A Road Trip to North Country - New England

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - A ROAD TRIP TO NORTH COUNTRY - NEW ENGLAND

There's something about a road trip. Before you head out though, make sure your car is in tip-top shape, and gas up. Pump stations may be far and few between.

I bought a new car recently. I had a series of breakdowns with my last car, so it was time. I feel like I negotiated a good deal. I didn't get the car of my dreams as pictured here (the Mercedes/Maybach S Series), but it will have to do until I can get this dreamy car. Ha! 

It's always a good idea to pack some food and drinks for a road trip. Those rest stops can get very expensive, and it's just more convenient. So, I packed some sandwiches, fruit, soft drinks, and snacks, and we headed out bright and early last Tuesday morning up to north country. Destination? Saratoga Springs. We went to visit a family friend who is now living in an assisted living facility just outside of town. It's a beautiful place, and the staff is friendly and caring. We also went to see a friend of mine from my acting days in New York City, Maxine Linehan, in a play in Dorset, Vermont. It was just an hour drive from Saratoga through the magnificent Berkshires. We surprised her. You should have seen the look on her face. That was no act. 

New England is a very special place, and it's easy to get to by car. Here's a bit of history of this unique American region:

New England is the oldest clearly defined region of the United States, being settled more than 150 years before the American Revolution. The first colony in New England was Plymouth Colony, established in 1620 by the Puritan Pilgrims who were fleeing religious persecution in England. A large influx of Puritans populated the New England region during the Puritan migration to New England (1620-1640), largely in the Boston and Salem areas. Farming, fishing, and lumbering prospered, as did whaling and sea trading.

New England writers and events in the region helped launch the American War of Independence, which began when fighting erupted between British troops and Massachusetts militia in the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The region later became a stronghold of the Federalist Party.

By the 1840s, New England was the center of the American anti-slavery movement and was the leading force in American literature and higher education. It was at the center of the Industrial Revolution in America, with many textile mills and machine shops operating by 1830. The region was the manufacturing center of the entire United States for much of the nineteenth century, and it played an important role during the American Civil War as an intellectual, political, and cultural promoter of abolitionism and civil rights.

Manufacturing in the United States began to shift south and west during the 20th century, and New England experienced a sustained period of economic decline. By the beginning of the 21st century, however, the region had become a center for technology, weapons manufacturing, scientific research, and financial services. 

Before the arrival of colonists, the Western Abenakis inhabited New Hampshire and Vermont, as well as parts of Quebec and western Maine. Their principal dwelling was Norridgewock in Maine. The Penobscots were settled along the Penobscot River in Maine. The Wampanoags occupied southeastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket; the Pocumtucks were in Western Massachusetts. The Narragansetts occupied most of Rhode Island, particularly around Narragansett Bay.

The Connecticut region was inhabited by the Mohegan and Pequot tribes before colonization. The Connecticut River Valley linked different tribes in cultural, linguistic, and political ways. The tribes grew maize, tobacco, kidney beans, squash, and Jerusalem artichoke.

The first European to visit the area was Portuguese explorer Estevao Gomes in 1525, who mapped the shores of Maine. The first European settlement in New England was a French colony established by Samuel de Champlain on Saint Croix Island, Maine in 1604. As early as 1600, French, Dutch, and English traders began to trade metal, glass, and cloth for local beaver pelts. (Wikipedia)

There's so much history in this region, and as you drive through its hills and valleys, you can see remants of old mills as some of the buildings left behind are collapsing in on themselves. They are left untouched by time as they blend in with the natural environment around them. 

I appreciate what it took to settle this area, but I do wish the Native American Indians weren't completely driven off their land. Their presence would have created an interesting culture among the new settlers. What might have been.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, taking a road trip may require more preparation than it did before, but if you plan well, they can still be as much fun as they were when you were younger.

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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - SARATOGA SPRINGS RACE COURSE

A staple of the Capital Region since the midst of the American Civil War, Saratoga continues to serve as host to one of the world’s most prestigious racing meets every summer. Since the first organized meet in 1863, the track known as the Spa continues to be a financial catalyst, generating thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity. Currently home to a 40-day meet from July through September, Saratoga Race Course, located on historic Union Avenue across from the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, offers world-class racing, including 18 Grade 1 races, highlighted by the Whitney and the Runhappy Travers. It was named one of the world’s great sporting venues by Sports Illustrated.

We had the fortunate opportunity to watch the thoroughbreds train one morning. It moved me to tears. These are some of the finest horses in the world, and they run on this track each summer. If you get the chance this year, take a ride up to the Saratoga Race Track. It's worth the road trip. Go horsey!

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SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK 

Dear God,

Please keep the horses, jockey's and patrons of Saratoga Race Track healthy and safe this summer. Amen.

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 SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

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SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Where have you been in New England?

Please put your answer in the Reply bubble next the the Heart at the bottom of my newsletter. I'd love to hear from you. Thank you.

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SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - WILDFIRE by MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY

ABOUT MY BRAND, SKYLARK LIVE

My brand, Skylark Live, was born out of my turning 60 and noticing a profound shift in this age. I wanted to talk about it and share what I was experiencing with the hope of helping other women as well. My brand consists of a weekly newsletter and a monthly vlog designed to motivate and inspire women over 60 to thrive in older age through knowledge and self-awareness. I’m in the process of formulating in-person presentations called The Skylark Sessions. These can be conducted in someone’s home, local library, or senior center.

Weekly Newsletter - My weekly newsletter, Skylark Live Town News, features articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, motivation, music, places I've been to, and ideas I want to explore. I represent Bay Shore and towns beyond. There is also a calendar of events. I throw in Italian words, too, because I love the language and all things Italian. Bella Italia! As a paying subscriber, you will receive my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. That gives you a head's up. You can also advertise your business or event on my newsletter. Just click this link to subscribe: For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter!

Monthly Vlog - My first Monday-of-the month vlog, 60 and Beyond with Skylark, is a recap of what I've written about in my newsletters throughout the previous month. Then, I introduce a unique topic for the current month's vlog. My vlog is recorded and posted on my YouTube channel as well as on my Patreon account and my social media sites. Just click my YouTube channel link below to subscribe: www.youtube.com/@christineskylark

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Thank you for your love and support. Andiamo! Let's Go!