Category: Massachusettes

Cape Cod, MA

Cape Cod, MA

Hey Guys!! We spent one crazy, busy week in the Cape Cod area of Massachusetts! I’d always heard how insane the traffic in Cape Cod can get, but it was so much worse than I ever imagined. There was a particular round-about that really mucked up the flow of traffic. It was hard to get in and out of it and it really caused a backup for several miles.

imgp5931

Other than the traffic issue…Cape Cod is a little slice of heaven on a beach.

imgp5972

We spent our first morning there at a Ranger Walk to learn about the beaches and sea life in the area. The boys loved the cool water after walking on the very hot sand.

imgp5940

The Ranger led us down the beach to see around 200 or so seals. Just FYI…great white sharks eat seals so if you see a bunch of seals taking refuge on a sand bar (and you’re in an area known to be home to great whites) chances are…there’s a shark somewhere close. Just something to think about.

imgp5981

We only had one full day in the area and we spent all of it beach hopping…trying to see as much of Cape Cod as possible. I’ll be honest here…we were also trying to get it done so we wouldn’t have to fight the traffic again. Yes…it really was that bad.

imgp6016

If you enjoy lighthouses this is your place. We visited three but spotted a few more.

imgp6064

We happen to be there on International Lighthouse Day. We tried our best to see all of the lighthouses Cape Cod had to offer.

imgp6164

This one was out on a point and it was sooooo windy! Super windy and parking was tight, but look how pretty it is!

img_5391

We found a burger place…I know, I know… we have a thing about burgers. Some of you might call it an obsession, but we call it a way of life. This place though… It’s called The Knack. It’s definitely in our top 10.

img_5487

Y’all know we love to take factory tours. We hadn’t been on a potato chip factory tour so we jumped on the chance to visit the Cape Cod Chip Factory!

img_5483

For some reason, none of the factory tours allow photography. Which is such a bummer because this one was really neat. You shuffle down the hall where you get to watch a potato chip being made from start to finish.

img_5482

I was allowed to take this picture of the first bag they used.

img_5484

This tour is a self-guided, free tour and at the end you get this nifty little sample bag! Does anyone recognize the lighthouse on the bag from a picture earlier in this post? You can visit that exact lighthouse.

img_5414

Besides some great beaches, we saw some amazing sunsets.

img_5430

We were really close to Plymouth while we were in the Cape Cod area so we took an afternoon and went to visit the place where it all started. I’d heard it’s very touristy, but I really wasn’t prepared for just how much of a tourist trap it really is. We paid the extravagant price to see the MayflowerII. I wouldn’t suggest you do it. Just look at it from the outside and don’t bother going in. It’s really not worth it.

imgp6140

If you happen to be in the area, swing by and take a gander at Plymouth Rock. It’s…a small rock. It’s free to look at though! So, that’s a plus. It’s the only free thing in the area, I think.

So, here’s the thing. I get that people have to pay bills. I do. I get it. But why charge such outrageous prices for things that are being advertised as “family” and “educational”? There were a few other things in the area that were kind of all grouped with Plymouth and the Pilgrims and that whole piece of our history. You can look them up and make your own decisions…but read the reviews on them. Don’t just go to their website because they do a good job of making it look awesome. Read reviews. We chose not to go to the other things after we went to the Mayflower II.

imgp6135

There were a few pretties! I love these…they’re huge!

imgp6012

This one wasn’t completely bloomed out yet, but I love how delicate it looks.

imgp5995

You see the red dots? Those are actually seed pods from some flower that had already finished it’s bloom cycle. I think the red pods are just as pretty as the little purple flowers next to them and then the ocean behind them isn’t bad either.

All in all we loved the Cape Cod area! We will definitely go back…during the off season.

See y’all down the road!

#easternloop2016

Hampton Falls Area

Hampton Falls Area

We used Hampton Falls, NH as our base camp to explore the area. We spent two weeks in NH bouncing around between Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. I usually break these kinds of posts up, but I’m going to smash it all into one this time! Are you ready?

IMGP5591

We spent a day in Salem, MA. Salem is a place I’ve wanted to visit for a long time. The whole witch trial thing always fascinated me.

IMGP5582

There’s so much history in the North East. We made it by the Lyceum Hall where Alexander Graham Bell made the first telephone call. Extra points if you know what he said!

IMGP5596

Salem is kind of what you would expect. It’s filled with all things witchy…new

IMGP5614

and old.

IMGP5624

The Old Town Hall was in a movie you might have seen…Hocus Pocus! I geeked out just a bit here as we walked by.

