Sunday we packed the car and headed to Nicky's Diner for breakfast. If you go to Bangor, check this place out. It doesn't look like much from the outside. Inside it is designed like an old fashioned diner, even the staff is dressed like the 60s. There is memorabilia everywhere and the food is good and cheap.
We then headed for Kohl's, my favourite store, for 3 hours of shopping. I got lots of clothes I needed for the winter and a few Christmas decorations. We left Bangor at 3:30 - got home at 10:30 pm.
Overall a great trip, but not enough time to shop. I didn't get any socks!!!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Saturday
Saturday morning we woke to a beautiful sunny day. It was time to leave North Conway. We will be back someday but it is a long drive for an impatient teenager so I will have to wait a few years - :)
We headed to Portland (1 hour drive) to Carolyn's favourite store - Forever 21. Wow!!! This is our second visit and I still can't get over the deals. Carolyn bought 22 articles of clothing for $220.00 (tops, belt, leggings, skirts, dress). That's an average of $10.00 a piece. She needed a lot of clothes for winter so now she is all set.
We then headed for Bangor (2 hour drive). For supper we decided on another chain restaurant Bugaboo Steak House. This place was packed and there was a line up so I figured we would get a good meal. Oh my - this story will be funny to us in a few weeks. First we wait 20 minutes to get a table. I tried to order a small steak for Carolyn but all they had was the filet mignon. So we ordered that. The salads came and they were awful. Time passed and folks around us were getting their meals that had been seated after us. The waitress came to our table and apologized. More time passed, no meal. The manager came out, after we had been sitting for more than an hour and had our meals. He wanted me to check her steak. It was med-rare, almost rare. She had ordered medium. We sent it back to the kitchen, it came back still too rare. By this time we were starved and wanted to go shopping so I cut out the rare part and she ate it. And they didn't anything off our bill. I didn't ask but I figured they would. We left disgusted - we had been there almost 2 hours - 2 hours of precious shopping time...
I got a room at the Sheraton for $75 through Priceline auction. Nice room but not soundproof.
We headed to Portland (1 hour drive) to Carolyn's favourite store - Forever 21. Wow!!! This is our second visit and I still can't get over the deals. Carolyn bought 22 articles of clothing for $220.00 (tops, belt, leggings, skirts, dress). That's an average of $10.00 a piece. She needed a lot of clothes for winter so now she is all set.
We then headed for Bangor (2 hour drive). For supper we decided on another chain restaurant Bugaboo Steak House. This place was packed and there was a line up so I figured we would get a good meal. Oh my - this story will be funny to us in a few weeks. First we wait 20 minutes to get a table. I tried to order a small steak for Carolyn but all they had was the filet mignon. So we ordered that. The salads came and they were awful. Time passed and folks around us were getting their meals that had been seated after us. The waitress came to our table and apologized. More time passed, no meal. The manager came out, after we had been sitting for more than an hour and had our meals. He wanted me to check her steak. It was med-rare, almost rare. She had ordered medium. We sent it back to the kitchen, it came back still too rare. By this time we were starved and wanted to go shopping so I cut out the rare part and she ate it. And they didn't anything off our bill. I didn't ask but I figured they would. We left disgusted - we had been there almost 2 hours - 2 hours of precious shopping time...
I got a room at the Sheraton for $75 through Priceline auction. Nice room but not soundproof.
Friday
We woke up Friday morning to a downpour of rain. Headed out to a restaurant called Peaches. We got into the restaurant and it looked awfully dark. It took us a few minutes to realize they didn't have any power. We had a lovely breakfast. The staff was incredible - they were boiling water on the propane stove and pushing it through the coffee machines so we could still have coffee. They were cooking in the kitchen by flashlight.
We decided to take in the train ride. It was a lot of fun. The leaves are still on the trees though the rain did dampen the richness of the colors. We rode in a restored car built in 1920. It was very cool. It's too bad they didn't save a few miles of track on PEI so that we could have a tourist attraction like this - it would have been very successful I am sure.
So we shopped in a few stores but it was hard to get around without getting soaked. We had supper at a restaurant called Delaney's Hole in the wall. They had the best caeser salad we have ever had.
We decided to take in the train ride. It was a lot of fun. The leaves are still on the trees though the rain did dampen the richness of the colors. We rode in a restored car built in 1920. It was very cool. It's too bad they didn't save a few miles of track on PEI so that we could have a tourist attraction like this - it would have been very successful I am sure.
