Maine, Day 3

After a healthy dose of ibuprofin and a brief nap to let it kick in, I was feeling human once again.

Today was beach day. We drove down to Ogunquit Beach rather than take the Campsite's shuttle van to Footbridge Beach so that we would have a little more freedom and discretion for coming and going. We got to the beach at around 11:45am, which put us exactly between low tide and high tide. We started out close to the water but quickly moved back when we saw that the tide was coming back in quicker than we first anticipated.

The boys didn't spend much time in the water today. I briefly took a walk in up to my knees, but that was enough for me. I thought the water was freezing. I ended up huddling under my umbrella away from evil Mr. Sun and reading my book. We ended up staying until close to 3:30pm, when we decided to pack up our stuff and bring it back to the Explorer. Then we took a walk around town.

At one of the little shops we found a painting from a local artist which depicted a couple sitting on a bench in the moonlight overlooking the ocean on the Marginal Way. Way too eerily, it looked like Maria and I, sitting on "our bench" the night we got engaged here 17 years ago. Needless to say, it was a no-brainer purchase. The artist herself ran the store and sold us the painting, enjoying our story.

After a little bit more of walking around, we stopped at a restaurant for dinner (pizza and pasta). That hit the spot after a pretty long day. We were going to go back to the beach for a walk, but the tide was still too high for us to cross the river, so we decided to leave. We ended up going to the mini-golf place to check out their new "human maze". It was pretty tough. John made it through in 8 minutes, I took 12, and Kevin took 13 (because he cheated by crawling under the walls). Maria watched from the observation deck.

Back to camp, and the boys wanted to go to the pool (where I'm writing this from). On the agenda for the rest of the evening are showers for all of us and then some R & R.

Tomorrow, we have to move our campsite to another one around 40 yards away. What a pain that will be. Hopefully the new site opens up early enough that we can get the move done without cutting too much into our last full day here.

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Maine, Day 2

The warnings about possible thunderstorms for Thursday turned out to be for nothing as it was pretty much a sunny but very hot day, at least the early part of the day.

Kevin was always the second one up in the morning, after Dad.

We went to the outlets in Kittery for a couple of hours and got our shopping done. The outlets were as packed as I've ever seen them, just wall-to-wall cars in the parking lots fighting for parking spaces, and wall-to-wall people in the stores.

By the time we got back to the campground, we all wanted to cool off so we went to the pool for a while. We were the only English speaking there, everybody else was French Canadian. Then back to the campsite for dinner (grilled chicken and salad).

After dinner, I took the boys mini-golfing and for ice cream while Maria stayed behind to straighten up. Then a game of Scrabble and bedtime.

It got pretty cool overnight, and for some reason I developed a splitting headache overnight. Now I'm sitting outside writing this while everybody else is still sleeping, and I cannot find the ibuprofin. Not fun.

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Maine, Day 1

Today we started our annual vacation in Ogunquit, Maine. Unlike last year, the drive up was quick and almost uneventful (see below). We left home shortly after 11:30am and hit no traffic issues at all until we hit the normal slowdown as we hit Ogunquit. Just two stops along the way. One in Massachusetts at a Wendy's for lunch, and one as we reached Oguquit as Kevin needed to poop.

As I mentioned, the trip was almost uneventful. It almost turned quite tragic. As we were driving on the short stretch of I-95 that cuts through New Hampshire, there was an either late 60's / early 70's car that was about to pass us on the left. Just as I saw it in my sideview mirror, I saw a lot of smoke coming from behind the car. I thought it was only exhaust until I heard a metallic sound and then a lot more smoke. Then he started to swerve and lose control. It got worse and worse until he eventually did a 270 degree spinout behind me. I was sure that he was going to roll, but lucky for him he didn't. I think what happened was he had a blowout. I saw through the rearview mirror that he was able to safely get off to the side of the road. Pretty damn scary. If he had been even with us or just ahead of us, he could have taken us out. That would have ruined our day for sure.

Anyway.

We (safely) arrived at the campground at around 3:30pm. After we set up the camper and our campsite, we headed over to the pool to cool off, then back to our site for dinner (steaks and tomato salad). Right now, we're sitting around the campfire and the boys are roasting marshmallows. Scrabble is on the agenda for later.

The forecast for overnight and until mid afternoon tomorrow is calling for a chance of thundershowers. So tomorrow might be our Kittery day at the outlets. The forecast for the rest of the week is for perfect weather.

Stay tuned for another update tomorrow.

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Coming Home

We left Southport at 5:45am. We arrived in Simsbury at 8:54pm. 776 miles of driving.

A little longer than we expected. The weather cooperated nicely, the only slowdown that was weather related was down in North Carolina when we ran into a brief cell of very heavy rain that lasted only a couple of minutes. The rest of the trip was fairly dry, just overcast skies with an occasional very light drizzle.

We were making great time until the New Jersey turnpike. Then we hit three separate slowdowns. The first was for around 10 miles for unknown reasons. The second was a little further north due to an accident. And the third was at the George Washington Bridge.

