A Little Behind & A BIG post Becuase of LLBean....

Ok, so I missed a day!!  I was SOOOOO tired last night by the time we got to our hotel that we ate dinner (at 9:30pm) and went to bed!!!  We packed quite a bit into our day, left a little later than we wanted to and well, it was worth it, but I just couldn't bring myself to post last night.

After Kennebunkport & touring a few lighthouses, we headed to Freeport Maine.  Home of LL Bean!  We found a GREAT little pizza joint to have dinner (picture above is @ dinner), and headed to bed to get ready for our fun packed day ahead.  Of LL Bean shopping & more light-house touring! 

These stores are HUGE!  Along w/ quite a few other things surrounding the store!  Here is the classic LL Bean boot right outside the entrance.  (Don't mind the sign behind that says "please keep off for your safety"...ooooppppss... I saw it AFTER the picture was taken!! Promise!!) 

They had a HUGE fish tank inside that was full of trout, crayfish & salmon.  There was also a little "view bubble" for the kids to climb into so they could get a better view of the fish! 

The kids section had a TON of fun things to play with.  There was a little play-house, chalkboard walls & a picture booth.  You could pay $1 and get 6 pictures of yourself.  She just HAD to do it.. however wanted to be silly. She was embarrassed, so she made me leave the booth.  Little did she know that there was a TV on the outside that you could see what the person inside was doing! Heeee! 

She even had fun trying on a few items.  There was a men's, woman's, kids, hunting-fishing, biking/water-sports, home & outlet stores to shop in.  I"m telling you it took HOURS to go through.... then it started to mist...uhoh...there was still a lighthouse to get to!!! 

This lighthouse is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the US.  (Or so they say)  it really was beautiful and even through the mist we stayed for quite a while just walking the rocks & taking pictures.  Again, this was a light house that you could not go into, but it was a GREAT view.  I am just in LOVE with the coast of Maine!!  Really -- how can we win the lotto if we don't play.  Ha!

Then it was on to Hartford, CT.  It was 9:30 by the time we checked in & found something to eat.  We brought it back to the room & then got in bed we were T-I-R-E-D!! 

The next morning we thought we'd tour a little of downtown Hartford -- it is the capital of CT. and then head to our next destination towards home.  We heard about a sweet little carousel that was in the middle of a beautiful park right in downtown.  We just knew that's what we wanted to do.  It was beautiful!  It also was only $1 per ride! PERFECT!  Anne Marie road twice!  Then we thought we've venture out to see what else we could get into......... 

NOTHING!  Really --- NOTHING!!  There was nothing else to do.  NO ONE around!  REALLY!!  So much so that we went to ask the little girl running the carousel what the heck the deal was.  She said that it's a "business" town full of commuters during the week, but the weekends are fairly dead!  HOW SAD!  It's a BEAUTIFUL park - full of trees, well-cut grass, fountains, playgrounds and the carousel. 

The capitol building.  NO ONE THERE...not even taking pictures... but me of course!  Isn't it beautiful?! 

Really I"m telling you -- NOT A SOUL!!!  There were about 3 kids on the carousel ride with us, but that really is the only humans we saw there! 

We did find this little friend in one of the fountains though.

We've now headed off to our next hotel, grabbed some dinner, took a dip in the pool & are looking forward to our last day of "touring" and vacationing tomorrow!  

Sneak Peek...

After we left our Bed & Breakfast (Mike & Anne Marie in front of the B&B this morning) we headed up the coast of Maine.  Up route #9 to #77.  BEAUTIFUL!  I'm ready to buy a summer house in Maine.  (Haaa!  When we win the Lotto!)  But we are SOOOOOOO tired, so I'm giving you a sneak-peek at our day and since we are doing more light-house-hunting tomorrow I'll include ALL the pictures then!

One of the beautiful light-houses we visited today. 

 Dipping our toes in the water w/ the small light-house wayyyyyy far off in the distance.

Climbing the cliffs/rocks over the ocean near two of the 1st light houses we visited today.  Oh the view was just beautiful.  I could have stayed all day just sitting on the rocks & gazing out over the ocean.

Even Better Day in Maine!

 What did we do today in Maine?!?!  Next to nothing... if you call nothing......

Jumping some waves!  (Very Very Very cold waves mind you!) 

Getting close to the animals around us!!! 

Finding picture perfect post-card moments right in front of us! 

Rock climbing ON the beach.... 

Creating works of art! (turtles, starfish, regular fish & a mermaid) 

Finding the coolest assortment of shells & see-glass!

Yeah... just a relaxing day... all day by the beach in Maine.  We headed out about 11a.m - after our B&B breakfast -- we packed a lunch -- played, ate & played some more.  Until 5pm when we headed back to our room to re-heat last nights leftovers!  Now, this is my kind of day!!



On The Road Again.... to Maine!

