BATH, Maine – In perfect weather this past week, we honeymooning leaf-peepers Mary Riche and I have chased the glorious colors of this autumn across the Midwest, through the Great Lakes region, and all the way to the Atlantic coast in New England.
So far, we’ve had 2,000+ miles of history, fun and inspiration on our long drive. And we’re looking forward to doubling that as we begin our slow trip home to Iowa.
Just like is supposed to happen on your honeymoon, I have fallen even deeper in love with my bride Mary.
And my already large family grew some more when I met her sister Bette Riche Bobcowski, and Bette’s family, who are spread from Blackwood, N.J., to Norwich, Vt.
Along our way, I ate a prime rib steak in Aurora, Ill.; a good local pizza next door to the University of Toledo; outstanding Italian pasta in Buffalo, N.Y.; Atlantic cod cakes in White River Junction, Vt.; outstanding clam chowder in Hanover, N.H.; a stuffed Atlantic haddock here in Bath, Maine, and fresh lobster last night on up the coast in Trenton, just outside Bar Harbor.
I found the best cookie I’ve ever had in my mouth – an “almond cloud cookie” – at King Arthur’s Baking Co., which has been operating since 1790 in Norwich, Vt. (It is reputed to be one of the seven oldest companies in America.) And I shared an excellent piece of fresh blueberry pie after the lobster last night at Gateway Lunt’s Lobster Pound, which has business roots going back 90 years in Maine.
So let me conclude this quick travelogue this way: God is great, America is good, and New England is beautiful and cool.
There’ll be more to come from this trip, but meantime, enjoy the photos.
Quintessential New England — historic mill on a picturesque river, converted into a thriving business now. In this case, this is the flagship store for the famous Simon Pearce glassware, located on the Ottauquechee River in Quechee, Vermont.
The honeymooners, in a photo snapped by a clerk at the sales counter at Simon Pearce glassware in Quechee, Vermont.
We stopped on the Notre Dame University campus in South Bend, In., on our long drive to New England.
It was cool enough atop Cannon Mountain in New Hampshire that Chuck Offenburger had to buy a sweatshirt.
A reunion of sisters Mary Riche (left) and Bette Riche Bobcowski.
Love that State of Main slogan. Note the car that was leading us up the highway — a vintage Ford Thunderbird convertible.
A view down the street in Bath, Maine.
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What a delightful piece. I loved the pictures and commentary. Happy for you both!
I have always wanted to go back East and see some of New England and all the great history of our country that is in that region. And what a beautiful time of year for a honeymoon there with all the colors changing. The pics are great. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.