Day 15 To Copake NY and the Finale

Bennington VT was a nice stop.  We saw Hemming Motor News' service station and gift shop and their museum with some nicely restored cars representing significant moments in automobile history in the world.

Wednesday morning, July 23 dawned cloudy with the threat of afternoon showers.  A couple of us had some mechanical concerns with our cars so we wanted to give the folks at Morgan Motors of New England a fair shot, seeing as they were hosting our group lunch and finale today.

With the cars loaded up and hotel check-out completed we headed for the famous Blue Benn diner.

 

A real dining car, built in the late '40's, serving well prepared food.  They open at 6am for a steady breakfast crowd.

One of the patrons was a cyclist from Ottawa, Canada on a 10 day solo bike ride.  His rig was parked outside.

Then off, down the road for the short 70 mile ride to Copake, NY, ...

 

home of Morgan Spares and Morgan Motors of New England and our friends Linda and Larry Eckler.

This very nice Morgan +8+ with the Corvette engine is currently being offered for sale and many of us were looking it over quite closely.

 

And two of the new 3-wheelers were in the showroom, of which this is one.

If you own a Morgan you call Morgan Spares for parts... and here is parts central.

Shortly before lunch they rolled my car into the bay for a check over and to diagnose a long term voltage regulation problem.

Fellow Crawler Joe Topinka was in the bay to the right, for some maintenance too.

 

Meanwhile, When Pigs Fly BBQ was setting up lunch for us all. 

A delightful day, a picnic and good friends.

 

Charlie Miller presented some awards to the participants...

 

Bruce and Betty Dawn Hardman were presented a prize for being the longest married couple in the Crawl.  It was a couple of carrots that grew naturally together, purchased by Al Marsh and friend Marianne this morning at a roadside produce stand.

Al was presented this British flag for being the most "British" during the pub crawl, always driving with no roof on his car.... even in drenching rains.

Bruce and Betty Dawn ready to hit the road home.

Reg Hahn flying solo this trip, sparing his lovely wife's back.  We really missed you Char.

Flat Bill and Flat Ellen, to whom this blog is dedicated this year, took a ride in the Morgan Motors of New England prototype.

 

 And finally, a group photo to remember the 2014 New England Morgan Pub Crawl.  Everybody left well nourished with a great lunch thanks to Linda and Larry, and a huge list of memories.

 

 

Until 2015 then...

 

Thanks Charlie and Beth for putting this all together this year, great job my friend.

 

Day 14 Wolfeboro NH to Bennington VT

A leisurely start to the day, mostly because of poor service at the hotel restaurant.  Our target was to be on the road by nine, and we left a bit later, but several had to wolf down their breakfast after waiting nearly an hour to be served.  Some hotel restaurants just don't get it.

But once underway, the drive was quite smooth, and without further delay.  We will miss Wolfeboro.

Morgan motoring at its best.

 

 

In the heart of American history and pride.

 

 

Bruce Hardman' pretty little 1960 four place.

Hogback mountain scenic view...

At the summit of Hogback mountin Colette and Anne enjoy the nice weather.

The view from the summit... mountains in the distance, lots of green close range.

 

 

The copper top of the New Hampshire capital in Concord NH.

 

 

The Millers and McKenna's stopped in Wilmington VT for snacks.

And we drove on through the hilly mountain range

Arrival in Bennington about 1pm.

Paradise Inn, Bennington VT.... rooms not ready...

So off we walk to downtown to get some lunch.

Jim, Patrick, Judy, Andy

Bob, Missy, Charlie, Beth and Pat enjoying the walk.

 

Across the street from our motel is the Hemmings Motor News complex, publishing office, store and museum.

 

 

Their gas station and gift shop is here, a building housing their car collection and production facilities for their magazine is next door.

 

 

Some of the restored vehicles were very unique.

 

The rest rooms at Hemmiings

The Hemming's Rally car.

 

Meanwhile, Al and Marianne cruise along the way to Bennington.

 

 

Some of our gang hit the swimming pool after lunch.

 

 

 

And Marianne was welcomed by other lady crawlers, all three here are survivors of breast cancer and doing well. Sisters they call themselves. 

