History Tour

One of our favorite aspects of this trip is how history has come alive for the boys as they study early American history.  A very timely stop with their studies was Lexington Battle Green, site of the beginning of the Revolutionary War.  We crossed the street to Buckman's Tavern and took a tour of the headquarters for the Minute Men.  There was an original bullet hole in the door!

The next day we ventured into Boston and decided to take in the Boston Tea Party museum and a trolly tour of the city. There is way too much to see and do in Boston in just one day. The Tea Party museum was fantastic.  Actors in costume walk you through a town meeting, down to the ships to throw the tea overboard, into a staged waterfront, and do a masterful job of telling the story along the way.  There was even an actual tea crate on display.

The trolley tour of Boston allowed us to hop on and off at various sites.  We ate lunch at Chinatown, visited the Old North Church (where the lanterns were hung to warn that the "Regulars" were coming by sea), USS Constitution (the oldest active duty Naval ship), and Harvard University. The trolley drivers did a phenomenal job of telling the story of the areas as we drove through them.  Yes, this is another place we will need to return to!

Needing some physical activity, the following day we chose to ride the Cape Cod Rail Trail from Nickerson State Park to the Cape Cod National Seashore and Coast Guard Beach.  We also took in Plymouth Rock while near the Cape.  A mug in the gift shop read "you can't change history, but it can change you."  We would have to agree after our studies.  Our next night was spent in Storrs, Connecticut where friends from Williamsburg now live.  We toured the University of Connecticut campus where J and Lisa teach.  Jackson and Asa were thrilled to have some kids to play with…thanks Keith and Fiona!

Our next stop was Camp Deerpark in New York to catch up with Sean and Kim, who worked with us for two years at Drift Creek Camp in Oregon.  Since we saw them last they added Elias to brother Jack and our Jackson and Asa were thrilled to have more kids to play with. They had planned a very special surprise for us…a day at the Mohonk Mountain House. It belongs on everyone's bucket list.  Built 143 years ago by a Quaker, this impressive lodge has a rich history and is set in the timeless beauty of a high mountain lake rimmed with granite.  We hiked for about an hour on the Labyrinth trail, scrambling over and through a boulder field, and ending with a climb through a crevice called "lemon squeeze".  We needed to work up an appetite for one of the best buffet lunches we have ever had.  Not to mention afternoon tea.  What a superb day! Thank you Sean and Kim!

Maine

With Sandy behind us we headed to the Maine coast and stayed with friends Kale and Cathy, formerly of Anchorage.  We spent one day exploring Portland and made it up to Freeport to see the amazing LL Bean complex. Their main stores are open 24/7/365 and literally have no locks on their entry doors. We also enjoyed lobster rolls, clam chowder, and lobster stew…Yum!  Cathy and Amy signed up to go to the Friday evening, Saturday morning Beth Moore conference and both had a blessed time with 4000 other women of faith. Kale, Jerry and the kiddos went on hikes, visited the playground and invented games like driveway slalom and race around the house. It was great to spend time with them and to get to know two new additions to their family.

Another big draw to Maine was our good friends Eric and Denyell in southwestern Maine.  Amy and Denyell went to pharmacy school together.  We have wanted to visit them in their home for nearly 14 years, so it was great to be there.  They live in a very peaceful, rural setting with nice views of the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  We spent the week getting to know the area and taking a few local hikes.  Just being together and getting to know their super kids was the highlight of the week.

Running from Sandy

We honked our way into Pennsylvania, our tradition for many years.  With most campgrounds closed for the season we were glad that Laurelville Mennonite Church Camp, Amy's childhood summer camp,  was still open and willing to host us.  The boys enjoyed seeing the cabins and trails that their mom enjoyed as a kid.  We ventured into Scottdale for more trips down memory lane.  We had lunch at Weis' with Elaine, a previous nurse at Amy's dad's office. After seeing Amy's childhood home, she made sure the boys walked the sidewalks to her elementary school to gain an appreciation for how "long" it was (0.6 miles!). They loved it!

We took in an early Halloween event at the Pittsburgh Zoo on Saturday.  We dressed as a family as Mount Rushmore.  Yes, one or two young kids called us a "ghost family," but everyone that could read loved the idea and costume.

It finally came…the day Amy had been waiting for for 44 years…THE STEELERS GAME! On a cold, rainy western Pennsylvania afternoon we joined our friends Sharon and Scott and kids and 65,042 other fans at Heinz Field. Despite the weather the game did not disappoint. The Steelers dominated the Redskins from start to finish.  Stadium food…$15. Steelers hats, sweatshirt and ponchos…$60.  Driving 15,000 mies to get to Pittsburgh…$8,000 in gas.  Seeing the smiles on Amy's face…priceless.

With "Frankenstorm" bearing down on the east coast we decided to beat a northeast course across New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire to try to avoid a direct hit and get to Maine a little early.  We did drive through some gusty winds and waves of rain, but we managed to make to our friends', Eric and Denyell's, house in good shape.