✈️✈️✈️2012 ~ September 11-25, Trip to Newington, Connecticut

2012 ~ September 11-25, Newington, Connecticut

Two weeks vacation in Newington, Connecticut

Visit the sites in Hartford, Newington, Mystic Seaport, Connecticut, Boston, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, Portsmouth, New Port, Providence, Johnston, Rhode Island, Astoria, and Manhattan, New York, just to name a few.

Arrived at Hartford airport, collected my bags, called Lora, and said she was running late because she had gotten behind 30 bicyclists on a two-lane road going about 2 miles an hour. 

Day 1: Tuesday, September 11, 2012

I did not realize it was the anniversary of the 911 bombing, and I was a little hesitant about taking the flight.

Flight 1963 was scheduled to leave Nashville, Tennessee, at 6:40 A.M. My husband and I  had to get up at 2:30 A.M. to travel 2 1/2 hours to the Nashville, Tennessee Airport.

We stopped in Loretto, Tennessee, to buy snacks (diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew, and two packs of cheese crackers).

We arrived at the airport around 5:08 A.M. I already had my e-ticket, so I checked my bags outside the entrance to the airport. I told my husband goodbye and walked to security. There was a crowd of people and also lots of security checkpoints. Ben's was there for shoes, carry-on bags, belts, etc. I collected my belongings and walked to gate C-9 Southwest Flight 1963. The confirmation number was 4NKE73. The Baggage Claim ticket number was 0526649615-14 (2 bags).

When I arrived at gate C-9, I called Lora and my husband to let them know I had arrived at the airport's waiting area. 

To pass the time, I played games on my Iphone and wrote notes on my Pad. 
In the waiting area, people sat around eating breakfast, businesspersons talking, and others anticipating the flight. 

Please, Lord, let us have a safe flight! 

Eleven years ago today was the 9/11 bombing on New York's World Trade Center.

While I sat in the lobby, I overheard people talking. Some said they were going to Maryland, Philly, and Vermont.

I made several pit stops before boarding flight 1963, and I was lucky enough to get a front-window seat. 

The woman next to me was going to Vermont for a conference with her company, and her husband was coming up that weekend. They lived in Nashville, Tennessee, but were from Macon, Georgia. They had two daughters in college and one granddaughter.

Once the jet was up in the air and the seatbelt sign was off, the man sitting in the aisle seat took down his computer and handed me my camera bag. It was a beautiful day. As we neared Maryland, I started snapping pictures of the area below.

Maryland

On the flight, we were served drinks and peanuts. When we arrived in Maryland, everyone got off the airplane except the ones going to Hartford, Connecticut. There was a head count of seventeen, including one woman in a wheelchair. 

Our flight was a one-stop flight with no transfer of planes, and that was the schedule.

We were told to get off the flight and go to gate B. 

We were the first to board the flight. I sat in the front aisle seat.

Next to the window was a man from Nashville, Tennessee. He was going to visit his son in Hartford, Connecticut. 

He said he had four children, and his wife was short, about 5'1 inches tall, and energetic. I reminded him of her. 

We arrived at Hartford, Connecticut International Airport at 11:10 A.M.

I walked beside the man from Nashville to baggage claim, stopped at the Restroom, and then collected my baggage.

The man's son was waiting for him; he handed me a brownie, said enjoy the rest of your trip.

Lora called me on her cell phone and said she was running late because she had gotten behind thirty cyclists going two miles per hour on a two-lane road. 

Lora had gone to Hartford Brainard Airport instead of Bradley International Airport, which made her even worse.

I met two soldiers while waiting outside in the bus and taxi area. They had taken an earlier flight than scheduled and were waiting for someone to pick them up. 

One sat down beside me and told me about his military service and where he had been stationed. They were hungry, so they both went back inside to get lunch. Next came a couple who had flown in from Arizona, and they were telling me about their flight experience. Lots of problems!

Lora and I rode to West Hartford, Connecticut, and found a parking space in the parking deck. We walked among the stores in West Hartford, where Lora pointed out the Cheese Cake Factory and Umi Sushi and Tapas (A Japanese restaurant that offers dishes delivered via a conveyor belt with color/price-coded plates of food.)

We stopped at Barnes and Noble to use the Restroom. We walked up a flight of stairs through the Webster walkway and passed a Noah Webster and Noah Webster Library statue. With my camera in hand, I started snapping pictures with every step we made.

We walked down South Main Street, passing First Church of Christ Congregational. In front of it was a plaque displaying the historic sites of West Hartford. 

We walked down Farmington Ave, stopping at La Petite France 967 Farmington Ave W. Hartford, Connecticut 06107 860-231-9555 at 1:10 P.M. 
We ordered a Cream cheese pastry for $3.14. We asked to try the PATE, a mixture of cooked ground meat and fat minced into a spreadable paste. 
We did not care for the taste. 

At 971 Farmington Avenue, we stopped at Bartaco, it was a gorgeous day so we sat outside.

Lora ordered the Thi-Shrimp and Cactus Pad Taco, and I ordered Portobello with Fresco taco. We shared guacamole dip, which cost $13.00.

The tacos were very small, about the size of the palm of your hand. They were very tasty but not very filling.

We stopped at Noah Webster's Museum, 227 South Main St, West Hartford, CT, but it was closed. We took a few pictures outside.

Noah Webster's Museum 

We rode to Mark Twain's and Harriet Beacher's homes. 
We walked through the Museum of Mark Twain and the museum store of Harriet Beacher.

