Burgundy Burner
July-17th-2009, 02:05 PM
Well, we just got home from a trip to the Hudson Valley region and New England. I didn’t want to come home, but it will be nice to sleep in my own bed though.
First, for fans of Soledad O’Brien – she spoke at the graduation ceremony and did a great job. She was awarded an honorary degree and insisted on being called “Dr. O’Brien” from this day forward. There is a pic below – unfortunately, my stepfather never mastered the use of my camera while shooting indoor scenes, but this picture turned out to be ok.
After spending a couple of days around the Albany area (mostly for graduation), it was time to bolt for New England. However, the graduation ceremony and all activities turned out to be the best experience ever. It topped other ceremonies and it was nice that my daughter could watch me walk. Special note to Renaissance on her admonition to attend and walk (I almost decided not to go – glad that I did).
Off to New England we go. Our first stop was in Bennington, VT where they were having a Moosefest. There were fancily painted full-sized sculptures of moose throughout the town and it was quite a site. The moose are sold via auction and the money goes to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Vermont. Off to Hogback Mountain and the fantastic scenery – the temp was about 70 degrees (lovin’ it!). I’ve been there before and it was nice to see that the old country store at the top of Hogback is still there – talked with the locals for about an hour and it was off to Brattleboro, VT for some good tasting lobster rolls.
The next day we went into New Hampshire and traveled through the many small towns along route 10. Just like Vermont, the people are warm and friendly – and the food is fantastic. We spent the night in Andover, MA and visited Gloucester the next day. That night, we had a great seafood dinner at an old time favorite in Boston – Anthony’s. The lobster is just as I remembered it. Then it was back to Andover for the night.
The next day was a quick dash to Bar Harbor, ME for a couple of days of relaxation and fun – great seafood too! After leaving Bar Harbor, it was another quick dash to Providence, RI and spending some time in Newport the next day – the multi-million dollar homes are a site to see. Off to Connecticut as we took a northern route through the state and on to Canaan – a nice town with a lot of wonderful people.
The next day, it was time to do some whitewater canoeing along the Housatonic River for ten miles and a stop (about halfway) for lunch at a nice little café on the river. What a great experience! The daughter and I plan to go back some day just to do this part of the trip again. It took about five hours to reach our finishing point and then it was off to Danbury for the night. Today, it was time to come home – ugh.
The food, the hospitality, the vast number of motorcycles, the scenery, the friendly people, the weather, the covered bridges, the parks – I could go on and on. <Sigh>
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL801/3670766/12588190/369779353.jpg
First, for fans of Soledad O’Brien – she spoke at the graduation ceremony and did a great job. She was awarded an honorary degree and insisted on being called “Dr. O’Brien” from this day forward. There is a pic below – unfortunately, my stepfather never mastered the use of my camera while shooting indoor scenes, but this picture turned out to be ok.
After spending a couple of days around the Albany area (mostly for graduation), it was time to bolt for New England. However, the graduation ceremony and all activities turned out to be the best experience ever. It topped other ceremonies and it was nice that my daughter could watch me walk. Special note to Renaissance on her admonition to attend and walk (I almost decided not to go – glad that I did).
Off to New England we go. Our first stop was in Bennington, VT where they were having a Moosefest. There were fancily painted full-sized sculptures of moose throughout the town and it was quite a site. The moose are sold via auction and the money goes to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Vermont. Off to Hogback Mountain and the fantastic scenery – the temp was about 70 degrees (lovin’ it!). I’ve been there before and it was nice to see that the old country store at the top of Hogback is still there – talked with the locals for about an hour and it was off to Brattleboro, VT for some good tasting lobster rolls.
The next day we went into New Hampshire and traveled through the many small towns along route 10. Just like Vermont, the people are warm and friendly – and the food is fantastic. We spent the night in Andover, MA and visited Gloucester the next day. That night, we had a great seafood dinner at an old time favorite in Boston – Anthony’s. The lobster is just as I remembered it. Then it was back to Andover for the night.
The next day was a quick dash to Bar Harbor, ME for a couple of days of relaxation and fun – great seafood too! After leaving Bar Harbor, it was another quick dash to Providence, RI and spending some time in Newport the next day – the multi-million dollar homes are a site to see. Off to Connecticut as we took a northern route through the state and on to Canaan – a nice town with a lot of wonderful people.
The next day, it was time to do some whitewater canoeing along the Housatonic River for ten miles and a stop (about halfway) for lunch at a nice little café on the river. What a great experience! The daughter and I plan to go back some day just to do this part of the trip again. It took about five hours to reach our finishing point and then it was off to Danbury for the night. Today, it was time to come home – ugh.
The food, the hospitality, the vast number of motorcycles, the scenery, the friendly people, the weather, the covered bridges, the parks – I could go on and on. <Sigh>
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL801/3670766/12588190/369779353.jpg