May 23, 2012 Day 30 — Stonington, CT to Charlestown, RI (18.7 miles)

Last evening after a delicious vegetable pasta dinner, Casey (my host) and I went to the movies in Mystic (yes, by car, and no, not metered) to see the Quebecois film, Monsieur Lazhar. We were not disappointed. It’s an amazing, feel-good film about teaching that takes place near Montreal. Highly recommended (four stars), but beware that the topic of suicide and of dealing with grief and loss is at the heart of the plot. I was OK with it too. Isn’t that exactly what my walking to Boston is about?

A good night’s sleep is topped off with an early morning tour of the tiny seaside village of Stonington. The place is picture perfect–a dream come true for those seeking the feel of a small town of the past that still is in the present. Just when I thought my Stonington experience  couldn’t get any better, we have breakfast at Noah’s. According to our waitress, Melissa, I’ve choose the signature breakfast entree–wild blueberry pancakes. Yum! Both Noah’s and Melissa will appear in the new film, Hope Springs, starring Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones out this summer. Although Stonington is transformed into a little Maine town in the film, it’s still 100% Stonington.

Then off I go in an easterly direction following the infamous (and at times eternal) Routes 1 and 1A that hug the southern New England coast. Within an hour and a half, I cross the tiny river into Westerly, RI. Goodbye, Connecticut.

A coffee-shop stop to celebrate is warranted. It’s here that I meet Jennifer sitting at the table next to me. She wants to know what I’m doing. Someone is actually asking me first! In the telling, I quickly learn about her own struggles with brain issues, and we’re quickly on the same wave length. Listening to the struggles of others quiets my own narrative.

In the afternoon, Route 1 slowly  becomes interminable. This is when a motel needs to appear. And it does, in the form of Hathaway’s Guest Cottages. I even get to pick which cabin I want, my very own little house away from home. I choose number 7. The cute-factor is high, especially the hammock in front of the cottage. Cindy, the proprietor, must assume that no hammock scene is complete without a cold beer. She quickly offers me one, and I accept.

Today’s accomplishments are major milestones. Here they are: I’ve been on the road for 30 days (one month). I’ve logged 401 miles by foot. I’ve crossed four states with only two to go. I’m very encouraged. Tomorrow, I head for Narragansett.