Portland, Maine

We took a lobster excursion, today. Super fun. Small group of passengers got the experience of lobster fishing. 

The captain pulled up the traps. 

Bags are stuffed with bait. 

We emptied the traps (along with lots of crabs that got tossed back in and often snagged by patient seagulls). 

We learned how to measure from the eye socket down the back. 3 and a quarter inch we kept, over 5 inches goes back in the ocean. 

Only about 50% of females produce eggs. And they store male sperm until they want to use it. Interesting….

This lobster was a female and previously caught with eggs present. The fisherman notches the second fin and that indicates a producing female and she gets tossed back in the ocean. 

We took our catch to a local restaurant to be steamed for dinner. 

We visited the Portland Head lighthouse and wondered around the Old Port Historic District with original cobblestones. 

Kennebunkport and Ogunquit, Maine

I simply can not imagine Kennebunkport and Ogunquit Maine in “busy” season. Many bodies in one area! It was a dreary but fun day. 

We drove the coast. Stopped at St Ann’s church built in 1887.

Had to take a gander at President Bush’s compound.  

Took a boat cruise to see the Nubble Lighthouse. 

…and of course had clam chowda and lobsta rolls. So freaking good. 

Ogunquit is a cute town. I absolutely have no idea how they drive big tour buses into the area. The roads are narrow and buses are so big! We had a challenge with our truck. 

We walked Marginal Way, I had to see how cold the water was (not as cold as I had anticipated), and Ruby had no idea what to think about waves! 

Then stopped at Len Libby Chocolates to have truffles and bubbles. They have a 1,700 pound moose carved out of chocolate!

Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, Mass

Old Sturbridge Village is the  largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast and depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s. 

And PSA - veterans and their families get in free. Normal ticket is $30 pp

You can visit 40 original buildings, and explore homes, meetinghouses, a district school, country store, bank, working farm, three water-powered mills, and trade shops – all situated on more than 200 scenic acres.

We visited with authentically costumed historians and watched demonstrations in the tin shop, printing press and cider making. 

And Mark decides to participate, too! 

Albany, New York

With the exception of paying for parking, today was a totally free day which is rare in the northeast!  

I kinda love Albany. We visited the amazing state capitol. What a marvelous and interesting building. A couple of highlights- it took 32 years to complete at a cost of of 32 million (703 million in today’s equivalent). 

There is no metal used in construction. Everything is stone on stone and all sandstone and wood was hand carved in place. 

The columns and arches support the building. 

Carvers were given creative autonomy. They even carved their own faces. 

One craftsman carved a tiny devil who is blamed when pieces of legislation fail! 

When governor Teddy Rosevelt came into office he declared the capitol finished. You can see unfinished portions as you walk the building. They have left it unfinished to honor the history.

Original tile floors 

Senate Chambers - no electronic voting. Every vote is by voice. 

Assembly (we would call House of Representatives)

 The “Million dollar staircase”. 

“The Egg” is a performing arts center. 

Art and sculpture everywhere. 

These identical buildings are called creativity (smile) “agency 1 through 4” and house many of the state agencies. 

The Cathedral of Immaculate Conception spires can be seen throughout much of the downtown area. 

We took the express elevator to observation deck in the Corning Tower. 

We visited the NY State museum. 

A very sobering section on 911 and the devastation of the twin tower collapse. 

The crushed fire truck and melted steel. 

We took a picnic lunch and enjoyed the massive Washington park.