NC to NH: the Pursuit of Volunteerism, Day 2

18. September 2009 by admin.

Thursday September 17^th, 7 a.m.  Up and out to join Eric and Rich at the complimentary breakfast before departing our hotel at 8 a.m. We swing through Albany and Troy and make our way to Bennington, VT. We travel the new bypass (partially under construction) then stop for coffee and rest room at the McDonalds in Brattelboro, VT ($9.30 because I wanted a hash brown and Eric had a cheeseburger….so early?) after filling the gas tank. ($33.97) Traveled through Keene, NH and began to see lots of trees, pumpkins for sale, and more road construction. Is every town paving and painting stripes before the snow flies?  

We head in the capital of New Hampshire (Concord) and follow some campers who exit onto the bypass to the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon which is about 10 miles northeast. Why are the games AGAIN competing for hotels and highway space with the races? Years ago the date was pushed back a week so as NOT to compete. We hit the Wal-Mart in Tilton at about noon and buy windbreakers. Rich forgot a coat and I could not pass up a new, unlined, windbreaker for warmer North Carolina for $12, and NO sales tax. Had to make a pit stop at Home Depot so Rich could say ‘Hi’ to his old cohorts, then headed for Plymouth. Picked up our several pints of made-in-Rumney-NH maple Syrup ($55) at the Peppercorn Natural Foods and I snuck a peek into Rands Hardware where I passed 22 years before 9-1-1 and writing fulltime. 

We barely made it into Annie’s Overflow Restaurant for a late breakfast ($30.60) before she closed at 2 p.m. Her diner used to be across the street before they built a new bridge and ran the road through her property. She is still in a flood plain, hence the name. We bought Rich some scotch at the liquor store ($36.98/2) and I bought 2 lottery tickets ($3), then we drove past our first home in Rumney where we lived for 22 years and raised our boys. It is in sad shape which makes me want to cry. They have let it go. I don’t know who ‘they’ are since it has changed hands several times. 

Drove over the Smith Millennium Covered Bridge, totally rebuilt in 2001. An arsonist took it down when the town could not decide whether to tear down the closed and unsafe one-lane structure and rebuild, or simply remodel it. Both methods sounded expensive. I believe insurance helped build a huge and beautiful two-lane bridge. Arrived in Lincoln, NH about 3:15, got the keys to our Forest Ridge 3 bedroom condo, and drove onto the mountain. Loon Mountain Ski Area is again host to the three day NH Highland Games and was a bustle of activity. Our tent was there but completely empty. Thanks to a young man names Josh, we suddenly had tables AND chairs!  

Tomorrow we hope to find flags stating ‘Information’ and ‘Raffle’ have gone up. Giving away a trip to Scotland only works if we sell enough tickets. Anyway, the total mileage for the day (including our little side trips) was 260 miles. My hips are a bit stiff, and tomorrow is a BIG day.   We plan to be at our post by 8 a.m. and I hope the temperature is above freezing. I find it hard to draw posters when my fingers are frozen. We will work the tent until about 4:30 then go back and dress for the Chieftain’s reception and the Tartan Dinner & Dance. We scored free tickets! (otherwise, $43/person) I may not be able to blog about Friday’s festivities but believe me when I say I do not plan to sit on my throne directing people…on the other hand, maybe I will! Nancy Lee Badger

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