CHRISTMAS WITH SANTA

Eunice and I took Ethel Louise for a few Santa visits.  This is the first time Ethel has been taken out in the cold weather.  We kept her warm and she was even warmer next to Santa's beard.  Not sure what she wants for Christmas. 

ESTHER AND EUNICE AT THE NY HALL OF SCIENCE

Eunice and I had gotten word that a nearby museum was having a surprise guest.  The museum is called the New York Hall Of Science located at the Flushing Meadows - Corona Park in Queens.  The main building goes back to the 1964 World's Fair.  We weren't even born then.  Of course it's now called the New YOLK Hall of Science.

We were checking out the museum but focusing on stuff that had to do with outer space.  Astronaut Tom Jones (not the singer) was going to show up. 

We were asking about these two rockets sitting outside the building....real ones.  One actually went into outer space. 

Then we saw this real module.

Afterwards we went upstairs to do some posing.

 Tom Jones and his public relations person made their way into the building so we fluttered around to find and talk with him.

He talked with us about the Kennedy Space Center, his career and his book.  Hoping to go to Florida in a few months!!!!

ESTHER AND EUNICE IN NEW HENSHIRE

Marilyn and Minerva stayed home to chick sit Ethel Louise so that we can take a trip to the New England area. Another state gets renamed by Eunice and I as we change the state name of New Hampshire to New Henshire.  We are first bound for an area known as New Castle, as we change it to New Cackle.  The weather is absolutely beautiful as we check into Wentworth by the Sea and have lunch at their restaurant called Latitudes Waterfront. We sat outdoors.

We spent the day at the hotel and even had a spa treatment which caused us to take a nap before dinner.

Here is a view from our window

Dinner was at their other restaurant called SALT Kitchen and Bar.  The food was great but I think they might want to change the name from Salt to Garlic!

Watched tv and talked about what we would be doing the next few days.
Sleep, rise and time for breakfast.

We check out from the hotel and off to the nearby main city of Portsmouth, which I changed to Pecksmouth.  How best to get the lay of the land (no pun intended) than to stop into Discover Pecksmouth!  There was a short movie and loads of stuff to look at as well as maps, etc.

Although the movie was interesting, we came across a very indignant human by the name of Dennis Robinson (who was also in the movie).  Wow, talk about being condescending!  He was also that way to our friend, Merle. 

We then crossed the road...ha, ha...to visit the Pecksmouth Historic Society John Paul House.

Time for lunch and it's off to Blue Mermaid Grill...outdoors again.  Here we met Valerie from the tourism office who talked with us about what is available at the Chamber of Commerce.

We then checked into the Port Inn for the next two nights. Motel type place with a frig and microwave. Comfy.  Toured some more of the city and skipped dinner.  However, we did go to Kilwin's for ice cream, chocolates and a caramel apple.

Nite, nite, breakfast and we are set to go to an historic place called Strawbery Banke.  It was the first city in Pecksmouth.  Houses of former owners from many years ago as immigrants form all over came to this town.  They only have a few people who are making believe that they live there at that time. Otherwise, there is someone to give a bit of history and tour. We were taught how to do weaving.

Having spent a lot of time at Strawbery Banke, our bellies desired lunch food.  Eunice and I went back into the downtown area to a place called Portsmouth Gaslight Restaurant.

There was this great cruise going out in the late afternoon called Portsmouth Harbor Cruise, so we hopped aboard for a tour of the Piscataqua River where we could spot places in both Pecksmouth and Chikery (vs Kittery), Maine. Heard all about the history and economy.  We met a few people on board to chat with.

More exploring of the town and then it was time for dinner and perhaps a beer as we sauntered over to Portsmouth Brewery an original brewpub.

Another day...like the last.   Eunice and I didn't have enough doing a boat tour so we went on a different one.  It was a barge with a sail but used to learn about what the crew does. Other people were able to help with the sails while we were taught how to pilot this boat. Company is called Gundalow.

Time to leave as we head back home...stopping for lunch at a place called Petey's.  Now this is the place for lobster and other fresh seafood!  No wonder the place was packed!

Lucieeeeeee....I'm home!

MARILYN AND MINERVA GO TO MICHICKEN

It appears that Marilyn and Minerva had such a great time on their last travels that they insisted on going to Michigan.  Esther and Eunice are certainly enjoying their time with adopted daughter Ethel Louise.  They did give input on the renaming of the state and the cities that they explored.  The state is now Michicken.  Here is the report.

Marilyn and I boarded Delta Airlines to find that it was quite full.  Seems like a lot of people were off to Deggtroit.  One of the passengers allowed us to sit in her seat pocket.

We arrived safely and decided to take in lunch at a place called Maccabees.  It was there that we encountered a group of writers as well as some ladies from tourism offices both local and state.

Needless to say, I had to stop Marilyn from stealing the shaker.

We enjoyed a few tasty items.

Our art tour took us to a place called The Heidelberg Project.  Blocks and blocks of unusual creative art and all outdoors.  This is a great art spot for the young uns in terms of community education. We even saw a cute kitty. www.heidelberg.org 

There were some places that we went to but pictures of us were not allowed.  That's okay.  Our next art place was called MOCAD...Museum of Contemporary Art and Design.  One floor space but lots see view.  www.mocadetroit.org

Dinner was most fabulous!  We dined at The Whitney.  Historic and lovely decor.  www.thewhitney.com

We had the pleasure of meeting with both Manager Tony Muzzi and the Chef Greg Pawlowski.

We checked into the Westin Book Cadillac hotel and managed our way to the Club Room for views of downtown Deggtroit.

Not sure but I think some of the writer ladies were also staying at this hotel.

The next art place was the Deggtroit Institute of the Arts.  This place was huge, had famous stuff and many floors.  Wondered why one of the statues was beheaded!  www.dia.org 

We are leaving Deggtroit and going on to Ann Arbor...renamed Henn Harbor.  A different type of art. Tiles.  It was called Motawi Tileworks. Not only did Marilyn and I take a tour but was able to create a tile. www.motawi.com 

Leaving Henn Harbor it was time to explore Lansing....Hensing, the capital of Michicken.  Art tour took us to the Saper Galleries in East Hensing.  Roy Saper purchases all of the art.  Loved most of it!

I watched Marilyn to make sure that she didn't "remove" any for herself.  www.sapergalleries.com

Had dinner at Red Haven where we met someone's kitty kat.  Had a great conversation about its owner.

I had to explain to Marilyn that it was NOT her birthday. 

Time to depart Hensing and spend much time in Grand Rapids....Grand Rapecks.  We checked into Amway Grand Plaza...a hotel deserving of the word "grand".  Breakfast was up at their Tower Club. 

The theme in this city was something called ArtPrize. From September 18-October 6. For 19 days, three square miles of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, becomes an open playing field where anyone can find a voice in the conversation about what is art and why it matters. Art from around the world pops up in every inch of downtown, and it's all free and open to the public. People get to vote on which one they like the most.  All forms of art in an out of places and not necessarily museums.  For instance, here's one that was at the hotel.

Although we also went to the following places, we didn't get photos.  Grand Rapids Art Museum, Frederik Meijer Garden and Sculpture Park and Grand Rapids Public Museum.

We did however, stop into one of the breweries called Brewery Vivant.

Time to go back to New Yolk, hang out with Esther, Eunice and Ethel Louise.  Will related the whole trip to them.  They have one planned and we will stay home.