New Bedford Whaling Museum

One of the great features of the New Bedford Whaling National Park is the whaling museum, which is in the heart of this little town.  We spent our afternoon going through the various exhibits and the girls were enthralled with all of the whalebones, skeletons, harpoons and other items scattered throughout the museum.  It is definitely a cool place to spend some time.

The whale skeletons suspended from the ceiling were so enormous that it was difficult to photograph them.

First edition of Moby Dick.

Just a few harpoons.....

Checking out the New Bedford water front from the roof of the Whaling Museum.

Yet another one of these....

"Sitting" - it's a New Bedford thing....

The City that Lit the World

I recently learned, much to my surprise, that there are several National Parks and National Historic Places in New England, many of which are just not obvious.  Parts of the one in Connecticut are undergoing renovations, so we've been looking at the parks in other nearby states.  Last week, we visited the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park in New Bedford, Massachusetts.  We learned a lot about whaling and New Bedford itself, which was the capital of the whaling world during the 1800's.  The girls earned junior ranger badges by completing certain junior ranger activities, which included a scavenger hunt for certain sites in New Bedford.  It was a very interesting experience and I am already on the hunt for our next national park experience!

Working on their junior ranger booklets, with some help from Daddy.

The Latitude and Longitude of New Bedford.

Inside the Seamen's Bethel

Yep - Herman Melville's pew.

Listening to the National Park Ranger, during our walking tour.

With the Schooner Ernestina (yes, it was bright that day).

Forever Friends?

Elizabeth and Ethan first met when they were about a month old and have been buddies ever since.  I will admit that over the last couple of years, whenver we get together with Janet and her family, I have been a teeny bit worried that they won't click, as they are getting older and just don't see each that often.  So far, such worries have been unnecessary as every time they see each other, things just fall into place and it always seems like no time has gone by at all since they last spent time together.  Which is pretty much what my relationship with Janet is like.  Although we have the benefits of emailing and texting, whenever we spend time together, the weeks and months between visits just melt away.

August 15, 2004

August 19, 2012 

August 2012.  Lucky for me and Janet, I couldn't find a photo of just the two of us that was old enough to make it worthwhile to post; but we met 25 years ago next month (and she and Lee met more than 30 years ago, in kindergarten!!).

A Day in Maine

Last weekend, I spent a day in Maine with my friend Janet and her family.  This has become an annual tradition for our families and despite all of the driving, it is a fun and relaxing day.  We got to the beach as the tide was coming in and the waves were spectacular.  Elizabeth and Ethan spent a lot of time boogie boarding and body surfing, while Emily enjoyed playing in the sand and Owen went back and forth between the bigger kids and Emily.

Ready to boogie board!!!

As always, tons of pictures of Ethan and Elizabeth boogie boarding.  The tide was coming in when we arrived at the beach and the waves were spectacular!

Ethan, Elizabeth and Emily

Owen, flying his kite.

Kevin got in on the boogie boarding action too!

High Five!!

Elizabeth's foot (left) is almost the same size as Janet's foot (right)!!!

New York City: Odds and Ends

Here are a few odds and ends from our trip:

On the early, early train to NYC and happy as can be.

You can get any kind of Barbie in a New York City toy store.  Note to Melissa: the Barbie "fashion show" is no longer at FAO.  We were all so disappointed!!

Coloring in FAO.

There is an entire line of legos geared toward little girls.  Elizabeth was fascinated by it.

The girls loved these ridiculous stuffed animals in FAO

A dancing M&M at the M&M store.

The "ball" in Times Square.

Posing with a Star Wars lego sculpture.