Yesterday we decided to take a family day and visit Six Flags of New England. Wet Mark and Jessica Matkovich, and Nick and Sarah. Of course, as the only ones in the group with kids, we wound up spending most of the day with just the four of us.
We got tickets at the Submarine Base MWR office – a great deal for those able to get tickets there. Our plan was to get there when it opened at 10:30. We had a little late start, but were there by 10:40.
We picked a perfect day for a trip to the park. It was overcast and threatened to rain all day – which meant no crowds – though maybe it being a week day was a bigger reason than the weather. The overcast sky also meant that it wasn’t too hot.
The boys got their first chance to ride on real roller coasters. Ben was just a little too short to get on a bunch of the rides (a lot of the rides need him to be 48″ tall; he is 47″ tall). Will was just big enough to fit on all the rides (54″ tall). We started the morning on the newest roller coaster – some sort of mouse maze type (Gotham City Gauntlet Escape). Not very fast, but lots of turns and starts and stops. It was a pretty good start. We also spent a lot of time on the one they called “Catwoman’s Whip ” – a mild family coaster – but much better than the ones that are at the local fairs.
That afternoon, I was able to get Will on some of the bigger rides. We started with the smaller of the two wooden coasters. Ben was almost tall enough – next year he’ll be able to ride it. Will came off that ride and said “That was SOOO scary.” And he didn’t want to do it again. So we went back to the smaller rides. I finally convinced him that there was no line for the big wooden coaster – so he went on it with me. Much scarier than the smaller one. But he did it. And he screamed every time we went down a hill.
And then we walked by the biggest ride in the park, “Bizarro” – a huge fast metal coaster. With the first drop a 225 foot plunge and reaching 77 miles an hour. There was no line in the afternoon, and he said he would try it. Talk about scary…… But he did it. He kept talking about it the rest of the day. The final big ride we did was “Batman,” with two loops and two corkscrews. He said that one wasn’t nearly as scary as the big one.
We finished the day by letting the boys run through “Pandemonium” several times by themselves… It is the best ride Ben could get on this year (the cars spin as the coaster goes around). Then took the skyway back to the center of the park, and finished with a ride on “Catwoman’s Whip.”
Overall, we stayed until almost 7:30pm. Nearly 9 hours at the park. What a great day.
I’ve been slow posting on this blog… there is lots to do outside and around the house in the summer. Finally it is hot enough this weekend, that writing seems like a good thing to do.
The big family trip this summer was a road trip to West Virginia. The trip started in the evening of the 24th. We started with a short drive to New Jersey for a night sleep (leaving after the boys arrived here for their vacation period). The next morning, we drove around a bit to find breakfast (and new headphones for Will) and then drove to Washington DC. We stayed at the same hotel we stayed at last year (Homewood Suites in Alexandria VA).
Susanna and Benjamin Walking in DC
We took it easy on Saturday, with dinner at the Olive Garden (it was my birthday dinner). The next day we decided to head into Washington to visit the Holocaust Museum. We got distracted.
When we arrived at the Mall, the boys wanted to walk to the Washington Monument. It was right there, so why not. When we got up to the monument, one of the other tourists gave us 4 tickets for the 10:30 am tour… normally you need to get down there very early to get tickets. What good luck. So we went to the top. The boys thought the ride up was pretty cool, but got bored after 5 minutes at the top. Then back down and to the Holocaust Museum.
We should have done lunch instead. It was getting close to lunch time. Will was getting hungry. He couldn’t stand still at all while we were in the lobby of the museum. We tried to walk through the children’s exhibit, but Will couldn’t stop running. He got very upset when I took him outside. He had a screaming meltdown on the way out. Not the best day. In hindsight we should have done lunch first, he would have been much happier on a full stomach. But all he wanted to do was go back to the hotel and swim.
After lunch we took the metro back to the car and drove back to the hotel, spent the afternoon swimming and ordered pizza for dinner (after Will calmed down – he was very upset from the events of the morning).