We dropped Lori off in Cromwell at around 8pm and was thinking that we had a clear final 30 minutes or so home. But then we hit traffic on I-91 at the Wethersfield/Hartford line due to an accident. It was at a nearly dead stop. We ended upgetting off 91 and driving through downtown Hartford to get back on 91 just past the Meadows. After being in the car for 14 1/2 hours (and me driving all but around 90 minutes in VA/MD), that was just cruel be be stuck in traffic so close to home. By brain and body started to hit the wall. I was blurry eyed for the final 15 minutes or so of the trip.

But as fun as our vacation was, it's great to be home.

North Carolina, Day 5

Today, we did nothing but hang around the house. I finished my book, and the boys and I finished the jigsaw puzzle we had been working on all week.

Maria and Lori took the boys into town during the afternoon to do a little shopping, and then they went to the pool for a short while. While they were doing that, I cleaned out the car and topped off the gas to get ready for the drive home tomorrow. We're hoping to get an early start . . . up at 5:00am and hopefully on the road by 5:30am or so. We're bringing Lori back to visit her mom, so it will be a brief detour to Cromwell on the way back.

The boys spend part of their final day of vacation with a trip to the pool.

The weather sounds like it will be rainy up the entire east coast, so I'm not quite sure what to expect. Hopefully, it won't be too bad.

North Carolina, Day 4

Another excellent day. We got an early start and sailed out to Bald Head Island, just across the Cape Fear Inlet, to spend the day. We arrived just before 9:30am and Bob got a slip for the day. Then we rented a six person golf cart for our local transportation for the day.

Captains Lori and Bob, and First Mate Kevin set sail for Bald head Island.

Our rental car for the day.

Once we unloaded the boat onto the cart with all our stuff, we headed out to explore the island. We started by checking out the BHI lighthouse ("Old Baldy"). A lot of steps to climb, and a somewhat tight fit to reach the very top, but it was worth the exercise. You could see pretty much the entire island from the top, it was quite a view.

A view of the marina from the lighthouse.

Looking down through the lighthouse at the men.

After the lighthouse, we drove out to the supermarket to get some sandwiches to pack in our lunch. Then it was a fairly long drive out to the beach. What a great beach it was . . . Nice clean sand and clean water. We parked ourselves there for a couple of hours. John and I brought our baseball gloves and played catch for a while. Then Maria and Lori took the boys for a walk up the beach to collect some shells. After that, we sat down to enjoy lunch.

Watch out for that wave, Kevin!

Dad and John play catch.

After lunch, Maria and Lori took another walk, with Kevin tagging along. Bob and I stayed behind with John. The clouds finally broke mid-afternoon and the sun finally made an appearance. When the ladies returned and took a brief rest, we packed up and started driving back towards the marina. We made a brief stop at the Turtle Museum, then went back to the boat. We loaded our stuff back onto the boat and then went back to return the golf cart and buy a couple of souvenirs.

Kevin found a huge conch with an occupant.

The boys had a great time at the beach.

The sail back (completely by engine, since there really wasn't enough wind to sail by) was quite enjoyable with the sun out. The boys and I sat up by the bow for the whole trip back. Then we headed back to the house to relax for the rest of the day.

Tomorrow is our last full day of vacation. We have no plans at all, we're just going to play it by ear. Then we head back to CT on Sunday, a 13 1/2 hour drive.

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North Carolina, Day 3

The weather broke yesterday afternoon and we were able to get out and about for a little while. We went down to the marina to see Lori and Bob's boat, then we took a walk around Southport and got some ice cream. Then back to the house for dinner and to relax for the rest of the night. The boys were starting to get a little nuts in terms of not getting along so we had to separate them for a while to calm them down.

Today was a much better day in terms of weather. We took the boat out for a while onto Cape Fear Inlet, then dropped anchor while we had lunch. After lunch we sailed back to the marina and then headed over to the beach.

The boys prepare to set sail.

Kevin at the wheel.

The young and old men of the sea.

Captain Bob raises the sail.

Captain Lori pilots the ship.

We're at the beach right now. Maria and Lori went for "a little walk", and right now, around an hour and a half later, still no sign of them. It's getting a little cool as there's been a very stiff breeze blowing straight in from the ocean. I think the men are ready to leave, but we're currently being held captive by the MIA women. Hope they return soon.

The boys at the beach.

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North Carolina, Days 1 and 2

Yesterday was our getaway day from D.C. We left Washington right after breakfast and were on the road shortly after 8:00am. The weather was great for a long drive, and we made pretty good time with only three brief stops. We arrived in Southport at Lori and Bob's house at around 3:15pm.

Crossing the border into North Carolina.

Pretty much all we did yesterday after we arrived was chill out and relax after a couple of busy days in D.C. Lori and Bob took us to the beach for a walk and to let the boys expend some energy. Then it was back to the house for a dinner of burgers, dogs and homemade fries. Lori set the boys up on the Wii, so they were good until bedtime.

