We have just returned from another wonderful adventure. This time we went on a Princess Cruise with my brother and his wife. The destinations were terrific, but the real story and memories are about spending significant time with family members in small numbers. It is the time to bond, create shared memories, and just get to know each other without the interference of great hordes of people around. Well actually, on a ship that hold 3100 passengers, you are not exactly alone with anyone but none of those people are competing for our attention.
Our first destination was Brooklyn Harbor and I never realized that Brooklyn could look so beautiful. It looks a lot better as you are leaving it than driving through it on a bus.
We were afraid we might not make the clearance under the Verazano bridge. Everyone watched with baited breath, but she cleared without a scratch. I'm sure the people on top of the bridge appreciated that.
There is no greater thrill than viewing Lady Liberty the way many of our immigrant ancestors first saw her. I got a shiver just thinking of the implications this statue holds for all who see her.
Our first port of call was Newport Rhode Island. I had no idea that Newport had such a significant role in the early history of our country. The streets are dotted with many restored buildings dated in the 1700s.
We took a short hike along the Newport cliff walk which is a path that runs through many of the backyards of the mansions of the rich and famous from the previous century.
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| We contemplated buying this one but it was not for sale. |
Did you enjoy that walk as much as we did?
We finished up with lunch at the White Horse Tavern where we discovered that Newport has a rich history of piracy.
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| This is where the "two if by sea" lanterns were hung aloft |
Our next port of call was Boston. We revisited the Freedom trail which is a great red brick path down the center of the sidewalks leading to the famous sites marking the beginning of our country. We recreated Paul revere's ride at both the Old North Church, and his home and at the Green Dragon Restaurant where we discussed colonial politics over bowls of clam chowder.
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| Paul Revere's home. I believe only the wooden structure was there in 1776 |
Boston would not be complete without a stroll down Beacon Hill and a beer at Cheers.
Bar Harbor Maine, home of Acadia National Park, and we chose to go whale watching.
St. John, New Brunswick was next. This is the gateway to Fundy Bay where the tides rise and fall as much as 48 feet daily. We chose to go to Hopewell Rocks where the tide changes are most dramatic around the awesome rock formations. It was a three hour bus ride out to the rocks and as luck would have it, we arrived at exactly high tide and were unable to stay long enough to see any significant change. I had a wonderful dish of seafood chowder which was loaded with lobster meat. After all a great part of travelling is sampling local quisine! 
The drive along the bay was lovely. The difficult thing about seeing exotic places from a cruise is the limited amount of time give to each port. On a Bahama Island this never seemed important, but we would have liked to spend much more time in New Brunswick, if only to experience the changing tides. |
| The Citadel |
Halifax Nova Scotia was a pleasant surprise. Again this colonial town has a rich history dating back to when British soldiers were quartered here on their route to put down the rebellion in the south.
This is the town which came to the rescue of the Titanic Survivors, burying more than 300 unclaimed bodies in their own tiny cemeteries.
Shortly after the Titanic there was an explosion in the harbor involving a munitions ship which blew up a major part of the city. After visiting the Citadel, a small seaport museum, and a victorian garden, we were driven out to Peggy's Cove. 
Peggy's Cove is a small fishing village which epitomizes my image of Nova Scotia. Can you guess that it was my favorite stop?
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