Bergen, Norway

If you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes! I learned firsthand the truth of this local joke! Clouds, sun, rain, and through the cycle again! Today I took a walking tour of Bergen…a fantastic way to learn the history of a place as well as get the local recommendations! The tour began at the Bergenhus Fortress. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bergenhus_Fortress The photo in the collage is of the Rosencrantz Tower. Notice the cut-outs for the cannons which were pointing at the city! The governor at the time wanted to keep the merchants of the Hanseatic League in line! The only other action the fortress saw was in the Battle of Vågen. They defended a Dutch ship from the British (from the cannons facing the sea!), but learned after the fact that they shouldn't have…oops. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_V%C3%A5gen  Some other interesting facts are the cobblestone streets were made from churches which were demolished during the Reformation. Bryggen, the historical section, is an UNESCO world heritage site. Because of this, the buildings can only be restored using the types of tools and techniques from the original time period. Each one can take up to five or more years, according to our guide. Because Bryggen burned so often (wooden buildings and all), they would just build on top of the damage. Archeologists have found layers from multiple time periods.

Lunch was the “World's Best Hot Dog.” The #7 featured reindeer, lingonberries, and mustard! Surprisingly, it worked!

Mount Fløyen is easy to hike right from the city center. I began in the rain with some gorgeous views. By the time I reached the summit, it began to drizzle. Goats were roaming around there! The rain began in earnest soon after and the entire viewpoint was enveloped in fog! Thankfully it was short-lived and the sun was found again at the bottom.

Ward Reservation

Today we decided to explore a New Trustees of Reservation property. Our search brought us to the Charles W. Ward Reaervation in Andover, MA. It was a scenic 4 mile walk through woodlands and along a bog. It began with a view of Boston from an open field containing a compass rose (and a petrified tree trunk!) called the Solstice Stones. On Boston Hill we saw the regrowth of the forest after a past fire. We noticed several instances of parallel stone walls which we believe were used to move/direct sheep from one place to another. This reminded us of Andover's more agrarian history, which can be spotted here and there in this otherwise suburban area. Along the way, we had to do the mosquito hand-flapping dance, but it wasn't terrible. With 729 acres there would certainly be more to explore on another visit. https://thetrustees.org/place/charles-w-ward-reservation/

(From our 30 list)

Route 1 Begins!

June 19-20, 2024

After visiting Key West last year and finding First Flight Brewing near the end of Route 1 (southernmost brewery), we made plans to visit the beginning of Route 1 and the northernmost brewery. We wound through Aroostook County with mountains and farmland. Finally we entered the little town of Fort Kent right on the St. John river which marks the boundary to Canada. First Mile brewing was easy to find! John brought a First Flight pint glass and we had a Valley Haze in it!  The bartender was very enthusiastic about our end to end trek! It was a fun getaway with nods to some past June visits to the north and seat of the pants travel with no reservations!

The Wilds of Maine

You know that famous Maine expression, "You can't get there from here?" Well, it's very true! My mom and I learned it this weekend when trying to go 6 miles from Limington to Limerick. Route 11S was closed and we were twice directed down small dirt roads that began smaller, rockier, and more washed out. "Um....I don't think so," was our consensus. Good thing you can take the long way around in Maine.

Sokokis Lake was full of nature's gifts. The choral cacophony of spring peepers, osprey, an eagle, turtles, and a lovely lady slipper. Oh yes, and mosquitos and May flies. Still worth it!

Miami Beach

February 21-23, 2023

From a little over 24 hours in Key West to a little over 24 hours in Miami Beach. As soon as we arrived, we walked on the boardwalk, dipped our toes in the ocean, and swam in the pool! The next full day though, we really expanded our enjoyment! In the morning, we walked down the boardwalk and found a breakfast place overlooking the ocean. What a way to start the day! Then we grabbed couple of bikes and rode down to South Beach and then back in the other direction. It was fantastic! Lots of gorgeous views, interesting architecture (Art Deco), and people and places to take in.  After a couple of cool drinks to refresh, we were off to the beach. Although the water did not seems as warm as in the Keys, we agreed that it was probably warmer than our summer temps back home.  We had another dip in the pool and then out for dinner. We sat outside at a pizza joint and gaped and laughed at the crazy traffic and daring (foolhardy?) pedestrians! Heading back home...to snow! It was fun while it lasted.

Route 1 Begins

...or ends depending on your perspective! With the ubiquitous route 1 so much part of our New England life, it was a kick to see the end of it. We stopped in at the old Pam Am building which now houses First Flight Microbrewery. There was a pint glass displayed from First Mile brewery in Fort Kent, ME! It inspired us to road trip to the "beginning" of route 1 sometime this year!

Key West Roosters

They are everywhere! And like any other rooster, they do crow at dawn, and at 10 am and noon...all day for that matter! We arrived in Miami on Feb. 19 for a quick midwinter getaway. We grabbed our rental car and headed down to Key West. What a ride! These chain of islands sure feel inconsequential with ocean all around them. Our first night we dined at the "southern-most cafe" which was right on the beach. What a way to kick off vacation! On Monday, we walked all around with stops on the ever busy Duval St., the beach, and restaurants in between (in search of the best conch fritter--think clamcakes). We gathered with the masses to watch the Sunset at Mallory Square. That was a fun and beautiful collective experience.  We noticed so many intergenerational families vacationing together. We were outliers with most tourists either younger or older than us.