9-21 Since we were staying near BOS, we took a taxi to BON to catch the Downeaster to Portland. It was another pretty ride, arriving about noon. We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn on the Waterfront. It was very nice and had a shuttle and coin laundry and was within walking distance of everything we wanted to see on the waterfront. We strolled along the beautiful waterfront until 2:00 pm. Then we caught the Lucky Catch, a working lobster boat! What fun! How many times do 2 seniors from Louisiana get to go lobstering ! We and our about 10 shipmates helped bait and launch the traps. Capitalism at it's best! We paid $35.00 each to work! We learned so much and saw 6 lighthouses and 2 forts and other sights in the Casco Bay, including a harbor seal. After 1 1/2 hours, we were back at the harbor where we had a wonderful Lobster roll. We checked out the shops and sights going back to our hotel.
9-22 After breakfast at the Hilton (not included in the hotel price), we took their shuttle back to the station. Our Downeaster left on time. We sat in the Dome car for beautiful views. We arrived at BON and took a taxi to BOS. We took the Northeast Regional to Baltimore. After about 8 hours, we arrived at BAL and took a taxi to The Inn at Henderson Wharf, a beautiful location , right on the water.
9-23 After breakfast (included) we walked along the harbor and caught the Water Taxi. It was a great way to see the bay and get to Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key wrote The Star Spangled Banner. A beautiful place and great learning experience. Then we caught the Water Taxi again to see the rest of the Harbor, including some tallships, a submarine, a pirate ship and 2 Coast Guard ships and the shortest (7 feet) lighthouse we have ever seen. We retrieved our luggage from our hotel and taxied to the station. The Baltimore station is a bit dismal. Wifi is available only at 2 charging stations, where you take turns standing . The Crescent coming from NYP was 2 hours late. We were then on our way home to Louisiana.
9-24 We arrived in NOL 2 hours late and headed to our hotel, which was an experience in itself!. The Ace Hotel is a clean hotel in the Warehouse District. But let me just say, I don't think it is meant for families or conservative seniors, no matter how many Rocketmiles points you get. LOL Of course, it is New Orleans.
9-25 We took the SL back to LCH. It was another wonderful Amtrak trip (our only kind of travel now). The only way it could have been better, is if the foliage had been better. I'm sure October is a prettier time. But we needed to catch the Port Kent Ferry, that closes 9-24 and we had a grandbaby due at home. But in our opinion, any train trip is a good trip. Happy rails!
9-22 After breakfast at the Hilton (not included in the hotel price), we took their shuttle back to the station. Our Downeaster left on time. We sat in the Dome car for beautiful views. We arrived at BON and took a taxi to BOS. We took the Northeast Regional to Baltimore. After about 8 hours, we arrived at BAL and took a taxi to The Inn at Henderson Wharf, a beautiful location , right on the water.
9-23 After breakfast (included) we walked along the harbor and caught the Water Taxi. It was a great way to see the bay and get to Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key wrote The Star Spangled Banner. A beautiful place and great learning experience. Then we caught the Water Taxi again to see the rest of the Harbor, including some tallships, a submarine, a pirate ship and 2 Coast Guard ships and the shortest (7 feet) lighthouse we have ever seen. We retrieved our luggage from our hotel and taxied to the station. The Baltimore station is a bit dismal. Wifi is available only at 2 charging stations, where you take turns standing . The Crescent coming from NYP was 2 hours late. We were then on our way home to Louisiana.
9-24 We arrived in NOL 2 hours late and headed to our hotel, which was an experience in itself!. The Ace Hotel is a clean hotel in the Warehouse District. But let me just say, I don't think it is meant for families or conservative seniors, no matter how many Rocketmiles points you get. LOL Of course, it is New Orleans.
9-25 We took the SL back to LCH. It was another wonderful Amtrak trip (our only kind of travel now). The only way it could have been better, is if the foliage had been better. I'm sure October is a prettier time. But we needed to catch the Port Kent Ferry, that closes 9-24 and we had a grandbaby due at home. But in our opinion, any train trip is a good trip. Happy rails!