So we shopped in a few stores but it was hard to get around without getting soaked. We had supper at a restaurant called Delaney's Hole in the wall. They had the best caeser salad we have ever had.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Well we left Wednesday after school and drove as far as Fredericton, then left at 9 am this morning for North Conway. It took 8 hours to get to North Conway - that included 2 short pit stops, a half hour lunch and a half hour stuck in traffic in construction. Along the way we learned 3 things.
1. Carolyn and I will never be able to drive more than 6 hours at one shot. We were bored, our butts were sore and the urge to shop was so strong it made us very cranky at slow drivers. (Automobiles)
2. In the time it took us to get to North Conway we could have flown to England. (Planes)
3. Part of the trip was to include a 5 hour train ride tomorrow into the mounains, we cut it down to the 1.5 hour trip - as 5 hours would not leave us enough time to shop (Trains).
Shopping: We did a few of the outlets tonight - a few good deals. Lindt chocolate shop was giving out samples... geez. We didn't feel like trying on clothes tonight - we will tackle that tomorrow after a good night's sleep.
Eating: For lunch we ate the Frair's Bakehouse in Bangor. This place is rated No. 1 in Tripadvisor and with good reason. It was FABULOUS!!!! It is run by Francisan brothers, they are only open for lunch and you only get 3 choices of sandwich and 2 choices of soup. They have a sign that says "No credit cards, no cellphones and no attitude." But one of the brothers has an attitude - he is too funny - he told one of the regulars he was cursing softly under his breath. There are only 3 long tables and there is a line up of locals, they probably served 20-25 people while we were there - we sat at one end of a table and 2 guys sat at the other end. The place is very Catholic - book and statues everywhere but noone preaches :) - Carolyn had a grilled cheese and ham sandwich and I had grilled cheese and tomato and we both agreed it was the best grilled sandwiches we ever ate. The guys at our table had minestrone soup and I could hear them state how good it was. The other soup choice was french onion. You have to try this place if you are ever in Bangor for lunch.
For supper, we went to Applebee's - we had to wait for a table, the place was packed. Now I am not a big fan of chain restaurants but when you travel with a fussy teenager you have to go to a place that has a great deal of variety in their menu. Well I was pleasantly surprised. In their menu they indicate which items are under 550 calories and they give the Weight Watcher points for some items as well. I had the Asian Crunch Salad and Carolyn had a small sirloin steak both were fabulous - with drinks and tips it came to $21.00 (oh did I mention there is no tax in New Hamphire - you saw it right - NO TAX!!! - on anything!!!
Ok time for a shower and bed - We have heavy duty shopping to do tomorrow. Good night.
1. Carolyn and I will never be able to drive more than 6 hours at one shot. We were bored, our butts were sore and the urge to shop was so strong it made us very cranky at slow drivers. (Automobiles)
2. In the time it took us to get to North Conway we could have flown to England. (Planes)
3. Part of the trip was to include a 5 hour train ride tomorrow into the mounains, we cut it down to the 1.5 hour trip - as 5 hours would not leave us enough time to shop (Trains).
Shopping: We did a few of the outlets tonight - a few good deals. Lindt chocolate shop was giving out samples... geez. We didn't feel like trying on clothes tonight - we will tackle that tomorrow after a good night's sleep.
Eating: For lunch we ate the Frair's Bakehouse in Bangor. This place is rated No. 1 in Tripadvisor and with good reason. It was FABULOUS!!!! It is run by Francisan brothers, they are only open for lunch and you only get 3 choices of sandwich and 2 choices of soup. They have a sign that says "No credit cards, no cellphones and no attitude." But one of the brothers has an attitude - he is too funny - he told one of the regulars he was cursing softly under his breath. There are only 3 long tables and there is a line up of locals, they probably served 20-25 people while we were there - we sat at one end of a table and 2 guys sat at the other end. The place is very Catholic - book and statues everywhere but noone preaches :) - Carolyn had a grilled cheese and ham sandwich and I had grilled cheese and tomato and we both agreed it was the best grilled sandwiches we ever ate. The guys at our table had minestrone soup and I could hear them state how good it was. The other soup choice was french onion. You have to try this place if you are ever in Bangor for lunch.
For supper, we went to Applebee's - we had to wait for a table, the place was packed. Now I am not a big fan of chain restaurants but when you travel with a fussy teenager you have to go to a place that has a great deal of variety in their menu. Well I was pleasantly surprised. In their menu they indicate which items are under 550 calories and they give the Weight Watcher points for some items as well. I had the Asian Crunch Salad and Carolyn had a small sirloin steak both were fabulous - with drinks and tips it came to $21.00 (oh did I mention there is no tax in New Hamphire - you saw it right - NO TAX!!! - on anything!!!
