Semi-successful day

June 3 – Wow, 3 whole days off! We didn’t rush around this morning but managed to leave just

Nathan Hale Homestead

after 10. The plan was to go to the closest AAA office to get some local maps to back up our travel books. It’s about a 35 minute drive to Manchester, just east of Hartford. We did detour at Coventry, CT to visit the Nathan Hale homestead. There was a large school group visiting so we just took photos and left. He was hung by the British as a spy during the American Revolution in 1776. He was only 21 and is famous for his final words “I regret that I have only one life to give for my country”.

Lunch at Market Grill

The AAA office was swamped but pretty large. When we had our turn we were told they are out of maps come back later in the week. Maybe we will if we plan an outing in that direction. The area was a shopper’s haven and we did do a return to Target and had a very nice lunch out at Market Grille. Bill had a burger, slaw and salad and I had a yummy red quinoa salad with mango, goat cheese, pistachio and peas over a bed of arugula. I had grilled chicken on the side and I was stuffed. The place is on a hill and you could see the CT skyline of some mountain range in the distance. We had a nice outdoor table with an umbrella. Perfect lunch!

On the way back we stopped at the Mall to return the cell booster. I didn’t want to worry about it getting damaged or anything so got it over and done. Then we stopped at McDonald’s for about an hour and got some decent Wifi. I posted 4 days of blog and uploaded photos and captioned a bunch. Bill did email and ordered a dash mat for the car. I even splurged and had an iced coffee, but not a frozen mocha one. What a treat! I’d like to find a scale and see how I’m really doing. Left home 13 pounds down and want to keep going even if it’s a slow process. 

The whole thing

We drove through Willimantic and crossed the frog bridge so I could get some better photos of the frogs. Then a quick stop for a car trash bag and Wal-mart for a Styrofoam cooler, vitamins and lunchmeat. We only have returns left for K-Mart and Bed Bath and Beyond and if we ever see a Camping World. I highlighted all the towns on the map that had things we want to see so far. Then we can plan a route better. I’m sure we will detour a lot. 

Some of our yard ornaments

We are trying to work it out to go to Boston and see them play Cleveland next week. Of course of 4 games not one is on our day off. We had hoped to take Molly and go for 2 nights but now if we can trade one day we will just drive over and get home late but not have to work until 11 the next day. One day is already sold out but the Thursday game is not and looks to be our best bet for a trade. We will plan another trip and take Molly. 

Took a nice brisk walk around the park after dinner. There are hardly any people here during the week right now. It was about 66 when we came back and felt nice. It was another beautiful day so hope it stays like this a few weeks.