July 2007

July 31st we didn’t have anything to exciting set up for this week. We went to Lincoln to get some information for the future as to the whereabouts of the crashed B-18 bomber, and we were successful in getting some GPS coordinates. Also obtained some more hiking information and bought a great trail map of the White Mts. Area.

July 22nd we met Eddie & Debbie along with Mom for breakfast at the Quentin House. In the afternoon we had Mom’s 90th birthday party at the Quality Inn in Lebanon. What a great time was to be had by all. I cannot put into words what a great party it was. In the evening we went to Dave’s place for a cookout and a good time with her family.

July 21st we met Dave at the Mt. Lebanon cemetery to fine the burial plot of Charles Drews. Leaving there we went to Donnie’s home to meet with their family, Kathleen’s oldest granddaughter was in from Washington State. After the visit we went to Spring Side pitch ‘n’ putt golf course. In the evening we visited Jeff and Shirley for an evening of relaxation.

July 20th we found our 1st Geocache, we than took Sammy to the playground in the morning, later in the afternoon we went to Green Dragon to shop and than to Red Run Campground for a visit.

July 19th in the morning I golfed with Woody at Monroe Valley, in the afternoon I had a great visit with Jim & Peg Denier, Harvey Lengle and his sister Linda this was at my sister Nora’s home. On this day Kathleen took her granddaughter’s shopping to the outlets in Reading, and they had a great time.

July18th we stopped at Cabela's in Hamburg to do some shopping and than did a lot of errands (credit union, banks, gift certificates, etc.) also visited with some family. It was quite an exhausting day.

July 17th left to go home to Pa. For a special visit, just took the car and not the MH. Sort of a bad move as we could not find a motel room for the night in the NY/NJ area.

July 12th we went to Plymouth and saw Plymouth Rock and saw the Mayflower II, did a little shopping. Our journey back we passed Gillette Stadium where the New England Patriots play. We could not get in, as there was a lot of construction in the area. Coming back through Boston we again went through the Big Dig and went back to New Hampshire. While on our travel we went to New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon. Back to the campground and go to work. Friday the Thirteenth was an unlucky day for a local moose as it was hit and broke it’s spine. The police took care of putting in out of its misery, and gave the moose to some of the seasonal campers in the park. They spent two days butchering and on Sunday they cooked up several pounds of meat. As we were somewhat apprehensive as to the taste of moose we did try it and it was delicious, we did get several pounds for the freezer and cannot wait till we have a moose supper. If you get a chance it is good eating.

July 11th we started the day to drive out and see Cape Cod and we needed to find a diner for breakfast, we came across a place that looked good and had a lot of cars around it. Had to be a good restaurant or a Wal-Mart. Grumpy’s restaurant is a fine place to eat, while we did have a 10 min. wait and we were lucky as people who came later waited 30 min. Leaving there we went to the Brewster General Store and what a find as people were sitting outside on the deck reading their morning papers. For the regulars each has an old post office type mailbox for their own personal morning paper. We than stopped at the Strawberry Patch gift store and browsed for a while. Continuing out the Cape we stopped at Ellis Landing and Rock Harbor. We also stopped at several beaches along the way and did arrive in Provincetown and visited the Pilgrim Monument. On our return trip back we stopped at a restaurant and had some clam “chowda”, and it was great. Back at the campsite we had hot dogs and enjoyed the evening.

July 10th drove down to Boston and did a day of sightseeing and did the Old Town Trolley Tour, what a great tour as they have 18 stops throughout the city and at any stop you can dismount and get back on different trolley. (Trolley’s run about every 15- 20 min) We parked at the Charlestown Naval Yard and toured the Constitution before we started our tour, as this is stop #3. At stop #5 we got off and walked around the area of the Old State House, Boston Massacre, Old South Meeting house, Faneuil Hall. Reboarding, we stayed on the tour for a while and enjoyed the driver/guide and the information that they gave us. We did get off at stop #9 and walked around the outside of Fenway Park, maybe was expecting more as this park with all of it’s fabled tradition sits in the middle of town with very little or no parking even some of the bleachers are built over the streets. Getting back on the trolley we than went to stop #13 Copley Square/Newberry Square which features the Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library. We than reboarded the tour and changed trolley’s at #1. At #2 we dismounted the trolley and walked to the Paul Revere House and followed the Freedom Trail to the Old North Church (did the church tour). Followed the trail to Copps Hill Burying Ground, than walking we went to the Bunker Hill Monument, walked up the 294 steps to the top and enjoyed the view of Boston. We walked back to the car and proceeded to Shawnee State Park via the Big Dig through the center of Boston and set up our tent.

July 5th, we returned to the states and stopped in Vt. for breakfast. We found a quaint little bed & breakfast on the shores of Lake Champlain that was so serene and peaceful we could of stayed forever. A waitress at the bed & breakfast told us about the Snow farms vineyards down the road, and as we were going to stop at a winery we decide to try this one and it was a great find. After leaving the winery we made our way to Waterbury, Vt. and when in Waterbury you go to Ben & Jerry’s for the tour and ice cream. With much will power we did leave and go down the road to Cabot Vt. and again when in Cabot you go to the Cabot Cheese and Butter Factory. We did not take the tour, as it would have been an hour wait for they were that busy. Moving on we went back into New Hampshire and we stopped in Bath. There is the oldest continuous operating General Store in the country, from as far back into the 1700’s. Any one going into that store receives a free piece of fudge. (It was some of the best we ever ate). As we got to our home we were quite weary and tired. We did get everything stowed away till next week.

July 4th We took a shuttle bus into Montreal and did a tour of the city, which needless to say is magnificent. After the tour we had three hours to do whatever we wanted. As it started to rain when we returned to our tent and for the rest of the night and we stayed mostly dry as we did had a few leaks, we endured.

July 3 Left early in the morning to meet up with John & Linda Vandermark in Burlington, VT. We decided to stop for breakfast along the way and in the state of VT. They do not list facilities along the interstate so we got off at the Montpelier exit. As there were no restaurants at the exit we drove into town to find a restaurant. We stopped at the J. Morgan Steakhouse for a wonderful meal. This place is almost in the shadow of the capitol building. This has got to be one of the most picturesque capitals in the country. With it’s golden dome in the back drop of the lust green mountains. We do know that it is the smallest. We met up with John & Linda and we took a 1 1/2 ride on the Ethan Allen III on Lake Champlain, what a breath-taking event. We also toured the Lake Champlain Chocolate Co. We went to eat at the Shanty that overlooks the port of Burlington. From there we went to Montreal, Canada and set up our tent for two nights.