It Was a Dark and Drizzling Morning

It Was a Dark and Drizzling Morning 

A Traveling Adventure

by

B.D. Adams 

©2013

It was a dark, drizzling, dank morning in Alton Bay, New Hampshire. A very early morning on May 29^th, a Wednesday. A still morning ... not even a breeze. The drizzle was unforgiving, as Daniel and I packed the 1937 Plymouth Sedan for the trip to York, PA. The soft sound of Loons on the lake was the only resonance heard around our home. Even our dog, Sasha, was humbled by the eerie stillness. She chose to be silent and to listen to the Loons, as well.

With everything packed, Sasha and I took our seating in the Sedan, while Daniel took up his appointed location behind the steering wheel and turned the key to start the HEMI engine.

The roar of the engine was what silenced the Loons!

As we ambled our way on the meandering roads, we hoped we didn’t wake too many folk still slumbering in their beds, but we were on a mission to the rolling hills of southern Pennsylvania! Chug-a, chug-a, chug-a ... was the droning reverberation as the car chugged away with its power.

It was not long that we calmly hid near a tavern to watch for other vintage vehicles that would join in the quest! Of course, it seemed to take a long while, but once we spied (with our little eye) other brightly painted bodies, we approached to make them aware that we were friend, not foe.

As we ventured on the road with the new arrivals, the sun brightened the sky, albeit not sunny or warm. After a few more miles, Daniel and I and the thirteen, we had joined, traveled a bit farther to meet two more travelers. Now, our number was complete ... total of nine carriages, fifteen riders! The Quest was now in full force!

Our carriages were sturdy and carried all the riders in comfort and ease! Each vintage vehicle had sustaining nourishment for the journey, but care needed to be taken to re-fuel the vehicles for the journey!

Alas! As with any journey, snags can occur to mar the pleasure of the trip. An upsetting realization that members of the party were missing, sent fright through the minds of the other travelers!! Oh, the horror!! Where could they be ... what had befallen them?!

However, our worry was unfounded. Because of necessary road signs, some vehicles had been detained, which put them separated from the head group!

Unfortunately, the detained group chose a different path, as well, which also puzzled the head group.

With various signals to the lost group, a rendezvous site was established! Both groups were rejoined into one happy group! We continued.

Within a few more miles, the rain, drizzle had discontinued. It now became quite warm, so my blanket was discarded to the backseat. The warmth was more welcomed, more appreciated than the weather of the early morning.

Our trek took us over mountains and friendly hills of Massachusetts and New York and northern Pennsylvania. Thick forests abounded, but the road was passable, albeit a bit rough at times.

The group made a camp for the first night. All vehicles were circled to encompass security for the travelers. Nighttime on the road could be hazardous! Highwaymen browsed the roads for easy prey. How sad for the travelers.

However, the night went without any unwanted intrusions! The travelers made way back to their quest.

This new day was more agreeable for journeying! No clouds or dank conditions ... more warmth and delightful sunshine!

Towards the late afternoon, the travelers approached the gathering they sought of other vintage vehicles in various paint! Oh, what joy! Once we all made our presences known, we ventured to a new camp area which would be our dwelling for several days.

For me and my little dog, we desired to relax a bit before Daniel and I joined the others to partake of our supper. It was such a pleasure to sit without moving.

This night was uneventful, as well! The morrow gave much indication that this day would be very warm with an abundance of sun, which was the truth!

We arrived to join all the other quest seekers for a few days of rallying around melodious sounds of primed engines of vintage carriage bodies and for the seekers-in-progress, to boot! Music permeated the air, along with the aromas of bratwurst sausages as they grilled and many other types of foods! In my mind, it was like an Indian Pow-Wow of present-day warriors from numerous tribes, who sought companion-ship of their peers! A festival, to say the least!!

So many quest seekers, it boggles the mind. It was extremely hard to appreciate each vehicle, give each the time needed to fully deduce the ambiance of the owners’ endeavors!

However, it was a thing of pleasure the time that was given!

 As was planned, our group had decided to deny the festival of our presences on the last day of the gathering. We had wanted to pay tribute to a part of history that one had only read about in schoolbooks ... The Gettysburg Battlefield, of the Civil War in 1863. The area was not far from our camp and easy to attain.

I have read books, seen art of the battlefield, as well as photos taken by Mathew Brady. The Civil War was the first war documented photographically ... with both military and civilian aspects.

A tour of the site was made available to our group, as well as to the other war curious. The Battlefield was a large span of acreage! The battle that ensued was for three full days! Many cannon barrages, bullets that sought and plunged into the bodies of the soldiers of both sides!

            The battle ran its course. Many lay dead on the blood soaked battlefield. It had been testified by civilian observers, the odor of death was abundant!

The Union Army, the northern Yankees, was victorious!

This battle was a turning point for the Union Army because the Confederate

Army, the southern Rebels, had had been winning quite well in past encounters. The Civil War would continue for two more years after Gettysburg.

            As a last hope, the Confederate Army rallied to defend Richmond, Virginia, the Confederate Capital and to attack Washington, D.C. The Union Army, once again bested the confrontation!! The attempt failed.

            The commanding Confederate general, Robert E. Lee, surrendered to the commanding Union general, U.S. Grant, at Appomattox Court House (Appomattox, VA). The date was April 9, 1865.

            The visit to this historic site was very humbling, to say the least. Many came to test their will to succeed, to win for their beliefs. Politicians need wars, but families could do without.

  

          Our group returned to the camp to rest and make ready for our return to New Hampshire and Massachusetts. It was another two day jaunt, but the way was clear for the journey.

            On the return to our home State, the return journey was very different than the initial journey to York, PA. No dark drizzling clouds, not cool forbidding dankness. With this warm weather, we made a stop at an ice cream parlor to satisfy a sweet tooth or two. We also bade our traveling companions adieu, until we meet again.

            We all went our separate ways to our welcoming abodes! We will meet again when a new quest arises. Until then, we wish everyone happy car cruising!

“Be thankful that wars are fought on foreign fields!

Hope, beyond hope, that our land will not bleed again, as it has in the past!

God Bless America!!!”

A Heartfelt Wish for Our Friend

            This is a wish for Bill Ferullo, a good friend and a Streetrodder!! He has just been diagnosed with lung cancer and is receiving chemotherapy. His family is with him to keep him positive!

            Daniel and I have visited him and he seems in good spirits.

            Keep smiling, Bill!!!