29: Wrapping it up after 6,000+ miles (10/20-25)

Driving on Sunday from Halifax to Portland was kind of a surprise.  We had planned to make the 600-mile distance in two segments, but the day was so beautiful and the roads so empty and effortless that we decided to run the entire distance.  And, much to our chagrin, when we stopped in St. John, New Brunswick, for a quick look-see, that's when we discovered there still is a ferry across the Bay of Fundy, from Digby, Nova Scotia.  *smack self on forehead*

Portland's got a great year-round ferry system to the numerous populated islands of Casco Bay.

Thanks, Deb, for recommending Flatbread restaurant to us, where we had lunch twice because the first time wasn't enough.  Loved the menu covers, each a unique work of art.

One of the things we really liked about Portland is that it's a real working port, both for shipping and fishing.

So many varieties of oysters, so little time.

Portland Head Light, at the entrance to Portland's harbor.

And so we scooted on down to Rye, New York for the last two nights of our trip to visit with our cousins, Eero and Soile. Closing our trip with them made for a perfect and warm transition back to the land of doing our own dishes.  Our homecoming day was marked by the fact that it was our 27th wedding anniversary, and with a welcoming stop for home-made curried butternut squash soup at Deb's (Phil being away) in Oley, PA.  Deb let me glean some last-of-summer goodies from her garden, a lovely gift to bring him to an empty refrigerator.

The scale at home says….we both had way too much fun.  Time to say good-bye to pastries, artisan pizza, great local beer, and instead focus on veggies and lean proteins, do tons of laundry, and get the storm windows on the house.  A scolding cat, hard freeze, and baskets of mail make for our welcoming committee, all very much appreciated.

Thank-you for your comments and kind words.  Although I started out doing this as a memory-jogger for me and Allen, it's nice to know we've shared our stories with you, too, and I hope I haven't been too…..whatever about it all.  Karin