1985 Thanksgiving tale cont'd

     Off we went, there was a bridge, woods would be next.  Now the best way up would be the NYS Thruway.  I can't say how we got there.  I can't say why we got there.  Not that I can't, just don't remember that far back.  Oh and I can't say I ever went on that parkway again.

     It was literally a 2 lane highway, in each direction.  The speed limit was still 55 miles an hour.  It was deserted and scenic.  I was in a 1976 8 cylinder gas guzzler.  Half way up we needed gas.  In those days you always carried cash.

     The roadway then seemed to have no rest stops.  Does it now? We got off at an exit and saw a house with gas pumps.  We literally had to pound on the door to wake the fellow.  He obliged sleepily, and pumped our gas and asked our destination.  We told him Vermont. He told us to be careful.

     The road was windy, trees on both sides.  Probably scenic.  Saw more than a few deer carcases.  It is not a road I would want to be on nowadays with people on cell phones and talking.  It promised to take us at least to Massachusetts.  As dawn approached the skies looked threatening.  But we were adventurers in our minds.  Going to the promised land.  

     I saw snow covered roads at some point in the middle of the day.  We arrive at Massachusetts.  We got off the highway and were greeted by nothing less than a state trooper.

"Road way is closed"  he said.

"Why?" we inquired.

     I tell you he had a look of disbelief.  Told us about the snow storm.  We turned away and drove back towards home.  The disappointment did not last long.  We had a new threat.  The roads we had just come from were all snow covered.

     There was holiday traffic snarling it's way behind 2 snow plows.  The snow we had passed through was not requiring it.  We knew this to be bad.

     The Taconic can be treacherous.  Windy.  And to this day I still tell the tale.  What tale?  I'm getting there.

     As we followed the procession and turned one curve the storm was hitting the trunk.  An opposite turn and it was a good 100 yards behind us.  And we were going no more than 30 miles an hour.  So glad for the plows.

     No we never thought of stopping somewhere.  And where prey tell?  Told you this road did not have signs or even rest stops.  So it was a long ride home.

     Got back safely on Thanksgiving day.  Mom was none to pleased as I pulled up.  Her and my sister all dressed, were were having Thanksgiving with neighbors down the street.

     Okay maybe not the best story.  Or maybe my recollections are not that great.  But I hit the highlights.  Hope you enjoyed.

-later