Month: September 2016

We had a full day today! I stayed up late last night planning our attack. We made it halfway through the list. We started with a good old fashioned diner breakfast at Bishop’s 4th Street Diner. 

Actually we tried to go see Boyd’s Windmill first but couldn’t find it. Oh well. From breakfast we headed to Touro Synagogue – the oldest synagogue in America. George Washington, John F. Kennedy and Eisenhower all visited. Bill Clinton got as far as the front door but wouldn’t go in because there was no back door. We took the tour (and got a fat discount due to my National Parks pass – thank you Susie Miller) which was very informative and also spent another half hour in the museum. 

Then over to Redwood Library – the oldest lending library in America. Unfortunately, we were too cheap to pay $10 each to look inside so we turned around and took a photo of the outside. 

Next stop, Fort Adams. I really thought we could poke around and leave. Nope – by tour only. I really wanted to see it for some reason, so we paid and took the tour. 

It was awesome. The guide was a war strategy freak. He answered so many questions. Then he extended the one hour tour by taking us out and then back in from the perspective of the attackers. He showed us how everything funneled into kill zones. Then he took us down into tunnels that led out under the fort. Those of us not claustrophobic also went through a side “listening” tunnel that was very tiny and dark. It was so Game of Thrones. And we got Tunnel Rat stickers! Whoop!

The only thing is that the fort never saw battle. It was built at the point where the British invaded and occupied twice before (American Revolution and War of 1912) and there was no way America was going to let that happen again. 

So, Fort Adams was never challenged. Over the years it was kind of abandoned and then open to the public as a what I can only imagine would be an AWESOME and creepy unmanaged park. It was pillaged as you would expect. In 1994 the Fort Adams Trust began restoring with money from tours. I love history and ate that tour up. The tour, however, ate up a good chunk of our day. 

Our next stop was Jamestown. We mostly drove through – end to end – checking out Beavertail lighthouse, Jamestown windmill (was closed) and other sights. 

My friend and former Jam staffer, Heather Munroe, is from Rhode Island and steered us to the south side of Narragansett Bay to Point Judith for dinner at Matunuck Oyster Bar. What a meal! We had Rhode Island clam chowder which has a clear broth, stuffies – which are quahogs with a chourico (how they spell chorizo) stuffing, clams casino, and more lobster! It was the best meal we have had by leaps and bounds. Cocktails and beer – out the door for just over $100. The deal of the century!!! 

By this time it was 6pm and we hadn’t even checked into our new hotel. Time to head to Newport. Good news… Marriott Newport is lovely. No hairs or foreign objects on the floors! 

We had planned to go to Martha’s Vineyard tomorrow – but I don’t think we will. It’s too big of a day for us elderly birds. We will either hit Providence or Boston. 

Onward ♋+♊

I finally have a reason for the voices in my head! According to the new astrological calendar I am both Gemini and Cancer! So I am three people! WTF? 

Today we left Wentworth by the Sea and headed south to Middletown, Rhode Island. We drove right under Boston to get there. What a sad disappointment our hotel is… Completely generic with a view of a parking lot and somebody else’s short curlies in the bathroom! Oough!

I begged Larry to move us for Wednesday and Thursday. We are upgrading to Newport after tonight… Hooray!

We did the Cliff Walk today – well half of it. For a short span you have to walk on boulders and Larry refused. Friggin party pooper. We got as far as The Breakers. The path goes between the Atlantic and huge mansions. Mostly we saw the ocean and super tall hedges. The really pretty, visible mansions were after the rocky path. All in all it was a nice walk – after which we were ready for dinner. 

We went to Anthony’s Seafood which was very highly rated and recommended by our (uh hem) hotel. I was so excited to have clams in broth! I ordered the little neck clams with Portuguese chorizo, pasta and broth. It looked and tasted delicious. But, they didn’t clean the clams and literally every bite was gritty. Total and complete bummer. 

And, oh dear God… Fox News is on in our room. It’s gonna be a loooong week!

Onward ♋+♊

Today we ate. Lobster and lots of it! We didn’t wake up until 9am and took Bird to the shop where she will stay until Friday. From there we went up to Maine, starting with Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. We wanted to go to one lobster shack but it didn’t open until 5pm. Nooooo! I remembered reading about another place that is a Bush family favorite – Mabel’s Lobster Claw. 