We returned to purchase tickets for a guided tour of Mark Twain's Home at 351 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT. 06105, 860-247-0998. 
The cost was $16 each, and the time was 3:39 P.M. Pictures could not be taken off the inside. 

Samuel Langhorne Clemens (a.k.a Mark Twain) lived here from 1874 to 1891, where he and his wife (Olivia Langdon) raised their daughters Clara, Susy, and Jean Langdon Clemens.

Harriet Beacher's home

Mark Twain Home

As Mark Twain

We rode downtown Hartford, walked around the Capitol building, down into the park, through the Soldiers and Sailor's Memorial Arch, around the Corning fountains, and back to the Capitol building parking lot where Lora had parked the car.

Hartford's Capitol Building

We ate supper at Black-eyed Sally's (350 Asylum Street, Hartford, CT 06103 (860)-278-7427). Lora and I shared a plate of pulled pork for $13.95. The pork was stove-cooked, hand-pulled, piled high atop Texas toast, and served with red beans, rice, and Sally's slaw. There was enough food for lunch the next day.

Black-eyed Sally is an icon in the Hartford area that offers dining and live music. Year after year, it has been voted best Bar BQ/Best Soul Food (Cajun) and best Blues and Jazz Club. The atmosphere is nostalgic, and the food is delicious.

  

Day 2: Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Today is Lora's day, and she has to work twelve hours. 

I was writing in my journal at 6:30 A.M., but I was still tired from all the traveling the day before, so I went back to bed and did not get up until 10:30 A.M.

My stomach felt a bit queasy, and I did not want to leave the apartment until it had calmed down. 

I walked about .8 miles to Yogurt Madness, 2997 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT (860)-757-3938, where I ate a chocolate yogurt with candy, Cool Whip, and cherries. The cost was $2.59, or .54 cents a pound. 

I walked to the Dollar Tree and spent $3.02 on birthday cards, three musketeers, and a Diet Pepsi. 
I looked around Moldell's Sporting Goods, 3067 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT (860) 667-1462, and Big Lots, 3105 Berlin Turnpike (860) 665-8233.

My last stop was at Price Choppers, where I bought an angel food cake and three bananas for $2.49. 

Later that day I walked from the apartment on Willard ST. to Target 3265 Berlin Turnpike Newington, CT 06111 which was about .8 miles. Today, I walked a total of 3 1/2 miles.

Lora brought home ribs, slaw, grapes, a hotdog, baked beans, and water for supper. Her work had a picnic today, and the food was from leftovers from the picnic. 

After work, we rode to Sunrenity Tan, 5010 Evergreen Way Ste 301, Windsor, CT 06074, where Lora tanned. While waiting for her to tan, I ate the food Lora had brought home from work.

I threw away the hot dogs, not knowing Lora had planned to eat them.

We then went to Buckland Hills Mall to find the Funny Bones Club, where Pauly Shore was starting September 13, 14, and 15 at 7:30 P.M. and September 14 and 15 at 10:00 P.M. 

We missed all the shows because we went to Boston on the 13th, and Lora had to work on the 14th and 15th. 

Madison called her mother to wish her happy birthday. I gave Lora a birthday card and some panties from Victoria's Secret. 

Day 3: Thursday, September 13, 2012

We rode for 2 1/2 hours to Boston, Massachusetts, to walk the Freedom Trail.
We stopped at Dunkin Donuts at 7:30 A.M. Lora bought tea and a pumpkin spice bagel that she had cut in half.

I ate a banana and a slice of angel food cake for breakfast. 

We arrived in Boston, and Lora parked at 50 New Sudbury Street, Boston, MA 02114, (617)-227-0385, at 10:10 A.M.
What a view from the parking deck! I had to take several pictures before we left the parking deck. 

View of Boston from the Parking Deck

We did not have any directions to the Boston area and were unsure where we were going.
Lora had to use the Restroom, and we asked several different people where the restrooms were. Finally, someone said to go to City Hall.
We were told to go to the Faneuil Hall Visitor Center and Retail Shop to purchase Tours of the Freedom Trail tickets. (once upon a time, cattle grazed here.)

Faneuil Hall Visitor Center 

The Freedom Trail tour involved a ranger taking a group of up to 30 people on a 60-minute walking tour.
They tell you about people, places, and events in Boston that helped shape the American Revolution. 

On our tour, we walked past the Old State House, built in 1713. Implanted in the concrete was a marker of the Boston Massacre. We were told the Water Street store and walked past the Old Corner Book Store and Old South Meeting House. Our last stop was Park Street Church, where the hymn "American" was first sung. The ranger said you are on your own from here. 

Park Street Church, where the hymn "American" was first sung. 

Lora and I followed along the red brick-walking trail. 

We crossed the street, stopping at the Boston Irish Memorials, and then followed the red bricks to Old City Hall.

Boston Irish Memorials 

We stopped at the site of the first public school, where we saw a statue of Benjamin Franklin, the Democratic donkey, and the Republican Elephant standing in opposition footprints, and the statue of Josiah Quincy, 1772-1864 (who served in the Senate, Congress, judge, mayor, and president of Harvard University).

Old City Hall

We followed the red brick to Kings Chapel Church and the Cemetery where John Winthrop, the colony's first governor, was buried. This Cemetery inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter.

We visit the Granary Burying Ground, where Paul Revere and his family were buried. Mother Goose, John Hancock, James Otis, Samuel Adams, Robert Paine, and the victims of the Boston Massacre are also buried there.

