GScottLockwood wrote:
My wife and I are retired and are planning to take a extended trip from Montana to the northeast of the US down south to Florida along the Gulf of Mexico ending up in the Phoenix area. The idea is to leave Montana in the summer maybe early August travel across the northern tear catch some fall color in New England and eventually end up in Arizona by December or January. We typically only cover about 250 miles a day and often will spend two or three days in one location to see the sights. Anyone have route suggestions things to avoid or things to see along such a trip would be great.
In the NE, starting at the time you are planning to begin, by Labour Day, it should be easier to book stays without advance reservations although FHU spots will still be at a premium.
I visit this site to try to get a heads up on foliage time frames:
http://www.leafpeepers.com/contents.htmThe NE is filled with Colonial and Revolution history, so much so that many of us here take it for granted. Perhaps, take the time to read a book or three before embarking, pick an area of interest and gorge on it. Personally, I'm in love with the different styles of stone walls yet acknowledge I'm prolly in the minority, LOL.
The Hammonasset Indian Festival in CT is an event I try not to miss.
Route 1 is a lovely road to travel on as it meanders through the shore towns of CT. You can drive with a TT or 5er attached but it's better with just a car.
Local towns will have various fund raisers sponsored by the fire and police depts. Often they offer lobster dinners in Fall since the carnivals are generally offered during the Summer. We spend several weeks in this area so just depend on local Penny Savers (always outside the local laundromat and some supermarkets) and banners for dates. You can probably plan in advance by using one of the links in GScottLockwood's post.
The Connecticut River Museum in Essex give us a day or so of fun including the river boat tour; fortunate that a vintage car show was in town the last time we were there. Same for the Essex steam train ride which we've done twice and laughingly call the "Grandparents' Express". Gillette's Castle is fun as well and if you can, take your vehicle minus the RV over the river via the Hadlyme ferry.
No specific eateries to recommend around Essex since Benny's changed ownership but there are many appealing looking places w/i the town.
More restaurants that I like that are in CT:
Captain Scott's, just outside of New London. Nice outdoor venue for the car only. It might become our new go to for a shore meal since Clam Castle closed. Lobster rolls done CT style (means no mayo as is common in ME; I respect them too but in a different way;). Worth a stop if you are visiting the Nautilus and/or the city of New London. Steamed mussels, clams fried scallops, clam strips and whole; oysters and clams on the half shell, decent fries and nothing wrong with their ice cream stand.
Abbott's Landing, Noank, CT..............jes' divine and the setting is picturesque.
It's really not summer for us if we don't stop at Branford's Lobster Shack. Winding roads that are also not RV friendly (there's a "wouldn't want to get caught there during a rainstorm" tunnel under a railroad bridge with a stated height of about 5':eek). Still the locale located next to a working shipyard makes me think of early times even if it's mostly pleasure boats now.
The Place, Guilford, on Rte 1, an open air seasonal seafood restaurant across the street from a Walmart's, some kinda dollar store and a Big Y. Makes it fun to stock up on many needs. I'm pretty sure this Walmart's allows RVs to overnight, if that's good news for ya.
Since I'm talking about Guilford, try and make a stop at Bishop's Orchards, a working farm/ upscale market. Still have never done pick yourself there but it's offered in season. Lots of fresh produce, local wines, and prepped meals, Amazing cheese selections and fantastic apple cider doughnuts which we always buy more of to take back home anddddddddddd they nevah make it if I don't stick them in the trunk,LOL. You could eat your goodies from there in the town's gazebo, which is located in the center. Great Sousa music if you get there the right time of year.
One of the best cheese-mongers I know of on the east coast is located in Madison, CT on the far side of the Stop and Shop supermarket's parking lot; takes advance orders. A more than credible diner breakfast is available at Madison Coffee Shop, on Boston Post Rd (AKA Rte 1). Listening to the locals talk, as you sit on a stool or w/i a booth, is priceless with your classic American breakfast food.
