New England 2018 Day 6

October 3

We left Massachusetts, and headed north. Lots of driving, but also some more history and incredible beauty.

New Hampshire State House, Concord, New Hampshire

New Hampshire State House
Liberty Bell replica on the grounds of the New Hampshire State House
Close up of the dome.
Marker on the State House exterior wall.
House Chamber
Governor’s Council Room

Home and Grave of President Franklin Pierce, Concord, New Hampshire

The Pierce Manse
Home of Franklin Pierce, 14th President of the United States, serving from 1853-1857.
The Pierce Manse
With railroad tracks in the front yard! (For you, Jason!)
Grave of Franklin Pierce

McAuliffe-Shephard Discovery Center, Concord, New Hampshire

Entrance to the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center.

This center is named for astronauts Christa McAuliffe and Alan Shepard.

Christa McAuliffe, a school teacher in Concord, was the first American civilian selected to go into space. She tragically died in the space shuttle Challenger’s explosion shortly after lift-off in 1986.

Alan Shepard, a New Hampshire native, was the first American in space when the Freedom 7 spacecraft blasted off into a sub-orbital 15 minute flight in 1961. He was one of the original seven Mercury program astronauts, which were depicted in the movie The Right Stuff.

Mercury rocket
Mercury 7 capsule. This black section of the rocket is where the astronauts were seated. This capsule would return to earth in the ocean under parachutes. It was must-see TV in the 1960s. 
This chart shows the rockets NASA used for different programs.
The one on the far left is the Mercury, which is on display at this center.
The largest rocket is the Saturn V, which launched astronauts on their moon flights.
Compare that with the shuttle rocket on the far right.

New Castle, New Hampshire

Fort William and Mary in New Castle, New Hampshire was the sight of the first American victory in the Revolutionary War in 1774. The Americans, led by Captain John Langdon and Major John Sullivan, captured the fort and removed the British guns and stores.

Gate of Fort William and Mary
Ruins of Fort William and Mary
There are many Colonial-era houses here that are right on the street! They must use the back door to come and go!

USS Albacore Museum, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

So when we were planning our New England trip, Mary Jean was very excited to visit the USS Albacore Museum. This museum is a real submarine that visitors can actually walk through. We go up to buy the tickets, and Mary Jean is all “I can’t do it”, so I went in by myself. It was really neat.

USS Albacore Museum
USS Albacore
Submarine propellers
Me at the helm.
The periscope – it actually works! I was able to see the cars outside!
A typical hatch between rooms. It was too small for me to get through without sitting and bending low.
Check the reading on that gauge!
Where’s Kieran?
Very complex systems.
Now, which valve am I supposed to close?

Nubble Lighthouse, York, Maine

This was such a big disappointment! I was so looking forward to seeing one of the most photographed lighthouses in the USA! And what did I see?

Nubble Lighthouse undergoing “maintenance”.
Close-up view.
It was not a total loss, however. The Atlantic Ocean crashing into the rocks.
The beauty of God’s creation!

Lobster Lunch in Ogunquit, Maine

Within the Perkins Cove area of Ogunquit, Maine, there is…
…a lobster restaurant.
We were told that the best lobsters would be found at a place with “shack” in its name.
She found it!!
A busy place.
Ready for action!
Uh oh! TWO lobsters?
Getting after it!
Really going good now.
Last bite.
Best lobsters she has ever had.
By the way, up here they are “lobstahs”, not “Maine lobsters”.
Also, in Perkins Cove there is an old draw bridge.
A sailboat goes through the open drawbridge.
Perkins Cove and the Atlantic Ocean.

President George H. W. Bush’s Compound, Kennebunkport, Maine

The Bush Compound in Kennebunkport, Maine

Kennebunkport, Maine

Blowing Cave across from the Bush Compound.
Atlantic Ocean at Kennebunkport
Simply beautiful – the water was really blue and the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks was constant.
Atlantic Ocean at Kennebunkport
St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, built 1892, right by the ocean!

Maine State House, Augusta, Maine

Front of the state capitol.
Close-up of the dome, which appears black, but is actually copper.
Rear of the capitol, and the visitors entrance. Unfortunately, we were too late to tour the building.
Liberty Bell replica on the grounds of the Maine State House.

Old Fort Western, Augusta, Maine

Old Fort Western dates back to 1754, and is America’s oldest surviving wooden fort.
Outside the fort.
Inside the fort.
Inside the fort.