It almost seemed like a normal night. OK, the sides of East Hill Road were still filled with debris but the roadway was clear. And the unlit traffic signal at Route 44 was just a temporary setback. By the time I reached Mobil, all was well.
Pumping gas was a five-minute affair. It would have been three but I took the time to ask about pay-at-the-pump and supply. Yes and plenty was the gist of the responses. How could I not top off the tank and tweet the information as soon as possible? A ride down Route 44 just heightened my excitement. Business after business was open or at least well lit.
A quick stop at Citgo revealed another plentiful supply of fuel, albeit cash only. But no matter, my tank was full.
More bliss ensued as I passed Subway, Taco Bell, McDonalds and Joe Pizza. Not all equally healthy but beautifully lit just the same. And at journey’s end, a cold, dark Oatmeal Stout at Flatbread redefined refreshment. Some brief time with old and new friends, including one passionate Boston Bruins fan, made the night nearly perfect.
Reality set back in during the ride back home, however. It quickly became dark once I left Route 44.
Thankfully we've stayed safe so far. But this can still be a dangerous situation for some. Crews and emergency personnel have dealt with many hazards and hopefully everyone in need has made it to someplace warm where good meals and friends are plentiful. The Canton Community Center has mostly been such a place this week. Having a fireplace, I haven’t needed to stay but I’ve enjoyed some amazing meals, met some awfully nice folks, seen volunteers and town staff toil for countless hours and have talked to many old friends.
And on the way home I saw a sight about as beautiful as one could hope for at the 11th hour on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011 — a Connecticut Light and Power Truck working well into the night.