Ok time for a shower and bed - We have heavy duty shopping to do tomorrow. Good night.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Packed and Cleaning
Well, Rosie (The dog) is gone to Rhea's and we are almost packed. We leave at 3:00 pm tomorrow, will spend the night with my cousin in Fredericton and then head to North Conway Thursday morning.
I am printing off all my Maine and New Hamphire shopping and restaurant notes, then I will load up my GPS with all the addresses. I am going to write a Trip Guide for TripAdvisor.com called A Canadian's Guide to Shopping in Maine and New Hampshire. I would appreciate any hints you have. I looked for something like this when I was doing my research and there is not alot on the internet so most of the stuff I have is from friends that have been there and my own experiences. Of course I will give you credit in my article.
Ok have to clean up the house, cleaning lady is coming tomorrow...
I am printing off all my Maine and New Hamphire shopping and restaurant notes, then I will load up my GPS with all the addresses. I am going to write a Trip Guide for TripAdvisor.com called A Canadian's Guide to Shopping in Maine and New Hampshire. I would appreciate any hints you have. I looked for something like this when I was doing my research and there is not alot on the internet so most of the stuff I have is from friends that have been there and my own experiences. Of course I will give you credit in my article.
Ok have to clean up the house, cleaning lady is coming tomorrow...
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
The plans are set
Well Carolyn and I are off for another adventure. We leave October 13 to the 17. This trip is to celebrate my 50 years of life. And a great life it has been! As you may remember we completed our first shopping trip to Maine last spring and just could not get over the prices and what we could buy at half or less of the cost we pay here on the Island.
Now I do believe in buying local, when it comes to veggies and meat, but clothes - it's an open market - sorry!!!
So this time we are going somewhere new - North Conway, New Hampshire - highly recommended by many folks who are expert outlet shoppers. Of course we will have to stop in Portland on the way back to hit Forever 21 and then Bangor for the last night so the drive home is shorter.
Also I am breaking in a new GPS that my friend got me for my birthday - we haven't named HIM yet - I selected British Accent - male - oooo la la - any suggestions for names let me know.
Juanita and Carolyn
Now I do believe in buying local, when it comes to veggies and meat, but clothes - it's an open market - sorry!!!
So this time we are going somewhere new - North Conway, New Hampshire - highly recommended by many folks who are expert outlet shoppers. Of course we will have to stop in Portland on the way back to hit Forever 21 and then Bangor for the last night so the drive home is shorter.
Also I am breaking in a new GPS that my friend got me for my birthday - we haven't named HIM yet - I selected British Accent - male - oooo la la - any suggestions for names let me know.
Juanita and Carolyn
Monday, July 12, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Lady, Hunk, Hunk and Mud
Well it's 12:41 in the morning and I just finished a shower. I had mud all the way up to my waist.
We arrived at the Festival at 5:00 - heard some great music but it rained and rained and rained - we got drenched but we had so much fun we didn't mind and neither did the 20,000 other people there.
At 7:00 Chuck came to get us and took us backstage. While waiting for Lady A, Colin Raye spotted us and came over, he asked Carolyn her name and then sang to her a few lines of "Sweet Caroline" and we got a picture. Then I met my cousin, the tour manager of Lady A. Denis Shannon (not sure of spelling) - he was very into discovering his family tree, so I can't wait to get the information to start digging. He was a nice guy but was very busy so we only 10 minutes or so to chat about the Arsenaults which would never be enough for me.
Then Lady A came in - oh my - it was so exciting - the girl, Hillary, was trying to get into her show shoes. Oh my what shoes!!! So like a nut, I asked if I could take a picture of her shoes, sure she said - and she poised her feet - hee hee.
They had a professional photographer take a picture with Carolyn which will be posted on their website. They do this for ever person in the meet and greet (about 45 people). I took a few pics - not very good ones - I was so nervous. Got autographs and Hillary gave Carolyn a hug - she was very sweet and the guys were ohhhh so hunky!!!
To get backstage we were given VIP passes, so after we were able to sit under the tents in the VIP section to dry off. But when they started playing we couldn't see very well so we went out in the open area part of the VIP - Carolyn stood on a chair with me hanging on to her and she rocked!!! It was an amazing concert. The band were soaked after their first song. But they kept saying it was their first concert in the rain and they had a lot of fun with it. I think they were amazed at how many people were out there in the rain to see them. The number I heard was 20,000.
