Portsmouth and back to Lexington

Visited the Albacore submarine, a WWII research vessel. Very interesting. It would not have been fun to be on! Then back to Strawberry Banke got the horticultural tour and a few more houses.

Back to Lexington for a relaxed couple days with Ralph and Jeanne. Did make a trip to downtown Boston to meet Henry's college friend Fayek. Then to Ralph's farm to pick up his CSA, to the grocery store and then preparing for the evening dinner party with some Scandi music/dance friends who also know Ralph and Jeanne. Fun time, great food and even time for a few tunes.

Now home, and looking forward to whatever out next adventure is, and hoping for all the promised visits to California!

Acadia and on to Hallowell

Several nice short hikes on "the quiet side" of Acadia, then on to Alice's in Hallowell. Fun catching up--and finding out how much I don't remember from high school. Alice made her first attempt at cooking scallops--delicious, so certainly hope it won't be her last attempt.

Next day very relaxed. Went to"Old Hallowell Days" where we tried whoopie pies, went on a historical walk, and had a nice lunch. Then home for naps, the arrival of Cecil (a bearded lizard? that Ellie is going to take care of while its owner is away), and more talking.

Portsmouth

Nice morning in Hallowell with Alice, then to Kittery. Got settled in our BnB, then walked into Portsmouth for dinner. Perfect weather...

Day 2 in Portsmouth: started with a walking tour of Portsmouth, then spent the rest of the day at Strawberry Banke--very interesting museum of old houses, but from different time periods in Portsmouth history. There are also people role playing various historical characters, like Mrs. Shapiro who was making apple strudel. Historically, it was quite a diverse community with many immigrants from Europe, slaves and also many free blacks.

Acadia

Started with a drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain--amazing views, as expected, so too our time on the .5 mile loop walk. Ice cream for lunch. Lovely sail on a 4 masted schooner. No wild life to speak of, but more gorgeous views. Dinner at the Thirsty Lobster.

Next day rainy, but walked through the "wild plant garden" anyway (very nice--cool native lily that hung upside down, pitcher plants in bloom and much more). Nice, small museum about Native Americans of the area. Fortunately the rain stopped in time for our ranger-led hike along the cliffs. Then traditional lobster dinner at a lobster pound near our BnB. The lobsters fought back, but we won!

Acadia

Moved into our yurt near Acadia National Park, then went to find a lobster roll for lunch. Yum. Took the loop trail bus to get an overview of the park, with a stop at Thunder Hole. To Bar Harbor for dinner and a walk, then home for laundry and bed.

Searsport

Most of the day at the Penobscot Maritime Museum. Very interesting, though we still can't tell one kind of sailing shop from another. We did learn how to knot a fishing net. Then to the Penobscot Narrows bridge and Fort Knox mainly for the views. Home for a nap!

Portland

Lovely time in Portland. Beautiful cruise of Casco Bay (ferry terminal is across from the whaling wall), then lunch (lobster rolls and local beer at a brew pub). Left the pub just in time to get completely drenched in a sudden thunderstorm. The gelato at Gorgeous Gelato helped us not care. Next morning climbed the Observatory with a very interesting docent, then off to Swanville.

Portland, ME

Arrived at our BnB, settled in, then off for the Arts Walk (open gallery night) and art museum--open and free on Friday nights. The Maine Marimba Ensemble was very cool... The other picture is an old bakery apparently known for their whoopie pies.

Lexington

On to visit Ralph and Jeanne for a couple days. Outstanding start: Ralph fixed a lobster dinner for us, followed by Jeanne's rhubarb pudding cake. If we didn't know we were in New England before, we do now!

Pictures are from the Saugus Iron Works. Very interesting National Historic Site that is where the iron industry in the US began.

Berkshires, Western Mass.

A couple fabulous days with Dale and Jaylyn in West Stockbridge. Terrific visit, wonderful food and time for some sightseeing: around the village, to Hancock Shaker Village, Naumkaeg (summer "cottage" of the Choate family), Chesterwood (studio of Charles Chester French and exhibit of some modern sculpture).

Camp

Nordic Fiddles and Feet at Camp Ogontz. Beautiful place, terrific music and dancing, great time with both old and new friends. Rousing thunderstorms!!