We walked past the Capitol building through the park to 84 Beacon Street to Cheer's Club "Where Everyone Knows You Name."

Lora and I split a plate of Rebecca's Fish and Chips, Crispy, flakey Cod lightly battered and deep-fried, served with fries and slaw. 

Dipping tartar sauce for the fish and Ice tea with lemon to drink total cost  $16.45 plus tip.

When we finished lunch, we walked upstairs, stopping to take pictures alongside famous actors and actresses from the Cheers TV show.

Cheers

Cheers

We took pictures outside the Restaurant and walked through the park. 

We stopped at the Restaurant on Tremont St to use the Restroom.

At the visitor center, I took Lora's picture with one of the volunteers who was wearing a costume. 

We walked by a statue, and Lora told Mom that the statue was alive, so we stopped to take a picture. 

We walked through Central Burial Ground. At the Government Center, there was a Lebanon Day Festival going on, So we stopped for a few minutes to watch. 

They were dancing, playing music, having exhibits, performing folklore, and just having a good time. 

We walked to Faneuil Hall, where we first began our journey, to use the restrooms.
The upper room of Faneuil Hall once housed a Meeting Hall and, in 1742, a public debate. 

In the upper room, we saw portraits and statues of John Adams, John Quincy Adams,  Daniel Webster, George Washington, and James Faneuil. 
We exited Faneuil Hall and walked to Market Square, where Lora and I split a piece of chocolate fudge. 
On our way to Paul Revere's Home, we met a US Coast Guard member who was on his way to catch the bus home. He said we looked lost and asked if he could help.

Lora said we were going to Paul Revere's home and needed directions. 

He walked up the street with us, giving us directions. He said I have to 
catch my ride home.

Paul Reveres home

Paul Reveres home

We walked along Cross St to Hanover St, passing Ristorante Villa Francesca, 150 Richmond St Boston, MA (617) 367-2948 and Limoncello's Lebanese Ristorante 190 N. Street Boston, MA (617)-523-4480.

Paul Reveres Statue

Paul Revere's home was at 19 N. Street, Boston, MA, and tours cost $3.00 each. 

On the night of April 18, 1775, a silversmith, Paul Revere, left his small wooden home in Boston's north end and set out on a journey that would make him into a legend.

On our way to Paul Revere's Home, we walked through Paul Revere Park, where we stopped to take a picture of Paul Revere's famous ride. 
There were plaques all through the park on both walls. 

We also stopped at Edes and Gills Printing Office, where he showed us the 

process of printing a legal document.

Printing office of Edes and Gills 

On to the Old North Church "the midnight of Paul Revere" on April 18, 1775, where Robert Newman hung two lanterns in the steeple to warn Charlestown of the advance of the British. 

Next, we stopped at Copp's Burying Ground, where British soldiers placed cannons to bombard Breed's Hill. 

We are going to Charlestown, but we must first cross the Charles River Bridge.  

We strolled through Charlestown City Square Park, where we saw a fountain, marker (Charlestown established 1828), fish, (markers) Great house and three cranes, Tavern City Square continuity Change, and four large markers listing the American Soldiers killed on June 17, 1775.

We walked past the Vietnam Memorial, firehouse ladder number 24, St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, and the Deacon Larking House. 

We are going to Bunker Hill, where the famous quote was made: "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes."

There were 294 steps to the top of the monument, which was closed by the time we arrived. 

Thank God! By this time, we had walked from Beacon Street in Boston and crossed the bridge to Charlestown. 

We made our way to the Ship, the USS ConstiShipon, located in Charlestown Naval Yard's harbor. 
I had left my purse in the car and had no ID, so we could not board the Ship. 

I took pictures of all the markers along the harbor.
"A State of Perfect Chaos," Charlestown Navy Yard, Dry Dock #1 How it Works, Dry Dock 1, Serving the Fleet, "Old Ironsides "in Dry Dock 1", The Changing Yard, Boston, the Navy Yard, and the War of 1812, the Yard as Home, Working in the Yard, Life, and Work in the Navy Yard in 1812, of anchors, dry dock ships, Old Ironsides and many more.
Lora and I had been walking all day and were both given out. We wanted to return the trolley to Boston, but it was unavailable for the day.

In Charlestown, Lora and I met a couple.
They said we were taking the ferry across Charles River to Boston, so we joined them. 
A man from Chicago joined our group, so we all rode the ferry to Boston.

The Ferry ride was well worth the three dollars we paid to ride.

Taking the ferry

On the ferry ride to Boston, the man from Chicago offered to take Lora and my picture, and I am glad he did because it turned out great.

The sun was setting as we crossed the Charles River, and I got some great shots. 

We saw a Godzilla Boat and Legal Sea Foods in the Boston Harbor.
We exited the ferry and went to the visitor center, stopping at Dunkin Donuts to use the Restroom. We were going to get a sandwich, but they had stopped making them for the day.

On our walk to the Visitor Center, we saw a small red brick building (Crosio) nestled among giants (skyscrapers)and passed the Old State House. 

We took the elevator back to our car, instead of the six flights of stairs, Lora paid thirty-five dollars for parking and we traveled to Johnston where we spent the night.

Valentino Tirocchi lived at 4 Kate Lynn Dr. Johnston, RI 02919.

Val greeted me with a handshake.
We all watched The Mentalist, a series on TV, and played with Val's dog, Athena.
I spent the night on the sofa, that was two connecting recliners.

