Road Trip

From the natural world to one of culture, reuniting with family, making new friends and enjoying many good foods along the way... this road trip was a quick tour of the New England states.  Blessed for the little time we had and the season in which we had it.  Fall is a time for change and transition, and always our favorite time for travel... we just happened to be in the most beautiful part of the country for the colors to change.  Enjoy!

apple picking day :)

a trip to the capital city...

the Natural History Museum had a rock and gem exhibit...naturally we enjoyed.

Flourite

Geno’s vs Pat’s in Philly

Touristy I know but it had to be done...

Pat’s left, Geno’s right

The winner... Pat’s! Geno’s might have edged on the roll but Pat’s had better meat and more of it. Nice and cheesy too.

Where everyone knows your name in Boston...

old meets new, Boston

Cape Elizabeth, Maine

lobster roll

Portland, Maine

farmer’s market

Vermont

NYC

true that.

outside Chelsea market

can’t visit NYC without grabbing a slice!

Hudson, NY

Assateague Island

Camping on Assateague Island in Maryland was a beautiful experience.  The wild horses that live there are managed in a way that they can remain as nature intended.  They have adapted to eat the salty grasses along the seashore, which many times gives them a bloated appearance.  However, they have also figured out that the campground areas are also places to pick up a snack or two, and if they see you with your car doors open, they will indeed help themselves to whatever they can find inside!  That being said, they are still wild.  The only human intervention is with breeding.  I found it amazing that they use birth control darts to manage the herd size, thus protecting resources while also keeping their distance.  Every female is allowed to produce once in her life in her prime years.  This is contrary to the popular Chincoteague Island herd, which holds an auction each year to minimize numbers.  By only having one foal, the mares are less stressed than they would be if they were to foal every year, as you can probably imagine.  It takes quite a bit of energy and reserves to raise young, and this is a distinction that is easily seen between the mares of the two herds.

campground hunters, doing their rounds

mare

filly

Seeing the sunset on the pacific side is something we’ve been blessed to experience often, so getting to see the sun rise up from the Atlantic together was a real treat.  The fact that we were surrounded by a herd of “wild” island horses made it even more magical.  It’s a reminder to be awestruck by the simple things...somehow breathing in a sunrise and sunset never gets old.

A BIG house

It was a treat to tour the grounds of this historic private castle.  The scale alone leaves you awestruck, not to mention the engineering that was involved in providing electric, plumbing, synchronized clocks and every other modern convenience. Although the interior woodwork was spectacular, the masonry skills can be admired from the highest of heights.  There was an amazing library, grand dining hall, many balconies overlooking the surrounding forests, bedrooms upon bedrooms, and of course entertainment rooms such as billiards, pool, workout, bowling, sitting...and all the staff quarters and rooms for supporting this lifestyle.  It was Downton Abbey come to life...or as one would imagine it while touring. :)  We can both appreciate the skill it took to construct such a place, as well as the hard work it takes to keep things up and running.  If you are interested in architecture and history, seeing America’s biggest house, The Biltmore Estate, should be on your list.

One of the first bowling alley’s, this one made by Brunswick

Indoor heated pool, with underwater lighting (circa 1910)

The stable was even converted into a restaurant.

Conservatory