New England Roadtrip September 2018

[AlexE]

Apologies for the delay in posting.

Arrived at Logan Airport on Delta flight at midday – travelled on US1 so we could visit Ipswich (where we live) on the way.

Elmere House, Wells – 3 nights
Lovely B&B with fab breakfast and very comfortable. Visited Wells, Kennebunkport, Kennebunk, Goose Bay, Nubble Lighthouse, York, walked the Marginal Way at Ogunquit. Penobscot Narrows Bridge on route to Bar Harbor.

Inn on Mount Desert, Bar Harbor – 3 nights
New hotel only opened few months, another fab breakfast. Acadia National Park was our reason for visiting and the views definitely delivered. Drizzled the first day but its impossible to put into words the views and the power of the ocean at Thunder Hole and to see it the next day in bright sunshine was like two different locations – would not have missed it for the world. Walked round Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain there were so many views and walks to do on the Park Loop. Also had my first lobster (so glad it came with instructions).

Eastman Inn, North Conway – 3 nights
Breakfast and owners were great. Flume Gorge was amazing well worth the walk/hike to the top it was very hot but luckily lots of shade. Saw a moose and a few covered bridges. Kancamagus Highway, Bear Notch, Conway Scenic Railway.

Northern Lights Lodge, Stowe – 3 nights
Breakfast was good. Lovely walk along part of Stowe Recreation Park along the river and relaxing afternoon reading and snacking by the river. Ben & Jerry’s was disappointing. Franconian Notch State Park Tramway and Crawford Knotch State Park.

Springhill & Suites, Rome – 1 night
Overnight stay on our way to Niagara Falls.

Comfort Inn The Point, Niagara – 2 nights
Fantastic location and breakfast with the State Park across the road and a short walk to the Rainbow Bridge into Canada. TractorBoy had viewed the falls on youtube but nothing can prepare you for the power of the water at the falls. Observation Deck and then Maid of the Mist – we laughed so much at the sheer force of the mist/water onto us, so glad I wore shorts and flip flops – trousers and trainers on others were drenched. We never realised there were so many locations and angles to see the falls. Using the hop-on hop-off trolley enabled us to see so much in half a day and all for $3. Following day crossed the rainbow bridge into Canada and strolled to the end of the promenade to take even more photos of the falls. Such an amazing day and very hot.

Hampton Inn, Albany – 1 night
Overnight stay on our way to Boston.

No 284 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston – 5 nights
Brown bricked B&B in fantastic location – breakfast great. 2-day hop-on hop-off trolley tour was a great way to see the city. Lots of walking, Quincey Market with every food imaginable and the street performers, Prudential Centre, Fenway Park, Boston Common with a Classic car Show, Boston Public Market.

Flight home was with Virgin and it was a record 5hrs 40 minutes with a bit of turbulence.

Eastman Inn, Not to our liking lots of antiques, shower unreliable, third floor, no aircon, no fridge
Northern Lights Lodge, basic with no charm, paper thin walls and doors.

SatNav adventures –
On route from Bar Harbor to North Conway - turn right into Sodom Road (bit of a hint perhaps) – started as a narrow two track road, got to one track with passing places, then a dirt track with hard core and construction taking place. Getting worried by this point as this seemed to be ‘deliverance country’ and then the road opened up and we were back to a two track road.

On route from Stowe, Vermont to Rome, NewYork – destination entered into SatNav. Fort Ti Ferry to Ticondaroga NY will be ahead – we had no plan to use a ferry. We called the ferry by raising the flag and this took us the short ferry across the lake. No idea what route we took but we seemed to go the ‘pretty way’.

In total we drove 2.5k miles and the drive from Stowe to Rome was a bit of a slog but meant that we got to Niagara early.

Would we do it again – yes definitely but cut out Stowe and North Conway as we feel we have ‘done’ the area.

[Melbatb]

Sounds like it was a fabulous trip! You certainly covered a lot of ground!

[anji]

Sounds wonderful. Really looking forward to our road trip in May. We're staying at Bar Harbour, North Conway and Stowe too.

[CrispyA]

Sounds like a fantastic trip. Really glad you enjoyed Acadia - we though it was amazing.

[borntoshop]

Originally Posted by anji

Sounds wonderful. Really looking forward to our road trip in May. We're staying at Bar Harbour, North Conway and Stowe too.

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Been to North Conway a few times like very place and so friendly. Nice food at the muddy moose.

[MichelleS]

Bar harbor is lovely