Day 4: Friday, September 14, 2012 

Val went to work, and we rode to New Port.
Lora's ex-husband texted her and wanted her address. He said that Madison was going to send her some flowers. 

He is a sneaky old devil and uses Madison as an excuse to get her address. 

He texted her and said she needed to stop teasing him about the law, where he cannot text her. I told Lora she needed to follow through with the restraint!
In New Port, I saw two chartered buses, a Cruise Ship, and several cars that were in town for the Beer Festival Events.

We ate lunch at the Barking Crab Restaurant, where I ordered three shrimp tacos with slaw.

Lora ordered a cod sandwich with fries. We split our meals so we could try something different.

After eating, we walked to Fisherman's Wrap & Shipping, where we took pictures.

We could park at the Barking Crab Restaurant for a couple of hours before we are charged for parking. 

Barking Crab

We left the parking lot and looked for another park but could not find one. Because of the festival, there was no parking anywhere.

We stopped at Seven-Eleven to get two large bottles of water, which cost one dollar each, and six small donuts.

We drove to Newport's visitor center and parked.

We walked to see some of the mansions: Kingscote (7), Isaac Bells House (6), the Elm (5), Chepstow (8), and Hunters House (10). 

We parked on Narraganset Avenue near the forty steps and walked along the Cliff Wall. Some of the mansions we saw were Salve Regina College, O'Hare Academic Center, The Breakers, Rosecliff, Marble House, New Port Harbor, Miramar, Rough Point, and Back to the Car.

Cliff Walk 

Our next stop was Green Animals Topiary Gardens in Portsmouth, which overlooks Narragansett Bay. Set on seven acres of land, it is a classic white clapboard summer residence and a farm, outbuilding, pasture, and vegetable garden. 

The owner was Brayton, who was the treasurer of Union Cotton Manufacturing Co. in Fall River, Massachusetts, from 1879 to 1920.

The garden included Roses, dahlia, perennial giant red grass, beech trees, fruit trees, orchard beds, bamboo cloverleaf, figs, vegetable gardens, and grapevines.

The shrubs were cut into animal shapes such as Teddy Bears, Union corn, giraffes, Spot the dog, Red Rooster, camels, elephants, lions, ducks, baskets, trophy reindeer, and many more.

Green Animals Topiary Gardens

Green Animals Topiary Gardens

Inside the house on the second floor were detailed dollhouses and toys for both boys and girls. 
What was so amazing about Newport was the multitude of sailboats and fishing boats and the smell of fish in the air. 

Boats in New Port 

We rode to Val's in Johnston, where we spent the night. Val ordered a pizza for supper with cheese, mushroom, eggplant pizza, and jalapenos with cream cheese (not hot), ranch dressing for dipping, and a Diet Pepsi to drink. 
It was, by far, the best eggplant pizza ever!

Day 5: Saturday, September 15, 2012

We left Val's at 4 A.M. because Lora had to be at work by 7 A.M., and she had to take me back to her apartment before leaving for work.  

I spent the morning updating my journal until lunch, around 11:30 A.M.

For lunch, I ate a slice of pizza and a slice of Cheesecake and drank a diet Coke.
Later that day I talked to my husband and Lora texted me. 
That afternoon, I walked to Target, where I bought a Snickers bar for $1.24, some bananas (2) for .48 cents, a ham for $2.09, a water sobe $1.05, some bagels for $1.34, and cream cheese for $1.99, a subtotal of $8.19 plus tax $8.27 at 2:26 P.M.
I talked to my sister, and she said her ex-father-in-law had fallen, and her daughter had taken him to the hospital. Emmalee went to the hospital with her mother.  

I walked to the Dollar Tree, where I bought three birthday cards, tissues, a brush, & napkins. I spent $5.85 at store number 4028 3079 Berlin Turnpike Newington CT 06111-4620 telephone number 860-665-9163.

Day 6: Sunday, September 16, 2012

Today, Lora has to work a twelve-hour shift.

I walked up to Friday Restaurant and thought about going to Walmart and Walgreens, but I had to cross four lanes of traffic.

The directions to Fridays: From the apartment, I turn right onto Louis Street, then right onto Pascone Pl. Fridays are on the right on the hill before going onto Berlin Turnpike. If you go straight across the highway, it will take you to Walmart.

On my way back to the apartment, I stopped to video four geese swimming in a pond with clouds in the background.

I stopped at the apartment to use the Restroom and continued walking.
I walked to John Wallace Middle School, located on Halleran Drive. 

I turned left on Church Street and passed the Church of the Holy Spirit, 183 Church Street 666-5671.
I turned left onto Richard Street, walked past the Fire Department on Richard Street NYFD, and then right on Richard Circle, which took me to Target. 

At 4:36 P.M., I spent $2.80 at Target on a trial-size shampoo, conditioner, and candy. 

I hand-washed my clothes at the apartment and hung them in front of the air conditioner to dry.

I called my husband, I called Walgreens to check on Lora's medicine, and I uploaded my pictures to Facebook and Flickr.

After Lora got off work that night, we went to the Azteca Mexican Restaurant at 3260 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111806-436-9708 for supper. 

Every Sunday, they have live Mariachi from 6-9 P.M.

We ordered Chips and salsa and seafood quesadillas (shrimp, clams, avocados, and sour cream), which cost $11.99. 

