Fixin' to travel

Al is ready for formal night on the Queen Mary II.

Things aren't so easy for the Queen of Indecision.  I keep putting stuff in the suitcase, taking it out, reassessing, going to the closet (it's not far), and starting the process all over. 
Two months is a long time to live out of one little carry-on suitcase.   

Newport

 

Isn't this is lovely place to invite your 750 best friends to a wedding?

 

Trinity Church was founded in 1698, built in 1726. 

 

Patriot's Park and Touro Synagogue, the second oldest in the US (the first was Sephardi in New York).

Al with Littleneck Clams.  They should be called Little Littleneck Clams.

Rhode Island is itty-bitty with only 1,033 square miles, making it the smallest of the fifty states.
(The city of Anchorage is 1,697 square miles, just for comparison.)  1,051,302 people live here.
(New York City has 8,008,278 people. Anchorage has 260,512 people.)
Rhode Island didn't send delegates to the Constitutional Convention and was the 13th colony to ratify it,
with a vote of 34 in favor, 32 opposed. 
 Is your day going to be better now that you have this valuable information?

Cape Cod

We took a drive to Cape Cod, which is gorgeous at every turn. 

 

The thing that most impressed me in the Salt Pond museum was the talent of the sailors in carving whalebone and teeth - these are pie crimpers for wives and mothers.  Amazing, aren't they?  I managed to refrain from breaking the glass and running away with one of them

Al and JFK on the way to the Peace Corps.

At the southwest tip of Cape Cod is a town called Woods Hole, which has this abandoned geodesic dome, designed by Buckminster Fuller.  Al wants to build one.  Who knows where that might be. 

Up the road a piece is Plymouth, where the Pilgrims landed in 1620, supposedly stepping off the Mayflower onto the rock.  Chunks of it were chiseled away by souvenir seekers, and in 1774 20 yoke of oxen were engaged to move it, splitting it in the process.
Half of it is now on display for us to pay tribute to those brave colonists.   

In 1921 this granite portico was built to protect the rock
and celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Pilgrims' arrival. 

The Mayflower II is a reproduction of that famous ship.
  None of my ancestors were on it - how about yours? 

If only you were here!

Larry and his family before their steam bath.

After

Ain't they beautiful?  My darling hubby prepared this feast (like the serving dishes?) and even took the lobster out of the shell for me.  Without a doubt the most tender and flavorful lobster we've ever eaten.  Soft shell/young/chix - the absolute way to go!  I couldn't wait until tomorrow to tell you.
Just to make it even more perfect, I still have a bit of the Lake Champlain chocolate from New Hampshire.
Camping life is tough.

Pickin'

 

We happened upon a U-Pick blueberry farm.  These are 25-year old high bushes, which they
told us are sweeter than the low bushes.  Doesn't Al look good in the bushes?

 

 

 

It would be crazy to visit the Maine coast and not go to a fish market.
We brought home four live chix - doesn't that sound like they should be cuddled instead of cooked and eaten?  I'll let you know later how that goes. 

The sky darkened a few minutes ago and the skies opened up with a fabulous downpour,
complete with thunder and lightening.  It's wonderful and I'm happy to be dry and cozy inside Homer.  Maybe the tenters  around us aren't enjoying it quite as much.

Maine is old!

York was first settled in 1624 and at least six building from around 1740-1760 are part of the Museum.
We all know that Al would have spent a lot of time like this. 

Yet another First Church.  They are all so pretty.

 

 

Put your John Hancock on that.

Kennebunkport

Walker Point.  The Texas flag indicates that George and Barbara are at home,
but they didn't invite us in for a cocktail.  Maybe next time.

Lobster roll, another version of Larry.  This is a place called The Ramp at Cape Porpoise, one of the charming little towns that make up the Kennebunks.  We like it here!

 

They have a large collection of sport memorabilia.  Look familiar?

 

 

 

Kennebunkport Beach

Bangor ME

This shot is the preparation to leave Exeter Elms, which really is in the forest. 

Our new favorite ice cream.  At least for today.  Tomorrow might bring a new flirtation.

We've been rather quiet in Bangor, which is another pretty little New England town.  I was amused to see that Paul Bunyan made his way here.  Where didn't he go?  His tribute 35 foot statue is currently in a construction zone, right across the street from the hotel/casino.

See?  I told you it was a pretty town. 
We were welcomed by Lloyd and Lucinda Lobster. (Two 1-pound fellas for $19.99)  Heresay has it that the price of lobster is so low this year that many of the fishermen didn't even bother to go out.
Al and I are just trying to do our part for America.