The boys on the beach.

Today is a gentle rainy day, so it's probably just going to be another day of laying low. The weather is supposed to be really great for the next couple of days, so we'll be out on the boat sailing. I think the boys stand to have a great time here in North Carolina.

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Washington D.C., Day 3

Today was an awesome day at the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum, which is the "other" Smithsonian Air and Space Museum out by Dulles Airport in Virginia. What an incredible place! I have no idea how many aircraft were there in total, but in terms of quality I have to imagine that there cannot be another place in the world that had what this place had.

A lengthwise view of the museum.

Some highlights: the "Enola Gay", which is the B29 bomber which dropped the Atom Bomb on Hiroshima in WWII; an SR-71 stealth fighter; an Air France Concorde; and what I thought was the "crown jewel" of the place: a NASA Space Shuttle (the "Enterprise"). Just absolutely amazing.

The Enola Gay.

An SR-71A stealth fighter.

John and Kevin and the Concorde SST.

The Space Shuttle Enterprise.

We spent the entire day at this museum, there was just so much to see. We also saw an excellent 45-minute movie about Air Force fighter pilots in the IMAX theater after lunch.

After we saw all there was to see at the museum, we all went out to dinner at Benehana in Dulles, VA. We were all entertained by the chef, particular the boys. All in all, a very good day for all of us.

Tomorrow morning we leave for Southport, North Carolina, right after breakfast. Mapquest has it as around 400 miles, 7 hours. If we can get on the road by 8:00am at the latest (our goal), I'm guessing that we can make it to Southport by around 3:30pm (including a couple of very brief stops for potty breaks, food and gas. It will be a long travel day, but we're hoping that we'll have four days of fun and relaxation before we start heading back early, early Sunday morning.

Washington D.C., Day 2

We are all exhausted.

Today was a very busy day. It started at around 7:00am when Jason met us for breakfast here at the home. After breakfast, we drove over to the National Mall to start our day. A quick visit to the main Smithsonian building on the Mall, and then we started walking around the west end of the mall. Many hours and many miles of walking. We walked past the FBI Building, Ford's Theater, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the Washington Monument. I think the boys had a great time. The weather was OK. It was cool and overcast, but expect for a few brief periods where it got a bit blustery, it was actually very good weather for walking.

In front of the White House.

The boys at the Albert Einstein Memorial, on the grounds of the National Academy of Sciences.

John and Kevin with mom's favorite President.

The best way to look at the Washington Monument?

After the Washington Monument, we were very hungry. We'd been on the move for around 5 hours by that time. We walked over to the National Museum of Native Americans to eat at the food court there. Jason wanted to do a quick tour of the museum, which we did. Then we walked next door to the Air and Space Museum (my favorite museum) for a quick tour there. By the time we were done there (we cut that short), we were all pretty exhausted and decided to call it a day at around 4:30pm. We'd been on the go for around 8 hours at that time. We walked back to the car and drove over into Virgina for dinner at Ruby Tuesday's. We got back to our rooms here at the Home a little after 7:00pm. We all took showers and are now all pretty exhausted. It was a very long day, but we covered a lot of stuff. Hopefully, the boys will take a lot of memories of our Nation's Capitol with them. Maria (and Jason) took tons of pictures which should help.

Outside the Native American Museum, with the U.S. Capitol in the background.

John and Kevin on the Moon.

Tomorrow we go to the SMithsonian's other Air and Space Museum, the Uvdar Hazy museum which is located out by Dulles Airport. That shoould be a pretty cool day as well. Much less walking and hopefully much less exhausting.

Washington D.C., Day 1

Today we started our nine day vacation in Washington D.C. and North Carolina. For the Washington part of the trip, we are visiting my uncle Jason at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, and then we will be leaving on Tuesday for Southport, North Carolina to visit Maria's friend Lori.

We left Simsbury this morning at around 7:20am. Weather was overcast with an occasional light mist, but it never really developed into anything more than that. Despite a few traffic slowdowns and maybe two stops more than I would have hoped for, we made very good time and arrived at around 2:30pm. Jason was there to greet us as we arrived and showed us to our guest rooms.

After we dropped our stuff off and quickly freshened up, Jason took us for a brief tour of the buildings and his apartment, and then a drive around the campus. Since we had arrived a little earlier than we had originally anticipated, he also took us over to the National Basilica which is just down the road, adjacent to Catholic University. After that, we came back to the rooms for about a half hour to get a snack, freshen up again, and get ready to go out for dinner.

Jason, Kevin, John and Bill in front of President Lincoln and his horse, Bob, on the grounds of the AFRH.

Dinner was at a rather upscale Portuguese restaurant nearby, in Chevy Chase, MD. The food was excellent, and we got back to the home at around 9:00pm to turn in after a very long day.

Tomorrow will also be a long day, as we are planning to go over to the Mall after breakfast to start seeing the sights. Primarily, the monuments and the Smithsonian. I think the boys are going to have a lot of fun. At least I hope so.

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