Tuesday 9/17

Left early and headed for NYC. Arrived in the afternoon, around 3. 
Went directly to Alexandra's where we rekindled our relationship with Maddie and Rockstar. They are both awesome!!!!!

Monday 9/16

Left Quebec City this am, and drove along 440 east to Sainte Anne de Beaupre Basillica, and then the waterfall at La Chute Montmorency. Both were beautiful in their own way. One man made, the other, by nature. 
We then left the suburbs and drove to the border. First, we headed south via route 91, and then drove through the White Mountains along route 93. In Lincoln, we picked up the eastern drive (route 112) to Conway. So awesome!!!!
We are staying the night at Rocester, N.H. 

Sunday 9/15

Woke up in beautiful Quebec City, in the old town, and walked over to the Citadel for a tour.
After this, we went for "pountine" at a local restaurant. Now we have had everything!!!!
We rested for a brief time, and went to an early dinner, at Lapin Sauté. (Yes, that's rabbit!!!!)
It was actually very good!!!!
Back to the hotel, and to bed.

Saturday 9/14

Left Amqui and travelled toward Quebec City via route 132  and then 20, since it is raining!!!!!
Came into QC and made our way to the chateau in the old city, the Frontenac, where we are staying.
Took a bus tour of the city, as it was late, and then went to a wonderful French restaurant for dinner. Fabulous food!!! The name of the restaurant is Echande, on Rue du Sault-au-Matelot, walking distance from the hotel. By the time we emerged from our dinner, the drizzle had dissipated and the skies were clear!!! Great for pics!!! To bed.

Friday 9/13

Left Prince Edward Island and Charlottestown via the Confereration Bridge. Hanne says that the Danes helped to build the bridge, but there is no mention of this.
After much discussion, we decided to travel to Quebec City along the coast making our trip to QC about 2 days, 12 hours total.
We rode through New Brunswick toward the  province of Quebec. Have stopped in Amqui, Quebec for the night. Had dinner and to bed.

Thursday 9/12

Left our resort and drove along route 4 north and 2 west into Greenwich National Park. we walked to the beach and saw the famous sand dunes. We next drove to Cavendish through "Anne of Green Gables" territory, upper middle PEI island. Wow! Lots to do with children in this part of the island. After we saw the green gables house and visited the town of Avonlea, we drove towards Charlottetown where we checked into our motel and then drove downtown for dinner. We ate oysters and mussels as we were instructed to do by Alexandra.
So now we have had Digby scallops, and Malpeque oysters!!!! We are sooo cool!!!!!!
To bed.

Wednesday 9/11

Hard to believe that it is September 11. Such a day for rememberences.
We are leaving Nova Scotia this morning, by ferry to Prince Edward Island. Such an adventure!
Went across Canso Causeway along 104 west towards route 106 north. Aiming for the 1pm and the 11:15 was late, so we hoped on!!!!
After the ferry, we drove to Murray Harbor for lunch, and then continued along to Georgetown where we are staying for the night at the Rodd Brudenell River Resort. Nite, nite.

Tuesday 9/10

Drove the Cabot Trail and took lots of pics. But NO MOOSE!!! A little disappointing.
The trail was so breathtaking. Lots of mountains, cliffs rocks, like Maine,and surf. Everything is so green.
It's going to be hard to leave Nova Scotia tomorrow. Lovely houses in bright colors, with clothes lines filled with drying hung washed clothes. My friend Barbara would feel right at home!
One morning, we were leaving, Donald paid the bill, and the tax was 17%. This is to pay for the health care, which is free. A single payer system. Like it or not, it's what we in the US are getting soon.

Monday 9/9

Staying in Ingonesh Beach for two nights, and playing golf at Highland Links in the afternoon. So this morning, we drove to White's Point, which is at the northern end of the Cabot Trail. Soooo beautiful!!!!
Golf was OK but cold. At night, we went to The Seagull restaurant for yummy lobster. Think I am going to turn into one, I've eaten so much!!!
Off to bed.