Thanks to Chuck for this fabulous opportunity. Thanks to Doreen for being our chauffeur and our guide. Thanks to all who wished us well. This will be a day Carolyn and I will not soon forget.
P.S. will post pictures tomorrow - good night
We arrived at the Festival at 5:00 - heard some great music but it rained and rained and rained - we got drenched but we had so much fun we didn't mind and neither did the 20,000 other people there.
At 7:00 Chuck came to get us and took us backstage. While waiting for Lady A, Colin Raye spotted us and came over, he asked Carolyn her name and then sang to her a few lines of "Sweet Caroline" and we got a picture. Then I met my cousin, the tour manager of Lady A. Denis Shannon (not sure of spelling) - he was very into discovering his family tree, so I can't wait to get the information to start digging. He was a nice guy but was very busy so we only 10 minutes or so to chat about the Arsenaults which would never be enough for me.
Then Lady A came in - oh my - it was so exciting - the girl, Hillary, was trying to get into her show shoes. Oh my what shoes!!! So like a nut, I asked if I could take a picture of her shoes, sure she said - and she poised her feet - hee hee.
They had a professional photographer take a picture with Carolyn which will be posted on their website. They do this for ever person in the meet and greet (about 45 people). I took a few pics - not very good ones - I was so nervous. Got autographs and Hillary gave Carolyn a hug - she was very sweet and the guys were ohhhh so hunky!!!
To get backstage we were given VIP passes, so after we were able to sit under the tents in the VIP section to dry off. But when they started playing we couldn't see very well so we went out in the open area part of the VIP - Carolyn stood on a chair with me hanging on to her and she rocked!!! It was an amazing concert. The band were soaked after their first song. But they kept saying it was their first concert in the rain and they had a lot of fun with it. I think they were amazed at how many people were out there in the rain to see them. The number I heard was 20,000.
Thanks to Chuck for this fabulous opportunity. Thanks to Doreen for being our chauffeur and our guide. Thanks to all who wished us well. This will be a day Carolyn and I will not soon forget.
P.S. will post pictures tomorrow - good night
Thursday, July 8, 2010
July 7, 2010
Ok this is probably the biggest thing to happen to Carolyn and I. I ran into an old friend yesterday, Charles P. Curley (Chuck). Chuck was a driver for the artists for Cavendish Beach Fest last year and this year he is in charge of the fleet. I met him at work today and he tells me that in his dealings with the tour manager of Lady Antebellum, the tour manager was asking about Tignish. This guy's grandfather was from Tignish and he was an Arsenault.... yes odds are we are related....
Well I told Chuck, I am a hobbyist genealogist - tell him to give me some names and dates and I will track down his family tree. Chuck asked if I was going to the concert - wasn't sure as I don't like crowds much and I didn't know the lay of the land to take Carolyn, etc. He said this guy might like to meet us - so we were thinking about it... when.....
This morning, Chuck contacts me and tells me that he told the tour manager about Carolyn and I and Chuck got us back stage passes to a meet and greet with LADY ANTEBELLUM!!!! OMG!!! Are we excited - well I guess...... The LORD is good. We still can't believe it!!! I don't know very many of their songs (except I like to belt out that IT'S a QUARTER AFTER ONE, I'm A Little DRUNK... hee hee... but Carolyn can sing every lyric to every song they have on their 2 albums..... We will take pictures... and I have found the perfect gift for my new cousin - a book on Acadian history by George Arsenault....
Ok this is probably the biggest thing to happen to Carolyn and I. I ran into an old friend yesterday, Charles P. Curley (Chuck). Chuck was a driver for the artists for Cavendish Beach Fest last year and this year he is in charge of the fleet. I met him at work today and he tells me that in his dealings with the tour manager of Lady Antebellum, the tour manager was asking about Tignish. This guy's grandfather was from Tignish and he was an Arsenault.... yes odds are we are related....
Well I told Chuck, I am a hobbyist genealogist - tell him to give me some names and dates and I will track down his family tree. Chuck asked if I was going to the concert - wasn't sure as I don't like crowds much and I didn't know the lay of the land to take Carolyn, etc. He said this guy might like to meet us - so we were thinking about it... when.....
This morning, Chuck contacts me and tells me that he told the tour manager about Carolyn and I and Chuck got us back stage passes to a meet and greet with LADY ANTEBELLUM!!!! OMG!!! Are we excited - well I guess...... The LORD is good. We still can't believe it!!! I don't know very many of their songs (except I like to belt out that IT'S a QUARTER AFTER ONE, I'm A Little DRUNK... hee hee... but Carolyn can sing every lyric to every song they have on their 2 albums..... We will take pictures... and I have found the perfect gift for my new cousin - a book on Acadian history by George Arsenault....
