Spring Holiday in Savannah By Teena and Ed Deputat
Sleigh
Ride At Admas Farm By Jim Medlinskas and Lucy Villanueva
The
"Downeaster", Sunday, April 17, 2011
By
Jane Gueli
“All
Aboard!” Off we
go on our seacoast adventure on the “Downeaster”.
Even though our journey begins with some light drizzle, thanks to our MVRS Tour
Leader and crew, we had high hopes for an experience like no other. As we picked
up fellow passengers, we had ample time to acquaint ourselves with those around
us on our motor coach. When we arrived at the Anderson Rail Transportation
Center in Woburn, MA, we couldn’t believe our eyes as our Amtrak “Downeaster”
train pulled into
the station, ready to whisk us away northward. As this luxurious train rolled
down the tracks, the beauty of New England unfolded before our eyes. We soon
arrived at the Saco, Maine Amtrak Station and we boarded our awaiting motor
coach for the first of many treats. Within thirty minutes we arrived at the
well-known Clambake Restaurant for an unbelievably, delicious meal, that was
unsurpassed. The dinner included a salad, clam chowder, cole slaw, steamed
clams, haddock and of course lobster. After “staggering” back to our motor
coach, we were off again for another treat. Within a few short minutes, we
arrived at Len Libby’s Chocolates where inside we visited with “Lenny” the
1500 pound chocolate moose and resident attraction. Adorning his base, and
throughout the shop, lay candies of all sorts, much more than any one person
could possibly ingest. Given our previous meal, we could only pick up treats for
our loved ones and something to snack upon later. With waistlines bulging that
much more, thanks to the chocolate moose, we were soon off to the next place on
the trip’s agenda, the stunningly beautiful Portland Head Lighthouse. With its
majestic form and sunny seacoast surrounding, this was a photographer’s dream
come true. After basking for an eternity in Maine’s warm sunlight, we were
soon off to the quaint gift shop, aptly titled “Lighthouse Depot Store”.
This shop has the largest collection of any type of lighthouses, including the
Portland Head Lighthouse we just visited. Additionally, it also contained a
potpourri of many other gifts associated with lighthouses. Sadly, our time to go
had arrived, as we boarded our motor coach for the return trip home. The “Downeaster”
is a trip that
will last a lifetime in the memories of those who participated with us today.
Whether it was the Clambake Restaurant, Len Libby’s Chocolates to see
“Lenny” the chocolate moose, Portland Head Lighthouse or the Lighthouse
Depot Store, fondly, this excursion left an indelible mark on our minds which
will bring a smile and a warm feeling of satisfaction to those who chose to
reminisce over the moment they heeded the call of “All
Aboard!”
Christmas
at the Mansion, December 11, 2010
By
Catherine Jackson
The weather was clear
and mild as we boarded our comfortable coach and traveled towards the Asa
Water’s Mansion in Millbury, Massachusetts. Upon our arrival, we were greeted
by our tour guides who welcomed us into the stately home. The two main rooms of
the mansion were nicely decorated, and there was a large Christmas tree in the
corner. As we sat on folding chairs, we listened to one of the guides explain
how the original owner, Asa Waters II, made his fortune in gunsmithing and how
he strived to build the biggest and finest home in the country for his wife. We
also learned that when the mansion was being sold, its occupants took everything
of value, including the doors and fireplace mantles, with them. Most of the
pieces taken were never recovered, and the furniture and fixtures there now are
reproductions. We were led by groups on a tour of the rest of the home. The
mansion was lovely, and it was interesting to see how people of means lived
then. Before we left, we visited their gift shop which had a nice assortment of
jewelry, cards, and old books.
Then it was off to the old town of Sturbridge for lunch at the Publick House,
which is part of a working inn. We had our choice of a tasty meal of either
broiled salmon or pork loin topped off with an Indian pudding. I really liked
the pecan rolls included in the bread basket-I asked for seconds. Despite the
large lunch crowd, the staff at this quaint inn went out of their way to be
friendly and helpful.
After a quick visit to the inn’s gift shop, we were back on the bus for a
visit to the Christmas Barn in Spencer. Every corner of this delightful shop was
filled with an array of yuletide items. There were even plastic icicles hung
from the ceiling! By the time we left, most of us had purchased a fine trinket
or two.
Our final stop was at the Hebert Candy Mansion in Shrewsbury where there were
enough sugary treats to satisfy just about anybody’s sweet tooth. I couldn’t
resist the multi-colored candy canes.
