2020 - Maine & Massachusetts

Day 1

The Hutcheson family arrived in Pittsburgh last night, and we were able to enjoy a meal at Fogo de Chão with Bonnie since she can’t join us this year. These 3 have been friends for most of their lives since the Hutchesons are most definitely part of the family we choose.

Kittery, Maine is a 10-hour drive from Pittsburgh, so we decided to stay the night at The New Haven Hotel on Yale campus for the evening, and plan to visit the rare manuscript and Pez museums tomorrow before we head on to Kittery.

For dinner tonight we enjoyed fantastic pasta and cannoli at Olives and Oil - although it is really weird to see the campus so deserted.

Day 3

I twisted my knee a couple of weeks ago and tried to ignore it, but it finally caught up with me. So I spent all of Day 3 icing it and resting. So it was a day of relaxing and reading for Keith and me while the Scott, Lisa, Oliver, and Henry drove down the coast and explored. When they returned we played PASSWORD and rested some more. #Vacation!

Later, Oliver and I enjoyed working our way through an escape room in a box. It was fun and challenging. I highly recommend.

Day 4

Today we drove up to Bar Harbor (via Bangor) for the evening. We stopped at Stephen King’s house first, and it did not disappoint. The bats, the gargoyles, the spiders.... I expected nothing less.

Then we drove into Bar Harbor, checked into the Bar Harbor Grand Hotel, and set out for dinner. There were so many choices, but a place on the harbor could not be ignored: Stewman’s Lobster Pound. The food was great... but the view was exponentially better.

After dinner we went back to the hotel for a cool-down swim and relaxing. We ended the evening with with ice cream, wine and cheese. Happy last week of July!!

After a luxurious sleep-in, we drove up to the top of Cadillac Mountain for a beautiful view. The summit was windy and cool... absolutely perfect.

Then we drove back down to Bar Harbor for lunch at Blaze Bar & Grill where we enjoyed fig & ricotta pizza, black and blue burgers, and duck fat fries.

By the time we drove back to the vacation home, it was late and there was only time for the Scott and the boys to go kayaking again while Lisa prepared a most delicious charcuterie tray to go with our wine.

A day at the beach. We spent some time researching quiet, underpopulated beaches and ended up at Footbridge Beach. Unlike the photos we’ve seen of Carolina and Florida beaches, everyone was wearing masks until they reached their socially-distanced patch of sand - and everyone put their masks back on before they walked anywhere. We don’t live in fear, but our little group is very serious about staying safe and protecting others (in case we happen to be asymptomatic).

After we returned home, Oliver and I slayed Box 1 of THE DISAPPEARING MAGICIAN. In pre-COVID days, we would go to escape rooms, but these box mysteries are almost as much fun. Then Lisa made yet another (“Laura, it’s so easy”) INCREDIBLE meal that included made-from-scratch creamed corn. The day ended with Lisa and Keith taking the kids for ice cream at Annabelle’s.

Side note: The drive to the beach was absolutely beautiful. Tall trees, charming Cape Cod homes, and picturesque small towns.

Days 7 & 8

We finally reached the truly relaxing part of the vacation... just resting, playing games, and staying close to Kittery. Oliver and I continued working on THE DISAPPEARING MAGICIAN (Box 2), while others shopped, napped, graded papers, or kayaked.

Today we had lunch at the Chauncey River Lobster Pier since we could walk to it. It is in a beautiful, relaxing setting on the river - which more than made up for the fact that it appears to be run by teenagers who looked like they were ready for the summer travelers to go home.

Later Keith and Lisa went shopping and the kids and I met them later for an escape room adventure. The room was hard (which made it wonderful!), and I highly recommend it if you’re ever in these parts.

Monkey Mind Escape Rooms

We ended the day at Fort McClary State Park to watch the sun set over a harbor filled with boats. Absolutely picturesque and the perfect way to end this portion of the trip.

Fort McClary State Park

Day 9

Scott and Lisa headed back to Indiana this morning (via Niagara Falls!), and we headed down to our favorite small town: Concord, Massachusetts. Our friends Jennifer and Wilson had a little “surprise” for us, and boy.... was it AMAZING! They had arranged for Brigette MT Sanchez to host a private, socially-distanced dinner party - at which she walked us through the preparation of several drinks, and some delectable appetizers.

About half-way through the “lesson,” (1) I was grateful that Brigette is such an amazing chef (and bartender!); and (2) I knew that would never be able to finish this menu. Every single drink and taste was coordinated for the absolute perfect meal. If you live near Boston and need a safe, socially-distanced experience with friends... contact Brigette MT Sanchez.

When the mosquitoes came out, we all moved into the mozzy-free tent and enjoyed the rest of the evening. So thankful for the family we choose... and the life we live.