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Summer begins
June
For those of you who missed our adventures in Maine http://triptomaine-peigirls.blogspot.com/
I am also collecting shopping information in the above blog, please email me at juanita_arsenault@hotmail.com if you have any good Maine shopping hints.
For those of you who missed our adventures in Maine http://triptomaine-peigirls.blogspot.com/
I am also collecting shopping information in the above blog, please email me at juanita_arsenault@hotmail.com if you have any good Maine shopping hints.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Home again
Hit a few more stores this morning and headed back to PEI. It took 7 hours with a pit stop
Shopping Hints and Ideas - please add to this post
if you have any to add please comment and I will add them.
1. Bangor - check out http://www.famousshoes.com/
fabulous prices on shoes - I got a pair of New Balance sneakers for 44.00
2. Become a member at Kohls.com - I got two coupons - one for 20% off everything early in my trip and while I was on the road got another one for 15% off everything - of course we went back.
3. Last weeks of June are fabulous for summer clothes shopping - major sales as they are getting stores ready for back to school stock. Anyone know what other time sales are great in Maine????????
4. There is now a Sephora in the Maine Mall, Portland - wild makeup place.
5. What stores are where
Portland - H&M*, Forever 21*, Aeropostale, Sephora* , Marshalls
Augusta - Christmas Tree Shoppe*, Kohls, JcPenny, TJMax, Aeropostale, Fashion Bug
Bangor -Famous Shoes*, Kohl's, Hollister, JcPenny, Aeropostale , Marshalls
Freeport - Banana Republic Outlet*, Calvin Klein outlet*
* - only one location
recommended by Carolyn and Juanita
6. Petite shopping - Kohl's, JcPenny
7. Shopping for kids - Kohl's, H&M
8. Shopping for men - Kohl's
9. Shopping for women, H&M, Fashion Bug, Kohl's, JcPenny
10. Junior shopping (aka teen or young adult) - Forever 21, Kohl's, TjMax, Hollister, Aeropostale,
1. Bangor - check out http://www.famousshoes.com/
fabulous prices on shoes - I got a pair of New Balance sneakers for 44.00
2. Become a member at Kohls.com - I got two coupons - one for 20% off everything early in my trip and while I was on the road got another one for 15% off everything - of course we went back.
3. Last weeks of June are fabulous for summer clothes shopping - major sales as they are getting stores ready for back to school stock. Anyone know what other time sales are great in Maine????????
4. There is now a Sephora in the Maine Mall, Portland - wild makeup place.
5. What stores are where
Portland - H&M*, Forever 21*, Aeropostale, Sephora* , Marshalls
Augusta - Christmas Tree Shoppe*, Kohls, JcPenny, TJMax, Aeropostale, Fashion Bug
Bangor -Famous Shoes*, Kohl's, Hollister, JcPenny, Aeropostale , Marshalls
Freeport - Banana Republic Outlet*, Calvin Klein outlet*
* - only one location
recommended by Carolyn and Juanita
6. Petite shopping - Kohl's, JcPenny
7. Shopping for kids - Kohl's, H&M
8. Shopping for men - Kohl's
9. Shopping for women, H&M, Fashion Bug, Kohl's, JcPenny
10. Junior shopping (aka teen or young adult) - Forever 21, Kohl's, TjMax, Hollister, Aeropostale,
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Untitled - have no idea what to call this.
1. Most american restaurants have a sign at the entrance that ask folks, in respect to the other diners, to turn off their cell phones... great idea..
2. We saw many motorcycles in Maine - almost noone wears helmets - wild!!
3. Why aren't there any Kohl's stores in Canada?
4. Did you know that a small coffee at Tim in Maine is the size of our medium and that their extra large is very large! and their muffins are not as good as Canadian muffins.
5. Of all the stores and shops we visited only 1 or 2 had push button doors - it makes getting in and out of places a bit tricky at times.
2. We saw many motorcycles in Maine - almost noone wears helmets - wild!!
3. Why aren't there any Kohl's stores in Canada?
4. Did you know that a small coffee at Tim in Maine is the size of our medium and that their extra large is very large! and their muffins are not as good as Canadian muffins.
5. Of all the stores and shops we visited only 1 or 2 had push button doors - it makes getting in and out of places a bit tricky at times.
