To continue our trek along the Atlantic Coast we headed to
Connecticut from Rhode Island and settled in at Old Mystic. When we arrived at
the RV Park they told us about the Mystic Seaport and Museum. Guess where we
headed the next day?
Izzy got her playtime in with her floppy so she wasn’t too
pouty when we said we’ll see you in a while. Mystic Seaport is a re-created 19th
century village which gives you what life was back then. The crafters that run
the Henry B. Dupont preservation shipyard are current day craftsmen but can
work on 100 year old ships if necessary.
Happy Paws
You wander around and can enter stores that might be in buildings
from the time and speak with the town folk about their lives.
Back In Time
Anchoring In
The Oyster Shop
They have several ships you can go on and check out. The
first one we boarded is the L.A. Dunton, a schooner that was used primarily out
of the Cape Cod area for cod fishing. There are a few pictures below deck that
give you a sense of what your life would have been like if you worked on this
boat.
L.A.Dunton
Fishing Boats on the L.A Dunton
Drying Cod Fish Skins
Below Deck
Life on the L.A.Dunton
Winter Fishing
As you wander through the village you can be entertained by
volunteers. This gentleman was singing and telling you tales from the fishing life
back in the 1800s. He has a beautiful voice and can play many unique
instruments including whale bones. Ah to be so talented.
They have galleries that you can go into and we found this
one that had some wonderful paintings and other items all concerning the sea
and life on the sea or by the water. You could probably spend the entire day
just wandering through the galleries and the museum.
New York Yacht Club Defender Trophy 1865
Once A Figurehead On Ships
Art Work
The second ship you can go onto is a whaleship called the
Charles W. Morgan. The ship was
registered on September 4, 1841 and sailed its first voyage two days later.
Some of the Mystic Seaport guides that were on the ship when we were wandering
through actually sailed it a couple of years ago which was marked as its 38th
voyage.
Charles W. Morgan A Whaleship
Crews' Bunks
On Deck
Rigging
Captain's Quarters
Whaling from the Charles W. Morgan
Whale Boat from the Morgan
The last ship you can go onto is called Joseph Conrad and is
a full-rigging ship. This ship is actually a floating classroom for school kids
during the summer where they come live on the ship and learn how to sail.
Pretty neat and apparently Joseph Conrad built it specifically for this purpose.
Joseph Conrad Full-Rigging Ship
If any of you are ever in this area it is definitely a must
see. The town itself is quaint and filled with wonderful restaurants and a
historic draw bridge. From here you can venture to New London and Groton which
are both historic and home to a submarine base. We happened to be by the
water’s edge on September 11 and the USS Annapolis was coming back to the base.
Pretty cool site to see especially on that day. We were there to check out
fishing so we were back the next day going out on a boat to catch some fish.
Well hopefully catch some fish.
Seen Better Days
Mystic Drawbridge
Old Lighthouse Museum at duBois Beach
Remembering on 9/11
Old in New London
Ahead of the Sub
USS Annapolis Heading Home
On our trip out to the fishing spots another submarine was
cruising by us. We also passed by the New London’s Ledge Lighthouse built in
1909 and stands guard at the mouth of the Thames River.
Cruising By Us
New London's Ledge Lighthouse
Our first fishing spot was close to this lighthouse which
was being used by a group of sailing boats to sail around. It was fun to watch
all the boats but it was more fun to catch a bunch of fish. We had to give
plenty back to the ocean but that’s okay as we were able to bring enough back
to our freezer so it is now restocked.
New London From the Boat
I think I won the biggest fish contest between Steve and me
with a sea bass but he caught the biggest porgy. The flounder wasn’t around
anymore which didn’t really matter as both sea bass and porgy are wonderful
white flaky fish.
Look It's A Porgy
We drove around the area past Mystic and stumbled upon a
wonderful harbor and beach even though it is pretty much a members only place.
We still had a nice walk and enjoyed the view.
Birds Eye View
A Nice Spot
Life on the Water
Pretty and Unique
We were heading out on the 16th for Florida New
York which will give us an opportunity to go into New York City, but before I
end this we did see a few mystics in the town of Mystic but Mystic Country is
situated between Boston and New York and boasts as being the place to enjoy all
that New England has to offer. I must admit I have to agree!
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