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We've been welcomed to yet another state.
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Our major visitation in Connecticut was to Mystic Seaport - it's over there across the water
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The museum is about more than just ships and boats - it's also about the early days of our country
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Those old anchors were huge - this one's about 150 years old
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Really nice looking private homes line the Mystic River across from the museum.
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There's something relaxing about the water - even when it's busy
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Lots of people took the inexpensive (and very brief) river tour
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There were numerous period characters around, most dressed very warmly for a summer day
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This fellow spent a long time rigging that bosun's seat so he could varnish the mast.
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This type of rigging identifies a catboat - very popular for oystering in the 1800's
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Dried fish, they said. Could also have been roofing shingles. Unappetising, for sure.
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Most of the restored or reconstructed buildings housed exhibits
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Not hard to believe you've stepped back in time
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Two historic ways to harvest oysters . . . tongs and scoops
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The museum included an elaborate model of the port in the late 1800's
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The museum builds and then uses authentic replicas of period boats.
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This ship will never be restored, but shows what a restoration often starts with.
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The boat was used until the early 20th centry, then abandoned.
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It also illustrates how those old boats were built
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It's remarkable something so fragile-looking could withstand the open ocean
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An early apparatus for hauling boats out of the water. The red building houses the engine and cable winch
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We like the sign . . . didn't take the rides
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The lighthouse houses a video presentation on the history of American lighthouses
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Another neat view
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One building features examples of smaller catboats, most of them sailed by just one person . . .
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Lots of smaller boats are used by summer campers to learn the basics of sailing
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Looks like you'd expect an old New England seaport to look - and that's the point
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Rope making buildings were huge. This is where the rope begins . . . a 1000 foot rope needs a building 2000 ft. long
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And that's what the factory turned out.
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This ship was actually a dormitory, used by the kids in one of the museum's camps.
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The folks on the foredeck are learning how to raise the anchor. And also sing very badly.
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She says the varnishing process is almost endless.
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But it sure looks good!
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Many of the old buildings housed businesses - with interpreters to explain the various trades
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Wagon rides were very popular, especially with the kids
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We could watch the blacksmith for hours . . .
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And the woodcarver's shop has many neat things
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An old pedal-powered wood lathe isn't used much anymore
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He spends a lot of time explaining, but actually does some work from time to time
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There's even a resident troupe of actors who involve the kids in their play
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Judy likes to frame her shots . . .
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Neat
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This is the only surviving wooden whaler in the world, and the oldest American merchant ship afloat
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The Charles W Morgan worked the Pacific whaling grounds, making 37 voyages out of New Bedford from 1841 to 1921.
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It's been restored to its 1905 configuration...the next phase will restore it below the water line.
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The ship's wheel is always at the stern (that's where the rudder is). So she's looking out the back of the ship
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Another time warp . . .
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Water taxi in the foreground, and a sailing class spread out over the river.
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We couldn't take pictures inside the figurehead display, but there were some wonderful examples displayed
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One of the whale boats - used to harpoon and then recover whales. Not a fun job.
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The painting depicts the harpooning of a whale. The relative sizes are accurate. Must have been a wild ride
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Yet another tranquil scene
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No, Al's NOT wearing ear rings. NOT!
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One display preserves the actual cabin of an old merchant ship. The captain slept in relative luxury.
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The musuem includes a working shipyard, where they restore and maintain historic vessels.
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This single-master is about finished
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To get wood for restorations, they start with some large logs. These are slash pine (Hi, Judy!)
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Part of a floating drydock system used to get ships in and out of the water
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As we left the musuem, one final temptation . . . .
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Judy waits for the light and the end of our visit with our bag of fudge.
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Our campground was at the border between RI and CT. We border-hopped a lot.
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In Newport RI, the most popular mansion is the Vanderbilt summer home
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The ornamental carving of the limestone is extraordinary
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That's when it was built. Never seen Roman numerals set off that way before - 1.8.9.5
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This is one of those spare no expense kind of places . . .
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The visitor entrance is where the carriages used to arrive
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View from the front door . . . alas, no photos allowed inside.
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This is the children's playhouse. Pretty spiffy
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The back of the house faces the water
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There are over 70 rooms on four levels, including the basement
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The mansion sits right on the ocean, facing east, with wonderful views
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The yards and gardens are quite expansive . . .
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Judy likes the floral tiara . . .
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The massive front gates aren't opened much anymore . . .
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Our other mansion tour was The Elms - not as big as Vanderbilt, but very very nice
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A sphynx being ridden by a cherub. Now there's a non-sequitor!
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On one corner of the roof. Not sure what it depicts, but doesn't look pleasant . . .
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A marvelous fountain near the carriage house
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One of several neat figures seated around the fountain
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More fountain statuary . . . .
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That's just half of the carriage house. The horses lived well.
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The yard is large and peaceful
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That's a huge Copper Beach tree - one of several on the grounds. The trunk is at least 10ft in diameter
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Another quiet spot in the garden
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Heading home, a lighthouse just barely visible from the bridge
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We like diners. This one is Zips, in Killingly CT. Good food, too.
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The RV Park had a theme weekend while we were there. Arrrgghh . . .
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Quite possibly the least menacing pirate we've ever seen . . .
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Dinner was chicken-based and cooked by some of the residents
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Lots of folks showed up, and the food was pretty good . . .
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And finally, freshly sliced dessert to cap off the evening.