Day 6 - Round 2 at Kohl's
This morning we had a message when we went into the inn for breakfast. The ladies from the parade called and wanted our email to keep in touch. We told them we wanted to go to Savannah, Georgia someday and that we should keep in touch. They didn't come to the fireworks as they were tired - they had been cruising all day. I thought that was so neat - we made some new friends.
Checkout was at 11:00 - we left unwillingly at 10:57....
Stopped at a great restaurant on the way to Bangor called Sarah's place.
Got a room for a great price on priceline auction - Fairfield, Marriot - nice room.
And did Round 2 at Kohl's - Lulu tried to talk us out of it - but we were too determined. Went to another store called Famous shoes - got a pair of New Balance for $40. Going home tomorrow....
Will post links to my tripadvisor reviews in a separate post.
Checkout was at 11:00 - we left unwillingly at 10:57....
Stopped at a great restaurant on the way to Bangor called Sarah's place.
Got a room for a great price on priceline auction - Fairfield, Marriot - nice room.
And did Round 2 at Kohl's - Lulu tried to talk us out of it - but we were too determined. Went to another store called Famous shoes - got a pair of New Balance for $40. Going home tomorrow....
Will post links to my tripadvisor reviews in a separate post.
Day 5 - Fireworks
Woke up this morning and it was pouring rain. We had breakfast at the inn - fabulous - fresh fruit, homemade granola, and banana flambé french toast with a brown sugar sauce - it just can't be described. After breakfast I we sat in the living area with some other guests chatting and I showed Carolyn how to play crib.
We went out for lunch and the rain let up. We spent the afternoon visiting little craft shops. We lined up for a street parade and met 2 great ladies from Atlanta, Georgia. They were so nice. I was standing behind Carolyn's wheelchair and one of them went off to find me a chair from the public area. We chatted through the whole parade and we invited them to come to our B&B to watch the fireworks.
We spent the evening outside at the inn - Carolyn reading a book and I playing online poker. The fireworks were amazing. 50 or more folks - guests and friends of the innkeeper were there to watch. What fun. We met a couple who just got married - their combined families add up to 5 kids and there is another on the way - wow!!
We have to leave tomorrow - and we don't want to.... and we decided to spend the night in Bangor and can you believe it - do more shopping.... well I got another coupon from Kohl's... and I don't want to drive all the way home in one sitting.. :)
We went out for lunch and the rain let up. We spent the afternoon visiting little craft shops. We lined up for a street parade and met 2 great ladies from Atlanta, Georgia. They were so nice. I was standing behind Carolyn's wheelchair and one of them went off to find me a chair from the public area. We chatted through the whole parade and we invited them to come to our B&B to watch the fireworks.
We spent the evening outside at the inn - Carolyn reading a book and I playing online poker. The fireworks were amazing. 50 or more folks - guests and friends of the innkeeper were there to watch. What fun. We met a couple who just got married - their combined families add up to 5 kids and there is another on the way - wow!!
We have to leave tomorrow - and we don't want to.... and we decided to spend the night in Bangor and can you believe it - do more shopping.... well I got another coupon from Kohl's... and I don't want to drive all the way home in one sitting.. :)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Day 4 - Boothbay Harbor
Wow, I hope heaven is like this - our B&B is on top of a hill overlooking the harbor (harbour in Canada - LOL).
This town is so quaint. We had a lunch at a great restaurant on the way here just outside of Augusta. Tomorrow there is a parade of schooners coming to boothbay and fireworks tomorrow night. We will be able to watch it all from the lawn of the B&B.
Lulu was a bit confused this morning trying to get through double-laned roundabouts - she just wasn't on her game. Good thing we are only getting single laned roundabouts on PEI. I hope her next owner is not to harsh with her. (the lease on my van is up at the end of the month so Lulu (built in GPS) is leaving us - we will miss her).
Goodnight
This town is so quaint. We had a lunch at a great restaurant on the way here just outside of Augusta. Tomorrow there is a parade of schooners coming to boothbay and fireworks tomorrow night. We will be able to watch it all from the lawn of the B&B.
Lulu was a bit confused this morning trying to get through double-laned roundabouts - she just wasn't on her game. Good thing we are only getting single laned roundabouts on PEI. I hope her next owner is not to harsh with her. (the lease on my van is up at the end of the month so Lulu (built in GPS) is leaving us - we will miss her).
