Meandering the Country

 October 12 - 17, 2024 From Portland, we headed south on I-95 for a day of adventure.  Our first stop was in Salem, Massachusetts.  Having never been there, we thought we’d spend a couple of hours checking out the city notorious for its witch trials.  What we didn’t realize is that this city takes full advantage of its notoriety and, for the entire month of October, they hold a giant festival called “Haunted Happenings”.  Of course, the day we wandered into Salem was a sunny Saturday morning and it appeared the rest of the world was headed to the same destination.  The closer we got to the city center, the heavier traffic became. An impressive number of pedestrians, many of whom were dressed up with witch hats and capes were also crowding the sidewalks and intersections.  As we saw residents advertising parking in their yards for $50, we really wondered what we had gotten ourselves into! Looking for a parking spot became quite the challenge.  At o...

September 30 - October 12, 2024 Portland, Maine was the official beginning point for our Fall Foliage Tour, as it was the Portland airport that Brad and Kathy flew into.  This trip was planned along with these longtime friends from Cedar Rapids, so I guess it was only fair not to leave them stranded at the airport! We arrived in Portland the day before Brad and Kathy’s scheduled flight, giving us the opportunity to have lunch with Carla and Art.  It’s amazing that Carla and I have not only managed to stay in touch all of these years, but continue to see our friendship grow closer and closer.  Our father’s friendship began in 1946 as fellow sailors on the USS Fresno.  I believe our dads would love that their friendship with each other has continued for the next generation!  Now, how do we get our kids to meet?! At breakfast the next morning, we talked to a couple who told us they had enjoyed a delicious lobster dinner at The Porthole in Old Portland.  That ...