Day 7: Monday, September 17, 2012

Today, at 8:58 A.M., I walked to  Price Choppers store 209, where store manager Ricard Carnevale was, and bought a Pepsi for $1.89, peaches for $1.68, and bananas for $.75, for a total of $4.36. 

Next Dollar Store 4028 at 3079 Berlin Turnpike Newington, CT 0611, bought two Propel, at 1.00 each, one diet Pepsi, plus a .05ea deposit on three bottles, spent $3.21. 

We ate lunch(11:35 A.M.) at Olympia Diner, 3412 Berlin Pk Newington, CT 860-666-9948. 

It is New England's largest air-dimensioned Diner. Located on the turnpike on routes 5 & 15. 

It has delicious food and fast service in a relaxed atmosphere. 

Is the slogan of the Gavriles Family? Dining Room, booth counter, counter service, orders to go. Beer, wine, and full-course dinners are served 24 hours a day and are open 24 hours a day. Telephone MOHAWK 6-9948. 

Reproduction of Regional is a 1950s Post Card. 

Published by USA printing and promotions Rocky Hill Ct 203-29-7906.

Pizza

Our waitress said they had old postcDinerof the Diner. 

I saw her again when I went to the Restroom, and I asked if they sold the postcards. She said I would ask my manager. Mrs. Gravilis, the owner, said the postcards were not for sale, but she would give me one.

There was a car wash near the Diner, so we ran the car through it, which was badly needed and cost $9.00.

Olympia Diner 

Olympia Diner 

We went to Walmart, where I bought Cool Whip for $1.42, Peanut Butter Crunchy for $2.68, Pepper Jack Cheese for $2.00, Payday King Size for $1.00, snickers for $1.00 spent $11.26.

Lora bought cleaning stuff for her car and cleaned the inside when we arrived back at the apartment. 

We rode to Kohle in Manchester 860-643-4225. At 7:59 P.M., I bought one handbag at 11.80, had Kohles cash of $10.00, and spent $1.63.

Lora went to Serenity to get a tan while I sat in the car. We stopped at Panera Bread for Lora and had a coupon for a free pastry (birthday).

Day 8: Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Today we are going to New York.

Lora woke up early and wrote a five-page letter to Judge Jackson. We ate snacks for breakfast. 

Packed our bags and headed for New Haven, CT. 

We parked on Elm St and walked to Au Bon Pain, where we ate lunch. The address is Au Bon Pain store 135 1 Broadway New Haven 06511 800-765-4227. My ticket number is 137990 for lunch. 

Lora and I ordered turkey soup, cheese, and Jalapeno's pepper bread sticks. I also ordered Diet Coke and Lora iced tea. We each spent $7.52. 

We walked up Broadway Street, which merges into Elm St to Battell Chapel on College Street and back. 

Yale is a textbook of architectural styles and tastes. It is over two miles in length, houses over eleven million square feet, and encompasses nearly three hundred structures. 

University has been part of New Haven for three centuries.

Yale University

Next, we drove to Lighthouse Park on 2 Light House Point Rd, New Haven.

The lighthouse at Lighthouse Point has extended arms for ships and sailors for many years, but today, it is dark and no longer shines its lights for ships and sailors. It stands eighteen feet at the base and seventy feet tall, and an iron lantern surrounds the top of the tower.

Lighthouse Point

It was a windy day along the harbor as we tried to take videos and take pictures.

I had to use the Restroom, but there were only portlets. It was very nasty, but I had to go very badly.

Head to Astoria, New York, to Patricia's Hair Exertions Salon, 30-71 Steinway St Astoria, NY (for Lora to get her hair done). 

It took Lora over two hours to get her hair done, so I walked around the Astoria area.

I stopped at Baskin Robins and bought myself a rocky road waffle con3.

I walked through several shops and came back to the beauty shop.

I told Lora about my ice cream cone, and she had me return to Baskin Robins for $3.90 and purchase her a waffle Rocky Road ice cream cone.

Astoria New York

We headed to New York City after the girl was finished doing Lora's hair extensions. 

It was getting late, and it had started to rain. 

We drove to Staten Island Ferry, Exit 1, and parked in the parking garage for $40.00.

We took the 7:00 P.M. ferry to Staten Ferry Island and back. 

On the way over, we met a family from Ohio.

They stayed at Ramada Inn 501 Staten Island, which cost $74.00 per night. A tour of New York costs $54 each.

I took several pictures and videos of the Statue of Liberty and New City as we left New York City for Staten Island.

Staten Island Ride

Staten Island Ride

We did not take pictures on our return trip on the ferry back to New York City because the rain was pounding down all around us. There was a storm brewing.

We could not stand along the edge of the boat without getting soaked, so we sat closer to its interior. 

We met David McKay, a local musician playing at Mono-Mono's 116E 4th St, NY 10003. 

We took the subway to 8th St and Prince St., and we stopped at

Taking the subway in New York

Mono-Mono's Restaurant, where they played jazz music and restaurant soul. Restaurant founder M. J.  Chung has impressed many with his musical deco. He specializes in early 90's hip hop, 70's soul, and funk of 30,000 Plus vinyl collections that line his walls.

When customers make a request, a motorized pulley system grabs the selected LPs and brings them to the DJ Booth. It is an amazing place; I have not seen another like it.

We ate chicken wings (spent $18.95) and listened to the band from 7:30 to 10:30 P.M.

We then walked to Mono's bar several blocks away on 224 Avenue B. NY 10009. 

The people there were singing and dancing to the roaring 20s music. 212-353-3780 (between 13 and 14 streets). 

