Last of the Vacation Photos....I promise

 
I was really surprised by Maine.  It wasn't what I was expecting.  I think I'd envisioned rocky coasts, and that old sea captain/dark pub vibe.  Instead, it was bright, cheerful, impressive landscapes, light sandy beaches, and more populated than I'd anticipated.

Old Orchard Beach was a lovely town outside of Portland.  An old apple orchard sits on the top of a hill overlooking the ocean.  Legend says sailors would drop anchor just to come up for apples.  This particular orchard is full of TONS of different types of apples. 

The one of the left was the sweetest little apple, and the one on the right was so tart and crisp.  Why can't grocery store apples taste like that???

 
Maine was full of cheerful window boxes-they're so homey.

 
...and on to Boston!  There were these huge towers of homes/apartments/brownstones CRAMMED onto every street.  They're quite attractive, but I just can't get my mind around 'communal apartment living'.  I guess it's because I'm from the huge, land-loving, fence-loving state of Texas, but the thought of living this close to that many other people gives me the heebie jeebies.

Those dwellings just keep going and going and going.  I felt overwhelmed.

I thought the name of this restaurant was funny, and they had great lanterns.  However, the parking lot we used by the restaurant was a total rip-off.  After discussing the fee with the man multiple times, we understood that we'd be paying $12 for unlimited parking.  When we returned, our bill was suddenly $34.  THIRTY FOUR BUCKS!  That's almost what we paid for a whole week of parking at the airpost.  Good grief.

This enormous kettle above Starbucks was steaming away---isn't that fun?

We ate at the Union Oyster House, the oldest still-operating restaurant in America.  It used to be the payhouse for Union soldiers.  All sorts of luminaries have eaten there over the years, like George Washington, Sam Adam, Ben Franklin, etc.

It was very dark, very low ceilings, 3 stories?, tiny stairwells and bathrooms, and tiny little booths.  It looked like it was made for much smaller people.  And, I'm such a buzzkill-I don't really like oysters.

There are more teeny booths, one in particular was neat because it was JFK's favorite.  Our waitress wasn't very friendly, but maybe it was just the Yankee/Southern differences.  We took a quick look at the U.S.S. Constitution, a wooden warship, then it was off to bed. 

 
I swear we're not the vainest people in the world---you're probably sick of seeing photos of us by now.   I prefer pictures with people I know in them, don't you?  I want Miss Baby to have 'family photos' from vacations when she's older. 

 
I wanted to give her smooches, but she wanted to get down and play in the leaves. The other day, my mother said, "Don't you bet babies get tired of being kissed?"  Neither of us can help it, though---it's instinctive, I think.  Poor kid.

 

In Connecticut, we drove past a neat little farm with a pumpkin sale.

Pumpkins for a $1.00????? Wow---that's so cheap!  They had all sorts of sizes, but my goodness that's cheaper than they are here.

Isn't that fox the cutest thing you've ever seen??? (Also, concrete squirrels are holding the bench up)  From his hat to his precious vest to his boots to his polite little paws with claws, I just want to take him home.  I WANT one!!!

 
Bye bye, pumpkins. Bye bye, New England.

All right, vacation photos are OVER.  This was kind of the modern day equivalent of when Snoozy Boring Couples used to invite you over to see slides from their trip, isn't it?  Thanks to all of you for being so tolerant.

 

 

Comments

[Charlotte]

I really enjoyed the travelogue. And don't even think of withholding photos of Hubby and Baby. I have not been to Maine or Boston. Lots of international travel, but not much east of the Rockies. Isn't it so true that farm-fresh fruit and veges are a whole different taste treat? As for apples, I've gained a renewed appreciation of them living in the NorthWest. I eat 1 every day.

[Rhonda Roo]

You are so funny..these arent boring at all! Some of us live vicariously through others sometimes! :-)
That picture of Lady Violet with the fox, and the one with the pumpkins, makes up for any vanity you think you might have (you dont youre not BTW) and wowie, i dont think i could live that close to that many peeps either..it almost looks a wee stepford...plus i am a germaphobe EEPS!
I'm glad you posted Yay Vakay!