Massachusetts

Massachusetts here we come! 

We enjoy going to Presidential Libraries and only have a

few left on our list. We would rate this one right up there,

thoroughly enjoyed it. It has lots of video to counteract

all the reading one has to do.  

 

The next day Nancy & Bob took us to Boston. We went on the Samuel Adams Brewery tour then lunch at Mr. Dooley’s an Irish Pub

followed by a drive around town. Thanks Bob & Nancy

 

The next day we visited THE ADAM’S NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE- The John Adams and John Quincy Adams Birthplaces

are the oldest presidential birthplaces in the United States. In 1735, John Adams was born in the "salt box" house

located only 75 feet away from the birthplace of his son John Quincy Adams. In the John Quincy Adams Birthplace,

young John and his bride Abigail started their family and the future President launched his career in politics and law.

John Adams maintained his law office in the house and it was here that he, Samuel Adams and James Bowdoin wrote

the Massachusetts Constitution. This document, still in use today, greatly influenced development of the United States Constitution.

The Old House, or Peacefield to John Adams

This is the house Abigail Adams wanted upon her return from Europe after living in the splendor of mansions for

quite some time. Unfortunately they bought it sight unseen so it took many years to remodel.

The Old House, built in 1731, became the residence of the Adams family for four generations from 1788 to 1927.

It was home to Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams; First Ladies Abigail and Louisa Catherine Adams;

Civil War Minister to Great Britain Charles Francis Adams; and literary historians Henry and Brooks Adams.

Adjacent to the house is the Stone Library, built in 1873, it contains more than 14,000 books that belonged to

the Adamses.

 

                                                            Bunker Hill  Monument                              USS Constitution

BOSTON   Following the Freedom Trail 

              .                              

         

 

PLYMOUTH

 

The Plymouth Rock- go to the web site. You’ll see a much clearer picture of the date on the rock.

And the complete history! plymouth.com  The last photo is a replica of the Mayflower.

 

A short stop for a 13 mile bike ride on the canal between the main land and Cape Cod.

The weather was so perfect we couldn’t pass the opportunity. What a wonderful

trail.

  

CAPE COD- A visit with Nancy & Bob.

We had such a good time visiting our friends. They live in a great area. Beautiful, green, the most fantastic beaches!

They took us on a drive to the end of the Cap, up to Providence. The main street is a funky yet upscale shopping area so

narrow I was glad we weren’t in the dually truck. Had a great lunch at their favorite restaurant Bubala’s. Then over to

the National Seashore. What a wonderful day! Thanks again Nancy & Bob

Cape Cod National Seashore

RHODE ISLAND

 

  

NEWPORT-THE MANSIONS http://www.newportmansions.org/page7016.cfm

There is a beautiful  3 1/2 mile walk called the CLIFF WALK that runs along  behind the oceanfront

Mansions and the sea.

MAINE 2

  

            New and the old Penobscot Bridge                       The Observatory in the pillar in the foreground

 

A wonderful stop along Hwy 1, Fort Knox and the Penobscot Bridge Observatory. An elevator takes

you up 420ft to the observation deck. This is the highest occupied structure in Maine.

View from the top

.

Fort Knox built for the Revolutionary War then added onto and reinforced for the war of 1812.

Again in the 1840’s when the US & Britain were having a dispute over the borders of Maine &

New Brunswick. There never was a shot fired from this fort.   

 

Stopping along the way to pick up Lobster for our dinner.

CAMDEN-Very much like Bar Harbor, a cute town set on a lovely cove. It’s a regular stop for the tour buses so it is also very

crowded. But worth it. We found the river that runs through town right under the some of the buildings very interesting.

        Artist in the park

 

Camden-  Ice Cream Shop                                                                          Walkway over the river

                                                                    

 

 

FREEPORT-Has to be the best looking  Outlet Mall anywhere. It’s setup like a charming New England

town, but all the stores are outlets. (well as charming as you can get for an Outlet Mall).  They also

provide RV parking and allow overnight.  Many of the quaint shopping towns along the coast, such

as Camden, Bath, Boothbay, Kennebunkport, Portsmouth where difficult to find a parking space for

our 25 ft pickup camper. Some of the towns charge for parking , but some stated

no campers.

 

PORTLAND MAINE-The weather was mostly sunny but very windy so we had to forego our planned

bike ride on their fantastic  city trail that goes around a lake then down along the city’s waterfront.

Next best thing is a long walk with a hooded coat.

CAPE ELIZABETH-just a little south of Portland we came to the Fort Williams Park, the city

has developed the fort and lighthouse area into a beautiful park. We took a nice walk.

MAINE-ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

BAR HARBOR- Sits at the edge of Acadia National Park. It is full of every conceivable tourist store and restaurants for every

taste. Several bike rental  shops to explore the many miles of carriage trails throughout the park. Cute , wonderful

location but maybe overdone. There seems to be a cruise ship in port every day. Well the four days we were there, one day

there were two cruise ships. Very very crowded. But it still seems to have something special.

 

HIKING-If you love to hike there are so many trails it would be hard to choose. We did

a few short ones one day and rode our  bikes on some of the carriage trails another day. The carriage trails were

put in by many very rich property owners as a quiet peaceful way to get around the island. Many of these same

rich land owners later gave the property to the National Parks system for preservation. 

.

FANTASTIC SCENERY!

There’s more to life than scenery. In the park the Jordan Pond House is THE place to have

popovers. Well now we could of had coffee or tea with a popover but after thoroughly

studying the menu our eyes locked onto the words Popover A La Mode, a hot popover

stuffed with creamy vanilla ice cream topped with a fresh blueberry sauce. Well no

contest. And it was so very yummy!

CADILLAC MOUNTAIN-1500ft up the mountain brings you to spectacular views!