On planning this trip, somehow I suspected we'd been to New England before and sure enough on digging through our records it was in the mid 1970's. Just yesterday according to my memory bank so I should have remembered. But looking closer we had traveled much further in our old VW camper so just scratched the surface of this area only noting it was worth seeing again but in more detail. As usual the trip had been months in the planning but only part time. This makes it fun and doesn't interfere with other chores (& fun). Since we have few quaint coastal harbor towns in California, this was one major goal. Another was some of the nice woodsy coastal trails past lighthouses that hug the rugged coasts. And of course to see Boston, but only the highlights and those briefly as we aren't really city people and like to keep our wallets mostly in our pockets. Luckily we managed to get the best flights possible with an overnight not leaving until about 9pm arriving early in the morning. Then for the return flight we were able to arrange a short leisurly walk right from our hotel to the airport. We have learned a few lessons from our travels like no third party booking and fly non-stop when possible. We also love the Sacramento airport as it's less stressful than Oakland or San Francisco and for us more convient. PS: You can click on many photos for a bigger image.
		"Wait for me!"

		MAY 11 - 13 It was a bit of a challenge getting our shuttle from the Baltimore airport to the Penn RR station and it's nearby car rental, as there were so many changes and no official help. But while we were the only white people on the train, several nice folks went out of their way to make sure we were headed in the right direction. We could have just rented a car from the airport but it would have meant facing rush traffic and shuttles on our return when time was tight. This way it on our return it was a short walk from our car rental to the Penn station and our train which left  fairly early. Our visit with Mimi's brother and his country home was very pleasant and we even got to take part of the Appalachian trail
The young desnse woods of the Applachian trail.

MAY 14 Our train ride to Boston cost a fraction of flying and if you consider parking, checking in luggate, security and having to arrive two hours ahead the train is only marginally longer. Plus there is more space, you can walk around and the views are better - well most of the time. The toilets were also larger and there was a cafe on board as well. But in truth, we did it once, enjoyed it, but would opt for flying if any distance was involved. At Boston’s South Station we got a $1.50 shuttle right to the airport. From there is was an easy walk to our hotel over a long sky bridge. Fun once you know the way & aren’t dragging a 50 lb suitcase with the emergency brakes on.
		Our first real train trip.

		MAY 15 On this first visit we opted for the Hop-on-Hop-off (HOHO) Boston trour bus to get an overview of the city. Plus we could get off, see the sights and then hop on again as an easy mode of transportation. Some of the beautiful stone buildings are about as close as you can get to Europe in the states and the verdant Boston Commons was also something we really enjoyed. Being an old sailor visiting the USS Constitution was a kick and it also had a little museum. Towards the end of the day we wandered over to the Italian section, but while delightful, it was so crowded it spoiled the visit as we found ourselves avoiding people rather than viewing sights. The only close by restaurant was in our hotel but it was decent, not too expensive, and had some nice brews.
Tulips in the Boston Commons.

"Most photographed alley in Boston, Acorn Street		A unique bronze sculpture near the Constitution.

Uss Constitution, worlds oldest comissioned ship.		The view of downtown Boston from our Hilton hotel.

MAY 16 Back to our South Station and then Uber to our car rental place. Even with GPS it was a challenge to get out of town. Taking Hwy 1 we enjoyed a few small towns like Swampscott before stopping at Salem where we took a harbor stroll among some small museums and then had a bite to eat at a local cafe while observing street life. It was nice to just relax a bit from our hectic er... um...retired life. On to Newberry where the highlight of our visit was finding a parking spot and bathroom. But the town was charming. Looking over the time left we skipped a few spots and headed directly for Perkins Cove and Marginal way, a beautiful but popular coastal hike with parking to match. By amazing luck someone was just leaving and we grabbed the parking spot for a scenic hike that matched it's reputation. As time was short for some reason, we headed straight for our hotel in Kennebunkport. The hotel wasn't much above a motel 6 but we had a spacious room, all the convieniences, and it was right on the beach.
		Evening at the beach a few feet from our hotel.

Maine never fails to get creative when advertising their seafood.

MAY 17 We looked over our itinerary and realized there was too much to do for the time available. This of course is on purpose as we never know how interesting sites will be and the time we'll want to spend there. Our first stop was Wiscasset. This was memorable as there was a bathroom sign right on the main street, but it neglected to mention it was a half mile down! But we had a nice walk down the residential neighborhood. Perhaps todays highlight was the Maine Botanical Garden. Even though a hefty price, there was so much to look at it was well worth it. The only thing not perfect was the overly warm temperature. In Damariscotta I got a double chocolate ice cream to make amends. Unfortunately it was a mixture of 70% enjoyment and 30% guilt. On to Camden and our hotel. For a very good price we had reserved one right in town so could take a stroll right from our hotel to the small charming downtown and a nice restaurant on the pier overlooking tall sailing ships from the last century.
		The delightful Maine Botanical Garden.

