This is a little pictorial (with just a few words) of our
Sorta-Kinda-Bucket-List-Trip before we get our new puppy.
This gorgeous 18-day trip of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions checked off a few states we'd never seen and a few things we'd never done.
Why oh why in mid-summer, you ask? See above. We're waiting for a puppy!!
But we did it. And it was hot. And it was humid. And we loved it.
We flew into Manchester, New Hampshire and wound our way from there through Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Washington DC. Maybe not in that order. I can't remember exactly.
It was the best time with my best friend and favorite person in the whole world.
He even took me to the actual Ben & Jerry's in Waterbury, Vermont for an icy treat.
And mine was better. Sorry, Jeff.
But we did enjoy that terrific little Thai place across the street from our hotel that was so yummy.
We did a lot of pre-planning and had a lot of well-laid plans that really worked. And we discarded a bunch of stuff along the way as we saw fit. I think that's the way we like to travel. For instance, we were headed to Philadelphia during a huge heat wave and all of the museums we wanted to visit were closed. So, we took a day off of Philadelphia and added it to Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. A snap decision that added so much to our adventure.
We're so grateful we had that one night in Philadelphia, though. We had the very best meal of our entire trip there at a little place called 'Sampan'. If you are ever in Philadelphia, you must hit them up for the coolest vibe and a wonderful Asian-fusion menu. They are located within walking distance of the Reading Terminal Market (which is also a 'don't miss' stop) at 124 S. 13th Street in Philadelphia.
We sampled a whole lotta other yum along the way.
Whistle Pig Whiskey Tasting in Quechee, Vermont
One of these things is not like the other!
They come in Pints! At Novar Res Bier Cafe in Portland, Maine
Aguardente, a delectable Portuguese eatery in Providence, Rhode Island
We made every effort to find Portuguese tapas somewhere/anywhere after our trip to Spain & Portugal was cancelled earlier this year. Fortunately we found out that the highest concentration of Portuguese eateries in the United States is in Providence, Rhode Island.
So we made it a stop on our trip. Of course, we did.
Dogfish Head Brewery in Rehoboth, Delaware
I have been wanting to come here for about 10 years and I'm so glad we made it.
A frosty Mint Julep in Washington, DC
And lobster rolls from 'Bite Outta Maine' near Allagash Brewery in Portland, Maine.
Oh, and we visited some other very cool breweries too.
Queen City Brewery in Burlington, Vermont
Trinity Brewhouse in Providence, Rhode Island
Dogfish Head Brewery in Rehoboth, Delaware
Yuengling!!!! In Pottsville, Pennsylvania
We loved the tour here at the longest continuously operating brewery in the United States.
Did you know that they churned and sold ice cream to stay open during Prohibition?
Did you know that every 31st barrel goes to a 'Government Room' for taxation purposes?
Did you know that while their lager represents 90% of their current business, they almost went bankrupt before their Brewmeister had the wise idea to even create a lager?
Well, now you do.
We searched for covered bridges, having never ever seen one in person, and found quite a few!
This one looks a little bit tipsy.
Aren't they just so splendid?
We viewed some incredible houses along the way.
The House of Government in Montpelier, Vermont
A cool firehouse, also in Montpelier, Vermont
A lighthouse just outside Portland, Maine
Motif #1 - Bearskin Neck in Rockport, Massachusetts
Notably the most oft-painted home/building in the United States.
But why?
The Nathaniel Hawthorne House in Concord, Massachusetts
This whole acreage sits on National Park Land where the battles of Lexington/Concord were fought.
Orchard House, home of Louisa May Alcott, also in Concord, Massachusetts
Did you know that Louisa May Alcott remained single here entire life, supporting her family and financing their debt? Her sister was also quite the famous artist.
Also - did you know that 'Little Women' was actually a two-book series?
Alcott's fans were so invested after the first book that she wrote a second book and combined them.
This was a real treat for me as 'Little Women' is one of my very favorite books of all time.
The Rhode Island State House in Providence
The Government House in Dover, Delaware
And the White House in Washington, DC
There is so much art to see in this country!
The Shaw Memorial at St-Gaudens National Historical Park in New Hampshire
We have seen this bronze in Boston, Massachusetts on a previous adventure.
So cool to see it again on the grounds of the original sculptor.
FYI - we found out that the National Park Rangers make a starting salary that sits just below what teachers make in my home state. You can check it out online, it's public knowledge and seems like a pretty cool job if you're searching for something different.
The Alchemist Brewery in Stowe, Vermont
Okay. So. This brewery has the highest rated IPA on UnTappd.
I hated it.
But I loved this artwork!!!
Colin Kaepernick's Change the Whirled at Ben & Jerry's in Waterbury, Vermont
I am a fan.
Something Random from I can't remember where!
