5/29/09 Mystic CT

5/29/2009 Mystic CT Wet, mist, rain, fog. Temps in the 40's and 50's.

We waited for traffic rush hour to subside before we hit the road at 9:30. South on I-95, around Providence on I-295 back to I-95, to Exit 92 in Connecticut. Then one block to the campground. Nothing unusual to remark on, just the normal goofy drivers in lousy weather.

We set up and got the heater running, which felt great. We warmed ourselves and sat for a while.

The clouds broke a little, so we decided to take a drive around our old stomping grounds (1971-1978) here. We went to the Sub Base exchange and bought a few things. Then out the back gate to Oakdale where we lived. We got lost a couple of times but finally found the house and took pictures of it. The mailbox is the same one we put up back then. The driveway is still gravel.

We went over the hills to Route 85 and went to New London. In the process, we noted that Route 11 (an interstate-quality road intended at one time to connect to I-95) is still not completed. Folks here are still talking about it thirty-eight years later. Incredible.

From New London we went into Groton and stopped at the USSVI (submarine vets) building. I had a couple beers while D had a pino grigio. We chatted with the permittee and learned some things, and re-learned others.

Then we went out to the Fisherman restaurant (formerly the Yankee Fisherman). The owner has been really fixing the place up. It looks very nice now, with new sun-rooms and a patio outside next to the water. The food was very good. D had her lobster.

I made a few phone calls and set up a meeting of old submariners tomorrow. Should be fun.

Then we settled....