We had a few days at ‘home’ after our Florida trip prior to our next excursion, to Maine, enough time to attend to the laundry, update the Surface Tablets and download all the photos.  Another exciting occasion was the night Shaun had his final interview and came home letting us all know that he had been honored with Eagle Scout status (equivalent to Queen Scout in Aus.)  We had enjoyed a lovely dinner with Donna & John from next door who gave us lots of information, maps etc for Maine.  A few ports and liqueurs to celebrate with Shaun and his proud parents, and grandparents also. 

During this time we were lucky enough to be able to celebrate 4^th July, a very significant day for Americans, we love the way so many homes have the American flag out the front, they are so proud of their country.  The day was very hot so we decided we would drive to Fairfax Old Town and watch the local parade, we got a good parking spot, fortunately just near Starbucks, where Shayne was able to queue for Frappuccinos for us, welcome on such a hot day, the parade was fantastic, lots of vehicles, school bands, local organisations, some fun things and of course ‘Uncle Sam’, it went on for about 2 hours, we were most impressed.  Pete and I wore our 4^th July T-shirts that I had made before we left Aus. with America flags on the front and a little Australian flag on the sleeve.  Arriving back at our car, we spotted a beautiful motorbike, a local Fairfax Policeman beside it, had to have a chat about his bike, he was very happy to have his photograph taken with us, people are so friendly here, it’s great.  That night to a sports bar/restaurant for another great meal and fun night, ended a nice 4^th July celebration. 

The next evening we had all been invited to Terrie & Mark’s home in Maryland for a ‘crab night’, we have met them a few times, just delightful people, what a great evening, warm balmy night so we sat outside with drinks while Mark showed us how to peel and eat crabs, we loved them, so sweet, he had also cooked lovely fresh corn husks, they were also sweet and yummy, fresh slices of watermelon to refresh the palate.  Following crabs Mark BBQ’d burgers and salmon burgers, the young ones had a swim in the pool the remainder of us just sat and watched beside the pool, a delightful evening, I think we would have sunk after all that food!  Delmarva are a blue shelled crab with a particular flavor which come from a part of the Chesapeake Bay which is at the confluence of the boundaries of the states of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

Early Saturday morning Pete and I left for Maine in Lee’s Mustang (thank you Lee, Poppy will take good care of it) for 6 days travelling through various States, firstly from Virginia into Maryland then to Baltimore where we struck the first of many Toll booths.  We had decided not to purchase an EZ-Pass but after paying about 6 cash tolls and getting into a wrong lane, we purchased one at the next service centre, what a good move, as now able to use the EZ-Pass lane, some booths you can continue through at 65mph, much better.  We crossed the beautiful Delaware Memorial Bridge into the State of New Jersey.  As we got closer to New York, yes, as Shayne had warned us the drivers there use their horns, very impatient, at a toll booth one guy in a pick-up truck (ute) honked at someone (not us) as they were a bit slow! 

We stopped at one of the many service centres for fuel and it actually had attendants to do the fuel, a tip we guessed was in order, but fast service so worth it, we have got quite used to the tipping system.  We again changed States into Connecticut, so green along the highways, lots of State Parks and ski areas.  As on our major highways at home you don’t pass through many towns, one we thought was very pretty was Waterbury (some of us oldies may remember Waterbury’s compound?).  We stopped at Wilmington RA for ice creams from the vending machine as outside temperature was 95F, at least that was our excuse, very cool and comfortable in the Mustang, however Pete saw 2 cars back into each other obviously they didn’t look, a warning for the future! 

Next State was Massachusetts, where we found our way to Waltham, outside of Boston where Shayne had booked us into a Conference Suite at the Hyatt for the night, wow this was amazing, had 2 rooms one having a kitchen with dishwasher, huge 2 door frig, stove and large boardroom table, then a separate bedroom, shame we weren’t staying for a week I could have cooked meals and Pete could have stacked the dishwasher.  We decided to go to the restaurant, ‘Naked Fish & Cuban Cocktail Bar’ for dinner, top meal, even had a ‘normal’ bread roll, clam chowder, and shared about 3 different dishes, we have had so much wonderful seafood, restaurant service here certainly is fantastic, we have learned to share food if we want and they are always very happy about that, they are there to present you with what you want!!  It is great when you get used to and feel comfortable with it.  We did view a lovely sunset and have a bit of a walk after dinner, we needed to!!

Next morning we left Waltham, deciding not to go into Boston as we didn’t have the time required for a big city we continued into the State of New Hampshire up the 95 North, just crossing the corner.  There were 3 lanes each side of the Freeway and the side going south were bumper to bumper, as it was the Sunday after 4^th July, many would have taken a long weekend and were on their way home, we then crossed a lovely bridge into the State of Maine, known as the ‘Vacation State’.  We continued on to Boothbay Harbour, so pretty and found ‘Beachcove Waterfront Inn Resort’ which was our destination for 2 nights.  Out of town a little, very quiet, all rooms with a view of the Lake, vast green lawns, lovely pool, so gorgeous, very happy with Pete & Shayne’s find on ‘booking.com’.  Settled in, checked out the area, people swimming across the lake and others kayaking, lovely place.  Off to dinner at one of the recommended places ‘Boathouse Bistro’ up on top deck with a lovely view overlooking the harbor, another delightful seafood meal, of course.