Sunday 9/8

Left St. Peter's early and travelled to Louisbourg after a quick stop at Tim Horton's for coffee.
Louisbourg was sooooo interesting. Learned the difference between a fort and a fortress, this being the latter since it had civilians living within its limits. Took a tour and learned a lot about both the life of the inhabitants and soldiers. Very dismal for the soldiers!!!!!!
Lots of salt cod that was shipped back to Roman Catholic France for sale when one couldn't eat meat.
After the tour, we travelled towards Sydney, and the Cabot Trail where we are staying for the next two nights. Due to play golf tomorrow. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate.

Saturday 9/7

Left Windsor, and travelled over to Cape Briton Island. Staying in St. Peter's for the night where we will have dinner and spend the night. Tomorrow, we will go to Louisbourg.

Friday 9/6

Left The Brier Island Lodge early for the whale watching tour. It was soooo great!!!! Up close and personal whale watching!!!!! We saw a mother and baby humpback whales, and others. We were out about 3 hours and saw numerous pods. So awesome!!!!
When we returned, had a quick lunch and left for Long Island via the ferry. Went to the "Balancing Rock" and then the ferry back to Digby Neck and onto Annapolis Point. Drove toward Windsor for the night. Went to an english bar and heard an Irish band!!!! Very good!!!!
To bed.

Thursday 9/5

Left Digby, in the rain, and drove to Port Royal. First, we went to the power plant on the Annopolis River. pouring rain, so stayed there awhile. 
Then, we stopped by the North Hills Museum where we received a tour by Wayne. He told us all about the owner of the house, a Mr. Patterson, from Chicago, who was an antiques dealer. Such beautiful antiques in his house!!!!! And such a wonderful tour of a VERY small house!!!!
We then went to a national site, also in Port Royal-a fort which dates from 1605.
On to lunch in Annapolis Royal, and the weather again cooperated!!!! Sunny and lovely!
We drove to the High Cliff Cove, on Digby Neck, and went for a walk.
We then took a ferry from the West End of Digby neck to Long Island, and another to Brier Island, where we are staying for dinner and the night at the Lodge. All signed up for a whale watch tomorrow am!!!!! Can't wait!!!! To bed.

Wednesday 9/4

Left Shelbourne, and watched a buck run across in front of the car. OK, we have seen a bear and a buck-now all that's left is a moose!!!!
Travelled along route 103. First, went to the Baccaro lighthouse and the Yarmouth lighthouse in thick fog and intermittent drizzle. This was the third day of not so great weather. 
We went to lunch just north of Yarmouth and when we emerged, it was beautiful-blue skies and not a single cloud. Best of all, NO FOG!!!!!!
As we travelled toward Digby, we saw Port Maitland beach, St. Mary's beach, the Church of St. Mary at Church Point, the Gilbert Cove lighthouse, and ended in Digby, where we are staying at a B&B for the night. To dinner and bed.

Tuesday 9/3

Left Bridgewater and traveled along route 321 toward Lahave where we visited the lighthouse and the fort. Next, we visited the Port Medlay Lighthouse, drove through Liverpool, to Carter's beach, and ended up in historic Shelbourne for the night.
Again, the weather was not cooperating, with both drizzzle and thick fog-all day!!!!!
To dinner and to bed.

Monday 9/2

Continued along "the bluenose coast" where first we visited Peggy's Cove. Truly beautiful!!!!
Next, we drove to the memorial of the Swiss Air flight 111 crash 15 years ago today. Very sad.
Then to Chester with its beautiful houses, Mahone Bay with the three church steeples, and finally the tall ship, called the Bluenose, dry docked in Lunenberg.
We are staying in Bridgewater for the night. To dinner and bed.

Sunday 9/1

Can't believe it's September!!!!!
Went to the Maritime Museum of Halifax this am, which was so interesting.
Then to Pier 21, which is Canada's version of Ellis island.
Finally, went to the Titanic cemetary to see the graves. Soooo sad. Some graves have not been identified. Just the date, no name.
Also, found very interesting that many first class men went on lifeboats ahead of third class women and children.
Well, to dinner and bed. Night night.

