NECT: Springford to Providence

The third day of our adventure was a mystery to us also. We weren't sure how long the North Central Massachusetts Cemetery Series would take the day before so we had blocked this one in case it was needed. With some quick planning, ShelleyJean and I decided to head West for some whimsy and wonderment.

Have I mentioned my kinship to a certain Doctor?


SPRINGFIELD, MASS

Welcome to the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss! I was a military wife in Springfield several years (decades?) earlier, and this is a most welcome addition downtown. Located next to the Library, you can immerse yourself into the technicolor tones and wonderful whimsy of Theodore Geisel's mind recreated by sculptor (and stepdaughter) Lark Grey Dimond-Cate.

Look at this big eyes <3

Roped off because the sun overheated the metal, making it a hazard

Do you see your favorite?

There is a rather fun multi/puzzle onsite which was rather fun to complete. Regretfully the final was not as fabulous, but the smiley is a good souvenir from this fun & fabulous place.

Seuss on the Loose GC7578R

Being on a cemetery tour means we had to stop at this one. Located in the Springfield Cemetery, this house-shaped stone memorializes Andrew Titus - a Victorian era real estate businessmen.

Andrew Titus (1823- 1896) was a successful real estate man in Springfield. His family grave site in Springfield Cemetery is marked with a solid white marble sculpture of a two story Victorian mansion. The front of the home is inscribed IN MANSIONS ABOVE. On the side and on the door is the family name TITUS. In front of the mansion are additional gravestones shaped as miniature house, for three Titus women - Louise, Mary and Pamela. [waymarking.com]

Heading towards the exit we saw a series of stones with friendly faces, and SJ agreed to pull over so I could add them to my collection. Little did I know what was around the bend for us...

But first, DINOSAURS! 

As the most favorited cache in the area, SJ and I decided to stop. Not a fan of Earth Caches, but the premise seemed interesting. Were there really footprints?

Dinosaur Footprints Earthcache GCNP8D

HOLY CRAP!

And now we know the wonders of geocaching. I lived in New England for 6 years and lived within miles of this for 3, but no clue this existed. I wonder how many locals know what's in their backyards?

Afterwards I moseyed down to the river and stopped to test the artsy features on my new Olympus. Doesn't this make you itch for an adventure? I wonder if I road the rails in an earlier existence?

Tack on a misadventure trying to locate another Muffler Man, and we were done with Massachusetts for the day.

HARTFORD, CONN

This close to Connecticut meant a run for the border. We made it as far as Black-eyed Sally's in Hartford. YUM! 

Southern cuisine in a bluesy atmosphere. Don't let the menu fool you, though. Southern-style spicy sauce is just Buffalo sauce everywhere else. The crab balls and corn bread were divine, though.

Our main goal was the Soldiers and Sailors Arch practically across the street. Can you see me below? Great shot by ShelleyJean.

Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch - Brownstone
Earth Cache GC5177R

My photo came out darker as I tried to shoot into the sun. Amazing structure and our second Earth Cache for the day. I have a weakness for EC's involving structures. I regret I missed out on the Quincy Quarry one in downtown Boston.

The day started frittering away. We figured since we already grabbed a souvenir for Connecticut it made sense to head over to Rhode Island, too. We made a few interesting stops along the way.

Are you old enough to recognize this?

No New England Cemetery Tour would be complete without visiting the Ancient Burying Ground in downtown Hartford. 

The oldest place in Hartford is a cemetery with thousands of bodies stacked beneath the grass. According to the site, gravediggers would poke poles in the ground looking for an open spot to inter a new body.

And more of my friendly, funny faces. This cemetery had a nifty brochure at the front gate that explained this change.

"Angel's Head"

Beginning around 1730,

death's heads became more

"human" in appearance,

more sophisticated in design

and execution. The fearsome

expression gradually

softened into a sober, even

smiling one. These "angel's

heads" are believed to symbolize

the soul's flight to

heaven, emphasizing the

blissful life everlasting that

awaited the righteous.

He was blown up?

"Hartford went wild with joy in May of 1766 at the news of the British Parliament's repeal of the despised Stamp Act, which taxed paper products used in the colonies, ranging from newspapers to legal documents. Thirty young men met in the brick school-house on May 23 to prepare a fireworks display in celebration. Gunpowder stored in the schoolhouse was accidentally ignited, causing an explosion that 'in an Instant reduced the Building to a Heap of Rubbish,' according to the Connecticut Courant newspaper. The blast killed Bernham and five other men."

After the cemetery we turned towards Rhode Island with a slight detour to this firefighter's memorial. 

For All Who Answered the Call GCB002

Who are you calling husky? Yep, remember that webcam I mentioned last post? Conveniently located between Hartford and Providence.  Fun times.

Connecticut's First WebCamCache GCH6AB

Note so self: rush hour in Connecticut traffic sucks. Worse yet? Connecticut rest stops that close their restrooms after 3pm! Connecticut lost some serious points over that one.

PROVIDENCE, RI

We reached Providence later than we hoped so no attempt at the H.P. Lovecraft grave, but we did visit the memorial to the founder of Boston and first white settler in Rhode Island.  Cool.

William Blackstone Memorial GCDFBF

Our final stop was a Virtual of another nature. Look at that moon!

Stillhouse Cove GC4681

No spoilers were posted for Virtuals or Earth Caches.

The next part of our adventure included Salem, Portsmouth, Kittery, and Bennington.