Goodnight
Monday, June 21, 2010
Day 3 - Lulu takes us to Portland, Maine
Well I think we are done, finished, completé... another marathon day of shopping - today in Portland. Our target today, The Maine Mall, Portland. We arrive and the first store my olympic shopper daughter spots is Forever 21. Oh my - this store was bigger than the Sears store in Charlottetown (full of teenager-young lady clothes) - it took 2.5 hours to get through and we still didn't see all the clothes. And the deals - layers this time for 2 to 5.00 - what the heck!! unreal...
Carolyn felt really bad after all that shopping, she decided I could shop for me now - so off to H&M we went - I found a skirt for $5, 2 more for $10 each - wow! I left Maine Mall with 3 skirts and a pastry brush from a kitchen store. Carolyn left with bags.... hmmm something wrong with this picture - I just can't figure out what it is...
We spent the last 3 nights in Augusta. I got a hotel room for $50.00 a night through Priceline auction - Holiday Inn - not a bad hotel - and for $50.00 who is going to complain.... My friend Cheryl suggested that we base ourselves here and it worked out very well. This way I didn't have to pack up and move hotels, Freeport is 45 minutes away, Portland 1 hour.
Tomorrow we load up the van and head out to Boothbay Harbor for 2 days of R&R. I booked a nice B&B - should be fun!!
Carolyn felt really bad after all that shopping, she decided I could shop for me now - so off to H&M we went - I found a skirt for $5, 2 more for $10 each - wow! I left Maine Mall with 3 skirts and a pastry brush from a kitchen store. Carolyn left with bags.... hmmm something wrong with this picture - I just can't figure out what it is...
We spent the last 3 nights in Augusta. I got a hotel room for $50.00 a night through Priceline auction - Holiday Inn - not a bad hotel - and for $50.00 who is going to complain.... My friend Cheryl suggested that we base ourselves here and it worked out very well. This way I didn't have to pack up and move hotels, Freeport is 45 minutes away, Portland 1 hour.
Tomorrow we load up the van and head out to Boothbay Harbor for 2 days of R&R. I booked a nice B&B - should be fun!!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Day 2 - Thank God for the GPS
Whoever invented the GPS should be canonized as a saint. It's like the cell phone - what the heck did we do before we had those. I have had a GPS for 4 years, but truth be known, this is the first time I really had to use it as I always know where I'm going..... well you know what I mean...
We named our GPS Lulu - well she talks to us - so we thought it would be good manners to talk back to her at times and for that she needed a name. Most of the time we praise Lulu for getting us places where otherwise it would take a lot of figurin' to get to... but sometimes her instructions are not quite clear enough. Tonight for instance, we were in a complicated exit and SHE WASN'T CLEAR ENOUGH so I took the wrong turn.... I had to drive 10 miles, pay $1.00 at a toll booth, turn around on the other side of the tool booth and pay another $1.00 to get on the other side of the highway and then drive 10 miles back to our hotel. I gave Lulu a few pieces of my mind.
Back to the shopping: Carolyn wants to sell the house and move into the Kohl's Department Store.. We spent the morning at Kohl's - Oh my - we bought 21 items including 5 pairs of shoes (including converse, airsoles, nike) a few tops for me, many tops for carolyn, 4-5 pairs of shorts, 2 dresses, etc, etc for 250.00 - the store had 30 to 60% almost everything and I had a coupon for 20% off above that. WILD!
Then this afternoon we left for Freeport with Lulu leading the way. Freeport is a fun spot but has a few challenges for a wheelchair - a few scary steep hills and a few stores with no access! The best deal there was those layered tanktops Carolyn wears at the Gap Oulet for 2.99 - wild and my best deal was a cute top at Banana Republic outlet for $10.00.
But we are not shopped out yet.... Tomorrow we head for Portland with Lulu by our side - she is sleeping right now - she had a busy day.
We named our GPS Lulu - well she talks to us - so we thought it would be good manners to talk back to her at times and for that she needed a name. Most of the time we praise Lulu for getting us places where otherwise it would take a lot of figurin' to get to... but sometimes her instructions are not quite clear enough. Tonight for instance, we were in a complicated exit and SHE WASN'T CLEAR ENOUGH so I took the wrong turn.... I had to drive 10 miles, pay $1.00 at a toll booth, turn around on the other side of the tool booth and pay another $1.00 to get on the other side of the highway and then drive 10 miles back to our hotel. I gave Lulu a few pieces of my mind.
