day before. The views of lakes and ponds off the freeway was refreshing.

 Moving eastward I noticed that the Rolling Hills we're pretty much eliminated after Springfield Massachusetts, and we were now in the "flatlands" of Massachusetts West of Boston heading down I-495, toward the Cape. The other thing that one notices in the Drive is that there are more pine trees as we are getting into what are known As the Pine barrens. Many of the islands along the east coast have that feature. We avoided one very long backup as our route took the exit ramp toward our destination. We didn't see any eagles today, nor we did you see any other birds of note. Ruth and I believe this was the day of our many trips that we saw the least number of birds. Just three. Masachusetts roads are similar to Michigan's in that some are OK others very potted and bumpy. 

Heading over the Cape Cod Canal Bridge

One of three bridges over the cnal. The Bourne (Seen here), The Sagamore, and the CCCRR Bridge. 

We had a really good view of the Cape Cod Canal (more on that later), and continued to our destination. It too was a very old and "not attended to" Campground so much so that the owner would not allow anybody into the office and worked from a window at the side. As I looked in I could see why she didn't allow anyone in. I could not describe the interior, as it had many items that were from 40 or 50 years ago that had been used in a store that was one time with the office. There was even a golf cart, tools, and old books and shelving that had not been moved in years. She worked completely by paper and pen. but did print the receipt out on a "machine". But she led us to the camp site on her golf cart, and we did get Settled in nicely. That evening we decided to have a dinner out. Went to a restaurant called "99" which is popular here on the East Coast. The meal was excellent and even though we didn't have lobster we both ended up having fish on our plates. I had a combination and Ruth settled for fish and chips. Jim had a large "cup"of seafood chowder, "Down East" style. YUM! So even though there are no photos again, I do believe we will get the camera and begin to get into the groove again tomorrow.. We are heading for the National Wildlife Refuge called Mashpee. It is just 15 minutes from us. The name comes from the Wapanoag Tribe who still live here. They were the original settlers. So hope to see you again tomorrow and we'll have an update on how it went out there on Cape Cod. Blessings, -- Jim