I am currently sitting on a bus traveling from West Ossippe New Hampshire to Boston's South Station. I'm on day three of this four day trip...time to catch up.
I'm going to begin by telling something I have been conflicted about sharing for some time. When I fly I give a little gift to flight attendants as a way of saying thank you. My friend Robert shared this idea with me in the spirit of
Burning Man's gifting value (FYI: Burning Man is on my bucket list). I usually give a Target gift card along with a token of sorts. This trip Annelies suggested a unicorn theme when she saw matching gum and cards...I must say they were freakin' adorable!
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| Flight Attendant Gifts |
I have been reluctant to share this tradition because I do not want any attention for my act. I feel strongly about thanking the attendants for their work (which I know is not always easy) and expect nothing in return. On this flight I received a thank you card from the crew along with many many personal thank you's. It was sweet.
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| Thank You Note from Flight Attendants |
I am telling this story because I want to encourage all of you to consider the value of gifting. It doesn't have to be monetary in value nor for flight attendants...maybe share a talent or simply give a card telling someone how much you care. Expect nothing in return. Just enjoy the act. Every time I get on a plane I am grateful for the crew for getting me to my destination safely, and I want to thank them for that.
Ok, I'll get off my soap box and continue to journal my adventures the last couple days. I arrived in Boston and boarded a
Concord Coach for a two hour bus ride to Portland Maine. My friend Jackie, and my new friend Jess, picked me up at the station. We checked in to a hotel and made our way to
Sanctuary Tattoo where Jackie spent a couple hours getting a hummingbird. It gave Jess and I an opportunity to grab a Tecate and taco and get to know one another. I have said this a million times, but life is way too short to meet all the fabulous people in this world.
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| Jess and Jackie at Sanctuary Tattoo |
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| Damn that hurts! |
We ate dinner overlooking the harbor and returned to the hotel. Saturday morning Jackie's sister Shelli arrived and after being up all night crashed for a couple hours while Jackie and I decided to get massages. Ahhh...I simply love massages.
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| Rae Ann, Shelli and Jackie in Portland Maine |
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| Portland Maine |
We had lunch at
Porthole (shitty service but good food) and grabbed a ferry to Peaks Island. We rented a golf cart from
Mike's Carts (pro-tip: reserve online unless you want to jog to the checkout once you exit the ferry as they go quickly). It was a fun jaunt around the island with a few stops along the way (we rented for one hour). I just love the water and will never tire of this view.
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| Jackie & Shelli Facetiming with Mom |
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| Peaks Island |
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| Peaks Island |
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| Cairns on Peak Island, Maine |
We didn't spend a ton of time on the island, but it was enough to grab an ice cream cone. Then made our way back to Portland. Paradis and I had been on Peaks Island during our trip in
August 2016. It was funny how it felt like such a different place - neither better or worse than the other - just different. We drove to Portland Head Light and did a little walking. Again, just beautiful. The weather was absolutely perfect.
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| Portland Head Light |
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| Jackie & Rae Ann at Portland Head Light |
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| Jackie & Shelli at Portland Head Light |
Jackie had been staying at a home in Tamworth New Hampshire for the week in celebration of her 50th, so we made our way back there after our lighthouse visit. We stopped at
Krista's in Cornish Village Maine. When we drove up I saw "coffee house" and saw some bikers outside, so my expectations for the food were not high. But let me tell you...it was AMAZING!
Shelli and Jackie are just hilarious. Shelli's sense of humor, along with their comfort in being sisters produces a level of honesty that is truly joyful. I laughed so hard during that dinner and our drive home...it was just wonderful.
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| Cannoli's and Chocolate Cream Cheese Cake |
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| The laughs were uncontrollable |
Tamworth New Hampshire reminds me of northern Minnesota, minus the mountains. Quiet simple living with lots of trees. We arrived in the dark Friday night so I wasn't able to see the landscape, but woke this morning to a beautiful view. I'm now on my way back to Boston where I will see my friend Mary and return to Minneapolis early Sunday morning. I love bus rides...they are so peaceful.
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| Tamworth New Hampshire overlooking Chocorua Mountain |
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