Back to the shopping: Carolyn wants to sell the house and move into the Kohl's Department Store.. We spent the morning at Kohl's - Oh my - we bought 21 items including 5 pairs of shoes (including converse, airsoles, nike) a few tops for me, many tops for carolyn, 4-5 pairs of shorts, 2 dresses, etc, etc for 250.00 - the store had 30 to 60% almost everything and I had a coupon for 20% off above that. WILD!
Then this afternoon we left for Freeport with Lulu leading the way. Freeport is a fun spot but has a few challenges for a wheelchair - a few scary steep hills and a few stores with no access! The best deal there was those layered tanktops Carolyn wears at the Gap Oulet for 2.99 - wild and my best deal was a cute top at Banana Republic outlet for $10.00.
But we are not shopped out yet.... Tomorrow we head for Portland with Lulu by our side - she is sleeping right now - she had a busy day.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Day 1 - Getting there
Left Westway at 8:05 - coffee and hot chocolate in Borden - 8:35 - Calais border 12:35 (atl) - arrived in Augusta, Maine at 3:30 (eastern time). I didn't mind the drive, I was a bit concerned as the farthest I had ever driven was to Halifax.
I don't know if I will go home via Calais route. I did not enjoy that part of the trip, 150 miles of nothing, no people, abandoned buildings, we met a car maybe every 10 minutes, no cell service, no towns, no exits, 80 degree turns going up hill, going down hill, signs warning truckers of the angles of the hills. I had not a nerve left when I hit junction 46. Thank you Stephen for this shortcut - it was nice to see civilization again LOL. For those of you who travel this route - you are very brave (or I'm a nervous nut)!!! But you gotta love those divided highways!!! I could cruise those all day.
We hit the hotel room - devised our plan and away we went. Now many of you think I over plan when I travel - actually what I do is research, research. I know about every restaurant, hotel and store in Augusta so when we got here we took a look at my sheet - picked a restaurant, stores in on end of town and we were off.... no sitting around wondering...
We found some good deals today. We hit - Christmas Tree Shoppe which has no Christmas stuff - I asked a cashier - did they not have a little bit of Christmas stuff and she abruptly said "no, not this time of year" - I bet they get asked that a lot. TJMAX and Fashion Bug - one store for Carolyn - one for me.
Unfortunately Augusta does not have many good restaurants that I could find (if anyone knows of one please let me know). We ate at Texas Roadhouse - Carolyn says it was sooooo cool - actually she had a 6 oz sirloin which was very good and very tender, I had the ribs - they were only ok. We order a baked sweet potato - oh my very delicious.
Stopped off at Grocery store on the way home and bought a bottle of Bin 99 Pinot Noir which I pay 15 to 16 dollars on PEI for 7.99...... Yellow Tail is also 7.99 - and I can only bring 2 bottles home with me - I guess I will have to drink lots while I am here.
Tomorrow we are off to Freeport. Stay tuned for Day 2
Goodnight
I don't know if I will go home via Calais route. I did not enjoy that part of the trip, 150 miles of nothing, no people, abandoned buildings, we met a car maybe every 10 minutes, no cell service, no towns, no exits, 80 degree turns going up hill, going down hill, signs warning truckers of the angles of the hills. I had not a nerve left when I hit junction 46. Thank you Stephen for this shortcut - it was nice to see civilization again LOL. For those of you who travel this route - you are very brave (or I'm a nervous nut)!!! But you gotta love those divided highways!!! I could cruise those all day.
We hit the hotel room - devised our plan and away we went. Now many of you think I over plan when I travel - actually what I do is research, research. I know about every restaurant, hotel and store in Augusta so when we got here we took a look at my sheet - picked a restaurant, stores in on end of town and we were off.... no sitting around wondering...
We found some good deals today. We hit - Christmas Tree Shoppe which has no Christmas stuff - I asked a cashier - did they not have a little bit of Christmas stuff and she abruptly said "no, not this time of year" - I bet they get asked that a lot. TJMAX and Fashion Bug - one store for Carolyn - one for me.
Unfortunately Augusta does not have many good restaurants that I could find (if anyone knows of one please let me know). We ate at Texas Roadhouse - Carolyn says it was sooooo cool - actually she had a 6 oz sirloin which was very good and very tender, I had the ribs - they were only ok. We order a baked sweet potato - oh my very delicious.
Stopped off at Grocery store on the way home and bought a bottle of Bin 99 Pinot Noir which I pay 15 to 16 dollars on PEI for 7.99...... Yellow Tail is also 7.99 - and I can only bring 2 bottles home with me - I guess I will have to drink lots while I am here.
Tomorrow we are off to Freeport. Stay tuned for Day 2
Goodnight
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