Day 10- Touring Acadia National Park

A special highlight for me- Entering Acadia National Park

           Rugged beauty…that’s one way to describe Acadia National Park. Foggy beauty…that’s the best way to describe Acadia National Park today! Fog was my fickle friend throughout a day devoted to touring Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island. On one hand, disappointment set in because I knew there were many commanding views of the area I could not fully grasp…On the other hand, the foggy interplay with the forest and the coast made for curiously eerie visuals. A curious fact for you…Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is one of the first places in the United States to see the sun rise…neat!

            I wanted to include Acadia in my fellowship study to get a feel for what it would be like to explore and contemplating living in rough, unspoiled nature, as our founding fathers did when they set up shop on these shores. After just a short time within the park’s boundaries, the scenery quickly reminded me that within its surface beauty lies a treacherous, foreboding parcel of land that would be tough tame and settle. For example try clearing or going around the following examples…

Approaching Sand Beach in Acadia National Park

Approaching Sand Beach in Acadia National Park

            At the end of the path from the above pictures was Sand Beach. Sand Beach is the only sandy beach in Acadia National Park and it is situated right at the front door of the Atlantic Ocean (here going by the pseudonym French Bay). The surf churned, the beach was littered here and there with beach debris, and the water was shockingly cold. Anyone who was crazy enough to cross at the time ocean of colonial immigration was really a rugged individual. Imagine how strong and strong-willed somebody would have to be to cross an unknown ocean and settle in New England? The remainder of the day was spent driving and stopping at various areas within the park to appreciate the scenery and enjoy the solitude. More pictures from that adventure tomorrow..

The Atlantic Ocean behind me, the rugged beauty of Acadia National Park greets the waters...

The water is so cold it will take your breath away. Shocking at first, then soothing, but very cold.

One of many endless vistas that surround you in Acadia National Park...

            Bar Harbor, ME is a post-card perfect town just outside of the ANP boundaries.  Plenty of shopping, picturesque views, and, of course, eating opportunities! After a day of touring the park, I was ready to get into some classic New England fare…Tonight’s feature was a stop at Geddy’s right on Main Street. Geddy’s came from a local recommendation and they must be doing something right because their doors opened in 1974…

I opted for a fried clam dinner with crab bites. Before you roll your eyes saying, “Fried, again?” let me first explain that fried seafood is a New England tradition and when entrée is fresh, fresh, fresh as it is here, fried is culinary Nirvana. Of course, it help keep the meal planning within budget. Here’s the call on dinner:

Few things beat a New England Fried Clam Dinner...

Local place, local color, GREAT food...Bar Harbor, Maine is fantastic!

The fried clams were buttery smooth with a light, crispy crust that nicely countered the tender goodness of the clams. To go with the clams I prefer a puddle of catsup, a drizzle of hot sauce, and a container of fresh tartar sauce. Each bite gets a pass through the condiments as I see fit…Sometimes I go all catsup for cool and tangy, other times I hit the hot with the cool tartar, and other times I go for all three in a flavor bonanza. Each bite takes strategy, and it’s all based on personal preference. I’d probably get a gold medal in condiment use, but of course, the condiments should not outclass or over power the main dish…they are used to simply enhance the focus of the feast. Along with the clams came good crunchy fries and a tangy slaw that rounded out the meal. Included was a sourdough biscuit that was not in the same league as its plate pals, but I dispatched it nonetheless. Enjoying a fried clam dinner in New England never gets old.

The crab bites get their own paragraph. Imagine brown, crispy golf balls sitting on your plate. You marvel at two things: 1) How perfectly round they are for a fresh-made dish and 2) You wonder how you’ll ever have the self-control to NOT order two more orders to go with the first order once you have your first bite. The crab bites, without a doubt, were the winner of the dinner. You pick up your tasty golf ball, eye it up as you think of your approach, then you sink your teeth into something you’ll never find as good back home in Chicago. After my first bite I was impressed and I carefully (and I mean CAREFULLY) planned how I would eat the remaining 2.5 crab bites. Here’s what you face when you eat one:

The crab bite’s outer texture is firm and crispy but upon biting into it for a bite the crust instantly surrenders into a medley of savory flavors that all combine to show of the main ingredient: Fresh crab. There’s veg (peas and carrots, maybe cabbage?), mayo, seasonings, and crab all packed into each crab bite and the combination of the crispy outer edge and the gummy/smooth savory center gives you INCREDIBLE mouth feel (Thanks, Laura!). It’s a flavor explosion in your mouth and I felt happy and sad after I polished off my first bite: Happy because I discovered a new eating item that I will remember forever (I love and REMEMBER my foods…) and sad because I only had two more to enjoy before they were gone…Here, the textures AND the flavors both played such an important role that I’m already contemplating on a return trip to Geddy’s for another order…but then the dilemma would be what other new experience would I give up for a return visit? Alas, tomorrow has yet to unfold. I think I'll have another bite!

Wow! The Crab Bites are incredible...Note the hot sauce lurking in the tartar sauce for a slight kick...

Leaving Geddy’s, Bar Harbor’s waterfront, just across the street, offered up its own visual dessert as a prelude to the ice cream dessert I hoped to have after dinner. During dinner the fog lifted and the setting-sun colors were making their way across the land. The view was snapshot perfect for my mind and my camera.

Enjoy my closing photos of both the Bar Harbor waterfront and the dessert I scored about twenty minutes after I took the waterfront picture. I won’t tell you which one I ordered but I will give you a comment and a clue. The comment: All products shown are home-made on site. The clue: When in Maine, eat what comes from Maine. The verdict: Simply heaven.

Sun setting and fog lifting on the waterfront in Bar Harbor, ME. It's like walking into a post card...

What would YOU order?

 Thank you for joining me today. I hope you feel like you’re here…~Mr. K.

Day 9- Boston - Ellesworth, ME (Acadia National Park)

Ahhh...back in New Hampshire, one of my favorite states...just passing through today!

Maine- Hard to get to, SO worth the effort!

 Another day, two more states to add to the count…New Hampshire and Maine! These two states are among my favorite New England states for several reasons: Beautiful natural beauty, excellent seafood, and a certain New England calm that soothes my soul.  Add to that wonderful, smooth roads and wonderful, friendly people and it all sounds great to me!

My time in New Hampshire is short…just cutting across the state! However, just long enough for a picture! I have family in Southern New Hampshire so I am fortunate to have a good feel for this part of our country. However, I know very little about the White Mountain area and other places up north…That will change one day! Here’s a quirky sign from the state welcome center…

New Hampshire is just a polite state!

 Onward to Maine, a state that I always thought to be very special: 1) It’s beautiful and impressive, 2) You have to make a pretty concerted effort to get to Maine. My love of Maine is partly wrapped up in the fact that it’s off the beaten trail! I am glad to return to this state for the second time in two years and for the third time ever in my life. Then again, Maine has some strange sightings, too, like the pizza oven trailer pictured below...

Portable pizza oven trailer? America is the land of opportunity!

Of course, what’s a visit to Maine without a stop for food? I arrived in Portland, ME and headed straight to Pickles and Po’ Boys based on the great online reivews…One guest mentioned that she dreams about the blackened fish sandwich. After today’s feast, I hope to have the same dreams…the only nightmare might be that I won’t get to return there any time soon! The pictures below say it all…

No chains for me...I love to eat local favorites...Today's lunch was INCREDIBLE!

I couldn't wait to dig in, but it was too hot to eat...Time for a picture!

Blackened fish sandwich, fried shrimp, cajun slaw, tangy pickels..All to die for!

Heading North towards Bangor and Bar Harbor today leads me to another geographical milestone of this fellowship…I will reach my most northern point of my trip as I roll past Newport, ME. (Just an FYI- North Dakota is by far more north than Maine. Maine’s proximity is skewed by the map projection distortions). I like to celebrate such milestones in my travels…

Taken to celebrate arriving at the most northern point of my fellowship

 I close today’s musings with an image of the road…Endless forest of green and silky smooth highway that goes on forever. I logged another 350 miles today and I’m at about 1700 total thus far for the fellowship. Take a good look at this highway picture and make a plan to take a ride up I-95 North for yourself one day…

This is Maine...come on up and see what it's about!

Thanks for joining me…~Mr. K.

Week 1 Reflection

The coordinates indicate I am at the northernmost part of my fellowship!