The boys had been talking about this trip all week. I had done some research on where to do river camping here in Connecticut and found that the state has several campgrounds that are accessible only by canoe or kayak. Several weeks ago I checked the DEP website, got the address needed, and then wrote to them requesting a camping permit (of course enclosing the needed $15 to cover the permit). A week later I had a permit waiting in the mail for Ceders Camp Area in Selden Neck State Park.
Papa walking in the woods at Selden Neck State Park
I called my dad and asked if he wanted to go camping with the boys this weekend. He was actually in DC this past week, so the trip up wasn’t too far out of his way. I picked him up on Friday afternoon, and we quickly packed up the car before the boys came home from school.
We tied the canoe to the roof and drove to the Hadlyme Ferry. Of course I wasn’t sure how often the ferry ran, so we drove all the way around. Next time I’ll just take the Ferry across. $3 for the car and it runs about every 15 minutes (we took it home). We unloaded in the parking lot next to the ferry and loaded up the canoe. It was nearly 5pm by the time we were on the river.
We paddled down the river for maybe 20 or 30 minutes and arrived at our campsite (I had to pick a site near the put-in – the boys don’t get out of school until 3pm and with a 9am transition to their mother’s house on Sunday morning, a Saturday night camping trip was out of the question).
We had a great night camping. Both Will and Ben took some time when we got there to go swimming in the cold water, then set up their tents (with help). We found firewood (we had to hike a bit to get it), made a fire, and cooked dinner. Ben was pretty tired; he had stayed up until almost 10pm the night before. After dinner, as we were getting the s’mores ready, Ben decided to go lay down in his tent. I asked him, “are you going to bed?” He replied, “No, I’m just taking a nap.” I explained that if you take a nap at night and wake up the next morning, then it counts as going to bed. But either way, I let him take his nap. He slept until the morning.
Will followed not too long after that. The boys had insisted in each sleeping in their own tents. I didn’t really want to buy enough tents for them to each sleep in their own tent, but I pulled out an old tent I had for my dad and I to share, and let the boys sleep in their own tents. I was sure they would get afraid at night and not want to sleep alone. I was wrong. Not a sound was heard from either of them until the next morning.
Will playing in his tent
I was up early – it get’s light around 5am this time of year, and dad snores. I got the fire going again and walked around a bit. Will was the next one up, followed by my dad and Ben.
That morning both boys wanted to try the rope swing into the river. I told them the water was cold, but they could use the rope swing. They got in their swim trunks, put life jackets on and headed over the the rope swing. Will got Ben to agree to try the swing if he did it first. In Will went. Into the very cold water. Next it was Ben’s turn. In he went. The look on his face was perfect. He was very surprised by the cold water. I’m pretty sure if he could have found a way to walk on top of the water he would have.
Ben at Breakfast
The boys then decided to change into their dry pajamas (which they wore the rest of the trip). We finished breakfast. I stayed in camp while my dad took the boys exploring our part of the island.
When everyone was back (and the kids getting a little bored), we broke camp and decided to canoe around the island. I had talked to a pair of rowers that were passing by earlier – they told me it was a nice 3.5km loop around the island.
It wound up being a pretty long canoe trip around the island. Not too long, but getting close to too long. We stopped to check out the other campsites on the island (the boys chose Hogback Camp Area for the next trip – scheduled for early June). The wind was a bit strong when we rounded the island and left Selden Creek and entered the Connecticut River. The wind and wakes from the passing boats on the Connecticut River made the passage back up the river a bit slow going. But the boys were as patient as could be expected.
