Day 1 - Boston, MA to Lee, MA

Weather:  50s & 60s   Mix of Sun and heavy rain.

Note;  The narrative in the blog posts will be personal, but at times reflect the mission of the Historic US Route 20 Association.

Today began a journey four years in the making, as I completed my last voyage on US Route 20 back in 2010.  I never thought I would do this road again at the time, but as many of you will know, this road has become my life, passion and ultimately, what makes me quite happy!

Today began just as it began in 2010, just with a different car.  This time I am driving a 2013 Chevy Spark instead of my missed but had to be junked 2001 Nissan Xterra.  The gas mileage is great – approximately 37mpg with a 9 gallon tank.  The only thing I had to add this year was a roof rack and cargo box.

I left my home at around 8 AM and got gas for $3.539 at Cumberland Farms,  I will miss the 10 cent/gal discount, unless I find another place that offers such deals.

First stop, the Atlantic Ocean at Revere Beach.  Just as I did in 2010, my goal is to reach the Pacific Ocean on June 19, so I had to see the Atlantic before I left.  Today though was very foggy to start.  However, I am happy that the doom and gloom forecast of downpours did not happen until much later and blue sky could be seen.'

I managed to hit rush hour traffic in Boston ( of course ) but when I got off the Storrow Drive exit for Kenmore Square. I found blue sky and sunshine to begin my journey on Historic US Route 20.

I am happy the City of Boston erected many new signs last summer as originally the first Route 20 sign could not be found until almost ½ mile down from the start line and now the one featured looks so much better.

Newport Oregon is 3,365 miles west from here. There should be a sign!

Another great sign is the older 1960s  or early 70s sign just a few miles down. 

I had a mission to follow ALL the original course of Historic Route 20 – but as I even reached Watertown, I thought. “Massachusetts is home and I have driven these parts more times than I can think. Yes I will try to get some highlights, but a greater exploration is awaiting further west”

So in Watertown, I got a picture of near Watertown Square.  Such a nice location

I then got into Waltham, which on a good day, can be tough to drive through, and I figured, what is great shot but a 1940s diner!   Wilson’s Diner made for some great pics before and now, I would put my prop sign in front of it and take a picture.   Luckily one of the owners saw me, asked what I was doing and saw the sign and bought one on the spot!  So go in and see a Historic Route 20 sign and some great food!

The next spot is unique on all of US 20. It is the Waltham mixed sign for 20 WEST. You won’t see anything like it anywhere else on 20!

Then, going through MetroWest- Weston, Wayland, Sudbury.  Towns I have a made a great presence in previously. So again, exploring what is there in depth is not a waste of time, but more of,been there seen so much already, lets see what we haven’t seen!

I did take the first bypass every built in 1930 for US 20 in Weston.

 

I did stop at the Bearly Read Books in Sudbury and talked with BettyAnn, who is the proprietor – she was kind enough to purchase my books and sell them along with displaying a Route 20 sign in their window.  I love places like this

In Sudbury, I did the obligatory stop at the Wayside Inn, which was on old US 20 until Henry Ford  moved it for fear vibrations from passing trucks would destroy the foundation.

One thing I did do a lot of was twitter out our locations in hope of some publicity!

Of course, another stop was Wegmans!  I am so happy they have come to Mass!  And now I can get my supplies and Weg-O’s here!    They are the official snack of the trip!

Just to note, there are 8 Wegmans on US 20 between Northborough MA and Erie, PA!

Then the rain came..  and I must tell you, traffic was HORRIBLE, so many slow trucks and heavy rain, that it made it nearly not worth doing anything between Charlton and Springfield.   Yes – so much to see, but the rain and fog did not allow for great pics.

I then headed west over Jacobs Ladder, a small organization that promotes one of the early Auto Routes over the Berkshires.  

I stopped in again in Chester to say hi to Bill, the Postmaster I met last weekend at Chester on Track.  Always nice to meet new friendly people!  While there, Dave, who runs Chester on Track came in and again, just nice to say hi to people who support you.  I then noticed the Route 20 sign in the Post Office window!   I remember selling it back in the winter, but until Bill reminded me that one was bought for that purpose, I did not put 2 and 2 together.  

My favorite spot in town is the diner and old gas station, which is featured in the book. I still recall seeing it for the first time!

I stopped at the top of Jacobs Ladder at the Cairn, which marks the completion of the auto road in 1910 and it is the highest point on Route 20 in Mass and east of Randolph, Nebraska! 

 

The trip for the day was winding down as the rain really played with the dreariness factor, a stop at the Appalachian trail was peaceful.

Finally for the day came Lee, a beautiful Berkshire town with its church centerpiece. I will be revisiting tomorrow morning.