Crossing America 2013: Day 50: Rutland, MA (cont.)

Catching up - Still in Rutland, MA:

Way back on day 1, I mentioned that I had pretty much trashed our new computer on the eve of our trip. All of our files and all of the preinstalled and subsequently installed applications had disappeared. Most of the tiles on the Windows 8 screen had simply disappeared. With some help from Microsoft, I was able to get the files back but not the applications. I was able to reload the most important applications (with the exception of Skype) so we were able to limp along through the Eastbound half of our trip.

I always had a feeling that there must be a way to completely restore the computer and I was sure that it would require a better internet connection than I'd ever find in an RV park. I shelved that task until we reached B&G's house. Once we were there, I backed up all of our personal files and contacted Sony (the computer is a Sony Vaio). Sure enough, there's a tiny "ASSIST" button that can only be activated when the computer is shut down. There's a long dialog (so you don't do it accidentally) that caused the computer to completely wipe itself clean and reload. It even saved some of the settings, wallpapers, etc. that I had added so the end result was even better than new. With a good connection, it still took about 8 hours so I'm glad that I waited.

We've been busy almost every day that we've been here.

Day 37 (Fri. 6/21):

We started off the first morning by meeting up with Briar's friend Caryn and her kids to pick Strawberries:

Later, we all went over to Caryn's to swim in her new pool.

Day 38 (Sat. 6/22):

Nikos' final T-Ball game was on Saturday morning.

After going to lunch at one of the P's favorite summer lunch spots, we came back to relax on the new deck and play a little Badminton/(you have to watch Niko carefully - he cheats bad).

Day 39 (Sun. 6/23):

Sunday morning, Gus took Kristen and I out in his new canoe where we saw a beaver lodge.

Later, we all went over to the Ecotarium (the local science museum) to help Siegfried the stegosaurus celebrate his 49th birthday. The author of a children's book about the statue was there to read and autograph her book.

Day 40 (Mon. 6/24):

Monday, we went for a long, hot, humid hike in one of the local State Parks where we saw the ruins of an old mill..

Briar bought the kids a wading pool a little bit later. The freshly filled pool was painfully cold so nobody got much more than their feet cold (but even that felt wonderful).

Day 41 (Tue. 6/25):

Tuesday, we went for a long hike on the Rail Trail. Briar had been searching for tadpoles ever since we were here in May. This was her lucky day. She not only caught some frog tadpoles but caught a couple of newt tadpoles as well. All now live in a small tank in the kitchen window and are happily turning into frogs/newts.

Day 42 (Wed. 6/27):

Wednesday morning, we headed down to Providence, RI to the Roger Williams Zoo. Another very hot day - a major contrast to our last visit in May.

Day 44 (Fri. 6/28):

Old Sturbridge is a recreation of an 1830's village. Since Briar's house is an 1830's house, she had wanted to go for a long time. Friday, was one of the rare days where they lower admission from $25 to $5 per person so we went. It was very interesting and we had a great time.

Days 45 & 46 (Sat. 6/29 - Sun. 6/30):

Briar and some of her friends participate in something called a Warrior Dash on Saturday. This was a 5k that involved a lot of mud, fire, climbing, etc. (she's still a wreck). We went along for support and to hold her towel and dry clothes.

Later, the kids participated in Rutland's annual 4th of July Bike Parade. Rutland is celebrating its 300th birthday this year so that made it extra special.

After the bike parade, Briar and Gus took off to spend the night in the Concord/Lexington area (they were celebrating their 8th wedding anniversary) so we had a night of babysitting.

Days 47-49 (Mon. 7/1 - Wed. 7/3)

On Monday morning, we took off for Newport, RI. We had planned to visit Newport last October but, when it looked like our visit was going to coincide with Hurricane Sandy, we cancelled the reservation and, instead, holed up in a hotel in Boston until our flight home. We finally had a chance to tour some of those crazy, extravagant mansions.

Breakers

Marble House

View across the Marble House lawn toward Breakers (the highest roof, just to the left of center)

On the way down to Newport, the AC started failing intermittently. While we were there, it stopped working altogether. The Newport Chevy dealer couldn't fit us into their schedule so we arranged to stop at a dealer near Providence on our way back. The diagnosed the problem and it required the ordering of a part. I would have thought that they could arrange to have the part sent to a dealer closer to Rutland so that I could take it in there, but NO! Chevy dealers apparently don't have much trust in each other. The Dealer near Rutland won't have anything to do with warranty work that they didn't diagnose. We're headed up to Boothbay, ME for the weekend and heading back West on Tuesday so, Monday morning, I'm going to have to drive the truck all the way back down to Providence to get the AC fixed.

Rutland's July 4th / 300th birthday fireworks display was on Wednesday night. Rutland always puts on the biggest display around so people from all over the area flock to see it. It was well worth facing the crowd.