By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com
As I write this column it’s early August, the height of the summer vacation season for many people.
I hope to take a little time off, along with many other people and on my list of activities will be another “Old Man Tour.”
That’s my name for the day trips (and a memorable weekend) I take periodically with two close friends, who are in my age group.
Therefore, “old men.”
Now what we do on these trips might seem a tad eccentric, but then the three of us are a tad eccentric. My two buddies are Joseph Citro, the Vermont author who has become well-known for his horror novels as well for a series of books that explore the oddities of New England – pick up “Weird New England” to start.
Joe’s work in history and folklore has earned him the well-deserved nickname of “the Bard of the Bizarre.”
My other friend is renowned artist Stephen R. Bissette, another Vermonter, who is revered for his work in comics on “Swamp Thing,” “Taboo” and Tyrant,” to name a few. Steve and his work is so loved that people have tattoos of his drawings. I’ve seen that with my own eyes.
I am the non-celebrity of the crew – just an old journalist who always carries a camera.
For these excursions either the boys come down here to Western Massachusetts and we visit odd and interesting places, or I go to Vermont and we do the same. With Joe’s knowledge, he will create an itinerary for us when the trip is north of Springfield.
If I go north, I have no idea what we are doing. If they come south, they have no idea what I have planned. It works out just fine, as everyone appreciates a surprise.
Back in 2011, for instance, Joe arranged a weekend in Maine, with stops in New Hampshire. Joe led us to Northfield, NH, to see an immense arch built as memorial by local industrialist Charles Tilton, to himself.
It was like seeing a pyramid in New England, almost surreal and out of place.
We then went to Gilmanton, NH, where author Grace Metalious lived when she wrote her explosive 1950s’ bestseller “Peyton Place.” Joe told me that when he had visited before, older residents were still angry with Metalious for her book that was based in part on the private lives of people in a small New England town.
Gilmanton is also the birthplace of H.H. Holmes; the 19th century serial killer who created a hotel in Chicago designed to satisfy his murderous intentions.
I love finding out the secrets New England towns hold, and Joe is the guy with the roadmap.
That same trip we spent time at the resort at Poland Springs, ME – yes the home of the bottled spring water – and visited the International Museum of Cryptozoology in Portland, ME. This organization is dedicated to the study of controversial animals such as lake monsters, Big Foot and many more. Loren Coleman, who runs it, is a fascinating guy who assembled a treasure trove of artifacts, photos and first person accounts.
Vermont’s graveyards are full of reminders of interesting historic trivia and we’ve visited quite a few, such as the story of Phineas Gage, a workman whose accident allowed medical researchers to learn more of the brain’s capacity. Gage was a Vermont railroad worker who accidently set off a charge that drove an iron rod completely through his head. He lived, although his personality was changed, allowing doctors to start to understand how the brain works.
Is it odd for three men to hang out reading tombstones? Perhaps, but the stories they tell are fascinating.
More recently we took a trip to gold country in Vermont, the Bridgewater area. At a local restaurant, the staff told us that people come with gold pans regularly and find dust and nuggets in the water.
We also traveled to a stone chamber with a mysterious history. The Native Americans did not build them, nor did the colonists. There are many of these structures scattered through New England and Joe said one theory is that Celtic monks constructed them.
As a history fan, I love going to these sites. It’s not a conventional summer activity, but it’s a tremendous amount of fun for these three old men.
If you want to do as we do, pick up Joe’s books “Weird New England” and “Curious New England: The Unconventional Traveler’s Guide to Eccentric Destinations.” Plan a route and jump in the car. It’s a great way to see New England and learn about its semi-hidden history.
G. Michael Dobbs is the managing editor of Reminder Publications and Prime’s local columnist.