[Paula&Charlie]

Every eight weeks between my treatments we always fill the time with some interesting excursions together. It’s always nice to reflect back on the trials and tribulations of travel when the chips are down.
One of our favorite hangouts is Foxwoods resorts located in Mashantucket Connecticut. We usually take my husband’s car up, but since we performed some upgrades to stinky the smart we decided to do a shakedown run with her.
So off we go heading up Sound ave through the vast farmlands on the Eastern North folk of Long Island to Orient point to catch the ferry to New London Connecticut.

Some quality time together heals all wound

The attendant taking the passes ahead informed us it may be a tight fit but they may be able to accommodate her, but she needed to remain on the auto deck with the other cars. It broke my heart to have to leave her below, but rules were rules!

All tucked away in her little space on the ferry.
She was scared, but knew I was only steps away on her 2 hour voyage across the Sound.

As she slept below we admired some interesting sights from above. Plumb Island light house home to the first infectious disease faculties off the tip of Long Island, New London ledge light house said to be haunted by a previous keeper named Ernie and General Dynamics submarine manufacturing facility where they build the attack submarines that keep us safe. We were treated to one being serviced. Once off the ferry we take Interstate 95 North to route 12 which leads us to route 214 which is a wonderful woodsy ride, hills, tight turns as well as some nice views. She performed flawlessly on the rain soaked roads.

This is where we had to say goodbye to her as the valet took her away from us.
As always we are having a great time together, wish other smart owners were hear to enjoy the pool, some fine dining and some much needed laughs as life is too short to sit idle. Get out and have some fun everyone!
To be continued...
Paula

 

[dhlairbusb4]

Keep em coming Paula. Nice wheels too!

 

[Paula&Charlie]

Keep em coming Paula. Nice wheels too!
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Now I wonder who was one of the culprits that helped me decide what wheels what tires?
Thank you for the help and encouragement in making this a reality.
She is handling fantastic with this setup, and I’m here to say it’s the first long distance trip we enjoyed bringing her on verses her old setup. The tires made a world of difference.
Paula

 

[dhlairbusb4]

Yes you are absolutely right.... I can't help but think I am driving a go-cart... yea a little stiff on the suspension, maybe a little more power would help to spin the tires... but still a lot of fun to drive!!!
I still think you should change the name of yours to "Stealthy".

 

[1983JZR3W]

Paula, great write up!! Next best thing to being there with you guys. I am glad you are so happy with your tire/wheel set up.

 

[Paula&Charlie]

As in all excursions, they always must come to an end, but in reality the end is the beginning of the next one.
After some much needed R&R and coming home with more $$$ than we drove up with we packed up, and began the journey home. Little did we know what a journey it would turn into.
So here comes our baby girl after spending three days at the spa. She was happy to see us.

You know how every once in a while you receive weather alerts on your phone, and for the most part you take them with a grain of salt. This time the weather report would spoil our plans for a fast escape and escalate into an adventure to say the least.
We arrived in New London at the ferry terminal just in time to purchase our tickets and load on board. While sitting in the upper lounge an announcement was made by the captain stating the conditions over in Orient point was deteriorating and we would need to await further instructions. Then after five minutes of praying the captain came back and announced all trips were canceled due to a North Eastern storm that formed with winds up to 60 MPH on the sound. If you live on the coast of Long Island and hear about a “Nor Easterner” you know it’s going to become hell on earth!
The ferry was packed with cars, trucks facing in the opposite dirrection. I assumed they would pull the boat out and turn it around, but assumption didn’t apply here, so all those cars and trucks either had to back off the boat, or make a three point turn inside. This is where owning a Smart has its advantages. Simply Turn the wheel and your released from the bilge of the boat.
So we’re off the boat, but by now the wind and rain had really picked up as we left the ferry terminal and got on Rte. 95 South for the 80 mile ride to the next ferry crossing to Long Island, praying all the way that it would be running. To say it was a joyous ride down 95, I would be lying. It was probably the biggest test of this new tire wheel setup that I would ever face. Smarts are not good cars in crosswinds blowing in excess of 50 MPH, but She was a trooper and got us safety to the ferry in Bridgeport.
Upon arriving at the ferry terminal we were informed that this would be the last boat until 7PM because of the conditions on the Long Island sound had deteriorated. We were also informed because of her size that we were entitled to a discount lol....besides the normal Senior discount they handed me a ticket that stated she was a motorcycle with a side car lol. We saved a whopping $37 dollars verses bringing my husbands behemoth, which we can usually be found driving on our trips.

Oh yes, size indeed does have its advantages again, wink wink and in the case small was definitely better “oh my”
So she got to play the big girl oh her way home, in front of the pack of followers.

The ride across the sound was horrendous, BANG BANG BANG as the boat cut through the monstrous waves that hit her on the side. A couple of people on board rode the porcelain bus with “Ralph” as assigned driver, but not me, I just turned a lighter shade of green for the voyage.
Home at last to the safety of Port Jefferson harbor, a quick a three mile drive from here and we’re stepping through our front door.

And with that said, our journey ends and a new one is in the making. I hope someone reads this and wants to join in on a joint adventure somewhere. I wish I had been on this site back in the days when it was overflowing with smart owners who wanted to have rallies. Who knows, there is an old saying “what’s old is new again” maybe it will apply here in SCOA.
God Bless everyone, have fun, be safe...
Paula

 

[Paula&Charlie]

Paula, great write up!! Next best thing to being there with you guys. I am glad you are so happy with your tire/wheel set up.

Good morning and happy Sunday George,
Thank you for helping me with setting her up, she is indeed a new Car.

 

[twcom]

None the less that was a good confidence builder, This weekend is Valentines so no leaving home for excursions. And running with out my full wheel set up is not my best foot forward. But I sure want to meet up. It will be soon

In the mean time if you haven't already, get these Aluminum Car Accessories For Smart Fortwo Brake Accelerator Foot Rest Pedal Pad Sticker Cover | Wish

and get some form of this.
Universil Gear Shift Boot | Wish

No matter what is going on outside, the above two additions along with your exhaust note will make you just sit in the car for no reason some times. You'll even drive slower after all, whats the rush..... I'm baaaad azz.

 

[Paula&Charlie]

Thirty years ago Valentine’s Day was the great excursion, now I’ll settle for a quiet evening bordering on the lighter side. I do appreciate the links, definitely something I was considering adding to her. Every excuse we can get to take her out for a little ride is a pleasure especially now since she proved herself. I believe our next excursion is going to end up at Resorts world Catskills Monticello.
Paula