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

2012 ~ September 11-25, Newington, Connecticut

Two weeks vacation in Newington, Connecticut

Hit the ground running visiting 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, Mt Dew, and 2 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. Told my husband goodbye and walked to security. There was a crowd of people, and also lots of security checkpoints. There were Ben’s for shoes, carry-on bags, belts, etc.  I collected my belongings and walked to gate C-9 Southwest Flight 1963. Confirmation number was 4NKE73. Baggage Claim ticket number was 0526649615-14 (2bags).

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

To pass the time I played games on my Iphone and wrote notes on my Pad. 
In the waiting area, people were sitting 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

We were served drinks and peanuts on the flight. 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 to be a One-stop flight with no transfer of planes, 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. The front aisle seat is where I sat.

Setting 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 full of energy, and that 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, I 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 later.

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

One sat down next to me and started telling 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 that had flown in from Arizona and they were telling 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, walking through the Webster walkway, and passed a statue of Noah Webster, and Noah Webster Library. With my camera in hand, I started snapping pictures with every step that 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 that cost $3.14. We asked to try the PATE` which was 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, I ordered Portobello with fresco taco and we shared guacamole dip, the total cost was $13.00.

The tacos were very small about the size of the palm of your hand, 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 went back to purchase tickets for a guided tour of Mark Twain's Home located 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, walked through the Soldiers and Sailor’s Memorial Arch, walked 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 cost $13.95. The pork was stove-cooked handed pulled piled high atop a 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 has dining and live music. Year after year they have been voted best Bar BQ/Best Soul Food (Cajun) and best Blues and Jazz Club. The atmosphere was nostalgic and the food was delicious.

  

Day 2: Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Today is Lora's and she had to work twelve hours. 

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

My stomach was a little quizzical, and I did not want to leave the apartment until it had calmed down. 

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

I walked to the Dollar Tree and I spent $3.02 for birthday cards, three musketeers, and a Diet Pepsi. 
I looked around in 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.

For supper, Lora brought home ribs, slaw, grapes, a hotdog, baked beans, and water. 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. I ate the food Lora had brought home from work while waiting for her to tan.

I threw away the hot dogs not knowing Lora had planned on eating them.

We then went to Buckland Hills Mall to find the Funny Bones Club where Pauly Shore was starting Sept 13,14,15 at 7:30 P.M. and Sept 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 14, 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 of the Boston area and we were not sure 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 tickets for the Tours of the Freedom Trail. (once upon a time cattle grazed here.)

Faneuil Hall Visitor Center 

The tour of Freedom Trail was where a ranger takes a group of up to 30 people on a 60-minute walking tour.
They tell you about people, places, and events that happened 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 story, and we 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 from there, we 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 democrat 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, president 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 the book The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

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, which was a plate of Crispy, and 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 our pictures alongside famous actors, and actresses from the Cheers TV show.

Cheers

Cheers

We took a few pictures outside the restaurant and we walked through the park. 

We stopped at the Visitor Center 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 said Mom that statue is alive, so we stopped to take a picture. 

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

They were dancing, playing music, they had exhibits, folkloric, and they were just having a good time. 

We walked to Faneuil Hall where we first began our journey, to use the restrooms.
In the upper room of Faneuil Hall once was 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, he was on his way to catch the bus home. He said we looked lost and asked if he could help.

Lora said, we are on our way to Paul Revere's home and we 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 it costs $3.00 each to tour the home. 

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 making our way 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; by the time we arrived, the monument was closed. 

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

We made our way to the Ship, the USS Constitution located in the harbor of Charlestown Naval Yard. 
I had left my purse in the car and did not have any ID so we could not go aboard 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 we were both given out. We wanted to take the trolley back to Boston but it was done 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 all of us 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, now I am glad that he did because it turned out great.

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

In the Boston Harbor, we saw a Godzilla Boat and Legal Sea Foods.
We exited the ferry and 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 we walked 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 sent her a text wanting her address, he said that Madison was going to send her some flowers. 

He is a sneaky old devil, he was using 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 was saw two charted 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 both of us could try something different.

When we finished eating, we walked to Fisherman’s Wrap & Shipping where we took pictures.

We could stay parked at the Barking Crab Restaurant for a couple of hours before we would be charged for parking. 

Barking Crab

We left the parking lot and drove around looking for another park but could not find one. There was no parking anywhere because of the festival.

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

We drove to Newport’s visitor center and parked.

We walked to see some of the mansions. The mansions that we saw were 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 we 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 at Green Animals Topiary Gardens in Portsmouth, which overlooks Narragansett Bay. It is set on seven acres of land, 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 Mass from 1879 to 1920.

In the garden were Roses, dahlia, perennials giant red grass, beech trees, fruit trees, orchard beds, bamboo cloverleaf, figs, vegetable gardens, and grapes vines.

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 all the sailboats and fishing boats and the smell of fish that filled 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) with ranch dressing for dipping, and 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 she left for work.  

I spent the morning updating my journal until lunch which was around 11:30am.

For lunch, I ate a slice of pizza and a slice of Cheese Cake and I 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 2:26PM.
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 with her mother to the hospital.  

I walked to the Dollar Tree, where I bought three birthday cards, some 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 I thought about going to Walmart & Walgreens but had to cross four lanes of traffic.

The directions to Fridays: From the apartment, I turn right onto Louis Street, I turn right onto Pascone Pl Fridays is 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, they were swimming in a pond, with clouds in the background.

