Yesterday, spent the day sightseeing in beautiful Philadelphia.  The city tour bus guide gave a great review of the city's history. I knew it was our first capital, but I didn't realize (or remember) that Philadelphia built the first university and the first hospital.  Of course, it is where the Declaration of Independence was created and signed.  

One highlight on the City Bus Tour was the stop at the Eastern State Penitentiary which is now a museum.  Most noted was the revolutionary design. The wards/wings spanned out from a centeral point like spokes in a wheel.  One guard could survey each of the seven long wings from one central point. It was the first time crminials were separated into individual cells with no contact with other inmates.  Al Capone's cell was part of the guided tour.  Another noted criminal was a dog named "PEP".  He was a black Lab with the serial # C2559.  His crime?  He killed the Govener's wife's beloved cat.  (SEE LINK BELOW) 
http://www.easternstate.org/contact/press-room/photos/pep-dog-mug-shot

I visited the site where Benjamin Franklin's home stood.  I also stopped at Christ Church and sat in the family pew owned by Benjamin Franklin.  Liberty Bell was smaller than I had imagined, but beautiful none the less.  Stopped at the Dandelion Pub on 18th Street.  The Heirloom Tomato Salad was plated beautifully and tasted fantastic!.  I also ordered the Fish & Chips which they are famous for. 

Awake at 5:30 am (2:30 am PST!!).  Today, I'm preparing for my return home. 

Farewell Maine -

Took some final photos this morning of Sam's comfortable abode.  All Sam needs now is to have some Maine Coon cats to keep any mice population in check.  He also would benefit from a large dog to protect his property and a vision of a sleeping dog in front of a blazing fireplace with the approaching winter months ahead.

Peaceful view from the downstairs bathroom

Beautiful scenic 2 hour drive to Bangor in 73 degree weather with clear blue skies.  We stopped for lunch again at the Sea Dog Brewing Company.  I ordered a blackened Haddock sandwich with homemade chips and a Caesar salad.

This guy greets you when you enter the Sea Dog Brewing Company

Arrived at Bangor International Airport with some time to spare.  My flight to Philadelphia has been delayed.  Departed at 4:20 pm


Arrived Philadelphia at 5:40 pm.  Collected my checked baggage just as I called the hotel for a pickup.  By the time I reached zone 4, the shuttle was waiting.

Awakened again today with the sun's rays coming in my bedroom window.  Today we will visit Lubec & the isle of Campobello, in New Brunswick.  Just a short drive over the bridge from Lubec, Maine

Driveway approach to the Cottage at Campobello

 Visited the isle of Campobello.  This was the summer home for Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt which is located on Canadian soil.  

The back of the Cottage overlooking the Bay

Stopped off at the Guoddy Head State Park  just to visit the Easternmost part of the United States.  The Quoddy Head Lighthouse was a highlight of this side excursion on our way to Campobello.  The original Lighthouse was built in 1808. But In 1858, the red and white Lighthouse was replaced.  

Quoddy State Park Lighthouse - The Easternmost area you can visit in the U.S.

Another view of the Lighthouse 

Lunch at Frank's Dockside Restaurant in Lubec; a little town at the Canadian border crossing.  Ordered the Clam & Shrimp basket and a cup of Fish Chowder.  The Fog Bank Cake is their signature dessert. 

The Chowder was full of flaky Haddock.  The fried calms and Shrimps were lightly breaded

Awakened by the sunrise.  After breakfast, took a 1 hour walk down a country road.   Came across two large fuzzy caterpillars crossing the road.  

Lunch again at the Happy Crab in  Eastport.  Ordered Seafood Chowder.  

Dining & Living Area at Cosy

Today we return back to Maine.  Quebec City is a beautiful City with much more to see, but it will have to wait for another visit.  I have enjoyed my stay at this apartment called COSY. 

Adequate cooking facilities in the kitchenette at Cosy

 I can see why Nadia, the owner named it so.  We would have stayed one more night but unfortunately Nadia had it already rented.  So, we have an 8 hour car trip ahead of us.

 

 

 

Beautiful drive back along Canada Road Highway 201.

The first sign of Fall
 

 

 

Mountain waterfall

 

 

 

Stopped for lunch at the Sea Dog Brewing Company in Banger www.seadogbrewing.com  

I ordered the Sea Dog Lobster Feast which included: delicious calm chowder, 1 pound steamed soft shell Maine lobster which was very tender.  It was served over steamed mussels in not so hot a broth with crispy french fries and cold slaw on the side and a pint of Owl's Head Light Ale.  Sam had the Jaeger Schnitzel with lumpy mashed potatoes and steamed French Chard.

 

Gravel road that leads to Sam's home

Reached Sam's home in time for the evening news and weather report. 

Surprised to see a hurricane is in the Atlantic just East of Maine which will bring high surf and winds to the coastal regions.  So far the weather is calm where I am.

Awakened by my cat walking slowly across my bed early this morning.  Wait a minute - I don't have a cat here in Quebec.  So, I went back to sleep.

Had a great cup of coffee made with a French coffee press.  The owner left some finely ground coffee in the small refrigerator.   The bread and liver pate is what I had for my breakfast.

Sam and I explored the Old City and Citadel by foot today.  Had a delicious bison hamburger with chicory greens and blue cheese for lunch near the Fairmont - Le Manoir Richelieu Hotel which has a beautiful copper roof.

Fairmont Hotel



Dinner was at  Thaizone , a fast food restaurant on Rue Cartier that was comparable to any Thai food I have ever eaten.

 Several woks cooking at once

Fresh ingredients for the Pad Thai and Chop Suey we ordered

It threatened rain most of the day.  But it wasn't until we returned to the apartment after a full day of site seeing that the rain began to fall.  Perfect timing to end the day.

Awake at 3:00 am.  Some difficulty returning to sleep because the silence was deafening.  Not a sound to be heard in the countryside surrounding Sam's house. 

5:30 am the alarm clock sounded.  Got up for coffee.   Sam and I will drive to Quebec City today!

Maine is a land of trees, rivers, lakes, ponds, streams and Moose signs, but no Moose were to be seen.

The drive up the mountain into the Providence of Quebec was spectacular.  We arrived in Quebec City around 4:00 pm.  Since Sam's GPS was not picking up our destination's address, we had to wing it.  I told him I know it is near the Old Town and 300 meters from Cartier Street.  With luck, we found Cartier street.  From there I asked directions from a polite young man with a beautiful Siberian Husky.  We found the apartment on Rue de Chateauguay with little problem.  The keys were waiting for us in the mailbox and a map of the city on the dining table.  

The door on the right leads to the second floor dining room kitchen and 1st bedroom.  My bedroom is in the loft.

Steps leading up to the Old City and down to the apartment on Rue Chateauguay

Later Nadia, the owner who lives downstairs, met us and gave us a brief description of the city layout. There are two parts of the city: upper and lower.  To reach the upper part of the walled city, you have to climb many steps, if you are not driving. 

Dinner in Tunisian restaurant named Carthage.  Food and service was mediocre and pricey. The salad was good though.  Coffee and desert never arrived.

Salad Oriental at the Carthage Restaurant

For my breakfast in the morning, I bought a baguette and pate at a rather upscale (read - very expensive) market.

Upscale market on Rue du St Jean