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Friday, January 19, 2018

New England

I'm not entirely sure how to share about our journey through New England, except for this: I wish we had more time.  From the moment we crossed the border into New Hampshire we were met with beauty and outdoors that make you want to go exploring.  
    
     Crossing the border back into the U.S. was the typical process.  A series of simple questions made to feel intimidating through tone and choice of words from a sunglasses shielded customs agent who proceeded to make us go into our trailer to remove all of the produce, including items purchased in the U.S. a few days prior.  Once released we quickly turned east following a side road along gorgeous farm land in the greenest of rolling hills.  I imagine Ireland offers a similar experience.  Ironically, this side road is less than 50 feet from the Canadian border, which has no fence whatsoever.  On the right are Vermont farms, and to the left, sitting there in Canada, is a neighborhood of suburban style housing with backyards butting up to the border - with no fences at all!  What was the whole point of grilling me at the border if Canadians can simply walk out of their backyard to buy maple syrup across the street from the farm stand in the United States with no border enforcement at all?  

    Our first stop was a rustic campground in White Forest National Forest, on the narrow north end of New Hampshire.  Though only their for one night, we managed a short and unremarkable hike near the campsite.  Unremarkable as it was, a hike is always a great way to start the day before being on the road for hours and hours.  The end of a long day on the road brought us to Bar Harbor, Maine.  Between Acadia National Park and the actual town itself, this small island alone offered more to see and do then our 3 night stay would allow.  We enjoyed an absolutely incredible hike on Acadia's eastern shoreline, with wave crashed sheer cliffs and beautiful views throughout.  We enjoyed our first Maine lobster dinner, a short bike ride from our campground to a typical outdoor-seating only lobster pound restaurant.  We decided to bike it all home and eat there, avoiding the ever present mosquitoes.  Each of the three children tried the lobster and steamed clams.  
     
     Said AJ after one bite of the lobster, "This is good.  I like Maine lobster!" 

     "Would you like some more?"

     "No, no more."  After a single bite.  I'm not exactly sure why he said he likes it.

Following Bar Harbor we made our way to Kennebunk(port).  Beautiful Bed and Breakfasts line the road the entire way along the coast, and I understood why the slogan "Vacationland" is displayed on Maine's license plates.  It really is a wonderful place to visit, when the season is right.  I'm convinced that absent tourism, Maine would be a few small fishing towns and the rare trapper living deep in the woods.  I guess it's still that, but there are just so many B&Bs its ridiculous.  

Our final visits were to Boston and Newport, Rhode Island.  But perhaps those locations will be better shared in a separate post.  
















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