Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland

Family, Friends, US 250, and a Mini-Vacation

Over the last 2 weeks, Lizzy spent 12 nights in Sturbridge, MA and 2 nights in Susquehanna State Park, MD. Much of that time we were visiting with family and friends in Massachusetts and Maryland, including weekend US 250 Celebrations at Gail’s family home on Lake Lashaway, hosted by her brother Brian & wife Cathy. We also slipped away to Boothbay Harbor, Maine for a couple of nights (without Lizzy). And…we made…

Visits to 2 new National Park Sites and 1 repeat:

Massachusetts

Springfield Armory National Historic Site (#83-Repeat), which commemorates the critical role of the nation’s first armory by preserving and interpreting the world’s largest historic US military small arms collection, along with historic archives, buildings and landscape. We re-visited largely because it now also a place to get a stamp for the New England National Scenic Trail. We spent a little time in the Visitor Center and walked around the grounds.
New England National Scenic Trail (#333) covers 235 miles from Long Island Sound across long ridges to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail offers panoramic vistas and close-ups of New England’s natural and cultural landscape: traprock ridges, historic village centers, farmlands, unfragmented forests, quiet streams, steep river valleys and waterfalls. Aside from getting a stamp at the Armory, we hiked about 100 yards on a section of the trail. It was 95^o and HUMID! We must come back to hike more of it, in cooler weather!

Springfield Armory National Historic Site
Springfield Armory Rifle Organ
Gail on the New England National Scenic Trail in Agwam, MA

Maine

Frances Perkins National Monument (#334), a new national park and inspiration for our mini-vacation. Known as the first woman to hold a presidential cabinet position and the “Woman behind the New Deal,” Frances Perkins championed many labor rights that Americans enjoy today, including safety standards, Social Security, and shorter workweeks. Her impressive career and accomplishments, including as Secretary of Labor, opened the door for other women to hold high government positions.

The 57-acre historic homestead, which belonged to the Perkins family for more than 270 years, includes a family home built in 1837 known as the Brick House. Near the house are historic farm buildings used for the saltwater farm and remnants of wharves, clay pits, and kilns connected with the family’s 19th-century brick-making business. The house and farm buildings often contain artifacts and documents used by generations of the Perkins family.

We explored the exhibits in the barn and walked the paths to walk in Perkins’ steps as she would use the trails to see stunning views of the gardens, fields, forest, and Damariscotta River. The house is not yet available for tours, as the grandson only moved out 2 years ago.

The Frances Perkins house and barn where she spent time as a child and came back to rest when she could as an adult

Massachusetts Family, Friends, US 250 Celebration #1

First Long Weekend…our daughters/grandaughter with us Thur-Mon…Very Busy! Lots of fun, food, swimming (in camp and on Lake Lashaway), and visits to Old Sturbridge Village and Brookfield Orchards. (Gail cut out to visit her Dad’s cousin Gretta). Not so many pics, having too much fun.

Alyson got some time with her East Coast Cousins, Aunts, and Uncles.
All five siblings around on the fourth! Got an update pic of that!

The unexpected pleasures of Boothbay Harbor, Maine

After dropping Alyson off at Logan Airport Monday evening, we headed on north to Boothbay Harbor, Maine for 2 nights. Nice little vacation. Since Frances Perkins National Monument didn’t open until Wednesday, we just wandered around town (beautiful weather…missed the rain in central Mass) and took a short drive to visit Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens…which just so happens to be the home of 5 Dambo Trolls! We’ve now seen 12.

Sunset view at dinner first night
The foot bridge across the harbor
Crossing the foot bridge from our inn to “downtown” Boothbay Harbor
Harbor view from Breakfast at the Blue Moon Cafe
The Children’s Garden at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden
Roskva (Dambo troll) at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden
Lilja (Dambo troll) at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden
Soren (Dambo troll) at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden
Birk (Dambo troll) at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden
Gro (Dambo troll) at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden

Massachusetts Family, Friends, US 250 Celebration #2

When we got back from Maine, we saw a couple of Gail’s old friends…spent an afternoon with Kathy & Mike-S in Littleton and an afternoon with Michael-F. Kathy even joined us for lunch. And then one last trip to East Brookfield / Lake Lashaway for the East Brookfield US 250 Celebration…including parade. Also an opportunity to promote the Lake Lashaway 200 Celebration for 2028!

Lake Lashaway Community Association Float

Last Family Stop, Havre de Grace, MD

Longish drive from Sturbridge, we spent the last 2 nights camped in Susquehanna State Park (with NO Cell Service or Internet, hence the late post). And…our site was VERY not level…we had to jack up one side way more than ever before! Thank goodness for all those “random boards” that Mark packs in the back!

Mark’s sister Mary Ann leaves nearby and came for the afternoon/early evening. We hung out, caught up, visited the Susquehanna SP Rock Run Historic District, and had a salmon dinner in camp.

Mark sharing pictures of the Grandkids with Mary in camp
Historic Rock Run Mill
The Carter-Archer House

Now farther south in Maryland

Where Lizzy will spend 12 nights in Millersville. We will leave her and head to Waldorf, Maryland for 4 nights tomorrow…for our 2nd National Parks Travellers Club Convention. Not a bad way to kick off a summer where we hope to add ~40 more National Park Sites to the list of those we’ve visited!!!