We ended the day riding back to Boston with bags full of goodies and a CD
playing Christmas songs in the background. It was the perfect ending to a day
that held enough happy memories for each of us to take home a little Christmas
cheer.
Spring
Holiday in Savannah, April 25 – May 2, 2010
By
Teena and Ed Deputat
My husband Ed and I
returned from a great trip to Savannah, Ga. We took a train down and back with
39 other people. The crew did a great job of keeping things running as smoothly
as possible during the trip and in Savannah.
We stopped in Wilmington,
Delaware, the first night of the trip. We were met at the train station by our
bus driver who drove us to our hotel to check in and then we walked to a nearby
restaurant for dinner. The next morning, after breakfast, we boarded Amtrak’s
Palmetto to complete our journey to Savannah.
We arrived in Savannah
that night and were met by our chartered bus which took us to the hotel where we
would stay for the next 5 days. Our hotel was located in a great spot. We could
walk quite a few places.
We were free to go for
walks on the River Walk which was just across the street from the hotel. There
were quite a few restaurants and stores to explore. It was nice having free time
after breakfast and before we went to lunch at 11:00 am every day. We also were
on our own the first 2 nights for supper. We could go anywhere we wanted which
was nice. The first day we walked to the Pirates House Restaurant where we had a
buffet dinner of southern dishes. We learned a lot of history about the Civil
War. Some of the places we went were Georgia Sea Turtle Center, a shrimp boat
where you could eat all the shrimp you wanted. We got to see how they catch them
and all the different types of fish they catch in their nets. They also caught a
horseshoe crab in one of them.
We rode in a trolley bus
to see the historic district of Savannah including the Juliet Gordon Lowe house,
who was the founder of the Girl Scouts.
We ate at Paula Deen’s
restaurant, Lady and Sons for another buffet. We also visited a lighthouse which
you go up 178 stairs to the top. Some of us made it to the top, some didn’t go
that far. Fort Jackson was another stop with a demonstration of a cannonball
firing-a simulation-not a real cannonball.
We went for a ride on a
riverboat, went to a ship museum, and train ride at the Georgia Roundhouse
Museum. Saturday we left for home after having breakfast. On the way home we
trained to Baltimore and visited The Baltimore Streetcar Museum where we rode on
three different kinds of trolleys before boarding the train to return home.
We had a great time
meeting new people and seeing people we had met on previous trips and getting to
know them better. We’re looking forward to going on another trip soon.
Sleigh Ride At
Adams Farm
By
Jim Medlinskas and Lucy Villanueva
It was a cloudy Saturday morning, February 6, 2010, as our
motor coach left the Boston area. We traveled through central and northern
Massachusetts and into New Hampshire, before crossing into Vermont. The skies
progressively cleared as we traveled northwest. By the time we reached Vermont,
the skies were bright. We traveled through spectacular mountainous terrain.
The Adams Farm in Wilmington, VT has been owned and
operated by the Adams family since 1865. Our group climbed onto two large
sleighs, which were pulled by huge Belgian horses. The air was cold and crisp,
but the bright sun, layers of clothing, and blankets kept us warm. The sleigh
ride was through hilly terrain. The trees on the farm will be tapped for maple
sap, beginning next month. The sap is boiled down into maple syrup in a
sugarhouse on the farm.
We finally reached a cabin in the woods, where a warm fire,
cordial members of the Adams family, and hearty food awaited us. Sandwiches
featuring Cabot Vermont cheddar, turkey, and ham were among the culinary treats
available. Hot cider, hot chocolate, tea, and coffee helped to warm us. An
antique player piano entertained us. After lunch, the sleigh returned us to the
barn, where the sleigh ride had begun. We spent time in the farm’s charming
gift shop.
We re-boarded our motor coach for the return trip to the
Boston area. We stopped at Hogback Mountain, where we delighted in a panoramic
view of three states. The Hogback Mountain gift shop featured delicious Vermont
cheddar.
By late afternoon, after a rest stop on the Mass. Turnpike,
we returned to the Boston area. At Riverside, we bade farewell to our convivial
trip companions, after a most satisfying adventure. We encourage others to sign
up for Mystic Valley Railway Society trips, which, after twenty years of our
participation, never fail to provide us with precious memories.
We hope to see you soon. Jim Medlinskas and Lucy Villanueva
MYSTIC VALLEY RAILWAY
SOCIETY 
