This is our second road trip from Chattanooga to Boston. We wanted to steer clear of traffic as much as we can, so avoiding I-95 was key. (To our dear friends in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, sorry for not visiting!) We took a more relaxing route that offered views of rolling hills and bucolic farmland. Passing near historic Gettysburg, how can we not stop to get a dose of American civil war history?
That was how we found ourselves at the Gettysburg National Military Park on a Saturday morning. It was 10:30 am. The place was packed, and we had just missed the one and only tour of the day. Apparently only the entrance to the visitor center is free, everything else has a fee attached. We got a map and set out to explore on our own. We'll read about the history later. It was a good thing as we got to tour the grounds at our own pace, and don't have to cram into a bus full of people on a hot summer day.
The setting of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
President Lincoln
At the back of the visitor center, there is a trail that led us to Meades' headquarters and Cemetery Hill.
Meade's Headquarters on left
Soldiers' National Cemetery
We drove around to see other sights - the haunted Sachs Covered Bridge, crossed by both Union and Confederate armies; Devil's Den, where heavy fighting occurred; and observation towers at Culps Hill and near Peach Orchard.
Culp's Hill
Climbing up the observation tower to see
Eisenhower's farm in the distance
Gettysburg Titbits
The battle of Gettysburg was fought on July 1-3, 1863, with casualties of 51,000 (23,000 Union, 28,000 Confederate). On November 19, four and a half months after the Union
armies won the battle of Gettysburg, President Lincoln delivered his most
famous speech at the dedication of the Soldier’s National Cemetery.
Did you know Dwight Eisenhower, the 34th president, had a farm adjacent to the battlefield? The farm served as a weekend retreat and as a meeting place for world leaders during his presidency. Now part of the National Park Service, the Eisenhower Farm offers free tour, but there is a fee to take the shuttle from the visitor center.
Back home away from home, we learned more about Gettysburg on YouTube.
We managed to bypass I-95 altogether. Crossing the new Tappan Zee Bridge (built in 2017 and renamed Mario Cuomo Bridge) from Pennsylvania to New York was a breeze. No stop and go like the olden days to pay toll as no toll booth could be found. Ditto on the Massachusetts Turnpike. There is no doubt we have to pay. The bill is probably in the mail.
One late August we took a road trip from Boston to Maine. It was several years ago, but we remember the trip as if it were yesterday. We had stayed at the Harbor Ridge timeshare in Southwest Harbor. When we checked in, the front desk clerk asked if we wanted to order lobsters. Of course, we said yes!
And boy, were they delicious! They were some of the best lobsters we’ve ever had. At just $7 each—and all weighing more than a pound—the fresh-off-the-boat lobsters were an incredible steal.
DIY dinner - delicious lobsters with corn and blueberry pie
Bar Harbor is such a delightful little town. Not only does it have wonderful galleries and interesting, fun shops, but it also offers at least two easy and beautiful walking paths.
Starting at the town pier, the Shore Path is a one-mile walk along the waterfront, offering beautiful views of Bar Harbor’s rocky shoreline. Along the way, you’ll also catch glimpses of charming waterfront inns and stately residences.
It’s an easy, relaxing stroll and a wonderful way to take in the beauty and character of Bar Harbor.
The Shore Path (Bar Harbor Inn in the distance, Agamont Park on the right)
There aren’t many places where you can walk to an island at low tide, but Bar Island, just north of the town pier, is one of them. Walking across the sandbar was such a unique experience, and we even found shells and sea glass among the pebbles.
If you decide to make the walk, be sure to check the tide table before you go. The sandbar is only accessible for a few hours around low tide, and you definitely don’t want to get stranded on the island when the tide comes in!
Scenic view and interesting terrain on Bar Island
Don't say we didn't warn you
Hungry after all that walking? No worries - there are restaurants galore! We chose Geddy's (see review) and got a table overlooking Agamont Park. Our lobster dinner was the perfect ending to an awesome day.
Yummy lobster and clam chowdah
typical nautical décor in down East Maine
The next few days were spent hiking in Acadia National Park. One evening, on a whim, we decided to drive up Cadillac Mountain, which rises 1,530 feet above sea level. The winding road offered spectacular views, but halfway to the summit, we found ourselves surrounded by thick fog. We decided not to push our luck and cautiously made our way back down.