            One week and 1,700 miles later it is time to take stock of my American adventure in the Finding the Founding Fathers fellowship. Suffice to say, this fellowship experience is a life-changing experience for three distinct reasons: 1) I have a more personal connection with important geographical places within our nation’s Midwest and New England regions, 2) I have a richer professional understanding of the key historical events that surround our nation’s pre-revolutionary and revolutionary eras through primary source analysis, and 3) I am empowered as an individual to continually seek new ways to better understand the world. While more than a year of planning and contemplation went into the development of this fellowship,  I am quite happy with how my plans are panning out. The journey is still unfolding and I am already reaping the benefits. Further reflection and distance from this fellowship experience will continue to yield important intrinsic discoveries and more subtle observations for many, many years to come.

            The last seven days are filled with the stunning grandeur of American scenery. The scale of American beauty has quite a range thus far…from the powerful churning waters of Niagara falls to the small meadows of a picnic grove, both examples that connect well with my soul…they remind me that I exist as a living component in a complex natural world. Beyond the beauty lies the scale. After seventeen hundred miles I am still in the same country…only seven states away from where I started in Chicago, Illinois. However, as I write this reflection in a hotel room in Ellsworth, ME, I feel wholly separated from all things that I associate with my “home” in Chicago. Sure the language and the money are the same, but what is sold, where it’s sold, and how it’s sold are vastly different.  Lobster rolls and fresh fish are sold on every block, people have entire boats sitting in their front yard, and the group psyche is far, FAR more friendlier, and relaxed, when compared to what you’d find in the Windy City. Life happens on a different wavelength in New England and being here is very special to me. The New England spirit in some places is so special in fact it makes me wonder what we’re doing wrong in Chicago…why can’t this palpable positive vibe surround us back home? Individually, we can each work to make the world a better place, however, the collective effort still falls pretty short at times.

            As I designed this fellowship experience I hoped that my time in Boston would serve as a tremendous professional development opportunity for understanding of the American Revolution. I am happy to report I met my goal. My two days of touring the Boston area refreshed my understanding of the years that led up to the revolution and provided me with new insights about the people and the places at the heart of the story. Boston Common, Boston Harbor, the North End, Lexington, and Concord are now the backdrops of my understanding of the events that led up to the revolution. I left Boston with the utmost respect for all of the individuals who risked everything to steer the colonies into direct military confrontation with Great Britain. Of course, Paul Revere, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, and Benjamin Franklin are easy people to admire for their accomplishments. However, today I have as much respect for all of the citizens who joined the colonial leaders and made the revolution possible AND successful.

            A week of travel for this fellowship is an enlightening experience. I am taking full advantage of every learning opportunity I can find and I am making the most of every day scheduled for the fellowship. I am one week into my fellowship and I am proud of my efforts thus far. While this is a draining task I believe I am yielding the maximum benefit possible from the experience I designed. I look forward to what the next two weeks will bring, because each day so far stands out as a twenty-four hour adventure that enhanced my life.

            Thank you for joining me thus far…May the adventure continue!

            Many thanks…rk

After a day of fellowhip touring this is what my evenings are like: Blogging, Tweeting, and writing from 10-2.

Day 8- Touring Boston's Freedom Trail

          Boston is fantastic and is now one of my favorite American cities. Of course, Chicago still tops my list for a variety of reasons, but Boston is a very close second. It has it all: History, character, outdoorsy stuff, great neighborhoods, and access to other great places…like the East Coast! Chicago is great, but its history doesn’t have the depth of Boston’s history. Downtown is clean, vibrant, and the place to be for locals and out-of-towners. Today, this visitor planned to take on the Boston Freedom Trail, the crash-course local history. It was a very special day.

            The freedom trail is a 2.5 mile path that winds around historic Boston and takes you to the front door of “who’s who” in American history. The trail is marked by inlaid red brick in the sidewalk or a painted stripe, as evidenced by the picture below of me at the trail’s beginning point…He’s off!

            The Freedom Trail originates within Boston Common, which dates back to 1634, and is the oldest city park in the United States. As such, a typical day in Boston Common reflects what people usually do in Boston Common: Enjoy the green space.