It was super shack-y and awesome. Plus, to Larry’s delight, there were Bush family photos everywhere. We had lobster rolls. I liked the lobster better than the last one – but not the roll – no butter. They also had the tiniest passhole (my name for the pass in a restaurant) I’ve ever seen! It was fun and delicious and then we moved on. Larry was wondering where the Bush family compound was – and what do you know? We stumbled right on it. Well like a mile from it – it’s pretty well guarded and out on a peninsula. Even had a Texas flag flying. 

We meandered up the coast and found the most beautiful church right on the ocean. I could get on board with going to THAT church. There was even an outdoor area with pews overlooking the ocean. The church itself was constructed of stones inside and out with intricate stained glass. It was the most beautiful church I’ve seen in this country. It was built in 1883 and named St. Ann. She was the mother of Mary and granny to Jesus. All I know is it is lovely. 

Then, on to Portland. It’s weird the similarities between the two Portlands. I almost feel like PDX is a knockoff of Portland Maine. I know! I can hear my people from Oregon screaming. But seriously. Beards, plaid, wood, hipsters, beer, beer, beer – and Portland Maine was here first. We wandered around and into Central Provisions and had a bowl of punch and some marinated olives. Yes, a BOWL of punch. It was awesome. 

Next stop: more lobster. We went to Portland Lobster Company and had steamed lobster dinners. Whole lobsters are a trip. Not a trip I plan on taking again soon if ever. It’s kind of gross when the guts pour out onto the other food on your plate. Thank Jesus for bibs. Eating a lobster is a messy, messy business. I like the claw meat and knuckles – but that poop vein in the tail was troubling. I definitely see why lobster rolls are so popular – and expensive. Worth it!

We shagged ass back to our hotel with a quick stop for treats and wine for the big fight tonight (i.e. debate). Tomorrow we head south. 
Onward ♋

I’ve never been on vacation long enough to have to cut my nails. Another milestone!  

Larry arrived this morning. Yippee! A partner in crime. Yeah right… more like a partner to keep me OUT of crime. He was able to check in to the hotel early and they let me park Bird. We are staying at Wentworth by the Sea in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It is like a postcard. 

We had their Sunday brunch which was one of the best I’ve had. Lots of mimosas and Larry was ready for a nap. I was a little disappointed but understood. He did just take a red eye across the USA. He literally slept all day – is snoring this very minute. I took the longest shower of my life. Yessssss. 

Later in the day I took a walk around the grounds. They are stunning. When I took a photo of the length of the hotel I thought to myself the place looks like a ship. The grounds are landscaped beautifully with flowers that do not grow in Las Vegas (and it’s the very end of the season). No wonder Wentworth by the Sea is one of the most sought after wedding locales in New England. 

When I got back to the room I looked up the history of Wentworth. It opened in 1874 as the largest wooden structure on the state’s coast. And it WAS built to resemble the grand ships of that era. It was almost demolished by a wrecking ball in the 1980’s because it was in disrepair – but was saved and is now on the historical register. She is also known as the “Grand Dame of the Sea.”

I’m so lucky to get to stay here!

Onward ♋

Laundry day! And as a reward for doing said laundry, it was also… Lobster day! 

Clean sheets are the best. A lobster roll is pretty tasty. I’ll have to eat more lobster in a variety of ways to be sure it’s truly delicious. I think I’m spoiled from growing up on Dungeness crab. 

I did see some wild turkeys. I’ve seen quite a few during my trip but this was a flock (gaggle? herd?). They are lean birds – not huge and fat like you see in the grocery. I’m pretty sure I also saw a turkey buzzard. It looked like a turkey but was on a fence post hunched over. Reminded me of a the guard characters in the old cartoon Robin Hood – but couldn’t capture a photo. 

Tonight I’m staying at the Kittery Trading Post in Maine.  Tomorrow night I sleep like a queen in a hotel room. I can’t wait!

I’m not even gonna lie. Today I did nothing but sit around and watch tv. I didn’t even wake up until 10am nor did I take a single photo. I love a good lazy day! I had planned to find a laundromat but tomorrow is another day.

Onward (tomorrow) ♋

More reasons I like New Hampshire? No sales tax. The people all very nice and straightforward – no nonsense. “What’s that eh head there?” – about Lola. I LOVE the accent and hearing “wicked”. You know I love my Cowboys but I can certainly appreciate the Patriot fans. They are are deep rooted but not loud and obscene like the seachicken fans. 