IMGP5628

We stopped by the oldest grave yard in Salem. The Witch Trails are such a sad part of our history. It bothered us how touristy Salem is…we feel like they’re being a little disrespectful to what really happened there. I’m not going to go into a history lesson here…we all know what happened.

IMGP5654

We made it to the Salem Maritime National Historic Site where the boys got another Junior Ranger badge! And that was the end of our time in Salem!

IMGP5781

We spent a day in Boston, MA walking the Freedom Trail! I love Boston! I’m just going to throw that out there right from the start. I loved it!

IMGP5723

Let’s start with the Capitol Building. It’s gorgeous! Look at that golden dome!

IMGP5727

The inside didn’t disappoint either. We did a tour where we met a lovely family from England!

IMGP5729

And then we saw the dome. And we stood there with our mouths open for a minute. Look at that stained glass!! All thirteen original colonies are represented in this stained glass. Love it!

IMGP5747

One more picture of the Capitol Building…I couldn’t leave out the tile floor. So pretty! This Capitol Building is high up on our favorites list. It didn’t disappoint at all. I could do an entire post about it, but we’re leaving the Hampton Falls area tomorrow and I’m not sure I’ll have cell service at our next spot so I’m trying to get all caught up on my posts.

IMGP5810

We stopped by the Paul Revere House and strolled through. It’s a self-guided tour with interpreters around to answer any questions. We weren’t allowed to take photos inside. You’re looking at the oldest house in Boston. Looks pretty good for its age.

IMGP5831

Another stop on the Freedom Trail is the Old North Church where the two lanterns were hung on April 18, 1775.

IMGP5824

You can go in and look around. We’d never been to a church where the pews were boxed off like this. Apparently, back when the church was first built, you would purchase your own box.

IMGP5829

 We stopped by one of the graveyards on the Freedom Trail. The one in the picture is Copp’s Hill Burying Ground. One of the things we noticed about the gravestones in both Salem and Boston are that they’re a lot thinner than what we’re used to seeing.

IMGP5767

Quite a few of the headstones were decorated with the skull and cross bone symbols or a skull with wings. The symbols were supposed to be a reminder to the Puritans of the mortality of the body.IMGP5850

I love the mixture of old and new buildings here.

IMG_5084

I may have geeked out a bit here too. I mean, it’s Cheers! Where everybody knows your name!

IMG_5086

We went in and had some burgers. No, it’s doesn’t look like the show. I was a little disappointed with that. It was a long hot day of walking though and that air conditioned seat felt wonderful!

IMG_5095

It might not have looked like the Cheers on the television, but there was a wall dedicated to it!

IMG_5099

I had to stop by the Make Way For The Ducks sculpture. Super cute!

IMG_5104

Ok. One more picture of Boston. This is Swan Pond. How lovely is it? We didn’t stick around long here because we were all so tired and ready to be back in the car.

IMGP5675

We explored Halibut Point State Park one afternoon.

IMGP5700

Halibut Point State Park used to be a quarry. You can see the “pond” it made in the picture above.

IMGP5704

We saw this pretty little bird while we were heading back to our car. It let me get really close!

IMG_5168

Not far from where we stayed was a farm where you can pick your own blueberries! Anyone need some blueberries? We have plenty!

IMGP5914

We explored the ruins of Fort Constitution. There wasn’t much there.

IMGP5921

Most of it looked like this. I’m not even sure this was part of the original Fort…it was right next to it.

IMGP5870

We went to see the Nubble Lighthouse! It was a gorgeous day!

IMGP5880

We checked out the tidal pools at the lighthouse…but there wasn’t too much in them.

IMG_5251

Best of all…we got to meet up with one of my friends! Hey Anne Marie!! One of the things I like the most about our nomadic lifestyle is that I get to go visit friends!

IMGP5887

Are you ready for some flowers?

IMGP5885

I don’t know what kind of flowers these are, but they’re all over the place!! I love love love them!!

IMGP5884

I don’t think this is fireweed, but it’s really close. I love the purple.

IMG_5271

These are in our RV Park!

IMG_5269

You can’t tell from the picture, but this bush is well over six feet tall!

IMGP5856

Pretties from Boston.

IMGP5679

There’s sumac all over the place here!

IMGP5677

I know it’s a weed, but I really like it. They call it Queen Anne’s Lace and when it’s all bloomed out it’s a really pretty white flower.

I think that’s it! We fit quite a bit into two weeks!

See y’all down the road!

#easterloop2016