Saturday 8/31

Left Parrsboro and drove toward Halifax via Truro along route 2. Stopped at the Five Islands and took lots of pics while viewing the five islands. Sooooo beautiful!!!!!
Then, drove to Truro and on to Halifax. 
Toured the citadel and walked the boardwalk by the Mianus Straight. To our hotel and bed.

Friday 8/30

Left Moncton in the am and drove towards Nova Scotia along route 2 east. Drove through Amherst, and Joggins, where we visited the Fossil Cliffs, then Advocate Harbor, where a black bear crossed the road in front of us!!!!!!!! Sooooo exciting!!!!!
Drove to Cape D'or and stayed in Parrsboro. To bed.

Thursday 8/29

Left St. John and drove along scenic route 111 toward Fundy National Park. Saw the Point Wolfe River, Cape Enrage and the Lighthouse, Mary's Point and the Bird Sanctuary which was birdless!!!!!!
We then drove to the Hopewell Rocks, which is the most visited attraction in all of New Brunswick!
Very cool!!!! Took lots of pics again!!!!!
On to Mochton, New Brunswick for the night. Tomorrow we go to Nova Scotia via Route 2.
To bed.

Wednesday 8/28

Left Lubec and drove over the bridge into Canada. 
First, went to Campobello, FDR's childhood and presidential summer home. Toured the park and house, then took two ferry rides. 
First, we went to Deer Island and witnessed the "old sow", a giant whirlpool. Really amazing!!!!
Next, we took another ferry back to the mainland via Latite. Drove towards St. John, New Brunswick, Canada. 
There we drove and did some hiking in the Irving Nature Park where we saw a porcupine!!!!
(It was just eating grass, and didn't even notice us!!!!!)
Saw the "Reversing Falls" in St. John, a bit of a disappointment.
Off to a seafood restaurant for more lobster, and back to our hotel, and to bed.

Tuesday 8/27

Left Bar Harbor this am and traveled west on route 3 towards route 1. Passed through a lot of small towns including the town of Macais. Saw the Bay of Fundy on way to Lubec.
Lubec is such a charming city, at the end of the world!!!!! It has the distinction of being the easternmost point of the U.S.
Staying in a small motel and having dinner in Lubec where we will watch the seals in the harbor!!!!
Night, night.

Monday 8/26

First of all, it finally rained during the night! Had some lingering clouds.
After breakfast, drove to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the North Trail, for the Hawk Count by the rangers in Acadia. Unfortunately, it was soooo windy, and from the south, so the ranger said that no hawks would fight the wind to fly, wouldn't expend so much effort,  and thus, there were no birds. Sooo disappointing!!!! The ranger said that a northerly wind was needed for there to be any hawks.  For the next few days, the wind is supposed to be from the south, so no hawks!!!!! Oh well...
We then drove to the "quiet side" of Acadia, to Southwest Harbor, and then to Bass Harbor. We saw the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, and then drove to Northeast Harbor.
After this, we went to the cliff walk along the rim near Sand Beach. Took a walk. It was soooo beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Next, we drove back to our motel as the fantasy football draft would take place later this evening and we wanted to check a few things. A quick lobster dinner, and onto the draft!!!!!

Sunday 8/25

Left for Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Stopped for breakfast, then continued along Route 1 north till route 3 into Bar Harbor.
First, after the visitor's center at Acadia, we decided to drive the Loop Trail by car and save our hiking for tomorrow. Took lots of pics, which I will share with everyone later. The drive was so spectacular! What a beautiful place!!!!
Tomorrow, we will go back to Acadia and do some easy hikes.
Had a lovely dinner in Bar Harbor, then to bed!!!! We are soooo tired!!!!!!

Saturday 8/24

Saw the Camden waterfall, then drove to the Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport,  which was a series of buildings. Very interesting. Their theme was "shipwrecks" and the displays were very sad and very good.
Afeter this, we drove along Route 1 north through Bucksport, and Blue Hill, till we ended on Deer Isle and the town of Stonington. Very charming. Like Maine used to be!!!!!
Staying at a B and Bath. Night night.

