Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Westborough, Mass to Westfield; 84 miles and the Westfield Fire Department took me in for the night.

The initial approval to set up my tent in a grassy area outside between the firehouse and the VFW horseshoe pits turned into a better idea of moving me to an empty classroom inside the firehouse to an even better idea of letting me sleep in a bunk. The spoiling continued with a hot shower, dinner prepared by a chef and finishing my laundry.

At this point I'm debating whether to continue the tour or just let the fire department adopt me.

One of the highlights at the firehouse is Frank Bush. He was made an honorary firefighter and has a gold badge as big as the chiefs to prove it.

Frank is 62 years old. A die-hard Red Sox fan. His job is to help keep the kitchen clean, march in parades and run errands on his bicycle when the firefighters need someone to get ice cream for their sundaes. The captain said Frank doesn't need to take notes. He remembers all the ice cream orders and comes back with the correct change.

While talking to Frank he was quick to make it clear that he was NOT related to President Bush. "I did lie when I wrote him a letter and said I voted for him." Frank grinned with a gap-toothed smile. He had lost another tooth that day but had little concern.

"I ended up getting a letter back from the President and I put it in a frame at my house." Frank bragged about another note he got from Vice President Dick Cheney. "I told him we were alike because we both had pacemakers."

Frank started to "get healthy" after he developed heart issues. He seriously said he quit a bad habit with the Marlborough man "cold turkey" and he dropped about 100 pounds and started bicycling more.

Somebody at the firehouse suggested Frank tour with me. That suggestion went over too well and the firefighters had to gang up on him to change his mind. "Who's going to clean the kitchen Frank?" asked one of the firefighters. "Who's going to collect your rent and take care of the dog?" asked another.

Frank didn't flinch -- he had convincing answers for everyone. I told him I got up at 5 a.m. to leave by 5:30 and he said that was OK because he got up at 4 o'clock.

Finally there were five firefighters standing in the kitchen trying to convince Frank he was irreplaceable. He apologetically declined to accompany me. Said he was needed in Westfield, but promised to join me on my next tour.

Highlights from Tuesday included some hills between Ware and the Winsor Dam. The incline on Route 9 was so steep signs were posted that said "climbing lanes." The assent was slow, the decent topped out at 38 miles and hour.

The Quabban Reservoir was impressive, as was the dike at the south end of the Winsor Dam.

Slept so soundly at the Westfield Fire Department, I didn't even dream.