I stopped at the apartment to use the restroom and then continued my journey 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 Target I bought a trial-size shampoo and conditioner, and candy spent $2.80 at 4:36PM. 

At the apartment, I hand-washed my clothes 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 to Flickr.

That night after Lora got off work we rode to the Azteca Mexican Restaurant at 3260 Berlin Turnpike Newington CT 06111806-436-9708 for supper. 

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

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

Day 7: Monday, September 17, 2012

Today I walked to  Price Choppers store 209  store manager Ricard Carnevale at 8:58AM bought a Pepsi for $1.89, peaches for $1.68, and bananas .75, 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-conditioned 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, full-course dinners, served 24 hours, open 24 hours. 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 postcards of the diner. 

I saw her again when I went to the Restroom and I asked if they sold the postcards. She said I will 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 behind the diner so we ran the car through the car was which 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 when we arrived back at the apartment we cleaned the inside. 

We rode to  Kohles in Manchester 860-643-4225. At 7:59PM I bought one handbag at 11.80 had Kohles cash of $10.00 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 both ordered Turkey soup cheese and Jalapeno's pepper bread sticks, I had 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 taste and stretches 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 the lighthouse is dark and no longer shines its lights for ships and sailors. It stands eighteen feet at the base and is seventy feet tall and an iron lantern surrounds the top of the tower.

Lighthouse Point

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

I had to use the restroom but there were only port lets, very nasty but 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 over two hours for Lora to get her hair done so I walked around the town area of Astoria.

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

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

I told Lora about my ice cream cone and she had me return to Baskin Robins $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 which cost $40.00.

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

On the way over we met a family from Ohio.

They were staying at Ramada Inn 501 Staten Island cost $74.00 per night with a tour of NY costing $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

No pictures on our return trip on the ferry back to New York City because it was 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 the interior of the boat. 

We met David McKay he was a local musician, he was 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 served Korean soul food.

Its 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 and I have not seen another like it.

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

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

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

It was very late when we left Mono’s so we hailed a taxi which took us back to where we had parked the car which was parked near Staten Island Ferry.
The cost to ride the taxi was $17.00. It had been a long day and we had planned to stay the night in  New York City but 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 CT. 

Julia Roberts made a movie about Mystic Pizza but the actual movie was shot in another town close by. 

The Mystic Seaport Museum is a recreated whaling Village of the 1800s. Open 9 to 5 pm costs $24.00 price is good for two days and 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, demonstrations of knitting netting, and playing and singing whaling songs.

One of the songs they sang was “I am going over the ocean seeking for 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) located at 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 comes 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 CT 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 waters and a large payday. 

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

Con O’Shea-Creal was the one who 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 I sent him some pictures. I wrote in my journal and broke both lenses out of my glasses. 

One of my lenses fell behind the wall heater and I had a hard time 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 wifi so I uploaded my pictures to Flickr.  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. 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. 

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

I went to the 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.

He came back to get his package but it was gone and he was angry because someone had taken his package.

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

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

We each ordered a Chipotle Chicken fajita and quesadilla cost $19.65 there was enough leftover 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 Modells cost $42.45.

I got into Lora’s car and I put on the shoes that I had purchased 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 over the Sagamore bridge where we saw the hedges of the Bourne rotary that said, “Cape Cod”.

Welcome to Cape Cod

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

For dessert, we ordered  Ice cream that cost $2.88 

Kreams N. Kones is located 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

The next morning we traveled to Woods Hole and then took a ferry to Vineyare Haven.

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

We bought fudge on Main Street, and then we walked back down Union St 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 walked into some of the shops but most were closed or closing. 

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. 

Store signs that we saw were 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, Boat skipper. 

We walked back to where the ferry was supposed to be, but the last ferry left at 6:30, 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 over to Oak Bluffs with the couple that I met earlier.

When we got on the ferry we met two ladies from Johnston RI.

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 we sat next to the two women on the bus. 

Lora drove back to Val’s house he was watching a football game Patriots vs Baltimore Ravens. The Patriots lost by one point 30 to 31. 

Day 14: Monday, September 24, 2012

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

We ordered the waffles special with whipped cream, banana, 2 eggs with cheese, scrambled, bacon toast potatoes for a total of $14.04.

Granite Farm Restaurant is located 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

Bought a sweatshirt at Aeropostale and lip gloss for $18.00. 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 nice warm fire burning. 

Day 15: Tuesday, September 25, 2012

I woke up after Val left for work.

I took a shower, 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 headed back to the apartment in Newington. 

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. 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 motto” he who transplanted still sustains” and the seal that adorns the carpet.”

There are seats for 151 Representatives Republicans on the left and Democratic 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. 

Senate chamber has 36 senator seats. 

The Charter Oak Chair is used by the Lieutenant Governor.

In earlier years, England sent men to take away 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 through  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 caught in traffic. 

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

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

We ordered water with lemon to drink. We ordered two black Talpa fish with mango, &  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 PM Hartford, CT (BDL) and arrived at 7:15 Baltimore Md flight 3952. 

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

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

I was served a pack of peanuts and cranberry juice.

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

On flight 358, I met a young woman from Nashville, TN and she works for Scholastic Books. She does a lot of traveling for her job. 

Her husband worked for a concrete company in Nashville they have two sons. Andrew age four and Emmett age 2, they called 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 we were home by 11:30 PM

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 -  a 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 – Known as 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 brings Nobel Laureate 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 Sea Shore in MA 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 3rd oldest Cemetery Samuel Adams, John 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. First Public School Site and Ben Franklin Statue School Street established by Puritans 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 Constitution 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