Friday 8/23

Drove to Colonial Pemaquid viewed a film and learned that Maine's first settlers landed in Maine in 1608 and predate the arrival of the pilgrims at Plymouth by about 15 years!!!

Next, we went to the Pemaquid Lighthouse, visited the museum there and continued our drive north on Route 1. Drove through Rockland, Rockport, and Camden, where we have stopped for the night. Along the way, we sampled a " needham", a sugary chocolate made with mashed potatoes instead of flour!!!! So-so.

Went for a wine tasing at a local vineyard, and then for a lobster dinner. A quick visit to the motels outdoor firepit, and to bed. Night, night.

Thursday 8/22

We left the hotel this am and drove to the Portland Head Lighthouse. Took lots of pics. Really beautiful!!!!

Then we left Portland, and drove just north, to Freeport, home of many outlets, and the flagship LL  Bean store. They have no locks on the doors as they are open 365 days/24 hours a day!

Had lunch, the left for Bath, which we drove through, and onto Boothbay Harbor. Although the harbor is a little honkeytonk, we sill enjoyed. Took an hour boat ride around the harbor, and we are staying overnight. Going to dinner, lobster, of course, then to bed.

Wednesday 8/21

Left for Portland, but not before visiting the famous Congdon Donuts, in Wells. The reason the donuts are so good is that they are made with LARD!!!!! They were simply DELICIOUS!!!! Donald had a blueberry fritter and a Boston Cream donut, and I had the glazed and a butternut donut. All yummy!!!!!
Next, it was on to Portland where after the visitors center, we took a three hour ferry ride and saw some of the MANY islands which are off the coast of Portland. Really beautiful!!!!
Afterwards, we went to dinner at an Irish grill, then drove around Portland. Saw the famous Victorian House, and other sights as the sun went down. What a great day!!!!!

Tuesday 8/20

Got up and drove to York where we toured a group of 1670 plus homes, school house, and jail.
Then drove to the Marginal Walk in Ogunquit, (where we saw the Lobster Point Lighthouse),  Perkins Cove, went to dinner at the Academie Brasserie in Kennebunck, and finally back to Ogunquit to see Clay Aiken in "Joseph and the Amamzing Technicolor Dreamcoat".  It was wonderful!!!! What a day!!!!!

Monday 8/19

Went straight to Exeter Academy this morning, where we took lots of photos and took a tour. Boy, has the place changed!!!! Took a picture of Abbot Hall, and texted it to Joe!!!!
Next, went to Kittery, Cape Neddick near York, drove to the Nubble Lighthouse, then on to Browns for ice cream!!!!
Then, we drove to Kennebunk, and Kennebunkport where we saw Bush 41's compound.
We finished the evening by going to the Maine Diner for lobster pies. Took lots of pics!!!!
To bed.

Sunday 8/18

What a wonderful day! Left Salem area and drove to Gloucester, then onto Rockport, Massachusettes. Both beautiful towns, so charming!!!!!!
After this, we drove towards Exeter, NH, and have stopped for the night.
Continue north!!!! Tomorrow, we visit the Exeter area, then onto Ogunquit, Maine.
Night, night.

Leaving Nantucket. August 17

Left on the 10:30 ferry for Hyannis this am. Sad to leave, but ready to start our trip!!!!!
Drove to Salem, Massachusettes, where we visited the Salem Witch Museum, walked around the town, and went to the House of the Seven Gables for a tour. Drove down Chestnut Street, supposedly the most beautiful street in the US. Lined with lovely old houses, beautifully maintained. Such a cool place. Great dinner, then to bed.

Nantucket

Visiting Adele and Jim Botticelli in Madaket, Nantucket. Soooo beautiful here!!!!!
Played multiple rounds of golf, had dinner at the The Galley Restaurant, and finally had lunch at The Brant Point Grill while Jim and Donald played golf. Had great dinners at home: halibut, salmon, sooo good!!!! Tonight, going to a gallery party, then to dinner and home. Leaving tomorrow am.