The next time, we came prepared. We got up before dawn, packed warm blankets, and headed to the summit to watch the sunrise. As the first place in the U.S. to see the morning sun, Cadillac Mountain is a popular sunrise destination. We arrived around 4:26 a.m., only to find the parking lot already almost full!
Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans. Clouds and haze obscured the sunrise that morning. So much for planning! Once most of the visitors left, we practically had the mountain to ourselves and enjoyed a peaceful, leisurely hike.
View of Bar Harbor and the islands on Frenchman Bay from Cadillac Mountain
Acadia is chock-full of hiking and biking trails, with plenty of places to stop and admire nature’s beauty. We especially love picturesque Jordan Pond. There are several trails, a gift shop, and a full-service restaurant where you can enjoy a delicious meal while soaking in the breathtaking scenery.
Jordan Pond
Get a rush of adrenaline at Thunder Hole, where waves crash into a narrow inlet, creating a thunderous roar against the rocky shore. It’s beautiful, a little scary, and incredibly exciting—all at the same time.
Thunder Hole
Entrance to Bass Harbor Head Light
Walk down a few flight of stairs
to see the sunset and rocky cliffs at Bass Harbor Head Light
We spent our last evening in Acadia National Park watching the sunset at Bass Harbor Head Light. By the time we arrived, visitors and photographers had already staked out the best spots for the perfect picture. Luckily, we were treated to a beautiful sunset—a fitting end to our Maine adventure.
Someone recently shared a photo of the wild horses
at Assateague Island in the National Geographic Facebook group, and it
instantly brought back a flood of memories—sun-soaked days filled with crabbing,
swimming, and the quiet thrill of spotting ponies wandering the dunes.
It reminded me just how special those summer
moments were—and why they’re worth revisiting. I decided to update this
post—because really, how could anyone forget summer adventures like these?
Wild horses roam freely on Assateague Island National Seashore
We moved to the south over two decades ago. Since then, we've made many road trips back to the northeast. They're always memorable, but this particular road trip was truly unforgettable. We went in mid July, and were lucky to run into several festivals. We finally made it to the Brimfield Antique Festival, one of the largest and perhaps the best flea market in the northeast, a must-visit if you're a flea fan. There was a Sand Sculpture Festival in Revere Beach, and we met up with some college friends there and later moved on to the Folk Festival in Lowell. We took day trips to the north shore (Gloucester and Rockport), ate at our favorite seafood place on Cape Cod, and explored many neighborhood parks.
On our return trip, traffic slowed to a crawl in New York City; it took us an hour to drive 4 miles to get to the George Washington Bridge! We were to meet family for a reunion at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and traffic there was snarled up as well. August is prime time for the beach and there is only one way in. We were stuck.
entrance to Rehoboth Beach (we made it, at long last!)
Sand castle competition at Rehoboth Beach
Known as our "nation's summer capital," Rehoboth Beach offers clean beaches and a mile-long boardwalk lined with old fashioned entertainment (Whac-a-mole, anyone?), shops (ice cream with 150 flavors) and restaurants. The place always transports me back to the good ole days, when times were slower and much simpler. You can hang out on the boardwalk or beach past midnight since the beach doesn't close until one in the morning. Just remember to bring plenty of quarters for parking!
Whac-A-Mole at Funland
mile-long boardwalk at dusk one May
Did I mention that Delaware is a tax free state, and shopping at the outlet malls is the other big attraction? As the week wore on, we were starting to feel stressed out, as we fought traffic trying to get from one place to another.
It was our refuge from the hustle and bustle. Clamming, crabbing, paddle boarding, kayaking and wildlife viewing are some popular activities here. Or you can swim, surf and even camp overnight on the beach. Whether exploring by car or by foot, you're bound to encounter the wild horses that call Assateague home. We enjoyed the beauty of these magnificent animals. Read about their interesting history here.
Sunny blue skies at South Ocean Beach
Wild horses taking a nap
Taking a break along the road
This area is an excellent location for a family vacation or reunion. We had 16 members ranging in age from 6 to 73, and everyone loved it - beaching, shopping, boating, crabbing, fishing and eating crabs and myriad seafood.
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.jpg "Falling for New England: Cape Cod, Massachusetts")