Townie (7/14)

The chariot.

Freedom!

Earlier this week Fred loaned me his old truck, so I have a set of wheels for the remainder of the summer. It's older than I am, it's three different shades of red, it's a manual, and it doesn't have ac or power steering. I'm over the moon, I am so excited to be able to get out and about, and how generous was it for him to lend it to me? Ahhh, I'm so stoked. I mean, I would be thrilled even if I had to wind it up every time I went to drive it, but when I brought it back to the bunkhouse I almost spent the night in the cab.

Some of the items on display at the train museum. Most have
 been donated by  individuals previously involved with the station.

Anywayyyy- My initial plan for the day was to sleep until the sun went down again, but a fire was found on the refuge yesterday, so the americorps crew that showed up the day before ended up getting up pretty early to go out and help out. It wasn't a serious fire, it was 200 yards from the ditch, and about the size of a truck. It was one tree. But they were up and rowdy, doing laundry at 7am right across from my room, so I was up by 8:30.

Which means tonight I need to get some major shut eye, but I'm already feeling more refreshed than I did during the week. Today I decided to explore and get some of my much-needed alone time (coming from a family of six, I learned to really appreciate 'me' time) so I went out.

Original 18th century fireplace in what was
 the overflow waiting room of the station.

I walked around down town, scoping out the peanut stores and seeing if this downtown was similar to most. I ended up at the Train Museum over on Main st, which was originally Suffolk's train station, after I picked up some chocolate covered peanut brittle. The woman working gave me the run down, and showed me around the place since I was the only visitor in at the time. It was built in 1885, and most of the building was original. She even gave me the heads up about a few other places I could check out, which included Riddick's Folly, a house that had been used as a Civil War Union headquarters after the family took a long vacation farther west. I haven't been, but it's next on the list.

I walked around the nearby cemetery and many, if not most, of the dates were from the 19th century. It reminded me of all the times my friend and I would run down to the cemetery by her house when we were in middle school. After that I went to lunch, a little place downtown called The Plaid Hatter. They had a huge selection of teas and all sorts of grub. I got a zucchini carrot burger and a salad- which came with a balsamic glaze so tasty I could bathe in it. (I can actually make this at home, so maybe I will.... though I doubt that'd help my bug problems.) I was pretty hesitant about the sandwich and the lemon yogurt spread, but it was delicious. I was full halfway through, but the toasted ciabatta and spread were so good that I ATE IT ALL.

A statue dedicated to the soilders of WW1
at the entrance to the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suffolk.
 

I finished my sandwich before my server even came back to check on me. It was that good. I might just be a regular.

Then I went thrifting, which I always love doing. Thanks to my Grandpa Paul dragging me to second hand stores and yard sales as a kid, I am always poking around in these places.

I guess I didn't do anything terribly exciting. I went to the mall and walked around, mostly just enjoying wandering around the stores. I drove around, for the most part, feeling pretty cool because I was driving a manual transmission and gas is a whole dollar cheaper than back home. When I went to get a soda from Chick-fil-a the boy at the counter got a little flirty when he gave me my change, which of course, brightened my day pleasantly.

For dinner, one of the other interns and I went to the Plaid Hatter's sister restaurant, the Plaid Turnip. I got pulled pork this time around, but because I spent the day eating peanut brittle and stuffing myself on other sandwiches I only ate half. I also got a cupcake, because it was lemon flavoured and the second the server mentioned it I had to.

The Plaid Hatter

So, nothing terribly exciting. I guess I just wanted to say that I have recovered (mostly) from the week. My patchwork skin still itches, and I'm still tired, but mentally- I'm in a much better mood.