A stroll along the streets of Camden Maine.		Many of these have been in the water over a century.

		MAY 18 Stopped at a grocery store and got a really satisfying salad for lunch, the first really healthy meal of the trip. If possible we try to get a hotel with breakfast included. Then munch for lunch which leaves only one restaurant meal at the end of the day that we really enjoy. Some people do three sit down meals but we feel this cuts into sightseeing way too much besides being fattening. Today we had a bit of driving but I confess we both enjoy looking at scenery if interesting. We stopped briefly at Bath and then onto an amazing harbor walk at Belfast where old sailing ships were being repaired or just anchored in the harbor. After that it was the Ships Harbor Trail where there were no ships or harbor but the shoreline trail was wonderful in spite of the threat of rain. After a couple more short hikes we got to the Colonel Suites in the town of Northeast Harbor, a much quieter option to Bar Harbor. Luckily one of the towns two restaurants was right in our hotel. Here we had a pricey lobster dinner but concluded while good it really wasn't worth the extra cost to us.
Part of the Ships Harbor Trail.

MAY 19 Today was a whole day at the Arcadia National Park we had heard so much about. What made the most sense was driving the coast road taking what hikes there were and ending up in Bar Harbor for lunch. We had some wonderful hikes but then found the Park Loop was one way the wrong way so had to drive about 20 miles out of the way to get back on course! Bar Harbor was interesting but the playground of teens and twenty something eyeing each other more than anything else. Worse yet, parking meters fastened themselves to every spot within a mile of the town center. We finally parked at a grocery store, bought a nice lunch and then enjoyed it at a hotel lot overlooking the harbor. We're bad. Our last hike of the day was the Hemlock Path Loop with it's amazing mile long boardwalk and garden at the end. Unfortunately the road was blocked due to construction 100 feet before the trail head with no parking anywhere. Luckily we found a tiny spot on an alternate road nearby and were able to take the trail.
		Ships Harbor Trail towards the spit.

The small but delightful  Asticou Azalea Gardens.		The amazing Hemlock Path Loop.

 

MAY 20 It was a long drive today so we headed right for our hotel in Portland with only a few breaks on the way. This is another popular town where free parking has long gone extinct. We parked at our hotel and then toured the town on foot, which is actually our favorite way. It was a bit warm and we luckily had a ferry trip planned over to Peaks Island for some hiking. While a fun ride and super cheap, the island wasn't that attractive nor cool. We wandered around for about two hours among a lot of nice places but also a lot of unkempt ones strewn with old equipment. We tried to find our forested hike but everything was overgrown and obscured.  Luckily a friendly lady showed us the way, but even then the climax forest was full of downed branches faint trails. Back to our hotel and then to a nice brewpub only a few doors down.
		Scenic views from the Peaks Island ferry.

		MAY 21 Our old hotel was very elegant but the food was only mediocre. We took a nice walk around town among beautiful ornate stone buildings but many were neglected. On our way out we stopped briefly at the Portland Headlight Park but didn't feel we had enough time to see it properly. On to Maudslay Park which was favorably mentioned in my searches. Here again they asked for a steep parking fee for non locals that we reluctantly paid. It was a huge old park that we guessed belonged to an old estate in the past and we enjoyed an hour or so here. A nice lady in the parking lot suggested Newberry as a charming town to stroll. After finding a parking place we walked this delightful little town for a half hour or so. By now it was time to head for our hotel in Rockport, another charming little town on the coast where we had a pleasant evening meal overlooking the harbor. After dinner we took another leisurely stroll though this beautiful little coastal town full of unique shops.
Acres of Skunk cabbage  in Maudslay Park.

MAY 22 The last day of our vacation had us heading back to Boston and our Hilton hotel. I was wondering why our Garmin was saying it would take 9 hours via all the back roads to get close to the main road when I finally pulled over and realized I had it on the 'walking' mode. Oh well, we saw a few nice little towns at any rate. Thankfully the 'turnpike' tolls were fairly cheap as they came pretty often. And the cash booths were well marked for us out of towners without a 'transponder'. Nearing Boston was a nightmare with fast traffic, confusing signs and multiple exits. We resigned ourselves to a parking garage for a small fortune and then toured a part of the town we missed before; the Newbury street shopping area. A lot of nice stores where you could buy things like a special edition Birkenstock sandals for $650. As this shopping area was only a few blocks long we continued on into the Boston Commons, their version of Central Park or San Francisco's Golden Gate park. We immediately felt our blood pressure lowering among the stately old trees and floral gardens interspersed by spacious lawns. After ransoming our car out of the parking garage we turned it in and Enterprise graciously give us a lift to the South Station where we got shuttle to the airport and our hotel. The next day we took another free shuttle to our terminal and flew out at 11 and with one transfer in St Louis and were in Sacramento a little after 6pm.
		The charming & quaint  little main street of  Rockport.

Downtown Boston on  Newbury Street & it's stately brick buildings.