I'm Enchanted With Vermont

Day 27 – June 23, 2014

Concord, NH – Middlebury Vermont

175 miles/4 ½ hours

We took another circuitous route through New Hampshire back roads, to get to southern Vermont.  We were headed to Manchester, so we drove through the Green Mountains – and it was beautiful.  We were officially off the grid for a while, as well.  No cell service.

Manchester, Vermont is precious.  Oh, be-still my heart.  Think of every movie set in a small New England town – and Manchester is it, come to life.  I fell in love and this is it, call the realtor!  The grass is plush, manicured and the color of emeralds.  The mountain views took my breath away.  The New England architecture conjured up memories of my childhood.  I don’t believe I’ve ever seen houses painted a crisper, brighter white.  The glossy black and green shutters sparkled on the alabaster dwellings.  There were vibrant red and purple flowers everywhere.  Main Street is lined with shops and cafes.  I didn’t see any structures that were worn down and there wasn’t any litter or graffiti.  I could smell the clean mountain air and the fresh grass – it was exhilarating.  I’m telling you, I felt like I was home.

We visited the Lincoln family home, Hildene.  As you can see from the pictures, it is very grand and beautiful.  The house was built by Robert Todd Lincoln in 1905, for his family.  RTL was President Lincoln’s oldest son, a lawyer, our Secretary of War under President Arthur and a Pullman Railway executive.  The house, the gardens and the views are amazing.  Of all the historic homes that we’ve toured, this is my favorite. 

With a heavy heart, I pointed the car northward, to Middlebury, VT.  As we were traveling we passed a Maple Museum and on impulse, I stopped.  The Maple Museum was okay.  I think you really have to be interested in the history and manufacturing of maple syrup to fully enjoy it.  The ladies who ran the facility were wonderful and we bought a big (and expensive) jug of authentic Vermont Maple Syrup.

Middlebury is a charming little town (home of Middlebury College) and it’s almost, but not quite, as charming as Manchester.  We did some pool time and then visited the village.  Unfortunately, almost all the businesses closed at 5:30 p.m., so we couldn’t explore any of the bookstores or gift shops.  We had dinner at a Middlebury staple (according to the hotel’s restaurant guide), Fire & Ice, and it was fine.  For my Naples peeps, to was very reminiscent of the Pewter Mug (although I haven’t been there since it reopened).  Loved the décor, but the menu didn’t appeal to me – although to be fair, I’m getting sick of restaurants!

Funny story from the restaurant.  A child fell off his chair and started crying at the table next to ours.  Camden growled a little and said, “Two things mom.  One, it’s crying.  Two, I don’t think we’re going to have a quiet dinner.”  I was shocked by how indignant he was.  Insert the proverbial pot and kettle here.  Then, when the mother picked up the crying child and took him out of the dining room, Camden continued with hopeful curiosity, “Um, unless they’re leaving?”

Back in the room we once again vegged out to Full House.  It's become a road trip ritual.  I think by the time we get home, we’ll have watched the whole series!

Back Country Roads, the White Mountains and a Train Ride - oh my!

Day 26 – June 22, 2014

Augusta, ME/(Portland Jetport)/North Conway, NH/Concord, NH

220 miles – 5 ½ hours!  Lots of slow back roads!

We were up early and on the road so we could get Daddy to the airport in Portland, which was about an hour drive.  It was so sad to say goodbye to him.  I know he really wanted to stay (and seriously considered the possibility), but it just wasn’t feasible with work and the house.  God bless him.

Bye Daddy:(! 

 The kids and I were on a tight schedule, because we had a train to catch.  According to my navigation, we had sixty miles to go and two hours to do it.  It shouldn’t have been a problem, but it was.  Oh, my patience was tested over and over again.  We traveled on some pretty country roads that were very congested on this beautiful Sunday.  There were quite a few lakes in the area and I often found myself behind trucks that were towing boats, while moving 25 miles per hours.  Grrrr.  We also had a Camden bathroom emergency that ended in a debacle.  Decorum prevents me from sharing more.

We missed the 11 a.m. train, so I bought passage for the 1:30.  Out of curiosity, I asked how we could possibly get to the mountains in just an hour round trip.  Well…that would be because we weren’t going to the mountains, just traveling through the valley.  Damn - I messed up.  Apparently there’s a cog train about ninety minutes north of North Conway.  According to the ticket agent, the cog train up Mt. Washington is a three hour roundtrip.  There was no way we’d make it to that train, ride it for three hours and get back to Concord (where our hotel was located) at a decent hour.  Do you remember when I mentioned on my blog, back in May, that I was worried I hadn’t done enough planning for this year’s road trip?  This is a perfect example.  Kind of a rookie mistake.

