Knox the Fox can’t throw an axe with Weston Babelay’s 865 Axe Throwing, but he can sneak in on a trip with Weston and wife Penny, especially one as exciting as the five state New England trek the two managed through 11 days last month.
Weston’s main purpose for the trip was to see his Eckerd College alumni friends Becky Day in Vermont, Katelyn Berger and Martha Fagan in New York plus one of his best friends, Elspeth Spransy, who even had Weston serve as her brides-man in her wedding. With Elspeth living in Greenwich, Connecticut, she played tour guide and host for the Connecticut and New York leg of their adventure.
The first stop was to Hershey, Pennsylvania, where the duo, well trio if you count Knox, were excited to explore a little bit but mainly get a little bit of chocolate on their way to Vermont. Knox probably didn’t get into the chocolate having heard it is poisonous to his species.
After driving through Pennsylvania, Maryland and Vermont, the Babelays reunited with longtime Eckerd friend, Becky Day, who served as the tour guide through the Ben & Jerry’s and Vermont teddy bear factories.
Continuing on to New York, the crew met Elspeth Spransy and her two kids, lovingly called Noah Bear and Ember Cat for what Weston called the true New York experience.
The whole crew visited the Empire State Building, Central Park, Times Square, Ghostbuster Firehouse, 911 Memorial, lunch at Ellen’s Stardust Cafe, dinner in Chinatown and many other experiences.
Not to mention that Weston survived his first subway ride and attended his first Broadway play: Spamalot!
On one of their days in the area, Elspeth took Weston and Penny (maybe Knox) to Mystic, Connecticut, to explore this beautiful coastal town. Not only was it the base location for the movie Mystic Pizza, but Weston recommends its shops, restaurants and beautiful atmosphere. He says one of their highlights was going to duBois Beach where you can see Rhode Island and New York from the shoreline while you’re standing in Connecticut. Weston says the restaurant, The Mariner, also has the best lobster roll in town.
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- Becky Day, Weston & Penny Babelay at Ben & Jerry’s
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- Weston & Penny snowed in briefly
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- Weston & Elspeth Spransy
After experiencing and navigating a full New England winter with 12 inches of snow, they waited it out a day or two, then made it safely to Johnsonburg Camp Retreat Center to meet an old friend of Penny Babelay, Elise Russell, and check out other camps in the area.
Leaving the retreat, the Babelays headed to Albany, New York, to visit with some more Eckerd family, Katelyn Berger and Martha Fagan, where they woke again to snow as they were heading home.
Continuing on, they arrived safely in Gettysburg with a few impromptu stops by a Headless Horseman Hayride (closed for the season) and of course a detour to show their love of everyone’s favorite shows The Office in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
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- Weston, Penny & Elise Russell at Johnsonburg Camp Retreat
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- Lincoln pointing to second floor of Wills house where he slept the night before Gettysburg Address
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- Weston & Penny in Scranton
Weston and Penny with the unknown traveler Knox the Fox made it back to Knoxville safe and sound, traveling 11 days, driving over 2,600 miles, checking off 5 new states and spending memorable time with wonderful friends.
While you may not know any of these people and you may already know these places, may this trip inspire you to be adventurous, seek old friends and make lasting memories.
Knox the Fox loves to share your trips so share yours with susan@knoxtntoday.com.