Honeymoon Part 5: Lobstah & a Very Long Drive

(This is going to be long, but it's the last edition of Honeymoon, so you know what that means - the wedding itself is next!)

After Vermont, our next and final stop was Portland Maine. But before we could arrive there we had to stop to see Lenny, a life-sized chocolate moose. He is 1,170 lbs of chocolate, lives in a chocolate lake and has 3 100 lb chocolate bear friends. Mike loves moose, so we had to stop. He was pretty neat, and the treats we bought there were delicious!





We finally arrived in the very confusing, very different city of Portland - found our "hotel" (we stayed in an old mansion, aka an Unhosted Inn). It was a pretty place.



We searched and searched the wharfs for a reasonably priced place to eat, we finally found $3 Deweys; although the story behind the name made us second guess our decision.



The next day we went on our own lighthouse tour - taking our time and enjoying the view. Mike was totally in his element running over the rocks and jumping into the waves - I was a little more low-key about it, but it was really fun!

























The waves were amazing - we don't have ocean or water like this in Minnesota!




After our fun and beautiful morning, we decided to spend the afternoon on one of these:



It was such a beautiful view and a really fun way to enjoy the area. Our only glimpse of bad weather was about 10 minutes of this ride, when it rained on us.







That night, with my sunburned boobies, we got dressed up, made a reservation at a fancy place and headed out so I could try my first lobstah.

These babies hadn't seen the sun in awhile...






I didn't like the lobstah.


The next morning we left Maine to head home. We spent the night in Erie, PA and tried to enjoy the beauty of the road. But on our way out I saw this!

47 baby!


This picture is awesome!






Because we're too stupid to operate a shower.



Finally, after nearly 15 hours on the road, we saw this:



Home. Sweet. Home.

We had an amazing trip. It was wonderful to have that time together,away from life, and most importantly (for us) away from parenting. We really enjoyed just about everything we did, and even the car ride wasn't bad most of the time. If anyone is planning a trip to Niagara, Bennington or Portland, let me know and I will give you more tips! If we could go back to any of the places, I think it would be Bennington - the city was adorable and peaceful and we loved the food! Our next trip, we want to head south, I think.

Honeymoon Part 4: For a small town, Bennington has a lot to offer.

The two biggest attractions in Vermont are Robert Frost's grave and the Bennington monument - so we went to see them.

Frost's grave is at the back of a very old cemetery - he's just there like everyone else, a few signs point you in the right direction. Still neat to see.



The monument is just that, a monument. It was never used in battle - but it's still neat, and the view from the top was amazing!








After a morning of sight seeing, we snuck into the spa for couples massage time - it was amazing! After we left we went to the North River Winery to try some unique wines including: Vermont Pear, Green Mountain Apple, Vermont Blush, Rhubarb, Cranberry Apple, Raspberry Apple, Blueberry Apple & Vermont Harvest (Reminiscent of a sweet sherry, made with apples, cinnamon and 10% Vermont Maple Syrup. Great chilled or heated.) We bought 4 bottles - they were so good!





After a rousing game of backgammon in the gazebo (it was after 5 by this point...) we got ready for our special 4-course private candlelit dinner.



I prepared by drinking.


The dinner was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Mike and I both agree that it was the best meal we have ever eaten, ever. We would go back, just for the food. The Inn owner cooked it all fresh, just for us.

Fresh bread, a yummy bread dip, veggie ravioli in a sun dried tomato sauce, a salad with my beloved maple vinaigrette in a cucumber bowl, fillet mignon with a creamed spinach sauce and homemade sorbet. nom! nom! nom!


When we returned to our room, we found this:



For breakfast the next morning we had another delicious combo:



Said goodbye to our beloved B&B:



and said goodbye to Vermont as we began the drive to Maine...