Met my high school best friend for lunch today. We have known each other since we were 13 years old, and moved together to Toronto in our early 20's, before going our separate ways. Charlotte moved to Saint John some twenty years ago to be closer to her Mum and Dad who retired in the area. We reconnected last May at our first ever high school reunion. Introduced her today to my hubby of 30+ years. Great visit!
Bar Harbor, Maine, population 5,000 .... until the cruise ships come in, that is. Then it doubles for the day. This is not unfamiliar to the residents, as Bar Harbor was another one of those playgrounds for the rich and famous - Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Astors, Carnegies, and Morgans, to name a few. Those glory days may be gone, but tourism is still quite a lucrative business for the locals.
Had a nice trip up through Acadia National Park to the top of Cadillac Mountain. At 1,500 feet high, it's the tallest point on the eastern coast of the US, and the first spot in the US to see the sun rise. The trees are beginning to change, and there is already a lot of red showing in the maples. From the top of Cadillac Mountain we can see the five Porcupine Islands ... and the two cruise ships - the Emerald Princess and Holland America's Maasdam.
Some curious facts we learned today: Maine is half-way between the equator and the North Pole. 40 million pounds of lobster is caught off the Maine coast. Lobster is fat-free (if you don't dip it in butter). 90% of the US toothpick supply is produced in Maine. Maine is the only state with a one-syllable name. (And you thought all we did on a cruise was eat and drink!)
... and we're really glad we came ...
Some pictures of Boston for you: The pub that was the inspiration for the TV show Cheers; Copley Square; and the finish line of the Boston Marathon (just behind the green umbrellas) where the first bomb went off earlier this year. Traffic here is nuts!
... this is the state motto of Rhode Island.
Had a nice tour through the city of Newport where the rich and famous had their summer homes. Saw the Vanderbilt house; the church where the Kennedys (Jack and Jackie) were married; and the house where the movie High Society was filmed. Aside from all that display of wealth, there's also a pretty nice looking seaport town, reminiscent of Lunenburg NS.
Oh, yes, the ships often carried pineapples because they kept well and prevented scurvy. So when the merchant arrived home after a successful voyage, he would place a pineapple at the front door to announce that he would now receive guests. May try it myself!
Okay, I confess. Cruising is not about balanced meals, much as I like my veggies, not to mention, pineapple. Cruising is about having a great time. And if that means martinis before dinner and milkshakes after, so be it. (Tom says, "I needed that!)
Left NY about 7 pm. Newport RI tomorrow ...
For you, Emily ...
Petoncles Geantes a la Plancha
seared diver scallops, peekytoe crab, melted leek, preserved truffle risotto ... OMG!!!
Tom says that there's a reason Broadway shows are the standard against which all others are judged. They are just so damned good! Saw Annie this afternoon. Fabulous!! Times Square and all ...
