Virginia is for Lovers

Day 13 - August 8, 2019 

(Another day from the 2019 trip -- I need to finish this so I can take another trip!) 

Leaving Suffern, we get quickly into New Jersey and go down in elevation. Our first stop is at a rest area in Williams Township PA, which features the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. It is a beautiful building, and we stop to take a look.

Unlike traveling across Texas, we go through several states in one day's journey. Below are some of the sights we see on our way to Salem VA, some of which are in New Jersey.   Two of my favorite things are trees and rock.  I can't pass up a photo op.

                                                    

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Tunnels fascinate me.

Stopping at the Welcome Center in Stephenson VA, we are reminded that "Virginia is for Lovers."

  

I wonder why the flag is at half mast, but no-one seems to know.

A closer look at the 'Welcome to Virginia' plaque shows an inscription that I read and quote below: 

                                           Wayne A. Whitham 

                                                Rest Area 

                                                    -- 

Wayne A. Whitham served with Honor and Distinction as Virginia's first Secretary of Transportation from 1972 - 1978. This facility is dedicated in His Memory by a Grateful Commonwealth. 1984

Willie of Sweet Georgia Brown

   and of Walldog and Willie

   August 8, 2019

Red, Red Wine!

 Day 12 - August 7, 2019

(Another day from the 2019 trip -- I need to finish this so I can take another trip!)

We cover a lot of ground today, leaving Freeport ME on our way back to Houston.  The weather is quite cloudy, 66 degrees, and we hope to get to New York for the night without rain.  There are many toll bridges and lighthouses, but few hotels along the way.

Our first stop is in Yarmouth ME to Hannafort Grocery, where I purchase fresh produce, including a couple of huge limes.

Passing a sign to Kennebunkport causes us to think of Former President George H W Bush.

Lunchtime finds us in Hopkinton NH at a restaurant where we are served lobster rolls -- they are cold, just like a Subway sandwich, but very, very good!  We love lobster, but it is our first time to have a lobster roll.

As we travel along, one piece of scenery I enjoy is the beauty of the Governor Andrew Cuomo Bridge, which crosses the Hudson River to lead us to our home for the night at The Crown Plaza Hotel in Suffern NY.

The hotel manager Nicolette who checks us in, shows the many Torchbearer Awards they have received.

Having arrived early enough in the day to get some exercise in the gym, which features many machines, Herb enters his workout selection for a 60 minute walk and or run.

Later we explore the lobby, enjoying the beauty of the hotel's atrium, which includes a Koi pond. I especially like the activities we are invited to in the evening.  Happy Hour and heavy hors d'oerves.

A very popular lady cooks for us.

But the MOST popular lady serves us wine!

We were given drink tickets in the interest of keeping everyone safe.  Note the cup behind her with tickets that have been collected.  

This gentleman chose red wine, and Herb and I opted for a dry red.

                           Red, Red Wine -- a song written by Neil Diamond!

Willie of Sweet Georgia Brown

   and of Walldog and Willie

   August 7, 2019

Who is Linda Bean???

 Day 11 -- August 6, 2019 -- Freeport ME

(Another day from the 2019 trip -- Yikes!  It is already 2021)

Happy to have finally made it to Maine, Herb and I set out for our morning walk and discover some places of business that we would explore later in the day.

The Maine Beer Company advertises "Fresh Beer,"  and we wonder if it is a brewery.  Fresh is what we like.

There are many restaurants to choose from and we select Linda Bean's Maine Kitchen and Tavern.  Under "Beverages" on the menu we see Lobster Ale, a pale ale, on tap -- why not have a lobster beverage --  and each order a glass of iced cold beer to sip while we decide on our entree.

Oh, and we learn that Linda Bean is a granddaughter of Leon Leonwood Bean, founder of L.L. Bean store.

Choosing from the menu is very hard with so many delicious sounding dishes listed, but Herb selects Linda's Creamy Maine Lobster Bisque, with an option to add more lobster, while I simply can't pass up the Lobster Quesadilla.

Our afternoon walk takes us by the Amtrak Station, and checking the schedules, we find that we can take it into Boston and visit with Patrice and Neel, then back to Freeport for the night.  We'll definitely do that on our next trip to Maine.

We are delighted to see that L. L. Bean's flagship store is just down the street, so it is a must for shopping today.  Herb finds quite a few shirts that he 'needs,' and I find one shirt that I want.

  

We take a peek in several shops and find just what we are looking for at The Blue Lobster, which has some gifts to bring home.  We get Roxie and Ed a miniature light house figurine, because they love light houses, and have been to some of the same points on our current trip.

I don't have any more hands to carry the packages, so we decide to head back to our hotel.

    Willie of Sweet Caroline

          and of Walldog and Willie

          August 6, 2019

            

Have We Gone to the Dogs?

 Day 10 Continued -- August 5, 2019 -- York ME to Freeport ME

The small peninsula known as Cape Neddick follows the beach road and comes by Sohia Park, where tourists are photographing fish seen in the clear blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.  

The park is quite large with pavilions for picnicking, but some folks seem to enjoy sitting in the sun on this sloping hillside.  I wonder about the American flag being at half mast, but not being from Maine, I am unaware of the local events.