The kids and I walked around the village and had lunch.  It was very, very crowded, but I loved it!  I took the kids to an old fashioned five and dime store and gave them each a dollar.  They had a blast.  I got to witness in action, the economic theories I’ve formulated for each of the children.  Audrey left that store without a penny to her name.  Hunter had fifty cents left, which he tucked away in his wallet.  Barrett gave his dollar to Hunter and Cammy ran around asking the clerks “What can I buy with this?”  He thought he had his dollar spent (fuzzy math), only to get 51 cents back, which his sister promptly attempted “to borrow.”

We took our train ride and it was lame.  I was stewing a bit on the train as we observed trees, with a few mountains in the back ground, in a first class car that didn’t even have a bar to help me wash down the regret I felt over the small fortune I’d spent for this “journey.”  Seriously, I would have seen more driving in the car!

The kids in "first class."

Our view, those are the White Mountains, in the distance.

Then we drove to Concord, and I seriously fell in love with New Hampshire.  The ride was so beautiful and the towns are so cute and the people so nice (we stopped for a gas/backroom break).  This was the closest I’ve come in five road trips to calling a realtor.  I am not kidding.  I could be happy here.  Although, I guess I better come back during the winter months before I make any major purchase decisions.

Next stop, the Pierce Manse – home of the 14^th President of the United States.  Guess what?  It was closed on Sundays.  And Mondays, which means we won’t be touring it.  Another planning fail.

We checked in at the hotel so Hunter could watch his NASCAR race.  As a result, dinner was late.  I took the front desk attendant’s recommendation and ate at the Common Man restaurant.  By far, it was my favorite meal of the road trip!!!!!  Fantastic.  Authentic New England through-and-through and the freshest vegetables I’ve eaten in twenty-six days.

After dinner, we cruised by the Capitol (although we toured it two years ago), for the heck of it.  I owed the kids some pool time, so we did that when we got back from dinner.  Our day did not officially end until 9:15 p.m.  Stick a fork in me!

Back to the Good Ole USA!

Day 25 – June 21, 2014

Moncton, NB – Augusta, ME

385 Miles – 5 hours

We were up early and ready to go.  Although we certainly enjoyed our Canadian adventure, we were all anxious to get back to the US.  It was freezing when we left.

We had a long and uneventful drive to the capitol of Maine.  I will admit that I felt a bit apprehensive about our destination, after our less than impressive drive through the city earlier in the week.  My attempts to change our plans and find hotel in Portland on short notice failed, so Augusta bound we were.

Reading side bar.  During the drive I read Rob Lowe’s second memoir, Love Life, and loved it.  I laughed and cried and highly recommend it.  I heart him.

We did stop in Bangor for lunch.  We weren’t there long enough for me to give you an Allie opinion, but I can say we were there.  We got to our hotel around 3 p.m., which gave the kids a decent amount of pool time.  I skipped out on most of it so I could wrap R.’s birthday presents.  Poor guy, we’re always celebrating his birthday in some hotel room.

We went out for an early dinner and our options were limited.  I toasted my guy at Texas Roadhouse (in Maine).  He enjoyed his meal, I did not.  I owe him a dinner at Cabernet!

That was it.  I kind of hated ending Dad’s portion of the road trip with such a bland and unexciting day, but perhaps it will make going home easier for him.

The kids and I wearing our road trip shirts.  Doesn't Bar look thrilled?

Canada, Get Ready, Here We Come!

Day 23 – June 19, 2014

Bar Harbor, ME – Moncton, NB

285 miles/5 hours

Oh, we woke up to a splendid day!  Why do we have to leave????  As when we departed Cape Cod, we were teased this morning with the bluest sky and the temperature at a pleasant 73 degrees.  Alas, our time was up and we had a very long drive in front of us. 

Our drive was mostly through back country roads that were extremely rough on my car.  The snow has done a number on the surfaces, ouch.  I don’t think we saw another car for an hour and a half, it was that desolate.  I believe I would’ve been a bit freaked out if the skies weren’t so bright and the foliage so stunning.  The water we passed was a deep sapphire blue that was a beautiful contrast to the emerald grass and the forest green hues of the pine tries.  Then, every ten miles or so, we’d be blessed with a burst of purple wildflowers.  Honestly, the countryside looked like a painting.

We were hoping to get money, gas and wine before we crossed the border into Canada, but began to think that wasn’t going to be an option, as we were literally in the middle of nowhere.  Just south of the border, we came upon the small town, Calais, ME – ah, civilization!  We were able to feed the kids good ole American McDonald’s, fill up the tank and hit an ATM.  Just before the border patrol station, we pulled into the Duty Free Shop for some wine.  Canada, here we come.

