Dreaming of a Trip to the Eastern States of America
In front of me, I have two large travel brochures on the USA and an old map from the 1980s. My husband and I can spend about three to four weeks in June and July. We have family in Fairfax Virginia to visit as well as our lovely blogging friend Paula Pederson who will be in Maine. That’s the two fixed places to stay.
The question is how much more can I manage to see without spoiling the experience with too much travel.
I am very interested in American history, the Founding Fathers, The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, The Civil War and the Pilgrims.
I know I will be overwhelmed by the size of the USA as Denmark is so small in comparison.
We could fly to Boston and as Paula says to take an express bus to Portland and stay nearby our lovely new friends in Maine for some days. We know through Paula’s father’s story. He was a famous builder of Seattle at the beginning of the 1900s. We already met last year in California, but we would like to share more stories in person. That’s what blogging can do! From Maine to Whitefield, Bretton Woods in the White Mountains where a veteran train takes you to the top of Mount Washington. A rented car is necessary.
Back to Boston for a few days to see the historical centre once again. My first visit to the USA was Boston and Washington D.C. in 2009, and I long back to these famous cities. I hadn’t started to blog then, but I wrote about the impressions to save the memories.
From Boston, I would like to rent a car and go to Newport to see the original colonial buildings from before the Independence. If there is the time, we could see Cape Cod and Hyannis. There is a museum on JFK in Hyannis.
Plimoth Plantation (from my travel brochure)
In Plymouth, I would like to the Plymouth Rock. The Pilgrims from Mayflower stepped on that rock and nearby is the Plimoth Plantation as a reconstruction of their settlement from the cradle of The United States. Do you think we should fly from Boston to Washington to save time? Contradictory to that is that I would like to visit Philadelphia where The Declaration of Independence was written and declared in 1776. The Founding Fathers were sweating in the heat for months to complete their dangerous task of writing the Declaration of Independence. They didn’t know wheater the sun went up or down! I couldn’t find the quote, and I might have it mixed by a quote from the creation of the Constitution.
Pictures from my travel brochure
In Washington DC I would love to see the Mall with the famous museums. My favourites from our last visit were the Historical Museum and the National Gallery of Art. The War memorials and Arlington Cemetary are a must as well.
I would like to book a guided tour of The Capitol by a Guide, David Barton who will tell the Christian background of the Founders and the Capitol. If that is not a possibility, I can buy a book on the information. I prefer a guided tour. Visitthecapitol.gov
From Washington D.C., I would like to see the Gettysburg Battlefields from the Civil War. Imagine that I could match the days where the inhabitants enact the battle! The Amish people at Lancaster in the same area would be so exciting to see too. I took an online course on Thomas Jefferson and found him so much more interesting than modern history tells. His home Montecelli Plantation is at Charlottesville in Virginia. What about Williamsburg with the historic sights?
Please let me have lots of comments and suggestings on this wish list. Tell me if I am unrealistic. I have never been on such a long journey.
Last time in Boston and Washington D.C. in 2009, we had four days each place and one day of travel between the cities. We saw lots of sights in a short time.
Categories: Culture, Historical issues, Travelling, USA
From one Heart to Another 
Back in January I flew into Boston and took C&J bus to Portsmouth (which I think that’s what your friend is suggesting you do) – I can honestly say that it’s worth it and a really nice ride. It’s not super scenic but it takes the pressure off of yourself in the traveling. The buses are nice with outlets and the bus station is clean and they are friendly.
I went to school in Boston – so my recommendations: people will suggest Mike’s Pastry – meh. Modern Pastry is superior with less of a wait (but still a wait). Definitely check out the North End while you are there. Be a tourist and check out Quincy Market, but I’ve seen better markets in London so its underwhelming in comparison. The beautiful street picture you have posted in this entry is located in Beacon Hill which is also worth a trip to walk around – especially in the spring/summer. Try to make it to Harvard Square: Veggie Planet for lunch, Burdick for the best cup of drinking chocolate in the US (and chocolates in general) , and Tealuxe for a great cuppa tea. The square has a ton of wonderful places to wander through – not to mention the Harvard campus. Back in Boston – Prudential Center is a fun shopping mall and if you feel like spending the money – going to the top of the Pru for a beautiful view of the city. Fenway Park is nice, but the area surrounding it is my old stomping grounds and I would recommend just wandering around (though it’s changed a lot in the 10+ years since I’ve been there). For a fun flavor of a little Boston neighborhood that most tourists don’t go to (but locals do), check out Coolidge Corner. Lots of fun shops and artsy places.
Leaving Boston, instead of renting a car, consider taking a train down to Philadelphia. Rent once you are there (though I’ve never been to Philly so I can’t vouch for the drivers – I do know they are notorious for being awful for parking). The train will give you a more scenic view of New England and I believe stops through NYC which might be worth a day trip. From Philly you’ll probably want to rent a car to DC, but that also on a trainline. My philosophy with traveling in the states is to use as little cars as possible and local/mass transit. Drivers in metro areas can be awful for visitors unfamiliar with culture and roads.
Lot of information – but it sounds like a great trip planned! Good luck and I hope you have fun!
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Dear MS/Mommy that’s so kind of you to tell me all that. Exactly as I hoped sombody would do. I will go back to your comment and use it in the further planning. I loved to be in Boston the one time we were there in 2009, but it was very hot and we mainly walked around at the Freedom Trail and famous places not knowing much more than that
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This sounds like a very good plan. America is so huge though, it’s impossible to narrow it down completely. Maine is absolutely beautiful though (places in Finland remind me of Maine), and there are lots of historical buildings you’ll be able to see. I went to school in Hampden (well, that was one of the places), and it inspired me to write a whole novel. The building dates back to the late 1800s if I remember correctly.
Do you remember the name of the course you took on Thomas Jefferson? I, too, am fascinated by him, but my main fascination was with Thomas Bolling Robertson, who was governor of Louisiana in the very early 1820s. His wife was 27 or 33 years younger than him (sources differ), and she came from a very prestigious family with some links to Jefferson. After her husband’s death she built up and maintained her family’s plantation, Prestwould, and its one of the best documented plantations to this day, if not the best. Book keeping, meticulous notes on expenses, preserved interior, everything. So, definitely recommend going there if you can. I haven’t been yet, but I’m dying to go.
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So interesting Theresa ! It was called “Age of Jefferson” University of Virginia
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Thank you.
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You have some wonderful highlights planned, Maria, and as a Mainer, I am thrilled that Maine is on your list of placed to go. I will check out Paula as I do not know her and it is always nice to meet a Maine blogger. Don’t you think it is so much fun to anticipate a trip? Almost as fun as actually going on the trip!
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So true and a lovely way to prepare the trip. Please check Paula’s blog
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