Judy Buckley worked hard to get Al to smile (he's a serious sort)

 

 

Our table at dinner tonight, Reg, Gary and Sally were joined by Judy Buckley in a light moment. 

 

Our last day of the official Pub Crawl is tomorrow, when we drive to Copake NY and the home of well respected Morgan Dealer and parts vendor Morgan Spares. 

 

Our final issue of this blog will be tomorrow night.

 

 

 

Day 13 Our day in Wolfeboro NH

Our Sunday ended with delightful dinners all around.  Some went to WolfTrap, a noted marina type restaurant tucked away a bit north of town.  We walked.  It was worth the effort.

 

While enjoying our dinner the owner mentioned that we didn't have to walk... there was a water taxi.... which we took back to town when we were finished dining.           

Another contingent of Crawlers met up at the Dockside and found this neat patio for dinner... called "The Dockside".  How clever.

A bit about Wolfeboro and Lake Winnipesaukee....
Wolfeboro is the oldest summer resort in America.

And Wikipedia states: "Lake Winnipesaukee /ˌwɪnɪpəˈsɔːki/ is the largest lake in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. It is approximately 21 miles (34 km) long (northwest-southeast) and from 1 to 9 miles (1.6 to 14.5 km) wide (northeast-southwest), covering 69 square miles (179 km²)—71 square miles (184 km²) when Paugus Bay is included^[2]—with a maximum depth of 212 feet (65 m).
"The lake contains at least 258 islands,^[1] half of which are less than a quarter-acre in size, and is indented by several peninsulas, yielding a total shoreline of approximately 288 miles (463 km). The driving distance around the lake is 63 miles (101 km). It is 504 feet (154 m) above sea level. Winnipesaukee is the third-largest lake in New England after Lake Champlain and Moosehead Lake.
Outflow is regulated by the Lakeport Dam^[3] (in Lakeport, New Hampshire) on the Winnipesaukee River."

Our day started with bright sunshine and a clear forecast--temps to be in the high 70's today.

The cars looked good this morning, in their reserved parking places.

Newcomer to the Crawl and Al Marsh's friend Marianne, took this selfie in the window of a Wolfeborough restaurant where we had breakfast.

Then off to the Belle, a lake paddle boat, for a 90-minute tour of the lake shore from the lake's point of view. 

 

 

Before boarding we gathered together for a group photo, taken by Marianne.

 

And a gallant Charlie Miller leads the way to the on-ramp.

Once on the lake, the shoreline showed its opulence.  Many well done and expensive summer homes, many of which were owned by some pretty famous people, including movie and TV stars, and corporate high management and owners.   

Cruisers Jim and Colette Clark with Delores Reynolds looking on.

 A bay of fun

Al Marsh focusing in on ???

Reg Hahn and Al Marsh

 

Next to the Belle paddlewheel boat this 28 foot HarkerCraft boat was moored.  Sign said 45 minute rides for $22.  Reg said, lets go!  Within a few minutes 7 of us had signed up. 

 

 

The calm put-put leaving the dock.

 

Then the roar of 350 horsepower lifted the bow and away we went.

Reg and I got the back seat. 

 

 

 

Bruce and Dolores Reynolds

Judy Buckley

Andy Leo

 

Bruce and Dolores, in the wind...

Reg Hahn

 

We saw many of the same famous people houses described in the 90 minute paddle boat tour, but in the HarkerCraft it only took 45 minutes.

 

After the cruises and some shopping we all settled down for a quiet afternoon, but at 5, the sun was over the yard arm and enough of this pub business, the Martini Tasting and Cosmopolitan happy hour began.

 

Even Flat Bill and Flat Ellen, our honorary Pub Crawlers joined in the fun.

Sally, Dolores, Missy, Gary.

Bob. Beth, Charlie and Andy

 

Sharon, Judy and Marianne

Jim

Betty Dawn

Gary, Missy, Sally and Betty Dawn

 

 

Then we adjourned to the Tavern and Wolfeboro Inn for dinner.

Beth, Charlie, Judy, Andy, Betty Dawn, Bruce and Anne.

 

The day ended with a good dinner, lots of fun conversation primed by the happy hour, and many new friends. 

 

Off to Bennington, VT tomorrow and farewell to Wolfeboro, a place we all felt we wanted to visit again.