Month: July 2016

 

Mystic Aquarium was a delight for the senses for all ages!   Over two hours wandering through outside & inside exhibits highlighting natural environments and unique habitats – this aquarium rates five stars!  Exhibits were viewable by those tall and small. Fish were numerous from exotic to mundane. The lily ponds filled with frogs, tadpoles & polliwogs as well as turtles and dragonflies were amazing. South African penguins entertained us during their feeding and we watched them swimming underwater thur a window into their tank   Seal pups roiled together in their water area – their play reminding us of our own yorkie pups. The separate Sea Ray tank allowed a great view of these elegant creatures and an opportunity to witness their swimming grace & skill.

Two large tanks of Nemos or clownfish as they are technically known, attracted  squeals of delight from the youngsters.  Even infants gurgled over seeing brightly colored fish zip around their tanks. Touch tanks offered kids a chance to feel sharks, mollusk and other species  for the first time.

This is is a first class Aquarium in a lovely small historic seaport city. Don’t miss it if you are nearby. Both children of all ages and adults will enjoy this experience.

We finished our day in the Seaport area with lovely lunch at S & P Oysters and visited Puffins gift shop across the street for some cool mementoes.

Our stay at Mystic KOA in North Stonington last week was great. Weather was perfect & we made it to the pool most afternoons. We had a great reunion with two boating friends – we met Linda and Richard at Jo’s American Bistro in Newport and caught up on their lives as well as introducing them to our traveling life. They are both still working although a few years older. We encouraged them to join us in the retired community as one never knows how long you have.  We took advice from others And witnessed  the disappointment for those who waited too long. We were encouraged to plan our retirement in more detail. We now have a two to five year plan and a sense of security as a result.

While in Mystic we drove north to see two of our grandchildren Aidan & Siobhan for a few hours. After living close to them ,  spending time with them when they were young, and taking them on vacation with us for ten years it’s a change to know we won’t see them as often. But they are getting older and having their own lives.  Luckily technology allows us to stay in touch while RV traveling.

We also had car service done so it’s good till September.  The tow car is an important part of RV travel. We got the Honda CRV 18 months ago as it was a popular four wheels down tow but we have since learned it has a 65 mph towing speed limit, battery issues & a more complicated tow setup than the Jeeps. In September we hope to trade her in for a Jeep Sahara four door – something easier to set up more rugged and better suited for our travel out west in 2017.

 

We arrived here early Saturday as it was A short trip from Cape Cod.  We have a great site on the hill looking over playgrounds and pool.  This campground is right off  interstate 95 so it is very convenient for travelers. It’s been great weather so we have used the big pool quite a bit to refresh. Monday night we met friends in Newport for dinner at Jo’s American Bistro and last night visited our grandchildren; Siobhan & Aidan and their parents back in Massachusetts. Today we plan to drive in to Mystic and visit the Aquarium as well as checking out the Seaport.

 

This week we also drove the car up to the tip of Cape Cod to visit Provincetown – a unique community of artists, free thinkers, musicians, sweet shoppes and culinary delights.  Known as the Key West of the Northeast, this colorful town has been home to literary giants such as Norman Mailer as well as thousands of LGBT individuals and couples who have reveled in its culture of tolerance and acceptance.  The entertainment sector here ranges from the sublime to the totally outrageous – something for everyone!

Rick & I have visited this terrific town & harbor for more than twenty years by sailboat, powerboat and now during the Taj Northeast Farewell Tour!  It’s welcoming nature makes a visit here essential to your successful vacation. Here we have enjoyed the company of bother family and dear friends and we treasure the memories of such great beach days, wild nightclub adventures and delectable dinners with all.  Put PTown on your list if you come to Cape Cod – the sand dunes, both Bay  and Atlantic  beaches are glorious and the harbor is beyond scenic!

You can take a ferry or even a plane here from various points along the Massachusetts coast or drive out leisurely. We will undoubted return to this Cape sweet spot in a few years. No matter what we’ll always have PTown!

 

We celebrated Rick’s birthday by attending the wedding celebration for Matt – Rick’s nephew and his lovely partner, Lindsay.  Matt’s daughter Isabella was an integral part of the ceremony and their newest baby girl Juniper made an appearance after the vows were pronounced.  Rick’s sister Debbie and her husband, Mike hosted this lovely party at their home and the weather cooperated. Lots of new and old family members helped celebrate this important step for Matt & Lindsay.  While we normally highlight the campgrounds, museums and historical sites in the Taj USA Tour, we thought this occasion was special and wanted to record it in our memories.  All our best to the new family unit of Matt, Lindsay, Bella, & Juniper!

 

Our three weeks s at the Cape Cod Camp Resort in East Falmouth began quickly – 2 days there and we were off the Boston for dinners with old friends and  USS Contstitution event – lunch with former Captains & their wives – albeit separately.  Stayed at our favorite Boston hotel – Boston Harbor Hotel where Lola & Lenny are welcomed with treats and a cushy bed!  Dinner with Friends – Brian & John the first night was terrific – nothing like relaxing on a beautiful South End patio with martinis that had barely met Mr Vermouth… Uber comes in handy for these meet ups!  Our separate lunches the next day with Our Ironsides family were a chance to catch up and share news.  We returned to Del Frisco’s that night with The Bonners – former Ironsides alumni.  It was a good night before the thunder storms.  Boston Weather was okay but not as hot as Previous 4th weekends.  Lola got her introduction to city noise and fire engine sirens.  She was scared at first utbthenbtook it in stride. On day three we headed north to Concord NH for Rick’s nephew’s wedding and celebrated this lovely event with Rick’s sister Debbie, husband Mike & many other family members.  We returned to Cape Cod to welcome our son Sean & his son Shane for an overnight.  It was their first experience on the Taj.  Shane exhausted us with his constant energy and we all had a great time although it could have been warmer.  They stayed thru much of the Fourth so it was a special Independance Day for us.  Later we watched the Boston Pops & Fireworks in the comfort of the Taj.  The weather stayed cool for our first week but we had several other guests – my dear friend Mary came to see the Taj & we had a great lunch at the Lobster Trap in Bourne, Rick’s former staff came for a Taj tour & cookout  and my brother and his wife visited Sunday & that meant another Lobster Trap lunch 😋.  It was great to see all this family as we told everyone we will be away from the East

Coast for all of 2017 and would not return until later in 2018.  This is  the Taj New Engkand Farewell Tour!

 

 

 

We stopped at a lovely  spot on the edge of the Berkshires for a few days although the Northampton KOA Kampground did not meet our expectations.  It has small sites – too tight for big rigs and the only big rig sites – only 6 of them – are right opposite a tiny pool filled with kiddos at all times.  As a result we rarely used the pool at this campground. We prefer places with separate kids & adult pools.  This campground is an ideal place for 5th wheel & campers – its not a class A stop.   However, the best part of this visit was spending time with my sister Margot & her wife Iris. We hit the Northampton farmers market, then a refurbished train depot for a late lunch and that night we enjoyed dinner at Galaxy – a lovely spot in downtown Northampton.  We also viewed Margot’s beautiful wood works in her home and picked out some wood for a coffee table for our Mt Pleasant home.  Margot has a lovely touch with beautiful wood and we are excited about her offer to make us a table!

The mountains that surrounded us and the gorgeous farmland made this stop a pleasure although our views were affected by occasional rain while there. After months in the South where the topography is often sea level – it was great to see rolling hills, rugged mountains with creeks & rivers running through them.  Western MA is worth the visit – your eyes will be rewarded as well as your appetites.