Part 2 - It's the journey not the destination.

     I had intened, Saturday, the prior day, to do a rough end run to find this place.  Didn't, but I did get myself new wiper blades.  Been putting them off because I was certain to have a new car by now.  And they were bad enough.

     I'd mapped out the route on Google, seemed simple enough.  Less than 45 miles away.  I knew that could be decieving considering the area I was going.  It is on the north fork, not a lot of different ways in and out.  Touristy, little towns, places where 55 mph drops to 30.  Yes a bit like the Montauk trip which is on the other fork.  Directions seemd easy enough.  I left about 8:15.

     Registration for the event was from 8-10.  So I should have plenty of time.  Had my cell phone fully charged.  I set out on this most gloomy day.  Oh I also put 2 cigars in my travel humidor for the ride back.

     I did fine right up until the end of the highway, I followed my directions.  After reviewing the route this morning, I see the folly.  Also before I go on.  Let me say this was not the first route Google Maps offered me, I chose to change it to this one.  Not sure if that had an effect.

     Basically at the end of the highway you have a choice to make.  North East, the way I should have gone, for the North Fork.  Or South East for the South Fork, Hamptons and such.  Not that the route indicated it at all.
 
     The directions said make a right onto road.  Done.  Then there was a road I never saw at all.  I went ver far South out of my way.

     I turned around about and found myself eventually on 25 which I knew to be on the North Shore.  Also a main road to boot.  At this point there were signs clearly maked wine trail.  Oh there are a lot of wineries people.  Of course all closed before 9 on a Sunday morning. 

     I pulled over and consulted my directions.  I was certain I'd written down the name of the vineyard.  Then I recalled it.  Did I mention there were a lot of vineyards.  Did I mention that I did not write down the name at all?  Good.

     It was a very pleasant mornings ride.  Even with the cloudy skies, little rain here and there.  It is a nice drive in the early morning hours.  Thus the title of it's the journey not the destination.  I was making the best of it no matter what.  I passed at least half a dozen wineries, including the one I was aiming for and wasn't the correct one. 

     Undaunted I thought about my options.  Call it a day, head for the Cigar Lounge, no real loss.  Enjoy the ride out East and just do what I want.  Afterall it wasn't like I wanted to call home and ask what the name of the place was that I was going to.  No...not me.  Drove through Jamesport, which was actually South East of where I meant to be going.  Passed a place called Cliffs Elbow Room, said next time I come out this way I want to eat there.

     It was 9:30 when I pulled into a parking lot.  I admit to being almost relieved.  I gave it my all trying to get there.  Therefore I hadn't just quit.  Yes, now I would turn around having given it a triumphant attempt.  Then I rememberd the name of the place, damnations.

     There was a woman who I asked and she said it was to the North West, but couldn't tell me exactly where.  I thanked her and said I needed to move on.  The person in the vehicle right next to her, which I was blocking, was more than ready to leave.  I made the penultimate decision in  the next parking lot, I asked Suri.

     Yes, many of you may remember my cell phone issues, well here I was asking this damned thing.  I asked here where it was.

"It isn't to far from you.  16.9 miles." Suri said

     Shit I thought, to close for me to comfortably just give up.  Okay "directions" I said.  This turned into a debate between my phone and myself.  You see I don't keep the mapping thing on.  Not that I imagine anyone to be tracking some lunatic like myself.  I just don't like the idea.  And damnit I was in a wireless hotspot.  "fine."  I was very uncomfortable with this idea.  Left my phone on the seat so it could give me directions.  I was very uneasy about this.  Both for having maps turned on, well this will eat up my data plan.  Also, becuase, I figured I'd end up at the event.

     Word of warning, I knew of this from conversations about phones a year before getting one.  The direction thing eats up battery power like mad.

     I shut my radio and followed the directions.  I must admit, they were spot on fantastic, and managed to roll in 10 to 10.  Cars were herded to a field, where joy of joys I got an aisle spot.

     Rainy, gloomy, misty, I trudged with a group of others towards the main part of the area, had to be a good half mile from the field.  There were a whole lot of people, several hundred maybe more like 1k.  I've just checked there were 727 participants.
     I went through the barn, they had things set up.  Including day of registration.  Had to walk through where there were team tents.  Got on line for the pre-registered people, got my bag; polyester tee shirt; wrist band; and pen inside.  Well the bag will be good for food shopping.  Hate the tee.  Although the local news channel was there giving out water bottles or tee's.  I got a tee.  Pure cotton, love it.

     There were a good mix of people, younger, my age, and older.  Very loud and very noisy.  Not really a place to be able to talk to people.  Think I may have been the only person there alone.  Oh well.

     Was about 10:20 when we moved to the start of the course. 
"Runners in the front.  Joggers behind them.  Walkers behind them.  Strollers in the back."  said the man in charge.  And we were off.

     I was at the top of the walkers group.  Figured I could keep up with 2 ladies walking a gorgeous English Setter.  Oh this is a dog friendly winery to boot.