We drove through some more beautiful countryside.  Hundreds of miles (or kilometers) of lakes, grasslands and trees.  Does anybody live in New Brunswick?

Finally we reached a city – St. John, on the Bay of Fundy.  It looked like a clean city, but we didn’t have time to explore.  Although we did stop at another McDonald’s, so R. could check his email (free Wi-Fi), because we shut off our phones after we crossed the border.  It was funny, Verizon dinged both our phones with alarm messages – caution, data fees will accumulate.

We had another hour and a half to go, before arriving in Moncton.  The children were antsy and obnoxious.  Tensions were rising.  Then the skies opened up and it started raining.  When we got to the hotel, we discovered – wait for it – that it was in an industrial park.  Uh-oh.

Lesson of the day – don’t judge a hotel by its location.  Wooza, we hit the jackpot.  Out hotel is one year old and immaculate.  Very cool décor and we scored a king suite connected to a room for the children.  The front desk attendants were very nice and helpful, bless them for the upgrade.  Everyone was happy and momma-the-travel-agent was back in their good graces, except for one disgruntled family member.

When the kids got to the room and turned on the television, they discovered that they didn’t have “kid channels.”  Stop the presses!  Mutiny in the ranks.  Camden looked at me with one of the most pitiful looks I’ve ever seen, bottom lip shaking and on the verge of tears, “Mommy, I can’t believe you picked a hotel that doesn’t have kid channels.”  Seems I can’t stay on the pedestal for too long.

R. took the kids to the pool, while I logged in to check my email before joining them.  The pool has a massive water slide and the children were over-joyed.  I was in, again.  Audrey made the statement, “Who knew Canada would be so cool.”  Then Hunter gave the quote of the day, “Yeah, from no kid channels to an epic water slide!”

It was during our time in the pool that I started to suspect we were in a different time zone.  The pool clock was an hour ahead of my watch.  I asked the front desk what time zone we were in and was told “Eastern.”  Huh, wonder why my watch was off by an hour?  Back in the room, the clocks displayed a different time from my watch and R.’s computer.  The kid’s tablet registered that same hour as the clock.  We had dinner reservations and were very confused.  R. logged into his work computer and verified the time in Kentucky.  If the clocks were right, we were not in the Easter Time Zone.  On our way out, I asked another person at the front desk if perhaps New Brunswick didn’t recognize daylight savings.  She didn’t quite understand my question.  Then a guest in the lobby stopped me and said Moncton was in the Atlantic Time Zone.  Mystery solved, I think.  At the restaurant I asked the hostess what time zone we were in.  Bless her heart, she looked so confused.  Then she replied, as if she were asking me, “Pacific?”  I am not kidding.

Another great meal, although after receiving the check, we had trouble digesting it.  Here in New Brunswick, they add 13% tax!  So with tax and gratuity our bill had a 33% surcharge!  Cha-ching.  Pizza tomorrow night.

Journey to Bar Harbor

Day 21 - June 17, 2014

Portland, MA – Bar Harbor, ME

190 miles/3 hours

We were so excited to get started on our journey north to Bar Harbor.  I really, really wanted to take the coastal route all the way up, but Map Quest, Google, Mr. Menard and my car’s navigation steered me in another direction.  We ended up going through Augusta, before heading east to the coast.

Augusta, well, it was a bit of a disappointment.  The Capitol is in rough shape and undergoing a major refurbishment.  We drove through the historic district, along the waterfront, and were once again disappointed.  The city, I assume (and hope), has seen better days.  Then we journeyed to the Camden and Rockport areas, via the back roads, but you know when you just get a feeling?  Ten minutes in, we decided to turn around and take the road more traveled.  It was sort of boring until we got to the Belfast area and finally saw some of the coastline.  And what we saw was beautiful – but paled in comparison to what was coming!

When we got to the hotel, Momma suffered some abuse at the hands of her family for the hotel choice.  Spoiled brats – all of them!  We stayed at a nice motel, which is part of a respectable national chain, but you would think we’d pulled into Motel 6.  Someone in the vehicle even mumbled, “Bates Motel.”  I can assure you, it is not.  The motel is clean, close to downtown and the staff is very sweet.  When you’re doing 30 days on the road, you can’t expect the Ritz.  Little (and not so little) assholes.

