Notorious B and G: East Coast Family Time

Greetings from the East Coast!

It has been a great past week hanging out with family and exploring around New England. After completing our cross country trip with two very long drives it was great to spend a day relaxing and recharging at Uncle Ralph's house. We went for a little run around Cape Elizabeth and then sat by the pool for most of the afternoon and had a nice family dinner with Uncle Ralph, Auntie Barb, Amanda, Fred, Nino and Zoe.

The next day we drove up the Maine coastline to Acadia National Park. After seeing signs every hundred feet or so we eventually stopped to get a lobster roll that was as big as a football. It claims to be the largest lobster roll in Maine with two full lobsters per roll. It was delicious. We arrived in Acadia and did the Precipice Trail, which is part hike, part climb up the side of a mountain. The hike is only a mile, but about half the hike is climbing up ladders and iron rungs. Probably one of our favorite hikes so far since we both love climbing. After the Precipice Trail we did a quick hike along the coast on the Great Head Trail (yes, that's really what it is called) and then went to the campground to set up camp for the night.

Acadia coastline

Gina on the Precipice trail

View from the top of the Precipice

Gina "hiking"

In the morning we hiked up Cadillac Mountain, which is the tallest mountain in Acadia. It was a beautiful hike with great views of the park and of the Maine coastline. We were almost at the top of the mountain when, whoooooossh, a huge tour bus passed right by us. The east coast has decided that all major mountains should have roads that lead to the top, which takes away a little bit from the feeling of solitude and tranquility that one enjoys when hiking up a mountain. I guess it is nice though that people who wouldn't otherwise get to enjoy the beautiful view are able to get up there. So while we saw only a couple of people on the hike there were hundreds at the top of the mountain. Another thing we've noticed lately is a change in the demographics of people in the National Parks. With summer vacations over and school back in session it is now us and a lot of old people. Now for you people reading this that might consider yourself "old" we want to clarify, not old like you, you all are much younger than the centenarians that are currently inhabiting the national parks.

After hiking back down Cadillac Mountain, we left Acadia and headed to the Atlantic Brewing Company for some free beer tasting. Delicious! We got back to Portland in time to walk around the city a little bit and have dinner with Nino and Zoe. On Saturday we got to go out in the boat, which was exciting with some pretty big swells out on the ocean. We cruised around the Portland area and went out to lunch on Peaks Island. We had a couple more great family dinners at Uncle Ralph's on Saturday and Sunday, went for a great run down to the lighthouse, walked on the beach, relaxed by the pool, and watched the Niners beat the Cowboys to cap off the weekend.

On the boat in Portland

On Monday we drove across Maine and into New Hampshire to spend the day in White Mountain National Forrest. It was really pretty with the Swift River running along the road and some great hiking trails to viewpoints and waterfalls. If you are ever looking for a scenic drive, the Kancamagus Highway, which goes through the White Mountains is tough to beat (and fun to say). On the way we also drove past where my Grandfather, Papa, used to live in Naples, Maine. Hadn't been there in close to twenty years and it brought back a lot of great memories of hanging out with Papa and the family on Long Lake.

The viewpoint on the Boulder Loop Trail

Rocky Gorge, Swift River

Sabbaday Falls

We've been in the Boston area for the last three days. We spent one day in the city where we walked the Freedom Trail, ate pizza and a cannoli in the North End, saw a really cool exhibit on old maps at the Boston Library, had drinks at the Top of the Hub, which is on the 52nd floor of the Prudential building and went to Fenway to watch the Sox play. Overall, a very busy and excellent day in Boston.

View from the top of Bunker Hill

Lunch at Regina's Pizzeria

Fenway

We spent the last two days in Scituate with the family. More relaxing at Uncle Richard and Aunt Joan's beach house and more great family dinners with the Uncles (Richard and Phil), the Aunts (Joan and Mary) and cousins (Kate, Jeff, Ricky and Allison). We also took a trip to Plimouth Plantation, which felt like an appropriately patriotic thing to do on 9/11 and appropriate that we visit the birthplace of the United States on our tour of the United States.

Spending time with the family made us wish we were closer to the east coast and could see everyone more. We've even talked about moving to the east coast if you all can do something about your winters.