Day 1: We went to Popham Beach and the forts nearby that were built during the Revolutionary War and used again during the Civil War.
The view of the bay from the fort. There is a lot of water in Main, and lots of little islands.
The fort behind us walking up to it from the beach. It was never really finished all the way, and there isn't really much to protect in Maine, but it's there and we saw a Coast Guard ship come past while we were there, but it was too fast for us to take any good pictures of it.
The view of the fort from across the water where the other fort is located.
This fort is really spread out, this is just one building, which looked to us like the officers quarters because it was the only one with individual rooms that had each had its own fireplace.
The main building, you climb up like 12 flights of stairs to the turret at the top. I'm sure when it was in use it was a really good vantage point, but now the trees are too tall and you can't really see anything out of there anymore.
Day 2 was kind of a lazy day and just kind of hanging out but that night we did have lobster. And I mean each person had their own lobster. We went to this little store right on the coast that is combination gift shop and lobster store with a big tank in the middle of the store. We got a 2 pound lobster for each person and went home and cooked them and ate them.
You seriously put a bowl in the middle of the table and tear apart this lobster that was alive like 12 minutes ago and have at it. It was delicious.
I was pretty proud of my efforts.
Day 3 Nate and I got up early to catch a bus to spend the day in Boston. It was only a two hour trip each way and it awesome to not have to drive. The bus even provided a movie and snacks. Awesome.
We spent the day on the Freedom Trail, which pretty much takes you to all the important landmarks and buildings that you would want to see if you found yourself in Boston. This is the Massachusetts State Capitol Building.
Nate and one of his favorite Revolutionary people, Ben Franklin.
This is the old South Meeting House where apparently a lot of meetings took place, like when and how the revolutionaries decided on the Boston Tea Party.
Nate can now say that he's been to Boston Gardens, you walk right past it to get to the USS Constitution.
This was by far the best part of the trip for us, which is why there probably is the most pictures. This is still a naval base. We had to show ID and go through security to get in. The people that are tour guides are actual naval personnel that are stationed at the base.
Our tour guide who hasn't been in the Navy for very long and anyone considers themselves lucky to be stationed here, even though you have to dress in the uniforms they wore during the Revolutionary War.
For anyone who doesn't know how much Nate and I are history buffs and center any and all trips around what cool history stuff we can see while we are there, you know now. And for anyone who doesn't know the story of Old Ironsides, you should read about it. It is still a commissioned ship of the US Navy. If needed, the people stationed here could sail her out of the harbor and into battle.
The sailors slept on hammocks suspended from hooks on the roof, and usually ate sitting on the floor in this same room.
Officers quarters. The doors around the room are to little private rooms the officers slept in.
Nate being the helmsman.
I don't remember what this building is called but it used to be where all the legislatures met and the governor worked before the Revolution. The Constitution was read out of that balcony soon after it was written and signed, and is still read out the window every year. On the street below is where the Boston Massacre took place.
On Sunday we went to the local ward, and only about three people asked us if we were moving in to the area. It was fun. Later that night, Nate's boss had a "Bridge Dance." They have a bridge driveway over the creek running past their house and the neighbors lay down a wood floor with a stage at one end and line dance on the bridge. It was a lot of fun and I think they went easy on us knowing that a lot of us didn't have a clue what were were doing so we could keep up!
The last day we wandered around the local town and shopped and ate then headed to the airport where we were supposed to catch a 4 p.m. flight to New York to catch our connection at 7 p.m. to Salt Lake. Jetblue was so good to us sitting in Portland! Not only did they make sure we got onto the later flight to New York after our original was canceled (very great considering our connection was with Delta! The Delta guy at the counter was also awesome enough to change our late flight out of New York to the one the next morning) but the also went and ordered pizza and gave us airplane snacks knowning we were also starving with nothing to eat! We finally left the Portland airport at 11 p.m., got to New York and the Delta terminal at about 1 a.m. and after missing our connection at 7 the night before, took the 7 a.m. flight to Salt Lake. Worst flying experience EVER. Probably mostly because I was pregnant, tired, and hungry and there is nothing to eat at the Portland airport which is all of 10 gates long. Also, nothing is open at JFK at 1 a.m.
Overall, it was a fun trip, if a little awkward to be at Nate's boss's house where we were the youngest adults there by a good twenty years, but they were very nice and we ended up having a good time, if only the plane ride home could be forgotten...
Also a baby update...
21 weeks
I have an appointment in two weeks to HOPEFULLY find out what we are having so that I might be able to start getting ready for the baby. Note to all expectant moms out there...neutral stuff...not cute...
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