Boston in 24 Hours

We took an early shuttle from the Cape into Boston on our final day, committed to squeezing in all of the city’s sites in 24 hours. Fortunately, that little red line marking the Freedom Trail can really take you places if you let it. Boston is a delightful mix of old and new, and there is a surprise around every corner.

After a full 8 hours of walking, interrupted only for a sandwich at Volle Nolle in the North End and a few Harpoons at the historic Bell in Hand Tavern, we gratefully settled into a restaurant booth at the legendary Omni Parker House hotel to sample their renowned rolls, scrod and Boston Cream Pie. Later, while walking through the lobby on the way up to our room, we paused long enough to hear a tour guide talk about the haunted room that happened to be located directly across from ours.

Eastham

Never ones to take it easy on vacation, we spent our final day on the Cape walking along the beach at low tide, hiking through a nearby Cedar swamp, visiting the Cape Cod National Seashore Visitor Center and preparing a fantastic (and lively!) meal with family in the dark of night on the crushed shell driveway. 

On to Cape Cod

After packing up the car the next morning, we headed for Massachusetts, a trek that included a short stopover in Portland for a noteworthy lunch at Duckfat and a sampler pack of Cranberry Island Kitchen whoopie pies for the road. The oh-so-fitting Stephen King’s 11/22/63 kept me company on the long drive, and we rolled into Cape Cod as the sun began to go down. The next morning greeted us with cloudless skies, so we put the top down on my aunt’s Mini Cooper and headed for Provincetown, where there seemed to be no shortage of sand dunes, lighthouses, seafood, fresh air, expansive views, or steps (in the case of Pilgrim Monument). 

Acadia National Park

Having acquainted ourselves with various far-flung corners of the great state of Maine over several days, it was high time that we headed to Mount Desert Island, home of Acadia National Park (and, of course, Martha’s beloved Skylands estate). From the highly coveted popovers at the Jordan Pond House, to the windswept mossy boulders atop Mount Cadillac and the peaceful enclave at Sand Beach, Acadia did not disappoint. Neither did the rainbow that studded the blue skies on our way back to the cabin after our final Maine excursion. 

Ellsworth to Machias

Next, in an effort to take the road less traveled, we headed north to see the sights. This day’s journey included stops at Schoodic Point, where we scrambled along the rocky coastline and got our first taste of the salty air, and Helen’s Restaurant, where we ducked in to warm up over a traditional seafood lunch topped off with the restaurant’s locally-sourced blueberry pie.