Wait. Maybe it was Burlington, Vermont?
There's a beautiful tree in my beer. Can you see it?
The Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial
I never saw the front of him because there was no parking on the other side of the street - ha!
Another damn butt in Providence, Rhode Island
This beautiful Native American mural
by Lynsea Montanari of the Narragansett Tribe
Downtown Providence, Rhode Island
Isn't it spectacular?
Dogfish Head Brewery Treehouse in Rehoboth, Delaware
I find this beautiful lady to be far superior to the Mona Lisa
Painted by Leonardo da Vinci
Hanging in the Washington DC Smithsonian Museum of Art
Surprisingly, we saw this smaller bronze of the Shaw Memorial in Washington, DC at the Smithsonian.
I loved it here as well.
Chinatown Gate in Washington, DC
It was too late in the day to stop into Chinatown and we were SO hot.
But the gate is pretty.
Speaking of Washington DC - we saw a few gorgeous monuments out and about.
The Washington Monument
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial (part of it)
Reflecting Pool (filled with water)
Fun Fact - I have been to DC twice before and both times - the pool was empty.
The Lincoln Memorial
The Korean War Veteran's Memorial
The Martin Luther King, Jr Monument
I loved this one - first time we have seen it and it is perfect.
The Jefferson Memorial
And cemeteries galore - I can't pass up a beautiful cemetery and there were so many. We drove through one cemetery that surprised us because almost every single last name on almost every single headstone was of Italian heritage. We were outside Barre, Vermont heading towards New Hampshire and this little cemetery was called Hope Cemetery.
Is it OK if I leave you now... NO
And there were others...
In Stowe, Vermont
In Rehoboth, Delaware
At Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Through the gates into the private cemetery near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
We had a very nice walking tour through the cemetery at Gettysburg.
There were so many bucolic, pastoral, call them what you will - scenic spots on this trip.
We were gob-smacked by the absolute beauty of this country.
Saint Gaudens National Historical Park in New Hampshire
Quechee, Vermont
Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves in North Woodstock, New Hampshire
We climbed over 1,000 steps and crawled into itty-bitty cave spaces.
This surprise from Jeff was absolutely wonderful. I Loved it!
Portland, Maine
Washington, DC
The two photos above were taken at the confluence of the
Shenandoah & Potomac Rivers, along with the Appalachian Trail.
We walked exactly 10 yards on the trail. So there.
But isn't it gorgeous??
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Farmlands in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
And speaking of Amish Country... we did see a few buggies.
There are rules to sharing the road with these precious vehicles.
Be sure to read up on that if you plan on traveling alongside.
Do not scare the horses!
Honestly, this may have been one of my very favorite days.
The surrounding communities and the vast farmlands were stunningly beautiful.
I have never seen anything like it.
Travel, truly makes you richer.
Richer in spirit, in knowledge, in compassion, and in understanding.
I now know why certain areas of the country have not only the love of their state, but also the voting chutzpah that they do. It's based on their lifestyle and experiences.
It's truly glorious if we pay attention.
But, I digress.
And, there was corn. Everywhere we went. So. Much. Corn. In every single state we visited.
I longed for a decent ear of corn when we got home but Jeff said everything at our grocery store looked wilted and sad and was covered with gnatty bugs. Ew.
Let me think. What else did we do?
Oh! We stopped into the Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut to visit these beautiful
Beluga Whales.
Belugas are native to the waters of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Norway.
Their status is "Near Endangered" as they compete for sustenance with
oil refineries, fisheries, off-shore drilling, and climate change.
If you feel compelled to do something to help these beauties, please visit the
Mystic Aquarium website at mysticaquarium.org
And flowers. My post wouldn't be complete today without some of the gorgeous blooms we saw along the way. Funny. I never gave much thought to flowers before I moved away from
California to Arizona. Same with the ocean breeze, but that's another story entirely.
And lastly. My very favorite cup of hot chocolate from the entire trip.
A scone is also pictured. It was fine.
We sipped drinking chocolate at LA Burdick in Walpole, New Hampshire.
This particular cup of chocolate was their 'Chocolate of the Month' for July and it was
Ahhhhmazing! So rich and thick and chocolately.
Damn. I might just need it now.
Seriously - it is a part of my personal 'Top Three Hot Cocoas of All Time.'
We had a blast. Truly. Eighteen, no nineteen days on the road was the longest trip we've ever done. The 19th day was quite a surprise as we spent our last night in the Houston Airport.
Yes, there is a first time for everything.
Stranded due to weather, what can you do?
Airport Yoga.
Meet new people.
Eat from a vending machine.
Try to rest on airport chairs - ha!
Walk around the terminal listening to TSA announcements.
Wait for Peet's Coffee to open at 4am.
And we did.
Until next time,
Deb :)
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