First - a tribute to 2 WWII Aviators.

Since we towed to Rhode Island it was time to get gas.  My AAA app on the cell phone directed me to a Shell station on Rte 1 in Charlestown (the app said it was the cheapest).  Since I’m not smart enough to get the AAA app to give turn-by-turn directions it was another hand off to “Hey, Siri!” At $3.189 for mid grade it will be good to get out of New England!

Any self-respecting veteran from SECT (Southeast Connecticut) who ends up in SoCoRI (South County Rhode Island) need to stop by Ninegret Park.  This is the old Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field (aka Charlietown).  It was used extensively during World war Two and during the jet age became the emergency airfield for Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  The reason for the visit is to pay homage to Navy Ensigns George Krauss and Merle Longnecker. 

Two young aviators who were training on the latest night fighting technology – Radio Detection and Ranging – or what is now commonly referred to as Radar.  I a mock Battle the two collided over what was once the Norwich State Hospital property.  Neither survived the crash and the debris fields from both planes remain a Connecticut Archeological Prreserve – ensuring the final resting places for these two young warriors remains undisturbed.

Next it was off to The Fantastic Umbrella Factory.  What an eclectic place.  Most of the facility seems stuck in the 1960’s. But it is a beautiful place to tour.  It has gardens and animals (Emus, goats, and a variety of chickens) and a number of small shops catered to impulse buying.  It is a nice place to browse or shop and definitely somewhere where you can kill a couple of hours doing the tourist thing! Just be sure to check out the bamboo forest 

and be careful of the Emu’s! One of the little buggers pecked my arm as I was leaning on its fence – no damage though – to either one of us.

Since my Navy flag was more than faded we made a stop at Charlestown Flag Company For a small shop it is well laid out with everything in a logical order.  I replaced my Navy flag and found a First Navy Jack to go with it.  Lori grabbed a wind sovk for the trailer and a kite…probably to entertain the grandkids with.

A quick stop at the Charlestown Post Office to mail some condolence and birthday cards and it was off to Stop & Shop for the weekly grocery shop. It was a little farther of a drive but the familiar layout of Stop and Shop more than makes up the time.

As I mentioned yesterday, my 5-pound propane bottle went empty so we stopped at Breachway Bait and Tackle.  Asked  to refill a 5 pound bottle and got the quizzical stare followed by “I don’t think I have an adapter to fill those with.”  Once I told him the connection was exactly as it is on a 20 pound bottle we were off and running – along with all the jokes about my 5 pounder being the awkward, weaker  cousin of the 20 pound bottle!  This is the place to do business with – the staff is lose and friendly and adaptive to the situation – since apparently 5 pound propane bottles are the rarity here.  By the way my bottle only took a little more than ½ gallon so I think the next place that fills it will have to give it a good venting!!

After all the errands it was time to…you guessed it…hit the beach again.  At least this time I made a new friend!

I’m hoping tomorrow is a quieter day because this retired life is wearing me out!!!!