Walking Tourism

Well Ralph did not make it back as planned.  I guess after being stuck here without relief for two months, some time away is a good thing!  For Lori and I it is not a big deal since the tasks are pretty easy and don’t eat up much time.   Because Ralph was supposed to be back I planned on a run/walk instead of the bike ride.  It was 75 degrees with 95% humidity in the morning so the run was brutal.  But the NOAA app on my phone was advertising a heat warning for the area- and they were right!  So after the morning exercise, some breakfast and a shower it was chore time.  Apparently the toilet paper shortage is over as Pete showed up with some much needed supplies!  Cleaning was fairly easy since I brought my own squeegee to do the mirrors and dry the shower walls.  Place is looking good!!!

Lori was off to the beach (again?). So I joined her for a bit.  While there was a nice breeze at the waterfront the constant bombardment of rays from the sun left me a little off so I decided to take in one of the local – and free – sights.  The campground has walk-in access to East Beach Rd.  As soon as you get to East Beach Rd. is the Westport Fishermen’s Association (WFA).  The WFA is a grassroots environmental organization that was founded in 1983.  The WFA advocates Westport River and local streams.  It also manages the historic Horseneck Point Lifesaving Station (HPLSS).  The station dates back to 1888 when it was the last of 69 coastal rescue stations built by the Humane Society of Massachusetts.  Of these 69 stations only four remain intact and open to the public.  The entire purpose of this station was to house a surf boat and rescue equipment necessary for volunteers to venture out (mostly in the worst weather) and rescue a ships passengers and crew.  In the age of sail ship groundings in this area – and I’m guessing many others – was common since charts were limited and navigation aides of the day were unreliable.  The HPLSS is small about the size of a one car garage but it is packed with interesting information about the station and those who manned it, along with details of some of the more notorious ship wrecks and groundings to occur in the area.  The WFA building is adjacent to the HPLSS and contains information about their organization.  It is manned by a docent and has souvenirs and such at reasonable prices.  They accept donations.  Since this is a camping blog – their summer hours are Wed., Sat., and Sun. 12 to 4 pm.  It is worth the short walk from the campground!