Home again!

Yesterday, Tuesday, was spent traveling home.  We woke up to a grey day with light rain.  We saw Boston on TV and traffic was a mess so we moved up our departure time 15 minutes and then another 15 minutes.  Well, not everyone got the message.  We had decided that we were packed and might as well go to the lobby only to discover that the bus was almost loaded.  Others were later.  Actually the two hours passed quickly without great hitches in the traffic.  Boarding Southwest is always exciting with no assigned seats.  Chuck and I ended up in the very back row, but at least we sat together.  Our bus picked us up and delivered us to the Rock Valley College Parking lot where Wanda was waiting for us.  After a quick trip to Wendy's for supper, Chuck headed to the Kiwanis board meeting.  Now we will work on pictures while reflecting on the great trip to New England and the new friends we have made.  

From Brattelboro, Vermont --late

Last night in Brattleboro, Vermont I suffered major internet/IPad trauma.  First, I couldn't get on the internet and then when I finally did--more chaos.  I had written the blog and was going to make a couple small corrections before posting.  The whole IPad locked up. I had to turn it off and of course, the new post disappeared --somewhere. I went to bed.  I will try again.
On Monday morning, we left the hotel and drove for 45 minutes through the foothills of White Mountains National Forest on the way to Mount Washington, the highest mountain on the east coast at an elevation of over 6,200 feet.  We could see snow on the top of the mountain.  We boarded a cog train powered (pushed) by a biodiesel engine and started up the mountain.  The scenery was breathtaking as we watched the trees get smaller, saw more snow, saw a couple hikers, realized how steep a 37% climb really is, and finally stopped about 3/4 way to the top.  Because of the snow and ice on the rails, it was not safe to go any further.  The brakeman told us how to turn the seats around and we went back down --with the engine in front of us. This area is where the Appalachian Trail goes through.
The bus was waiting for us and took us to lunch in Woodstock, NH (not New York).  We explored the town and shopped a little before continuing to Brattleboro.  During our afternoon, Gene (a retired teacher) conducted one of his famous quizzes about the sights of the trip and other assorted facts. Many of these people (including many teachers) have traveled together before so they were amazed when Chuck and I (the newcomers) got the highest score.  We won two Maine tee shirts and wine with dinner and a little respect! Our farewell dinner was at the Marina.  We enjoyed great food and a re-hash of all we had done.  Now insert the part about my computer frustration. 

Greetings from New Hampshire

This morning we woke up to a beautiful view of the harbor.  It wasn't long before the Queen Mary II ship came into view.  It is such a stately ship. Soon the tenders were lowered to the water, followed by passengers boarding, coming to shore and filling the town and tour buses.   The last of the 130 ships for the season will come in on November 1.
A step-on guide joined our loaded bus and we drove to Acadia National Park.  Our first stop was the top of Cadillac Mountain.  It was mighty cold and windy up there.  We stopped two more times for photo ops.  We learned about the devastating 1947 forest fire which burned up to 17,000 acres of woods, and many homes. After the evergreens burned, they were replaced by deciduous trees.  The result was the colorful trees which they now have.  During the two hour tour, we took many pictures of the water, trees, mountains, and nature.
We spent most of the day driving across Maine to New Hampshire.  Looked at the landscape which really looked alot like Wisconsin, watched the movie, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," and napped.
Enjoyed a delicious dinner.  We both had haddock.  The fish has been outstanding.  I think they both have really good fish and know how to prepare it.   Time to call it a day.  

The Day in Bar Harbour

This morning started a little later than usual. At 9:15 AM, we left for the day.  Took the bus to downtown Bar Harbour.  The temp is 58 - high of 61 today, with some sun.  It doesn't take us long to realize that the season is almost over here.  The coffee shop where we had coffee and Grandma's blueberry coffee cake (not baked today or yesterday) is closing in two days. The ice cream store (only   99 cents a scoop) is closing in two days.  The sports store next door is closing in two weeks.  We walked around, did some shopping, enjoyed the ambiance, and took pictures. At 1:00 PM we got on a boat for a two hour tour.  The non-stop commentator pointed out wild life (seals, eagles, harbour porpoises, puffins), cottages, and points of history.  Then we took a half hour ride on a trolley with a driver who told us all about Bar Harbour history.  A little later we headed out for a lobster dinner.  Started out with mussels--delicious.  We were then invited it to see the steamers filled with lobster, corn on the cob, and potatoes. Lobster is always a challenge to eat, but worth it.  Our meal finished with blueberry (of course) cake.  Headed back to pack up.  