When we left Mono's, it was very late, so we hailed a taxi, which took us back to where we had parked the car, near the Staten Island Ferry.
The cost of the taxi ride was $17.00. It had been a long day, and we had planned to stay the night in New York City, but we had spent all our money, so we drove back home.

Lora drove us out of  NY, and I drove the rest of the way back to the apartment in Newington, Connecticut.

Day 9: Wednesday, September 19,  2012

Today, we are going to visit Mystic, Connecticut. We woke up, ate snacks, got dressed, and Lora drove to Mystic. 

Julia Roberts made a movie about Mystic Pizza, but the actual film was shot in another town nearby. 

The Mystic Seaport Museum is a recreated whaling Village from the 1800s. It is open from 9 to 5 P.M. and costs $24.00. The price is reasonable for two days; you can return another day for up to one week.

The nineteenth-century village, demonstration, performances, exhibits, galleries, fun for kids, get out on the water historic vessels, museum gardens preservations shipyard, Treworgyy planetarium. 

We walked through the Charles M. Morgan Whaling Ship, which was being restored.  

Built in 1841, knitting, netting, and playing and singing whaling songs demonstrations.

One of the songs they sang was "I am going over the ocean seeking something." We saw a reproduction of the Nantucket Brand Point lighthouse, block Island Fire Engine #1, making mask hoops, an 1870 kitchen, figureheads for ships, Charles Mallory Sail maker, the Australia ship being restored, and tugboats.

Mystic Seaport Museum 

Charles M. Morgan Whaling Ship in for repairs

We ate pizza at Mystic Pizza ( A Slice of Heaven), 56 West Main St., Mystic, CT, telephone number 536-3700.

The story of Mystic Pizza: Our story began in 1973 when the Zelephos family opened Mystic Pizza. Hollywood came to town, and Mystic Pizza caught the eye of screenwriter Amy Jones, who was summering in the area. Mars Jones chose Mystic Pizza as the focus and setting for her story and the lives and loves of three young waitresses. The movie was released in 1988. Most of the filming was done in the neighboring town of Stonington Borough.

Dining at Mystic Pizza

After eating the delicious pizza, we rushed back to Hartford, Connecticut, to watch Mary Poppins play at The Mortensen Hall Bushnell from 7:30 to 10:30 P.M.  

We sat in the balcony section D row H, seats 309-310. During half-time, I bought two small drinks and a large payday. 

The two Banks children are Jane Banks, played by Julianna Rigoglioso, and Michael Banks, played by Eli Tokash.

Con O'Shea-Creal was thirty feet above the stage, upside down, tap dancing against the proscenium arch's top to the song "Step in Time." 

Day 10: Thursday, September 20,  2012

Today, Lora has to work twelve hours. 

I called my husband and sent him some pictures. I also wrote in my journal and broke both lenses out of my glasses. 

One of my lenses fell behind the wall heater, and I had difficulty retrieving it.

Finally, I placed both lenses back in the frame.

Walked to Target and spent $5.37 on food and candy. 

Connecticut does not tax food, but candy is not considered food. It is taxed.

Target has Wi-Fi, so I uploaded my pictures to Flickr. I then walked about six blocks and talked to my friend Dot on the cell phone.

For supper, Lora brought me a cheeseburger from McDonalds.

Day 11: Friday, September 21,  2012

Lora worked twelve hours today.

I woke up around 8:45 A.M. and ate a half-bagel with cream cheese and a banana.

I walked down to the second red light on Willard Street, turned south toward New Britain Ave, and back to Louis Street. 

I stopped to get yogurt and spent $2.61. My next stop was Modell's, where I bought a pack of socks and spent $12.76. 

I went to Dollar Tree, where I bought a greeting card, bathroom tissue, and Diet Pepsi and spent $4.35.

A black man with a white woman left his package at the register in Big Lots.

When he returned to get his package, it was gone, and he was angry because someone had taken it.

I spent $4.69 at Big Lots on a bag of Hippie Chips Jalapeños and a pack of Bic ink pens. 

We ordered supper from Chilies  Bar & Grill in Newington, CT. 

We each ordered a Chipotle Chicken fajita and quesadilla, which cost $19.65. There was enough left over for the next day.

Day 12: Saturday, September 22, 2012  

For breakfast, Lora and I ate the food left over from Chilies. 

We both got dressed and left for our journey to Cape Cod.

Lora dropped me off at MA, and she went to tan at Serenity Tan.

I bought a pair of shoes at Modell's, which cost $42.45.

When I got into Lora's car, I put on my purchased shoes. They did not feel right, so I returned them.

We stopped at Dunkin Donuts 189 Hartford Ave Bellingham at 12:19 A.M.

We ate 8 munchkins and used the Restroom.

We crossed the Sagamore bridge and saw the hedges of the Bourne rotary, which said, "Cape Cod."

Welcome to Cape Cod

At Kreams N. Kones, we ordered a bunch of Halibut with rice, slaw, and water, which cost $11.95.

For dessert, we ordered  Ice cream that cost $2.88 

Kreams N. Kones is at 916 Main St West Dennis, MA 02671 508-394-0808.

Bought two postcards at Salt Water Visitor Center 413 Eastham MA., (Nauset Lighthouse, Three Sisters )

Day 13: Sunday, September 23, 2012

We had traveled all day, so we decided to get a motel room at Wellfleet Motel and Lodge, 170 Rt 6 Cape Cod, MA 02663 (9/22).

ferry to Vineyard Haven

ferry to Vineyard Haven

We traveled to Woods Holethe the following day and then took a ferry to Vineyard Haven.

