22 September 2008 One Last Day







The week came and went too fast. We had not planned to be here on Monday, but stayed an extra day based on the airline schedules. That certainly fit in the category that all things happen for a reason. Ali did well Sunday and was able to fly Monday so we checked out of Sturbridge and began to make our way home.

We had enough time for a couple visits to cemeteries with Revolutionary war graves. Our journey took us to an amazing little preserve of 50 acres left open to the public as a memory of a former resident. We got one last stop in the tranquil area around Woodstock, Connecticut. We also got a couple park stops and a few more memorable caches. If I get to return in the future, I will welcome the chance. If I never pass this way again, I have many wonderful memories. Time to return to Ohio.

21 September 2008 "Let's Go Caching"












Scene: Parking lot of Harrington Memorial Hospital less than 12 hours after surgery.

Me: "You're Sure?"
Ali: "Yes, I want to go caching"
Me: "Wouldn't rest be a better idea?"
Ali: "Do we need to stop by the hotel to get my gps?"

What can I say? The first park was within minutes of the hospital so at least we had a quick return possible. We walked the trails, and I retrieved the caches. We shied away from a couple 3 terrains, but had a great afternoon on a beautiful day in Massachusetts and Connecticut. I was just happy Ali was along.

15 September 2008 Rhode Island and a Touch of Connecticut















We needed five more pages to finish Little Rhody. We got them. We also took time for a visit into Connecticut for a few caches and waymarks. This week we have been impressed with the numbers of orchid leaves we have seen. It seemed like most of them had sent spikes. We've also been surprised by the numbers of chestnuts we've seen and their size. None that have defied the blight, but still a number in the 20-30 feet range that still appear healthy.

Today was a good time to remember why we geocached. Our Connecticut visit started at a very nice park with a simple, quiet cache and pleasant wetlands. I later took us to Stonington with an old cemetery and an amazing chapel. We also got to hunt a few caches in a park that was once an old naval airbase in WWII. It was quite a historical moment to stand on the runway and envision the WWII naval planes taking off and landing. The tarmac was still configured to stage the planes. As I stood there, I could envision the carrier fighters lined up with their wings folded. The old runway light fixtures were still in place on the field.

Our last stop of the day was at Newport. I was taken by Newport. We arrived close to sunset and didn't have the time to park the car and visit, but I wished we had. It was a town that begged to be walked and begged to be visited like a tourist. Our last cache to qualify for the Little Rhody challenge was in Brenton Park just outside of Newport. It's a park where people go to relax and watch the sea. Ali found the oldest cache in Rhode Island as our qualifier for the Little Rhody. After that, we just enjoyed sunset. On the way back through town we stopped at a small park in Newport and soaked up the town and a beautiful evening. I hope to return some day.