            My first stop on the trail was the Granary Burying Ground, perhaps the most famous cemetery in Boston. Notable names from the Granary Burying Ground are members of Benjamin Franklin’s family, and the graves of John Hancock, Paul Revere, and Boston Massacre victim Crispus Attucks (the first person to die in the American Revolution). This burying ground is hallowed ground for the people who put everything on the line for the Revolution. It’s quite appropriate that these individuals get the respect they deserve. The Freedom Trail is outstanding. Perhaps one of my favorite stops was the North Park Church, the location where signal lamps were hung to indicate if the British were coming by land or sea.

            After walking around downtown Boston is was time for lunch. The perfect place for lunch, given my morning, would be the oldest tavern in the United States! The Bell-in-Hand Tavern opened in 1796 and continues to serve excellent food to its customers…Please note below a picture of my fish and chips lunch, perhaps the best rendition of this classic dish I’ve hand in a very long time.

Looks good, eh? Fish and Chips at The Bell-in-Hand Tavern

            After lunch I returned to the Freedom Trail to visit the site of the Boston Massacre and the Bunker Hill Monument. The Boston Massacre represents an important change in perception as the skirmish between the British Soldiers and citizens of Boston only increased the clamor of the discontent among citizens. Paul Revere famously used the power of the press, along with liberal interpretations of the event, to sway public opinion in favor of the Patriot cause.

On the Freedom Trail- The site of the Boston Massacre

Bunker Hill Monument

            The Boston adventure continued during the afternoon as I enjoyed visiting other famous sites, including:  Walden Pond, the site and topic of Henry David Thoreau’s book, Walden., the battleground  for the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and the capture of Paul Revere that ended his legendary midnight ride…There is so much to do in Boston!

Anytime is a great time to relax in Thoreau's Walden Pond!

Visiting the capture sight of Paul Revere's midnight ride

            After dinner, I enjoyed reliving the day during an hour-long kayak ride. During this ride, my mind swirled with thoughts and adventures. I hope you enjoyed the day’s retelling...

Kayaking on Dudley Pond, Wayland, MA

Day 7- Touring Boston Harbor, Wayland, and Framingham

"Let your voices be heard!"

           Boston is one of the great American cities. It is rich in history, features beautiful geography, has bustling neighborhoods and is a gateway to the whole Eastern seaboard. I am looking forward to spending two full days touring the city in support of my fellowship. Who were the people who were behind the American Revolution and how did they step up to lead in such times of great social strife?

            Today I received my first lesson in understanding the “who were they?” question as I toured the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum on Boston Harbor. On display were some artifacts from the era, including one of the only two known authentic tea chests from the raid proudly put on display. The museum provided a quality treatment to a story we’ve heard our whole lives. Angry colonists dumped a shipment of tea into Boston Harbor to send a clear message that they were dissatisfied with the Crown’s economic policies regarding levying taxes in the colonies. Actors dressed in period costumes explained the context of the Boston Tea Party and simply noted in their crowd riling that it was important for all individuals to let their voices be heard. This is such a simple statement, but it might reflect one of the key differences between public interest and public ennui with current social and political debates.

            In our country’s history, I sense that individuals were comfortable stepping up for the causes they were passionate about. After all, participants in the Boston Tea Party took a huge risk to destroy the ship’s cargo. They stood up and let their voices be heard on a very large scale, enough so that we’re still talking about their actions more that two hundred years. After the dialogue about the Tea Party I enjoyed the opportunity to throw chest full of tea overboard…I couldn’t resist!

Hauling up a tea half chest...

Going...(With all due respect to my FFT bag!)

Gone! (I kept my bag, tough!)

Below deck of a cargo ship...very tight quarters!

            Lunch followed my harbor-side tour and I was thrilled to note that Flour Bakery had a location just a short walk from my tea-tossing experience. Inspired by the performance, I let my voice be heard as I ordered a delicious sandwich and sticky bun pastry. Flour Bakery’s pecan rolls and related products are famous for selling out before the end of the day…Thankfully, my second mission of the day was successful.

Boston's Flour Bakery- An outstanding local eating hot-spot!

            Returning to my lodging in the early afternoon I took full advantage of Boston’s geography by kayaking in a “pond” just across the street. To you and me, I was kayaking in a lake, in Boston, people call this a pond…Take a look and tell me what you’d call where I kayaked.

