Those who know me or have read my journals, know that I love old mill towns.  New England has a deep seated history of mill towns.  As we were driving through central Massachusetts, every small town we went through had its mill section with rows of mill housing, large mansions on the hills and stone and brick mills along the riverbanks.

One such town, Ware, made a large mill into a children's factory clothing store outlet.  Beyond the granite steps, we entered a world the advancement of time had forgotten.  We walked on old wooden floors where workers in the 19th century had walked every day.  Along the back wall of the mill, windows facing the river were open letting in the crashing sound of the river and the cool breeze generated by the water below.

I had the chance of visiting the ladies room before we left and was surprised to find a long soap stone sink with outdoor spickets as the vanity!  We used this type of sink at both my grandparent's farms when I was just a young child.

Here are some pictures of the mill area we were in.

Now for the truth of why we were making this trip in the first place!!

When we would stay in the Carolinas and Florida while full timing in our RV, we would frequently dine at the Golden Corral Buffet for dinner.  It quickly become our favorite place to eat out.  The last time we were down south and ate at the Golden Corral was early in 2003.  when we heard there was one in Springfield, Steve and I turned to each other, smiled and yelled...."ROAD TRIP"

Was it as good as we remembered it?  No question.  It was
heavenly.

So, now...with tummies full, we began to head on back to Raymond.  Of course we couldn't take the same roads back, that would be going against the rules of road trips!  On to a new adventure.  The small, farm, country towns we were going through now were filled with corn fields and horse pastures along the sides of the road.  With bright blue skies and clouds, big and puffy drifting by, the whole scene was breathtaking.

There was one more surprise that Steve had planned for me before going back over the New Hampshire border.

North of Springfield is a town, South Deerfield Ma. where the Yankee Candle company got its start.  It is now a huge mall that offers themed rooms like the Bavarian Village where it snows every four minutes, A Christmas Village and candle museum.  There were German shops for ornaments, a shop for kitchen gadgets, a little eating room, the San Francisco Music Box Company store, a toy store and so many more that I can't remember.  Half way through, we were exausted and I know we missed some areas.  I was such a good girl.  With my hands behind my back like mother taught me, I quietly looked, but.....I didn't spen a dime!!!!!

We left the farms behind and found ourselves traveling winding roads of forested rolling hills.  Traffic was very light and with the sweet music playing, we had entered our own private world of enchantment.

The woods of Maples, Oaks, Birch and Pine engulfed us from both sides of the road.  Glimpses of a running, babbling brook could be seen beyond the embankments off the shoulder.  Secluded country homes with long driveways were barely seen, but with sharp eyes of treasure hunters, Steve and I were rewarded with a beauty that is seldom seen. 

Here is a picture of the brook.  We stopped so that I could take the picture, not knowing there was a flag on the bridge until I took out my camera.

Back in New Hampshire, we started driving on roads that we knew and before we knew it, we were home.  If you ever want a truely memorable experience, try taking a leisurly ride while playing a CD of patriotic music.  Your part of the country will take on a rich, new meaning that you will never forget!

Here it is, the end of July!  I didn't even write last month.  For the most part we have not had a real summer.  In fact, I can count on one hand the beautiful days we have had like this one today.  Right now it is bright, sunny and in the 80s to low 90s.  Hot for us as it has only been in the 70s with rain during the first half of summer.  The kids go back to school in just over four weeks and they haven't even had a summer to enjoy!

I will update as soon as I can this week.