I took Bird to the RV Doctor today. They had to order a part which will be ready on Monday. So, I’m staying in New Hampshire until Larry gets into Boston Saturday (more like Sunday morning). Then we will drop Bird off at the shop where they will fix her up and keep her securely parked for a week while we go gallivanting! That’s a huge relief. I really didn’t want to leave her unattended. Lobster, here we come!

Until then I’m between two little towns, Plaistow and Kingston, just hanging in a campground. I have cable tv which is a rare and wonderful luxury. As much as I love tv, I am dying to read my book. I’ve been rationing it because it’s the third in the Mr Mercedes trilogy (Stephen King) and I don’t want it to end! But I don’t think I can hold out any longer. It’s soooo good and weird!

I’ve always heard that if you do something for 21 days it’s a habit. I’ve posted to my website for 21 straight days! That certainly doesn’t feel like a habit. I’ve lived on the road for 21 days now and that does feel like my new normal. 

Onward ♋

I find it disconcerting to be in the Atlantic Ocean at sunset. The sun is on the wrong side. I imagine that east coasters feel the same when at the Pacific Ocean. 



It’s ok because the sunset over land is also beautiful. I did find the best rock ever! It has purple sparkles. 

Onward ♋

Heads up: first world problem ahead! Ideally I sleep in a room that is as close to 60 degrees as possible. I also have a fan. Last night I slept in a hot box. Literally. It was 80 degrees with 90 percent humidity. That’s just not OK.

Tonight I’m staying at Hampton Beach State Park. I have electricity – hence a/c. Aaahhhhhhh. The massive humidity resulted in fog which resulted in a really creepy walk on the beach. People would just disappear. I can’t imagine how popular this town must be in the summer. It’s perfect. Finding a rock is going to be tough – it’s a super sandy beach. 

Since I no longer have a refrigerator I needed to eat some things. Two ears of corn – the best I’ve had in my life… and I’ve had some good corn. A bunch of fresh green beans – with butter and garlic. And that was for lunch!  

My hair was grossing me out. It’s very thick in the back and makes me so hot. It’s also in dreadlocks every morning after I do a 50-year-old-lady-all-night-sweaty-dance-party in my sleep! So I went into SuperCuts and asked for a shampoo, cut and blow dry. Best money I ever spent. I had the gal shave the under half of my head in the back. What a difference! You can’t even tell when my hair is down but I can. 

I was able to get Bird into the shop on Wednesday here in New Hampshire. Hopefully it’ll be an easy fix or else I’ll have some deciding to do. I’m only not quite three weeks into an 11 week trip so I’d love to have my frig back. It’s how I keep costs down. I prefer to cook my own meals with the exception of highlight meals. Plus – it’s my cooking with local fresh ingredients. Yum!

I’m liking New Hampshire so far. I had never given the state a single thought, ever – even in planning my trip. Yet, here I am. People are nice. Haircut was good. Rain. Bird got right into the doctor. I get good tv (I just use air cable – what you get for free). Their license plates say “live free or die.” Diesel is the cheapest I’ve seen by a dime. The Atlantic. Maybe a lobster. I got upgraded to a sweet camp space. My friend Ben from Portland is two hours away in Vermont. Vermont is next door. What’s not to like?

Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Onward ♋

I’ve officially stuck my toe in the Atlantic! Whoop! I do have to walk back my exclamation of rain. I think it was just so humid everything was wet. I’ve never seen a dashboard have condensation – but today mine did! From my a/c. Boy is it muggy. 

I also have to walk back my endorsement of the O2Cool rechargeable fan. It’s crap. I had to buy batteries for it and it still barely spins. I had a feeling when I got it so I bought the $6 warranty. I’ll be getting a new one when I see a Camping World. While I’m doling out slams, Camping World sucks. I’ve never experienced lazier employees and even worse salesmanship. It’s like they get an award for driving away business!

Today I took a drive down the New Hampshire coast. It’s beautiful. I love all the Cape Cod homes. I went to get lobster at a famous shack but it was closed due to bad weather (humidity?). That was ok because I really want my first lobster to be in Maine. Did I mention that I’ve never had lobster before? Ever? I wanted to wait until I could eat one right out of the ocean – not one that had traveled across the country and waited forever in a slimy tank to die. I’m weird but you knew that. 

So, needless to say, I’m excited about lobster! Today I went to s place called Petey’s Seafood. I sat at the bar and had fried clams (with the bellies) and haddock. Delicious. The clams were so sweet! I may or may not have sat there drinking Stellas and reading Stephen King for a few hours. 

All in all a pretty chill day.

Onward ♋