Sunday, July 16

 

Please join us on a driving tour to West Point, America’s oldest continuously operational military base. Once there, you may tour the campus via bus, visit the military museum, shop in the campus gift shop, and luncheon across the street at one of many small restaurants in Highland Falls.  The Brotherhood Winery (tours and tasting) is 16 miles to the north.  A Ferrari/Porsche concours will also be held on the grounds.

 

You will be traveling along some of southern Connecticut and New York’s nicest twists and turns starting at the commuter parking on at the intersection of Route 58 and Route 15 ( Merritt Parkway ) in Fairfield, Connecticut.  The route is approximately 58 miles long and should take two hours to complete.

 

We will gather at 8:30 a.m. to meet the others in our group and pick up maps and information about the West Point area, and then depart at 9 a.m. for West Point.

 

We expect to be a loose-knit group: some will proceed by caravan while others may travel in smaller groups or alone.  You choose the company you wish to keep on the road.  Lunch will be available in Highland Falls, New York, adjacent to the West Point campus.  Separate information will be provided about luncheon options.  Your tour directors are Rudy and Cheryl Basztura.

 

This is not a rally  there are no tricks or traps  but you will need to use common sense to follow the obvious main road from time to time.  It goes without saying that all roads are paved, public and through.  You are on your own to get home.  If you intend to backtrack along the course, take good notes so you will recognize the intersections on the return leg.  We will provide maps to allow you to find your way to I-84, which will get you back to central Connecticut or connect to I-684 south to I-95 to the shoreline area.

 

We ask you to RSVP by calling Cheryl or Rudy by Friday, July 1, at (203) 261 5851 or email baszses@NOSPAMaol.com so that we can get a rough automobile count.

 

Date/Time: Sunday, July 16, 2005 at 9 AM - RSVP by July 1

 

Start: Commuter parking immediately south of the intersection of Route 58 and Route 15 ( Merritt Parkway ) in Fairfield , Connecticut.

 

Directions to Start:

 

From the West/North West:

 

Route 7 South - Travel down Route 7 to Norwalk and enter onto the Merritt Parkway (Route 15 North).   Exit the Merritt Parkway (Route 15) at Exit 44 ( Fairfield - Redding ).   Take a left at the stop light at the exit ramp.   Take another left at the next stop light onto Route 58 North.   The commuter parking lot is immediately on the right before going under the Merritt Parkway Bridge.

 

Merritt Parkway North - Exit the Merritt Parkway (Route 15) at Exit 44 ( Fairfield - Redding ).   Take a left at the stop light at the exit ramp.   Take another left at the next stop light onto Route 58 North.   The commuter parking lot is immediately on the right before going under the Merritt Parkway Bridge.

 

From the North/East:

 

Route 25 South - Exit Route 25 at Exit 8 (Route 15 - Merritt Parkway South ).   At the immediate Y, bear right ( Merritt Parkway - South).   Exit the Merritt Parkway at Exit 44 (Route 58 - Fairfield - Redding ).   Take a left at the stop light at the exit ramp.   Stay in left lane.   Take another left at the next stop light onto Route 58 South.   The commuter parking lot is immediately on the left after going under the Merritt Parkway Bridge .

 

Route 8 South - Exit Route 8 at Exit 10 (Route 15 - Merritt Parkway South ).   Exit the Merritt Parkway at Exit 44 (Route 58 - Fairfield - Redding ).   Take a left at the stop light at the exit ramp.   Stay in left lane.   Take another left at the next stop light onto Route 58 South.   The commuter parking lot is immediately on the left after going under the Merritt Parkway Bridge .

 

Route 91 South - Exit Route 91 in Middletown at Exit 17 (Route 15 - Wilber Cross Parkway - South). Take care, as this exit is tricky; follow the signs carefully.   Wilber Cross Parkway becomes the Merritt Parkway farther south when one crosses the Housatonic River Bridge.   Exit the Merritt Parkway at Exit 44 (Route 58 - Fairfield - Redding ).   Take a left at the stop light at the exit ramp.   Stay in left lane.   Take another left at the next stop light onto Route 58 South.   The commuter parking lot is immediately on the left after going under the Merritt Parkway Bridge .

 

Or

 

Take Route 91 south to the junction of Route 95 in New Haven . Exit onto Route 95 South - New York City.   Exit Route 95 at Exit 38 (Route 15 – Wilber Cross/Merritt Parkway ).   Keep to the left.   At the Y, bear left (Route 15 South Merritt Parkway).   As you cross the Housatonic River, watch for helicopters to your right.   Exit the Merritt Parkway at Exit 44 (Route 58 - Fairfield - Redding ).   Take a left at the stop light at the exit ramp.   Stay in left lane.   Take another left onto Route 58 South.   The commuter parking lot is immediately on the left after going under the Merritt Parkway Bridge .

 

Route 95 South - Exit Route 95 at Exit 38 (Route 15 - Wilber Cross/Merritt Parkway ).   Keep to the left.   At the Y, bear left (Route 15 South Merritt Parkway).   Exit the Merritt Parkway at Exit 44 (Route 58 - Fairfield - Redding ).   Take a left at the stop light at the exit ramp.   Stay in left lane.   Take another left onto Route 58 South.   The commuter parking lot is immediately on the left after going under the Merritt Parkway Bridge .

 

From the South:

 

Sail into Southport Harbor.   Beware of marauding British Man O' War.   They have recently landed in Fairfield, where they burned down the town, and in Westport at Compo Beach, where they marched up to Ridgefield and Danbury to destroy military supplies.   Take care moving through the harbor as there be plenty of coasters anchored there, taking on cargoes of onions for the Indies.   Notice the beautiful mansions, fields, and beaches to your left and the docks and warehouses to your left.   Travel up the estuary, under the stone Boston/New York/Philadelphia Post Road Bridge, past the large grain mill and the fields of rye and onions.   When you can no longer navigate up the Mill River, tie your boat to the right side of the bank and follow the path along the pristine river, teaming with trout (luncheon suggestion).   Notice the many quaint homesteads and fields as you travel north.   Shortly, you will see the plantations of  Greens Farms up on your left before arriving at a water cascade.   Have a refreshing drink of cold water before ascending the rocky path.   Look for the Indian caves on the rocky heights to the left of the river.   A quarter mile further, cross the river ford (you will take a left across the river) onto the Redding/Danbury Turnpike (current Route 58).   Travel a ½ mile further north and you are at the starting point on the right side of the road.

 

As for gasoline stops, gasoline has not been invented yet.   The great outdoors offers a plethora of potty stop opportunities.   Chicory coffee and a light breakfast repast can be obtained from any of the local small farm wives along the route.

 

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