A stop on the way back
Overall it was a great first camping trip for the boys. They are excited to go again. It was a great starter trip for the year to highlight missing gear, planning etc. We made the trip in a 17′ Mohawk canoe, brought 3 tents (2 small Eureka backpacking tents for the boys, and one large cheap 4 person dome tent for my dad and I – I”m not sure how well that would have fared if it rained). I could definitely use another dry bag before the next trip and a couple more duffel bags to store gear (it is easier if all the gear is in bags to stow in the canoe). I also need more camp chairs (we only had one, but there were picnic tables at the site). We packed in all of our water, and went through nearly 2 1/2 gallons of clean water that night – if it were for a longer trip I would have to get a new water filter. I also forgot how much colder it can be on the river, and next time should pack another layer or two for the boys. I also need a coffee press – no coffee is no fun. I brought backpacking pads to sleep on. But I’m getting old, and weight isn’t as much of a problem on a canoe, so I think I’ll get a more comfortable sleeping pad for the next trip. Maybe trade some weight off with tents and pick up a smaller/lighter third tent. The propane stove is also on it’s last leg. I have a gas backpacking stove, but I do like the convenience of the big double burner propane stove when weight isn’t as big of an issue.
On Friday, I too leave from work to attend a memorial service for an old friend, Doug Gubbs who passed away in February. I have known him since I started working at the submarine squadron. He had been there for may years before I arrived. When I first met him, I was busy with my own life, and didn’t really spend time with him outside of work until he was dying of cancer. It reminds me that it is important to connect with one’s friends – even if it is easy at time to focus on yourself your own life.
I remember walking around the Submarine Museum with Doug. He was able to explain in detail the inner workings of the Mk 14 torpedo that they have cut open on display there. He told me a story about how as weapons officer, he was given a handful of the gyro unlock pins from his chief. That way if when they fired one and it failed to operate normally he would have one in his pocket. The first thing the captain would ask is if he was sure that the gyro unlock pin was removed. He would be able to say, “Yes, sir. I have the pin right here in my pocket.”
I also remember him complaining about forgetting his glasses at home, and not being able to see the computer screen. I would laugh. Of course, last week I forgot my glasses and couldn’t see the computer screen. I guess we all are getting old.
I also remember getting to work and him telling a story about how he was very angry that morning because the he didn’t think the north gate was open at the right time – but once he got to work, he realized he was at work several hours before he normally gets there. He had apparently set his alarm and forgot to change the clock back to displaying the actual time (so it displayed the alarm time instead). He got up in the middle of the night, looked at the clock and thought it was time to get up. So he got up, got dressed and headed to work without ever checking another clock. Needless to say, the north gate wasn’t open at 4AM.
I didn’t buy the hat. One gets a little silly after walking around Old Town for an afternoon while the girls go shopping for dresses. I was the driver so I couldn’t even drink.
At least I had my iPhone. And the Mexico hat. And I let them take a picture of me.
Well, I’m back home. Finally. It is good (and bad) to be back home. I get to see the dogs. Of course Tucker decided to pee on the bed last night. He gets stressed whenever I travel. Luckily I caught before it soaked the comforter.
It is also strange to have breakfast, lunch and dinner by myself. For a whole week I almost never ate alone. Maybe lunch once or twice. I could get used to breakfast at the brickyard cafe.
I did find some cool toys (if you can call them toys – maybe miniature statues) in Old Town (see, it wasn’t really all dress shopping). I got two little warrior figurines made out of welded nuts, bolts and various machine parts. Now to make sure that Will and Ben don’t throw them at each other.
I finally got a canoe today. A 17′ red canoe by Mohawk. It is huge. Big enough for a week long trip. But it is light, only 65 lbs or so. And it matches the Jeep. Not that it is important.
I’ve also been looking at getting some sky lanterns for this summer. I have an idea… hopefully I can find an evening without too much wind to let them float up.
This is a color scheme based on the Sherwin-Williams historic Victorian exterior colors. Concord Buff for most of the house and barns, with Rookwood Dark Green for the trim and Rookwood dark brown for accents.
