All over the map . . .: Boston to (the other!) Portland

We thought Boston was behind us, but it was actually two more days before we were really out of there! First night we were ready to go when a new storm rolled in, so we decided to stay put. Had our first night ever in a Home Depot parking lot!

The roiling sky, just before all hell broke loose!

And then we ended up taking one more quick trip into Cambridge where we saw this talented and inventive fellow in front of the Harvard book store . . .

Ramblin' Dan and the Amazing World Band

Then, at last, on our way once more . . .

We had one last stop planned on our way out of Massachusetts. My brother Larry had suggested we stop and check out Lowell where America's Industrial Revolution began, and I'm so glad we did . . . a fascinating place for sure . . . .

There we found Lowell National Historical Park - it's different because it's an urban park with components scattered around the city. At the Visitor Center we got a great overview of the birth and development of the textile industry, our nation's first really, right there on the banks of the Merrimac River.

Did you know Harold was once a surveyor?
His eyes lit up when he saw this -
a Philadelphia rod - "antique" surveying equipment!

We took a canal boat ride offered by the Park - up to the old locks - very interesting!

It was a nice day to be on the canal!

And we saw their resident urban blue heron!

Up by the canal lock . . .

After that we hopped on the old restored trolley for a ride back to the Visitor Center.

Look! A streetcar named Desire!

Next we took an invigorating walk around Lowell town. Sure enjoyed the historic buildings, beautiful churches and lots of early industrial architecture . . .

St. Anne's Episcopal Church - est. 1825

Next we headed over to tour the old Boott Cotton Mill - saved from the wrecking ball and refitted with old weaving machines to depict the early years of the industry.

Yours truly in the weave room at the Boott Cotton Mill -
Very noisy in there as the looms are operating, turning out product!

Lowell's other "claim to fame" ? It's where Jack Kerouac was born. Remember him? Probably best known for his classic novel On the Road back in the 1950's, he actually turned out more than thirty books of prose and poetry! Much of his writing drew on his experiences growing up here.

A very nice park in town has these big slabs of polished granite engraved with some of his best known works . . . it's really a very nice tribute!!

Jack Kerouac Memorial Park, Lowell, Mass.

Then, time for us to be . . . On the Road . . . again . . .

"Welcome to New Hampshire"
State motto - "Live Free or Die"

After all our dilly-dallying we were needing to make some time, so most of New Hampshire we saw from the Interstate. But we veered off and into Hampton to view a bit of the state's short Atlantic coastline. A beautiful day! And from here up to Portsmouth, our next planned stop, it was basically your classic seaside holiday scene!!

Kites, flip-flops, hot dogs, ice cream, sno-cones!

And then we were in Portsmouth - northernmost New Hampshire city on the Atlantic. Situated at the mouth of the Piscataqua River, Portsmouth is one of America's earliest ship-building centers. It was a thriving seaport in the late 1600's!!

We'd really planned on just passing through, but our stop at the Visitor Center convinced us to spend another day here . . . so much to see!

Here's Harold in the foyer of the house where John Paul Jones stayed when in town!

Lovely old boarding house, don't you agree?

The (original) USS Ranger, that lovely old sailing vessel, was built in the ship yard here in 1777!!

Harold with a nice model of the USS Ranger
(That silly grin is my fault! I said, "Say cheese!")

"Market Center" in Portsmouth

Walked around Market Street some, drove a bit too, and saw a lot of old, old (1700’s!) buildings and classic colonial style homes on very narrow winding streets!

What a treat! A beautiful day in a wonderful old city in America!

Then, one more day of sight-seeing in Portsmouth - this time on our bikes. We'd asked around and heard the best place around to get a lobster roll was at Geno's. We pedaled on over and found the picturesque little place on the Piscataqua River. Lunch on the deck, wine, beer, delicious lobster, clam chowder – what could be more relaxing! Not a lunch to rush through, that’s for sure!

Lunch on the deck!

After lunch, pedaled on over to Strawbery Banks, historic homes and buildings (in various stages of restoration!) depicting life in the Puddle Dock “neighborhood” from 1695 to the 1950’s!

This is a fabulous ongoing project, and we had an excellent (very local) tour guide! One major activity going on there now is the construction of an authentic gundalow boat - very cool!

Also at this fascinating site of more than ten acres, we saw, among other notable spots, the home of Tom Aldridge who is said to have influenced Mark Twain to write Tom Sawyer – a most interesting story indeed. No way possible to remember all we learned today, but all in all a very memorable outing!

Some pictures from Strawbery Banks . . .

George Washington was a visitor here
in the drawing room of the Chase House c.1762!

From Portsmouth, we crossed over the old World War Memorial Bridge and entered Maine at Kittery, the oldest town in the state!

Kittery is a picturesque little town, especially there along the harbor. Coming into Maine, we stayed off the Interstate and enjoyed the scenery along the Blue Star Memorial Highway, US1.

We motored a grand total of 52 miles today – through York, Ogunquit, Kennebunk - very scenic, Maine seashore resort spots and woods, fabulous old homes, antique sellers galore!, churches, lobster for sale! – all the way to Scarborough, just outside of the other Portland! Tomorrow we’ll be checking out Portland, Maine! (I can’t believe it. We are in Maine!!!)

After a quiet night at Camp Walmart, we drove into the "other" Portland. We had a lunch date! My "sissy" (Denise, Larry's wife!) said we should go see her cousin who lives in Freyburg, Maine. We were so pleased to be able to make a plan with Lynne to meet up in Portland yesterday!

We got into the city a bit early so spent an hour or so walking around the neighborhood just above the wharf area. Once again, we were taken by the wonderful old buildings, classic architecture of the area and days gone by . . .

Victoria Mansion, Portland, Maine

A lovely little patch - modest row houses!

A charming neighborhood of old duplexes . . .

Spring Street Fire House - 1837

A couple more views along the sidewalks up on the hill . . .

And then it was time to meet up with Lynne and her son, Forest, 17 year old high school senior, at BECKY'S DINER!!

Becky's is an "institution" in Portland. Wonderful little place!
If you want to see a great website, google "Becky's Diner."
Very cute!

Here we are at Becky's where we enjoyed a delightful meal with Lynne & Forest.
What a wonderful time we had! Denise, you were right, he IS a GREAT KID!!
We would say he's bright, engaging, personable & destined to succeed!
We had a lovely visit, lingering over our lobster lunches!!!
yummmmmmm . . .
Lynne & Forest - SO GLAD to have met you!!

After our good-byes, Harold and I took a quick little drive through the Portland city streets, admiring as usual the marvelous buildings and the lovely waterfront! In some ways, so like the other Portland - and this seemed even more so as the rain drops began to dot the windshield and the city!!!