Minuteman NHP and Old Ironsides

 May 11 - 13, 2026

"The British are coming! The British are coming!" Are you thinking Paul Revere? We visited the Minuteman National Historic Park in Concord, MA. The park orientation film includes Revere's (and Daweses and Dr. Prescott's) ride through the countryside, and perhaps more accurately reflects that the ride would have been more on the quiet side. Revere, Dawes, and Dr Prescott would not likely be loudly proclaiming that the British were coming when they considered themselves British. The term used at that time for the professional British army was "the regulars." 

We walked along a small section of what is now called Battle Road Trail, the road between Concord and Lexington. We imagined ourselves as a British soldier on April 19th, 1775. After marching all night from Boston to Concord, fighting the militia, beginning the long road back, only to be fired upon by even more militia hidden by boulders, trees, and surrounding hills.  Little did most know that the day's events were just the beginning.

We then spent a day in Boston, where most of our morning was spent visiting USS Constitution and the Charlestown Navy Yard.  One of the exhibits called the Constitution, the nation's ship. That does seem to sum its symbolism. It is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat. That "still afloat" is an important distinction since the HMS Victory with the British Royal Navy is actually older, but is permanently dry-docked. The Navy does take the Constitution out into the Boston Harbor on a regular basis. You can find its schedule on the website.

After a quick trip through Faneuil Hall Marketplace, we decided to call it day. With all the events that happened in the area leading up to the "shot heard around the world," we were more mindful and grateful for our nation in this our 250th anniversary year. 

Battle Road 

British flag marking nearby burial site

Current North Bridge at Concord

USS Constitution

"Old Ironsides"

Dry dock

Where Are We Going Next?

Out with the old, in with the new, faucet

May 8, 2026

Previously I replaced the cartridge in our bathroom faucet, and it takes an ultra rare cartridge that only one retailer carries and even then, it is only online.

The original faucet with a side handle

The cartridge was once again failing. Elizabeth had previously suggested replacing it with something new. Well, the other day we were in a Home Depot store and spotted the MOEN brand Findlay Single-Handle Single-Hole Bathroom Faucet.  The finish looked like it would match the rest of the bathroom fixtures. MSRP was $150.00 but it was on clearance for $35.43 which was actually less than the last cartridge I purchased.  I picked one up and headed to the check out.

Tool bag explosion and working in the blind.

With a lot of contortions and me muttering a few adjectives, the removal and replacement of the faucet went rather smoothly.

Working in confined spaces. This is my life. RVs are sometimes too small.

I was unable to remove the old drain assembly as Newmar used a lot of silicone sealant to glue it in place.  I assume they do this to completely eliminate leaks, but it makes it VERY difficult to remove.  I decided to leave the old drain assembly in place but might replace it in the future.

Nut removed revealed a full tube of sealant where sealant shouldn't be....

I am a little underwhelmed with the water flow of the new faucet, but that would be a quick replacement of the aerator with a higher flow rating.  This is a problem for future me.

New top mount handle faucet installed!!!!!!

Where Are We Going Next?

Pedaling on the high steel

May 8, 2026

One thing I like to do in our travels is to take rides on scenic railroads. While scanning a brochure rack, we spotted Rail Explorers in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. We thought the price was a little high for the experience, so we were going to pass on it. However  as I was driving by myself to Home Depot to pick up a switch plate, I paralleled the track and spotted some people enjoying their ride. I was sold.

Ready to pull out of the station!!!

Elizabeth booked us some tickets for the next day and we had a great time.

Quite a scenic ride.

The trip is 6.2 miles and took us about 1 hour 45 mins to pedal our rail bike.

on the high steel!!!!!

I was wondering how the turned the bikes around and spotted the turntable in the station. I assume it has an air lift.

One tiny turn table.

once we pulled ack in to the station I got to look at the locomotive and cars on display.

Pedal cars and a 50 Ton Center Cab Diesel Locomotive

Where Are We Going Next?

PEZ

 May 4, 2026

We discovered that PEZ candy is made in New Haven, CT. While they do not have a factory tour, they do have an on-site museum and you can view some of the packaging floor. Half of the museum's  minimal entry fee can be credited toward on-site store purchases. They have a scavenger hunt that adds to the enjoyment of the PEZ displays. Some of the more rare dispensers bring thousands of dollars to collectors. There might even be a collector convention near you!

PEZ started out in Austria as a peppermint candy to aid those desiring to quit smoking. It wasn't successful in the US, until they remarketed it as candy with a dispenser to kids. As Harold noted, there's a reason the dispenser looks remarkably like a cigarette lighter. 

Remember, "You're not famous until they put your head on a PEZ dispenser."

Tallest working PEZ dispenser

Beginnings

Early dispensers

Character dispensers

From tins to dispensers

Tools of the trade

PEZ chopper by Orange County Choppers

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1970's packaging

Am I famous?

Scavenger hunt prizes

Where Are We Going Next?

Nautilus

May 3, 2026  

While staying near Mystic, we headed over to the submarine base at Groton. The Submarine Force Museum is home to the Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine. We enjoyed a self-paced tour of the submarine. Harold was doing a lot of ducking and bending! As an added bonus, we were there as the USS Texas pulled in from a six - month tour of duty. Welcome home!

The circles represent hull sizes then and now

USS Nautilus

USS Texas coming up the river

The captain gets all the room

Lots of compact and fold-up storage

battery bank

Chief's mess

Where Are We Going Next?

AH-beetz, AH-beetz

 I love pizza and I cannot lie...

I am sure all you you have had a pizza from the national pizza chains e.g.: Dominos, Pizza Hut, Little Caesar's, Pappa John's, Chuckey-E-Cheese, Black Jack, Dion's et al, and some of you may have had a pizza from my favorite while in High School: Godfather's (which are very hard to find now...)

Connecticut is self-proclaimed as The Pizza State. We spotted a brochure for the Connecticut Pizza Trail where they discuss the five styles of pizzas in Connecticut. Connecticut has the highest density of pizzerias in the country, and nearly 80% of the restaurants, 1,084 out of 1,376, are independently owned compared to a national average of 43%!

While in the US Navy I had the opportunity to visit Naples, Italy, and have a true Neapolitan Pizza from a member of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. The pizza was cooked in a 900 degree wood fired oven in 60 to 90 seconds!!!! HOT HOT HOT! This is where I fell in love with wood fired pizza.

While in Connecticut we had the opportunity to dine on two of the Connecticut styles of pizza: Greek and AH-beetz.

We first went to Mystic Pizza.  This Pizzeria was the inspiration for Julia Roberts' breakout movie by the same name. After eating there we had to watch the movie. They make Greek style pies which according to the Pizza Trail are "Born in Connecticut and baked in a shallow pan. Greek pizza features a light, airy crust and a sturdy base that's perfect for piling on bold sauces, cheeses, and inventive topping combos."

Greek Style at Mystic

We then had several opportunities to dine on Ah-Beetz at Frank Pepe and Sally's.  Regrettably we missed out on the triple crown of AH-beetz as Moderna pizza was closed on the only day we had available to visit.

The kitchen at Sally's

Feeding coal to the oven at Frank Pepe's

The most beautiful undercarriage and NO droop from Frank Pepe's

AH-beetz is now my favorite style of pizza due to the lower humidity in the oven than a wood fired oven and a slight taste of burned coal flavor you might get if you are very lucky!!!!

Where Are We Going Next?