The Clark, Williams College Museum of Art, The Norman Rockwell Museum, Great Barrington Holiday Stroll | Williamstown, MA, Stockbridge, MA, & Great Barrington, MA

A few weeks ago I traveled to Massachusetts to spend the weekend with a friend. On our agenda: art museums and anything Christmasy. We ended up visiting The Clark, the Williams College Museum of Art, The Norman Rockwell Museum, and we participated in the Holiday Stroll in a nearby little town. 

At The Clark we saw a sample their newly installed permanent collection (the museum is currently adding several additions to their building and many of their galleries are closed) and a temporary exhibit that compared Degas to Rembrant.

John Singer Sargent, A Street in Venice, 1880-81

First Snow, Clyde's Cider Mill, and the Brooklyn Museum | Groton, CT, Mystic, CT, & Brooklyn, NY

It's been awhile since my last post and a lot of things have been happening in the Northeast. We had our first snowfall on October 29! Because I live on the coast we only got a thick dusting, but farther inland many major roads and towns were closed. 

Newport Mansions | Newport, RI

I had company for this weekend's exploration. My friend Elizabeth came down from Massachusetts and we drove to Newport, Rhode Island, to visit the mansions. Even though the families who owned these homes only lived in them for two months out of the year, it is estimated that each family would spend around $500,000 per season on dinners, parties, balls, and upkeep (that comes out to $7 million dollars in today's economy). 

Aerial view of Newport

USS Nautilus and Submarine Force Museum | Groton, CT

For my first weekend adventure, I decided to explore the USS Nautilus and Submarine Force Museum. The USS Nautilus was the first nuclear powered submarine. It served in the military for nearly 30 years. The submarine now resides in Groton, Connecticut, and is part of the submarine museum.

Submarine Force Museum

Even Heating is Different

I have never lived in a place that does not have central heat and air, but apparently that is very common up here. Instead there is one air conditioner window unit in the living room (which at least I know how to work) and these long heating elements that run along the floor boards. There are one or two of the heating elements in each room and a dial controller for each one. 

Heating element along the floor (and this is the
first time that I have windows that open from side to
side instead of top to bottom)

Getting Moved In | New London, CT

After I finally got moved in and got everything kind of sorted out it was time to make my generic apartment into a home. I found out from the apartment manager that I can't paint the walls but I can hang whatever I like on them. 

The 1,700 Mile Journey: Part 2

Several things that I learned while driving halfway across the country:

1. It is very depressing that the speed limit is 75 mph on the Oklahoma turnpike but I have to drive slower because I am pulling a u-haul

2. Missouri and Illinois have absolutely gorgeous and pastoral countrysides 

3. Indiana roads are horrendous and half of the roads in the state are under construction

4. There is a Cracker Barrel in almost every town in Ohio

5. When you drive the width of Pennsylvania it seems tor stretch on forever

6. The majority of highways and interstates in New England have a speed limit of 50 or 55 mph but everyone drives 70 mph

7. New Jersey road signs will take you the most complicated route possible to get back onto the interstate

8. New York has ridiculously high tolls for very short sections of road

9. Connecticut either doesn't believe in street signs or someone stole them all one Halloween and they were never replaced

10. A smile and a Southern accent works wonders :)

Made it to Groton!

The 1,700 Mile Journey: Part 1

After several requests from various friends, I decided to blog about living, working, and traveling in the Northeast. So...how did I end up moving from Oklahoma to Connecticut? 

Approximately 1742 miles