Here is the house as it stands:
Right now it is white with almost none of the trim painted green. Get rid of the ugly storm windows, and nicer green wood storm windows. But what to do with the enclosed porch. It is pretty ugly.
We decided, after much fussing, to have our pizza dinner as a picnic. We watched a movie in the theater on the base today, so we didn’t have our normal pizza-movie night. Tomorrow the weather should support painting the barn.
Today we had rain. And snow. Luckily the snow didn’t stick. The boys were up early, and had no problems getting the bus. I started thinking about selling the house this summer (if the refinance falls through) – but I’m tired of moving and that would create its own stresses. More on that later.
I downloaded a WordPress app for the iPhone a while ago. I couldn’t get it to work at first. But the new version seems to work.
This morning I started my journey home. We had to get up early to take the 7.30 bus from Storvik to Gävle. I was going to catch a 9.15 regional train to Arlanda. When it didn’t list a track, Susanna asked at the ticket counter. Apparently it was cancelled; they gave me a ticket on an earlier X2000 train instead. It is a much better ride on the X2000.
I had a wonderful week off. I got lots of time to relax. We had good food and ok wine. But damn Sweden is expensive. The exchange rate doesn’t help either.
I have plenty of time at Arlanda for a coffee and some reading (as well as playing on the iPhone).
Saturday was a big family outing. The outing was all planned by Susanna; which of course is nice for me (not having to plan). Our trip centered around watching a play at the Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown, CT. The play was only for one hour (I think it wound up being only 45 minutes or so), so we planned to visit the city and the children’s museum there as well.
We drove up late in the morning, giving us plenty of time for lunch before the play. We parked on the street next to the playhouse (and even saw the fire hydrant that Susanna got a ticket in front of the previous week).
Ben having his root beer at lunch
The first stop was to walk to Main Street and find a place to eat lunch. We walked by a toy store, and of course had to stop and look. I told the boys that they could only look (we weren’t there to get toys). That doesn’t keep them from begging to buy a toy (“It’s only 7 dollars, I’ll pay you back when I get home…”). But we managed to get out of there with no new toys and not too many tears. We had a wonderful lunch at Javapolooza Cafe on main street. The boys even got a free doughnut for dessert, and had their favorite drink ever, root beer.
The next stop was back to the toy store…. where the boys got a toy tank (they were very good at lunch without me even promising them that they could go back and get a toy). We had a few minutes for them to stop and play as we waited for the start time of the play.
Will and Ben playing with their toys Stopping to play
After stopping to play we walked up to the playhouse for the play. It was an original play put on by a group of 10 year old children. The play was about the other side of the story – how maybe the villains in the fairy-tail stories have never had their side told. It was very funny, and everyone enjoyed the play. Even if the boys did get restless a bit (Will definitely had trouble sitting still, and even Ben was restless and bumped his lip on the chair in front of him – don’t ask, I’m still not sure how he did that). It was fun to visit the playhouse that Susanna has been working (volunteering for school – she needs to observe/teach for a two 7 week internships – one of which she is doing here) at for the past couple of weeks.
Playing at the children's museum
After the play we walked across the street to the Kidcity Children’s Museum. The boys thought that was the highlight of the day, and didn’t want to leave when it was time to head home. I thought it was maybe geared for kids that were a little younger, but it had lots of fun stuff for them. It is certainly bigger than the children’s museum in Niantic.
After the museum we all headed home (a tired family) for quiet time and dinner.
Here are some more pictures from our trip:
Susanna at the MuseumTrains at teh children's museum
That afternoon, I was able to get Will on some of the bigger rides. We started with the smaller of the two wooden coasters. Ben was almost tall enough – next year he’ll be able to ride it. Will came off that ride and said “That was SOOO scary.” And he didn’t want to do it again. So we went back to the smaller rides. I finally convinced him that there was no line for the big wooden coaster – so he went on it with me. Much scarier than the smaller one. But he did it. And he screamed every time we went down a hill.
