Connecticut to Massachusetts to Maine

July 06, 2023

It's been awhile. We left West VA 10 days ago! After we left West Virginia we stopped a night in Hagerstown, MD. It was halfway to Dave's sister's home. What a "hagared"looking town. ( no offense to anyone from there).

We went to their museum and saw this replica of the Maryland state flag that was made by Bearclaw of the Cherokee nation. He used 74, 592 beads, in case you were wondering.

These were both in the park outside of the museum.

We arrived at Easton, CT to stay with Dave's sister and brother in law. Took the train for a quick trip into NYC to see a long time friend of Dave's from growing up in Manhattan together. It's always great to see Evelyn ( and hear her laugh) and Steve.

Out to dinner in Spanish Harlem. Never found the rose.

We had a great time visiting with Dave's family and brought flowers to his Mom's graveside. No crying there...she wouldn't want it that way.

Dave, his sister, Lydia, and me.

Lydia and her husband, Harry.

Then it was on to Boston to my nephew's house. But first a stop to have breakfast in Plymouth, MA with my friend Linda, from my Peace Corps days and her husband, John.

Had a great time at Water Street Cafe and then walked the sites with them

The Mayflower.

Plymouth Rock. Where the pilgrams landed? Maybe.

Linda educated me on it's history. Per Linda:

"In 1774 locals attempted to move the Plymouth Rock which split in two. One part was moved to a museum. In the mid 1800's a stone canopy was built to protect people from chipping away at it. In 1880 the part that was in the museum was moved back under the canopy. It was then that 1620 was inscribed on it. The rock went through a major restoration in 1989. History lesson of the day!"

So there you have it..more than you ever wanted to know about Plymouth Rock.

Cute town to be in around July 4th.

My great niece and nephews.

My sister, Barb, flew up to visit with her son and us.

Great lobster feast/ clam bake at my nephew's home.

Two of Barb's sons. Steve, our host, holding the clam, and Eric.

Steve and his wife, Lori, who graciously hosted us over the July 4th weekend.

On our way to Maine, we had to stop at Salem, MA to hear about the accused "witches" from the Salem witch trials.

Between 1692 and 1693 over 200 people in the Salem area were accused of being witches. Most of them were set free, but 19 of them were found guilty.(14 women and 5 men). They were not burned at the stake, as had been done on Europe, but rather, hanged. One man was "pressed to death" after refusing to enter a plea. Women who were accused as being a witch might have refused to be married or had a fight with her neighbor..hence she was a witch. The Puritan belief was that women were inherently sinful and easily swayed by the devil. The youngest "witch" accused was Dorothy Good, who was 5 yrs old.

Their words were put into stone in a memorial garden

So not only was Salem the birthplace of the National Guard, but for years Parker Brothers made Monopoly here.

Enough about Salem. On to where we are now. As I write this we are outside Kennebunkport, Maine. We are "glamping" at Sandy Pines Campground for a few days.