We explored the area and it was very pretty, but overcast.  Then we headed into Bar Harbor for dinner.  Oh my, what a wonderful town (or village?  It’s pretty small).  Are you bored of my saying this about everywhere we go?  But it’s Bar Harbor!  And I think it’s up there with Nantucket, Sedona, and Sonoma.  There’s a reason the rich vacation here (but they probably don’t stay at motelsJ). 

Once again, we at like kings and I’m going to have to do a serious cleanse when I get back.  Big Day planned for tomorrow!

Passing through Portland

Day 17 – June 16, 2014

Dennis Port, MA – Portland, ME

192 miles/3 hours

It was really tough to leave the Cape this morning, especially since the day was looking to be as nice as yesterday.  Rich had some work to do in the morning, so I packed and loaded the car and then took the kids to breakfast.  After we ate, I did a farewell tour of some of my favorite childhood sites.  The kids couldn’t have cared less.

On the way out, we had lunch in Barnstable and then hurried our pace, so we could get through Boston before rush hour.  Originally, before work issues, we’d planned to be in Portland in time to have lunch with my friend Lise’s father and stepmother.  We didn’t get to our hotel until 4 and I felt terrible about missing lunch.  There are so many people I want (and plan) to see on our trips and then it’s rush, rush, rush.  Anyway, Ron and Mary came to the hotel and hung out with us while the kids swam in the pool. 

Rich and I were pretty wiped out.  We had reservations down on the wharf, but seriously contemplated ordering room service.  Ultimately, we decided this may be our one and only time in Portland, so we’d better see the waterfront.  I’m glad we rallied, because downtown Portland is precious and our restaurant was actually a boat – and the food was great.  Also, the food gods were smiling down on us, because Barrett ate lobster!  His sensory issues often prevent him from trying new things.  But the best line of the night came from Rich, who delivered the lobster to Bear’s mouth (with a fork!), “Great, he likes lobster.  I’ve just tripled the cost of his long-term care!”  Yes, yes you did.

Father's Day on the Cape

Day 17 – Day 19

June 13-15^th, 2014

Quincy, MA – Dennis Port, MA

It was raining when we woke up this morning, which of course was a huge disappointment.  R. had some work to do in the morning, so our late departures look to be continuing.  We crossed the Bourne Bridge, to Cape Cod, at noon.  I’m telling you, once I cross that bridge, something happens to me and I completely relax (of course have a wingman may be a big part of it this year).  We were supposed to meet Leslie (family friend) for lunch, but our plans changed to dinner because her conference was rescheduled, so we were on our own.  We decided to explore the north shore a little, something we’d never done before.  It’s very quiet, compared to the south shore, but lovely.  We had a nice lunch overlooking a marsh in North Dennis.

After check-in, we took a very chilly walk on the beach.  It was drizzling and the temperature was in the mid-60s.  The family dared me to go into the ocean in those miserable conditions, for my first of the day.  I obliged and it was miserable.

Leslie drove over form Hyannis to join us for dinner at the Ebb Tide.  It was nice to catch up with her, but too brief.  Leslie has had terribly tough year and it was nice to see her smile and have some fun.  The kids surprised us with good behavior as well.

On Saturday, the weather hadn’t improved and we took a drive through Harwich, to show the kids where I lived and went to school as a child.  We ended up in Chatham and had lunch at the Squire – a well-known Cape Cod watering hole where I’ve wanted to throw back a cocktail for years.  It would have been one of my rites of passage, had my family stayed on the Cape for my teenage/college years – but we were there at 11:30 (in the morning), so I didn’t do it.  I still can’t believe I’m in my 40’s and have yet to imbibe at The Squire. 

We took the kids to the Chatham bandstand, the Wayside inn and the Candy Manor to get penuche fudge!

By late afternoon the weather had cleared a little and we spent some time at the beach.  Then we ordered pizza for the kids, so mom and dad could indulge in a fancy dinner next door at the Ocean House.  It was fabulous!  After dinner we met the kids on the courtyard lawn and listened to live music and threw around the football.  Fun.

Father’s Day was magnificent.  We could not have ordered better weather.  Seventy-two degrees and not a cloud in the sky.  Perfect beach day.  For dinner we drove back over to Chatham, to a restaurant Rich “remembered” passing the day before.  It turned out to be Pate’s, which was funny.  Pate’s has been there for decades – my dad knew the owner and hung out there.  Mr. Pate also had a few restaurants in Naples of all places, and my dad worked for him when we first moved to Florida, before he bought his restaurant.  I loved Pate’s in Naples, but it’s now closed, so this was perfect.  I felt like me dad was there with us.

We’ve had a wonderful time on the Cape and everyone wants to come back next year!  I love how much my family enjoys being here.