Today, we headed to Maine.  I wanted to see a few lighthouses, so we decided to stay in Maine for a couple of days.  We found a cute bed & breakfast online and decided to book a couple night there.  It was in Kennebunkport.   Now, I don't know if you know anything about the area ... because we sure didn't but here's a little information........... 

They have GREAT food.  Seafood that is.  We grabbed lunch (a lobster roll & fresh fried clams).  Alot of their dining places are over the harbor area and it's a fun place to sit outside, enjoy the view & some yummy food and drinks.  (The weather was warm to cool, so it was GREAT to be able to sit outside without sweating half to death like we had been the beginning part of the week.) 

They have beautiful bed & breakfasts.  (Why have I not taken a picture of the front of the house?  Good question -- that is on the to-do-list tomorrow!)  This bed & breakfast has beautiful grounds.  With flower gardens & a small waterfall.  Anne Marie was having so much fun just looking around. 

They even have a cute little sitting/sun room for guests to come and sip on tea or coffee (or lemonade or hot chocolate) and eat yummy home-baked cookies! (4 different kinds mind you!!) 

They even have cute little rooms in the "carriage-house" that has an extra small bedroom added on.  Just perfect for a little 5 year old girl!  So, off to bed we went after a long day of walking around town, buying maybe one really cute ring & one really cute bracelet from a VERY NICE lady (let me know if you're going to kennebunkport, I'll let you know who she is.  She has items in her shop made by families in Bali and much of the money goes back to them & to help them w/ medical issues for their children!) waiting out a huge lightning/rain storm & and eating some yummy food.

I will say this,  if I must be honest about Kennebunkport.  The locals here are GREAT!  Our innkeeper has been so sweet to us and very helpful.  Our little waitress today was so pleasant.  The lady that owned the shop - well, I could have talked to her all day.  However -- some (SOME) of the vacationers here are, shall I say, very stressed out people.  I can't tell you how many ugly words I heard today in public, nasty attitudes - and even a couple asked to be moved from their table when we came down to sit to eat.  We're thinking based on what we heard it was because we had a "small child".  I understand it's a "romantic" place here, w/ the bed & breakfasts and all.  But let me tell you, this little 5 year old has been thrilled to be here - eating almost all my clamstrips, begging for more & ooohing over the boats & wildlife, plus, she's been very well behaved.  We're hoping when we hit the beach tomorrow things will get a little better.  (The nice lady @ the shop even told us we were "refreshing" to talk to.  I'm not 100% sure, but I might know what she meant.)

Touring Boston

I seriously could spend days in Boston.  (If we had tons of money & didn't have reservations in Maine).  There really is SO much to do here.  Today we decided to head down into Boston & look around.  We went to the Quincy Market area.  We found ALL kind of things to do today & spend the afternoon there.

There are little "water fountains" all over the place in Boston.  Anne Marie begged to go in one the other night, however she had socks and shoes on & Mike told her no.  But today, she had sandals and I figured that it couldn't hurt as she would dry off fast enough! 

We then headed down to Boston Harbor.  There were all kinds of Ferry/Boat trips leaving the harbor.  It would have been fun, however it was not in the budget nor the time-schedule.  I would say that if/when we ever come back it will be something we might want to do.  Just because I know Anne Marie would love it!

Again, not in the budget or schedule was the Aquarium.  (maybe we'll do it next time) But there was a huge outdoor seal tank and she spent at least 20 minutes there.  She LOVED them.  Then the Aquarium Mascot came out.  She was "interested" but ONLY if Mike would go with her.  So, see, we didn't have to spend $58 to have a good time at the Aquarium!!

We then had lunch @ an oyster bar -- clam chowder & fish & chips! YUM!

Then it was off to find a bakery that a girlfriend of mine told me we MUST go to when we were in Boston.  Mike's Pastry..how could I forget that.  Well, when we got there (a Monday afternoon) the line was out the door.  But let me tell you -- WOW!  Was it worth it.  My mother in law would be JEALOUS -- and I'd bring her one if it wouldn't be a mess by the time we got home.  If you come to Boston - GO TO MIKE'S -- Get the Cannoli!!!  REALLY --- YUM!!

And Boston would not have been complete without a stop @ Cheers.  Today (7/25) would have been my Dad's 61st birthday.  It was fitting that we ended up having lunch right next to the Cheers bar.  Without going into the boring story that most of my family know -- when I was in high school I lost a Cheers sweatshirt from Boston that my dad had.  He NEVER (EVER) let me live it down.  So, today, in honor of my dad, I bought Anne Marie (and cousin Naomi) a Cheers t-shirt to "replace" the one I lost!

Off to Kennebunkport tomorrow.  REALLY looking forward to the next part of the trip.  Here we come fresh Lobster!!!!  (Is it sad that many of our trips revolve around food?!?!?!  Haaa!)