We walked up Water Street down Beach Road and saw a lady standing on a boat. 

We bought fudge on Main Street and then walked back down Union Street to take the bus to Oaks Bluff. 

We met a couple on the bus. The lady had family living on Robins Lane in Florence, AL.

We walked along Sevier Ave. 

We walked into Ocean Park, which was full of geese. It had a bandstand, markers, and a statue.

We walked down to Lake View, passed the Police Officer, turned left on Circuit Ave, and entered some shops, but most were closed. 

I bought some animal cookies and a can of Diet Pepsi at the Good Ship Lollipop. The store gets its name from the store owner's wife. 

We saw store signs for Ben & Bills Chocolate, Ice Cream, and Candies, Skinn & Fat sandwiches, Bite on the Go, Pirate Jacks burgers, Sharkey's Cantina, Oldies Memorial Fountain, Laughing Bear, It's Me, Murdock fudge, and Boat Skipper. 

We walked back to where the ferry was supposed to be, but the last ferry left at 6:30. There were no more ferries from this area. 

We had to take bus 13 back to Vineyard Haven. We had to rush to get on bus 13, but the first bus was the wrong bus. 

We rode the next bus, 13, to Oak Bluffs with the couple I met earlier.

We met two ladies from Johnston, RI, on the ferry.

One of the women that we met worked at the local college in the Art and Drama Department. 

Her husband was a business owner. The other lady's husband was a fisherman. 

The two women were on vacation together.

Lora talked their heads off. 

We took the bus back to where Lora had parked the car and sat next to the two women on the bus. 

Lora drove back to Val's house. He was watching a football game: the Patriots vs. Baltimore Ravens. The Patriots lost by one point, 30 to 31. 

Day 14: Monday, September 24, 2012

Lora and I slept late, washed clothes, and ate breakfast at Granite Farm Restaurant.

We ordered the waffles special with whipped cream, banana, two eggs with cheese, scrambled eggs, and bacon toast potatoes for a total of $14.04.

Granite Farm Restaurant is at 50 Danielson  Pike, North Scituate, RI.

We stopped at Dunkin Donuts on our way to Providence Mall, RI.

Bought tennis shoes at Lady Footlocker and spent $39.95. (no sales tax)

My new shoes

I bought a sweatshirt at Aeropostale and lip gloss for $18.00. I also ate at a Chinese Restaurant in Providence, RI Mall.

Back at Val's, we watched some music videos. We went to bed at about 11:30 P.M. Val had a warm fire burning. 

Day 15: Tuesday, September 25, 2012

I woke up after Val left for work.

I showered, wrote in my journal, let the dog out to use the Restroom, and loaded the car.

Lora and I again ate breakfast at Granite Farm Restaurant.

Granite Farm Restaurant

We both ordered waffles with fruit. 

They brought Lora's food first because they had only one waffle maker. When they brought out my waffle, it was not done, so I sent it back.

I told the waitress to put bananas and Cool Whip on it.

I paid the bill, and we returned to the Newington apartment. 

Lora stopped to cash in on a  $6.00 scratch ticket Val had given her.

I had to repack my bags because Lora was sending some items home to her children.

She sent Marcus a necklace and a bag of coffee. She sent Madison a bag of jewelry, 2 handbags, and a card of earrings.

Traveling from Rhode Island to Newington, CT

Lora drove to downtown Hartford, CT, where we toured the Capitol building. We saw Nathan Hale's statue; he was a spy for General George Washington. 

We saw the UASS constitution figurehead, a cannonball tree trunk from the Civil War battle of Chickamauga. Flagships of Hardcore "Dam the torpedoes, full speed ahead,"  said Admiral David Farroqut.

The gun wheel and Hall of Fame flags adorn the carpet. On the second floor, we saw "the seal of the state of Connecticut, which decorates the stained glass windows. The grapevine represents the first three settlements, Windsor, Wethersfield, and Hartford, with the motto" he who transplanted still sustains" and the seal that adorns the carpet."

There are seats for 151 Representatives, Republicans on the left and Democrats on the right, and Connecticut is a Democratic State. 

On the third floor, we looked up to see the gold dome, and then we looked down to see star designs on the floor forming points of a compass. 

SenChartermber has 36 senator seats. 

The Charter Oak Chair is used by the Charitable Governor.

In earlier years, England sent men to remove the Charter from Connecticut.

During all the confusion, someone grabbed the Charter and hid it in an oak tree, and today, the "Charter Oak Chair" is made from that wood.

Pillory in Hartford, Ct

Pillory in Hartford, Ct

On the 1st floor is a Replica of the Liberty Bell. 

We thanked our guide, and she gave me a book by PD James called Devices and Desire. 

Before we left the Capitol, we used the Restroom.

We walked across the street from Bushnell Park to the ancient burial grounds. 

We entered the  Church and saw pain style, death hands, winged cherubs, angles head style tombstones. 

Some of the people buried here are Jeremiah Wadsworth 1743-1804, Rev Samuel Stone (1602-1663), Rev Thomas Hooker (1586-1647), Captain Israel Seymore (1735-1784), Richard Burnha (1748-1766), M Richard Edwards (1647-1718), Mary Edwards (1661-1723) and Mary Skinner (1731-1772). We walked to the Connecticut Old State House. 

