{"id":2158,"date":"2013-06-16T14:44:00","date_gmt":"2013-06-16T14:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/?p=2158"},"modified":"2013-06-16T14:59:04","modified_gmt":"2013-06-16T14:59:04","slug":"boating-with-the-masses-er-the-other-95","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/?p=2158","title":{"rendered":"Boating with the masses. Er, the other 95%."},"content":{"rendered":"

After my last post about the megayacht Marie, perhaps it is fitting that I write about our great day yesterday where we hung out with the non-megaboating set. \u00a0Let me explain.<\/p>\n

In Essex there is a terrific museum dedicated to the preservation of steam trains. \u00a0 The Essex Steam Train Museum<\/a> is a very popular tourist attraction that draws visitors from all over. \u00a0 While we did a trip on the train years ago, we have not been aboard since moving to the area a year ago.<\/p>\n

About two weeks ago I was reading the local newspaper, an actual paper newspaper, if you can believe it, how quaint, and saw a notice about a planned 100 year celebration of the swing bridge in Haddam, over the CT River. \u00a0This opening bridge, with perhaps the longest opening span at the time, was an engineering marvel when it was finished in 1913. \u00a0Well, it’s now 2013… 100 years, a birthday? Get it?\u00a0 Time to celebrate.<\/p>\n

So, what better way to mark the 100th anniversary of the bridge than a run up the river in a historic, and beautifully preserved, steam train, ride in a riverboat and watch a parade complete with fife and drum and antique cars processing across a beautiful bridge? \u00a0 Oh yeah, \u00a0and on a perfect cool and sunny spring day. \u00a0What could be better? \u00a0How about free hot dogs, ice cream, cookies etc? \u00a0Well, it was all that and more.<\/p>\n

The train in Essex is beautifully preserved, a real classic, and in perfect condition.\u00a0\"\"<\/a>We boarded the train, and yesterday’s 7:30 AM run was free, to make the run up to the swing bridge dedication. \u00a0 Free makes sense when you think about being out and about by 7:30 on a Saturday morning. \u00a0We were greeted by the president of the railroad museum. \u00a0This guy looks totally the part of railroad aficionado. \u00a0You can easily imagine him bellowing “aaalll aboooard!” (Is that how you spell all aboard? \u00a0Not sure.) as the train prepares to leave the station.\"\"<\/a>\u00a0 The train, and there are several of them, provide trips up the river valley and connects with the Becky Thatcher<\/a>, an 80′ Mississippi style riverboat. \u00a0We enjoyed a run from Haddam back down to Deep River, where Pandora is moored for work for several months.<\/p>\n

The train took us to East Haddam, home of the Goodspeed Opera House<\/a>, which just happens to be on the eastern end of the “birthday bridge”. \u00a0 They were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Opera House, so were happy to get in on the action. \u00a0 \u00a0The bridge looked splendid with a fresh coat of paint. \u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As we arrived in\u00a0Haddam, everyone got off of the train. \u00a0They really decked out the train with bunting for the occasion. \u00a0Forgive the thumb on the pix. \u00a0My “real” camera is on the fritz. \u00a0Yes, I could crop out my thumb but this blog is about real photos and really amateur photographers, me. \u00a0Besides, it’s so much easier to just post it and ask for forgiveness. \u00a0This is a blog with no shame…<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nThis area of CT is very serious about classic cars, with a show cropping up what seems like every week. \u00a0Actually, I am told that there is a classic car meet every Tuesday evening in Deep River that draws 100 or so cars. \u00a0That’s a lot of meets. \u00a0 Well, a bridge birthday was an opportunity, as good as any, to show up and they did. \u00a0I thought that this one from Essex, I am told, was particularly nice. \u00a0Hard to imagine Ford putting out a car like this today. \u00a0What a beauty.\u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Fords were in abundance, and I loved the color of this one too. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>It was just so great to see the Fife and Drum corps making their way across the bridge. \u00a0The drums are so loud, I can only imagine what sort of hearing loss this group must have. \u00a0Hello? \u00a0Can you hear me now… at all, even a little? \u00a0Hello? \u00a0\u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The first car to cross was hardly a car. \u00a0Well, it even had a tiller to steer with. \u00a0I don’t know if it was even powered by gasoline. \u00a0What a classic. \u00a0 \u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

How about a fire engine? \u00a0I can understand having a classic car if you have an extra garage to spare. \u00a0Who has one that will fit a fire engine? \u00a0 “Honey, guess what, I got a new vehicle. \u00a0It’s red. \u00a0It wasn’t that expensive, really. \u00a0Oh, and about that new barn that I need to build to put it in… And it gets even better, I have a perfect spot for your stuffed Dalmatian.”\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This is the lovely Becky Thatcher that we boarded for the trip back down the river. Along the way we spied the train that was crawling along to keep pace with good old BT. \u00a0 \"\"<\/a>
\nWe enjoyed watching the “race” against the steam train to the Deep River landing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Along the way we passed <\/span>Gillette Castle,<\/a> a local landmark that is a great outing itself. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We also went by a lovely old school that is for wayward boys, I am told. \u00a0It almost makes me wish I was a bad boy. \u00a0I could have gone there. \u00a0Drat…\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Nearly back to Deep River Landing. \u00a0Pandora’s in the distance. \u00a0Actually, I should be aboard her working or she won’t be ready for sailing in August. \u00a0Never mind. \u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Once back on the steam train, we passed lovely scenery on our way down to Essex. \u00a0We have taken our dink up into this creek for one of our “cocktail cruises” recently. \u00a0We have seen the train come by and blow it’s horn from the water. \u00a0It’s nice to be on the train looking out for once. \u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

All and all a great time. \u00a0In spite of it all, we were back home by noon and time for a nap. \u00a0Well, no rest for the weary, as we had dinner guests coming over, by boat. \u00a0Our third day of entertaining in three days but worth it.<\/p>\n

Yes, time for a nap. \u00a0Besides, it’s Father’s day. \u00a0And, with Pandora out of commission for now, that makes me part of the non boating set, the 95% that don’t own a boat, and the 99.999% that can’t afford a megayacht, for now. \u00a0 \u00a0It’s fun to mingle with them now and then.<\/p>\n

“Bob, Bob, have you fixed the leaking portholes yet?” \u00a0Quit it… I’ll deal with that tomorrow. \u00a0Remember, it’s Father’s Day. \u00a0Actually, some might suggest that every day is Father’s Day. \u00a0True enough.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After my last post about the megayacht Marie, perhaps it is fitting that I write about our great day yesterday where we hung out with the non-megaboating set. \u00a0Let me explain. In Essex there is a terrific museum dedicated to the preservation of steam trains. \u00a0 The Essex Steam Train Museum is a very popular […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","_s2mail":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2158","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2158","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2158"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2158\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2180,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2158\/revisions\/2180"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}