New England USA Mini Road Trip 2020 - Day 1 #fiveexplore #newenglandroadtripusa2020

DAY 1: Friday 9th October 2020

Almost three months after our last epic road trip we awoke early to set off on a 5-day fall (autumn) tour of New England. To set the trip up for success we mostly lied about the length of the journey. We also promised Lyra a lobster once we got to Maine. As the kids fell asleep the night before, everything looked promising. We set the alarm early to ensure we left 8am sharp, ready to drive up the coast to Boston. If you want to hear about our actual trip, I suggest you skip the next 4 paragraphs.

8:15am. Lyra screamed loudly into the cool morning air as I dragged her to the car, “I gave up my whole summer for the last road trip (it was 3 weeks) and now we have to go in a car again!”. After twenty-five minutes of physically forcing her to brush her teeth and put her socks on stress levels were already tense. The car door slammed shut and we set course for Connecticut.

Despite the plethora of lorry drivers, including one who tried to cut us up, (“he's so dumb and rude”, observed Lyra), the George Washington bridge traffic was mercifully quiet. Soon we were on our way north weaving through traffic.

To calm tensions, we discussed lobsters. “I like to start by eating their stomach”, said Lyra. “I prefer you call it the middle”, squealed Zaria. “I’d have lobster any day …as long as I don’t have to pay” chirped Lyra. I of course corrected her by explaining we can’t afford to eat Lobster every day. “I thought your paycheck was over 1000 dollars a month Dad!”.

Lyra talked continuously for the first hour of the journey. I asked her why she was so quiet during Sunday dinners. “Well I have better things to do like eat”. Lyra started to philosophize, “Mum I’ve been thinking life is about highs and then sometimes lows. Good things happen and then sometimes bad things happen”. Sarah commended her on the insightful nature of her observation. “It’s like when we go back to England that will be a high. When we go on a road trip that is a low”.

Where we live in New Jersey, fall was only just beginning. As we drove further north the difference was stark. A photosynthetic rainbow of colours quickly ensconced either side of the highway. We stopped first in East Hampton, Connecticut and the aptly named “Pumpkintown”. Our senses were flooded with seasonal surroundings. On arrival we were handed a bag full of apple cider donuts and apple cider in pumpkin-shaped cups.

Driving slowly through the forest a variety of imaginatively created figures with pumpkin heads greeted us. The children squealed with delight and we amused ourselves by thinking which friends and family each character reminded us of. Once finished we headed to a store selling a variety of fall goods, such as apples, pumpkins, fruits and Halloween toys.

With my wallet mostly intact, we got back on the road and headed through New England state number two, Rhode Island. Rhode Island is not an island but contains an island called Rhode Island. Rhode Island is a state. But not an island. Yes, I was confused too. The beautiful bridges, inlets and waterways were a pleasant contrast to leafy Connecticut.

Small towns and quaint old buildings dotted the landscape and soon we arrived in Newport, Rhode Island (the actual island not the state). We parked on the east coast and joined the cliff walk from forty steps down to the breakers. Beautiful mansions and large houses looked out on a vast expanse of sea.

It was a clear blue day and the line between water and sky was barely discernible. The crystal-clear waves lapped at the cliffs below. We wandered away from the coast and bought tickets to view the breakers, a large 150-year-old Newport summer cottage owned by the Vanderbilt’s.

The cottage has seventy rooms. We were instantly transported to a by-gone opulent era where rich people had morning rooms, music rooms, libraries, and various staircases for people of different social standings.

Ostentatious Italian style décor glimmered in the sunshine and a personal highlight was the patio which overlooked the sea. We ended in the servant’s quarters, where the butlers and chefs would scurry around in service of their masters. I even spied Lyra secretly enjoying herself. Vigorously denied of course.

Our tour of New England was brief, so without haste we drove the scenic route through this seaside paradise and headed for state number three, Massachusetts. The familiar English names of Bristol, Plymouth, Portsmouth, and Oxford frequented our drive today. New England is truly a home from home for an English ex-pat.

For our final treat of the day we drove to Benson’s Pond in Middleboro to learn about cranberries. Driving onto the property over forty acres of cranberry bogs greeted us. A cranberry bog is literally a pond in a field filled with cranberries. The red hue of the water in the setting sun was striking and surreal.

Our entire family was delighted with the treats on sale. The children found chocolate cranberries, and Sarah discovered pumpkin truffles. I found local ginger apple cider that dulled the edges of six hours in a car with the children. The locals were friendly. Older men parked up their antique cars by the bogs for guests to explore. This friendliness was interrupted when one man said he was sorry to learn I lived in New Jersey. It amused me a few minutes later when everyone was pushing one of his cars up a hill to prevent an early cranberry grave.

We ordered pulled pork and hot dogs for dinner. The long afternoon shadows, farm dog salivating at our food, and chilly air triggered our departure. We headed further north and settled upon a non-descript modern hotel 20 minutes from Boston. The gentle hum of TV, iPads, phones, and electronics took me back to familiar summertime memories. We were back on the road.

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