Monday, November 18, 2013

Massachusetts 9/24-9/29


New York city skyline from the Amtrak train
As we approach the holidays we thought about our fabulous trip to the East Coast and Nova Scotia to be with family and friends. The rest of this blog represents some of our memories.  It started with a train trip from Union Station, Washington DC to Springfield Mass.  I could swear that I saw many of the remnants of some old cars I owned in the junkyards we drove through on the train.  So much for the beautiful countryside of the east.  We did travel through Philadelphia and New York city.  A few hours later we met my cousin, Sandy at the Springfield train station.  Over five days we spent time with my cousins, Sandy, Maryellen (Mel) and Tom.  The highlight was our time spent with my 94 year old aunt, Claire, the last of my Dad's family.  Our short time in Massachusetts was packed with many memories, highlighted below.
Bresnahan family home (with some modifications)

Bresnahan Holyoke family plot
We drove about the Springfield-Holyoke area visiting sites of my parent's childhood.  My grandmother won a lottery in 1932 that helped pay for the family home.  The priest delivered the $3000 winnings in cash. (Oops! I don't know if my grandparents paid the tax on the winnings)

Woodstock Inn and Restaurant, Woodstock, VT.

Granville Country Store
 
Kringle candle store

Day three we took a short trip to the historic town of Woodstock, VT. and lunch at the famous inn there. Pictured below that is the Granville Country Store.  Day four we joined my cousin, Tom, to visit this little store in Granville, MA.  It gained notoriety 80 years ago because it produced "Cellar aged cheese" that was the absolute favourite of President Roosevelt.  It was common knowledge that any chance he had he would send a friend to bring back a few pounds of the cheese.  The store has not changed to this day.  We also paid a visit to the Kringle candle store that is an off shoot of the legendary Yankee Candle Store.  Considering my Dad's career I thought this was a poignant scene.

Journey from Springfield to Nova Scotia
L.L. Bean headquarters

Mary walking the beach in Kennebunkport

Great Maine lobsters


Hidden gem outside Freeport, ME.
September 29-30

We start our drive to Nova Scotia with brief stops along the way.  Early on the journey we stop in Kennebunkport Maine.  Lunch was at the famous Maine Diner (Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives).  First lobster lunch.  Mary took a short stroll on the beach there.  Early the next morning we begin with a stop at the L.L. Bean headquarters.  I was relieved to read that any of the thousands of guns that are available there for sale cannot be bought or taken through the clothing section (Whew!)  It looked like an amusement park for clothes.  Our lunch that day was at the A-1 Diner (again Diner's, Drive Ins and Dives).

New Brunswick

John Gyles Motor Inn

Heino's German restaurant

Benton, N.B.
We end the second driving day in Benton, New Brunswick.  We stay at the John Gyles Motor Inn.  It is known for its authentic German food in the restaurant. Mary was able to get Spatzle which reminded her of a dish that her mother made when Mary was young.  We awoke on October 1st to a beautiful view of the surroundings.  The owner came here from Germany and you can see why he chose this location.  We pulled into a local gas station and were surprised at the low gas prices ($1.25) Later we find that the price is per litre.  So it's $5.00 for about a gallon.  As we entered Nova Scotia at a toll plaza we gave the toll taker American money which he gladly took but said there seemed to be many Americans entering Canada (This was during the government shutdown)
We now head to New Bedford, N.S!




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