There are many churches along the coastal road, and their architecture fascinates me.   I think some of them are quite old.  This very beautiful stone building is St. Peter's by the Sea Episcopal Church.  

Driving a little farther along a picturesque tree lined street, we come to another church -- no it is not a church -- but it is the Sea Chambers Motel in Ogunquit, Maine.  Families are out walking, some stopping in to shop at the motel's gift shop.  Another possibility is the Wine Cellar Restaurant.  It's mid-afternoon, so we don't stop, hoping to get to Freeport for tonight.

Traveling on Highway 1, we go through the town of Kennebunk, and see another highway off to the right, leading to Kennebunkport, the summer estate of the Presidential Bush Family.  Around four o'clock in the afternoon we pass the Brick Oven Baked Beans factory, and I begin to get hungry.

Yay!  We make it to our destination in Freeport and hurry outside for our afternoon walk before sunset.  I ask Herb to photograph the terrain, which may be sandstone with some sunken areas filled with water.  The cedar trees are on the edge of a cliff, and we see the valley behind the hotel's fence and a highway, where we can hear traffic flowing below.

Who could not love a puppy?

What about a stuffed puppy?

At Happy Hour Herb and I watch a TV program, where "The Five" appear ready to serenade the Doggies.   Jesse (in the center) explains they are not real animals, but tells about Doggie Doppelgängers, a business that makes stuffed animals that look like your own pet.   So, I think of all the pets Herb and I have had:  Tinker Bell, Luigi, Champ, Pepe LePhew, Genghis, Dr. Jake C. Harleton MD (redundancy intended) all of whom are RIP, and Hank, who now lives in Spring TX.    Oh, and let me not forget the kittens born to Mini-Mini:  Red Bell, Blue Bell, Green Bell, Taffy, and Boy.  Champ took care of them when we lived at the Blue Berry Farm.

I think they would all fit on the living room sofa, if some of the kittens would snuggle up to the Golden Retrievers.  🐾🐾🐾🐯😼😼😼😼😼

Willie of Sweet Caroline

     and of Walldog and Willie

     Monday, August 5, 2019

A Lighthouse on an Island

 Day 10 - August 5, 2019 - Boston MA to York ME

After a wonderful visit with Patrice and Neel, Herb and I continue on our trip north, hoping to get to Newfoundland.  

We soon get to the New Hampshire state line near the town of Seabrook, and see the welcome sign with its motto,"Live Free or Die."  There is a wood heater and a nice supply of chopped wood nearly, suggesting that it will definitely be cold during the winter months.

Less than an hour later we arrive to the state of Maine, where the welcome sign boasts, "The Way Life is Supposed to Be."  Searching for a restaurant for lunch, we are fortunate to find Thai & I, which reminds us of a favorite of ours in Houston, Thai Spice.

There is amazing scenery as we continue to drive north, and I think I see some fireweed plants along the way in the town of Kittery. Yes!  It really is, and fortunately, they have not bloomed all the way to the top -- proof that it is still summer here.

As we come to the town of York, we choose to hug the coast for more amazing scenery, and a clue that we are getting close to the beach is a narrow walking trail that people can take when they are not able to park close to the shore.

Even the jetty is beautiful with its large rock and boulders, but is hard to walk on.  (Ask me how I know.)  The beach is not too crowded, with plenty of room for sunbathers and others enjoying the water.  Off in the distance I see a lighthouse and hope to get a photo for Roxie and Ed, as they have been there.

Ah, I am in love with the architecture -- and the gardens of yellow flowers.

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Here a lady chooses to soak up some rays on her front porch across from the beach.

More great architecture and flowers!

We soon get to Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse, and I see that repairs are being made to the roof of the lighthouse keeper's home.  I guess they had a harsh winter.

It is an actual island, although a low tide can leave a path.  I am disappointed that it can't be visited, but we do get to stop for a photo.  

Willie of Sweet Caroline

      and of Walldog and Willie

      Monday, August 5, 2019

 

A Giraffe on the Street of Boston

Day 9 - August 4, 2019 - Boston MA

Our last day to spend with Patrice and Neel is a Sunday, when Neel is not at work at The Parish Cafe.  He joins us on our walk in Sylvester Baxter Riverfront Park, where we watch the Canadian geese in the shallow area of Mystic River.  I am amused that these particular birds are standing on a rock, not getting their feet wet.

In Sacramone Park we find a monument honoring Lt. Alexander Santilli of the United States Marine Corps, who was killed in action July 8, 1944, in Saipan during WW II.  He was awarded the Silver Star.

After lunch at Tony C's Sports Bar and Grill, Patrice and Neel take us to Legoland, where we take photos in honor of Roxie, Ed and Stephanie.  

Stephanie, did you and your Dad ever make a Lego figure this tall?

Marcus, you might consider for your next Wedding Anniversary taking Stephanie to Legoland at 598 Assembly Row, Somerville MA.

You can find more information at 

boston.legolanddiscoverycenter.com

Close-up of the giraffe's feet.

Willie of Sweet Caroline

     and of Walldog and Willie

     Sunday, August 4, 2019