We took pictures of monuments and markers. 

We walked inside the Old State House and talked to the curator.

The curator said it would take over an hour to tour the building.

We said we needed to be at the Boston Airport by 5 P.M. 

She said we needed to leave downtown before  3:15P.M. or we would get caught in traffic. 

We walked back to the car and headed to the airport. 

We stopped at Ruby Tuesdays to eat lunch at 101 Ell Grasso Turnpike Windsor Locks CT 06096 860-627-5906. 

We ordered water with lemon to drink, two black Talpa fish with mango, and creamed potatoes. 

With Lora's $10.00 together, we spent $10.60.

Lora drove me to the airport after we finished lunch.

I unloaded my bags, checked in, and told Lora goodbye. 

Then I went through security and to gate 4 to Southwest Airlines.

We left on time at 6 P.M. in Hartford, CT (BDL) and arrived at 7:15 P.M. in Baltimore, MD, on flight 3952. 

We left Baltimore at 8:50 P.M. and arrived in Nashville, TN, at 9:35 P.M. on flight 358. 

During my flight on 3952, I sat beside the window and took several pictures.

I was served a pack of peanuts and cranberry juice.

I tried to nap, but the two men behind me kept talking about video games. 

On flight 358, I met a young woman from Nashville, TN. She works for Scholastic Books and travels extensively for her job. 

Her husband worked for a concrete company in Nashville. They have two sons, Andrew, age four, and Emmett, age two. They call him "M." We talked the whole flight. 

My husband picked me up at Nashville Airport.

We stopped for my husband to use the restroom and get a Coke, and we were home at 11:30 P.M.

Bridges in New York

1. Brooklyn Bridge-built 1883, connects Manhattan and Brooklyn across the East River. 

2. Manhattan Bridge – suspension bridge that crosses the East River in New City to Lower Manhattan with Brooklyn. 

3. Queens Midtown Tunnel—This highway tunnel and toll in New City crosses under the East River and connects the Borough of Queens on Long Island with the Borough of Manhattan.

4. Queensboro Bridge—This bridge is also known as the 59th Street Bridge because its Manhattan end is located between 59th and 60th streets. 

5. Robert Kennedy Bridge-(278) to Astoria NY 278 to Queens Blvd to 1st St & 5th Queensboro Bridge 63 & 1st Street

6. Staten Island Ferry-Whitehall Street, New York, NY 10004 – connects the two island boroughs of Manhattan and Staten Island

7. Williamsburg Bridge – Manhattan NY 

Sites in Cape Cod

1. Bass River Lighthouse (Lighthouse Inn) West Dennis, MA

2. Eastham Windmill Eastham, MA (1680-oldest windmill on Cape Cod)

3. Judah Baker Windmill-South Yarmouth, MA,  built 1791 and moved 1866)

4. Nausea Light House Orleans MA 

5. Salt Pond Visitor Center 50 Doane Rd Eastham MA 02642 

6. Provincetown is a New England town located at the extreme tip of Cape Cod in Barnstable County, MA

7. Three Sisters Light Houses Eastham, MA 

8. Woodshole, MA, is a salty sea spray village that has brought Nobel Laureates and local fishermen together in harmony. It is a village of the past. 

9. Vineyard Haven is a community within the town of Tisbury on Martha's Vineyard in Duke Co, MA

10. Oak Bluffs is a town located on the island of Martha's Vineyard in Duke Co. 

11. Chatham Lighthouse, MA, Twin Lights near the elbow of Cape Cod

12. Jonathan Young Windmill 3 Rivers Rd Orleans, MA 

13. Marconi Beach Wellfleet is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts, named for Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi. 

 Sites in Boston, Massachusetts  

1. Massachusetts State House Intersection of Beacon and Park Streets-Built 1798

2. Park Street Church Intersection of Park and Tremont Streets-217 Steeple

3. Granary Burying Ground Tremont Street was founded in 1660, the 3rd oldest Cemetery. Samuel AdCemeteryn Hancock and Robert Treat Paine are buried here as signers of the Constitution.

4. King's Chapel and Burying Ground Corner of Tremont and School Street-oldest burial ground with John Winthrop, Hezekiah Usher, and Mary Chilton.

5. Puritans established the First Public School Site and Ben Franklin Statue School Street. Benjamin's statue overlooks the school 

6. Old South Meeting House 310 Washington Street at the corner of Milk and Washington Streets-build by Puritans in 1729

7. Old State House Corner of State and Washington Streets-Boston's Towns house dates back to 1713

8. Boston Massacre Site Intersection of Devonshire and State Street-circle cobblestones

9. Faneuil Hall Faneuil Hall Square-Market Place and government meeting place

10. Paul Revere House 19 North Square, North End-build around 1680

11. Old North Church 193 Salem Street, North End-know as Christ Church, is Episcopal and built in 1723

12. Copp's Hill Burying ground Hull Street, North End-2nd oldest cemetery 

13. USS Cemeterytion and Charlestown Navy Yard 1 Constitution Road, Charlestown (Had to have driver's license; mine was in the car) Oldest commissioned warship

14. Bunker Hill Monument - Monument Square, Charlestown (Closed) It is the site of the first major battle of the American Revolution

 15. 4 (Long Wharf, Boston to Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown) Rode the Ferry-Take the ferry from Long Wharf to the Charleston Navy Yard to visit the USS Constitution for $1.70 each way.

16. Cheers 84 Beacon St Boston, MA 02108