Waking up in Bar Harbour

Yesterday was another long day.  We started out in Kennebunkport, Maine.  Our driver is from Maine so he had plenty of commentary as we drove around the quaint New England town.  The Bush's summer place is out on a penninsula.  There is no place for buses to stop so he kept the wheels moving slooooowly as we took a few pictures.  It is really quite modest compared to the golden age mansions we have been seeing. We stopped downtown for a cup of coffee, a blueberry muffin, and a walk around downtown.  Drove to Portland, the largest city in Maine.  Our first stop was the Fort Williams Lighthouse commissioned by George Washington.  Next stop was by the harbour with many eating places and shops.  Chuck had fried clams and I had clam chowder.  We then visited a Victorian mansion that is being restored.  It was smaller than the others, but just as ornate. It had been owned by Ruggles Morse from New Orleans.  Back on the road for a long drive to Bar Harbour.  The drive reminded me of northern Minnesota in many ways: a ribbon of concrete througha sea of trees.
We did have a beautiful sunny day and some beautiful colorful trees.  Arrived here at the Blue Nose Inn in the dark so this morning's glimpse of the harbour and the cruise ship was a surprise.  This is one of the old time resorts --well maintained.  Dinner was here.  Dessert was blueberry pie!  Finished the evening listening to a great piano player in the louge.

Greetings from Wells, Maine

This has been a long, long day.  Our first stop was a visit to the Breakers--Cornelius Vanderbilt's summer cottage built in 1895 in Newport, RI.  It had 70 rooms and over 125,000 square feet.  It was absolutely breath-taking, especially when you consider that it was only used during the summer--an example of the Gilded Age.  We then traveled several blocks down the shore and visited Marble Head, Alva and William Vanerbilt's summer home built in 1892.  It had 50 rooms and required a staff of 36.  Then we drove an hour and a half to Plimouth Plantation. It was a historic re-creation of a 17th century village with a local Indian tribe community, an English colony, craft center, museum store, restaurant, etc.  The Mayflower was only a couple miles from there.  Up to this point, the day had been grey, 72 degrees, very humid, misting, and sprinkling.  When we got out of the bus to visit the exact replica of the Mayflower, it poured.  Despite a rain coat and umbrella, everything (except my underwear) got soaked.  We got on the Mayflower and briefly looked around.  We walked back and took shelter.  Did not go and see Plymouth Rock.  Our spirit of adventure was getting seriously diluted. The bus finally showed up.  We then sloshed back on the bus and rode three hours. Passed through Mass., New Hamphire, and ended up in Maine.  Stopped at a restaurant for baked cod (the best ever) and arrived at our motel by 9:00 PM.  By the time we ate, one sleeve was still wet: all else had dried out.  

Greetings from Middletown, Rhode Island

Today was a day of touring Boston in summer weather (high 70's). Started out with a taste of Boston morning traffic as we headed from Braintree back into Boston..  Our first stop was to pick up our step-on guide Alan.  He pointed out many historical buildings: Trintiy Church, the public library (first public library in the US), the Boston Marathon route, Christian Science Mother church among others. We stopped in Cambridge and walked for a half hour on the Harvard campus.  Saw the MIT campus.  Headed back to Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market for lunch.  This time Chuck had lobster salad and I had spinach pie.  Went upstairs in Faneuil Hall (the cradle of liberty) and saw Great Hall--a private meeting space for the citizens of Boston.   Back to the bus and on to the JFK Presidential Library which was opened in 1979.  It is set in the harbor, surrounded by water, and on the campus of the University of Massachusetts Boston campus.  We enjoy Presidential Libraries and this one was no exception.  After that we drove an hour and a half to Middletown, Rhode Island.  Enjoyed colorful trees on the way here.  

Greetings from Boston

Most of today was spent traveling.  Wanda took us to the bus at Rock Valley College. Gene and Tammy are leading the tour.  All forty people were on time.  Drove to Midway Airport, ate lunch and boarded the plane.  We flew Southwest which does not assign seats. The flight was full and by the time we boarded, there was only a sprinkling of middle seats left.  It was only a two hour twenty minute flight so no big deal.  After landing, we were met by Dennis and bus we will have for the week. Took us to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market.  Both are very historic spots in downtown Boston.  Tonight's goal was to find food.  There were many, many choices with sit down restaurants and plenty of food court type places and seating.  Chuck and I had clam chowder--very good.  Another couple sat down and we started talking.  They were from South Africa, had been in New England for a month and were going home tomorrow.  Had a delightful conversation. Then we had some ice cream.  The bus picked us up at 7:45PM and we headed for our hotel in Braintree, MA. We are ready for some sleep.