This "pond" is huge! Kayaking is a great release...

            Kayaking is a peaceful endeavor. It brings you back to nature, surrounds you by nature, and reminds you that the busy go-go-go life we typically lead should have the opportunities for peaceful pastimes that facilitate emotional and spiritual healing. On the water, my thoughts focused on enjoying the moment, appreciating the fact this one “pond” existed on a scale far different from anything I’m used to seeing in Chicago’s neighborhoods. It reminds you that there are times when humans are less significant to the big picture when it comes to nature. I plan to have an encore kayak performance tomorrow…it was good to connect with that part of my life. I invite you to arrange such an adventure for yourself to see what I’m talking about in this passage.

            Day’s end took me to the common in Framingham town center. End of the day routines were underway and I enjoyed walking around the common, checking out the wares of the local farmer’s market, and studying some buildings from the early 1800s. These buildings are the telltale signs that the voices from the tea party were heard and that the risky venture of the American Revolution took root and led to community expansion and development as a young America hit a social growth spurt. Enjoy my parting shot for the day as we gaze in to a New England tradition: A family relaxing on the common, a church in the background, and a flag pole with a flag prominently displayed together stating that this is just one day in the life of the this part of the United States of America.

            That voice is heard loud and clear, don’t you agree…?

Right up there with Apple Pie and Chevrolet...

Day 6- Albany, NY - Boston, MA

           

         

            I’ve been been gone just under at week and I’ve already logged over 1, 200 miles to date.  The hectic pace is necessary to get to the East Coast while maximizing the opportunities for fellowship growth along the way. I designed today to be a relatively short hop of 170 miles from Albany, NY to Boston, MA to make it a lighter travel day and to gear up for an immersion in Boston. While any day on the road is an opportunity for growth, I thought today would be a good day to catch my breath. There was nothing light or laid-back about today.

            My obscure goal for “seeing and doing” today was the Springfield Armory in Springfield, MA. This destination is a national landmark, off the beaten trail, and takes some degree of effort to get to visit. It’s a perfect place to visit! The Springfield Armory was the nation’s first armory and provided weapons design and production for almost two hundred years. The armory has an impressive collection of firearms. It’s a great stop as it helped me better understand how firearm technology played a significant role in America’s ability to wage effective military campaigns.

On the grounds of the Springfield Armory in Springfield, MA

This is a very impressive collection of authentic antique muskets.

The muskets in detail...

            While I enjoyed the armory visit, the great moments of the day came from simple conversations I had with two individuals I met along the way. The beauty of these encounters comes from the fact that conversations were struck up over simple daily life activities. The first gentlemen pulled up next to me on the grounds (In a BEAUTIFULLY preserved VW Microbus!) of the armory and offered to take a picture of me as he saw my futile attempts to get the shot. At first I declined his offer as I had a shot that would work and I didn’t want to take up his time. An instant later I took him up on his offer.

            Ten minutes later, we had talked about family, his car, Springfield, MA, epic road trips, good food, photography, and history. It was a rich conversation, each of us eager to contribute new insights to the dialogue. We knew each other for moments and we talked liked we knew each other for years. Sadly, I never got his name (a rare oversight for me!), but returned to the armory, found his car, left him a note, and thanked him for the helpful suggestions…I hope he calls or e-mails so I can thank him personally for his gestures. He had SUCH a cool car.

            The second gentleman I met is simply a gem of a human being. With thanks to the Armory VW Huy’s recommendation, I headed to Mom and Rico’s for an Italian deli lunch. Mom and Rico’s is the epitome of a “mom and pop” and when you walk in, you feel like you’re walking into a place you’ve always known. The owner, Rico Daniele, greeted me warmly and offered a sample of the day’s special deli meat on a taste of bread. Freshly sliced capicola (I’m pretty sure!) on fantastic crusty bread is always a winner. Also a winner, the fact that Rico sells his ham sandwich for around $1.43, the same price as the sandwich sold for when he opened the store in the 1970s. It was a great sandwich in a great store, but there’s so much more…

            Rico is a bundle of energy who exudes good vibes to anyone who walks through the door. He’s driven by family, community, and his obvious love of all things Italia. We talked about how great things would be if families found more time to be together, even simply sharing meals on a daily basis. His goal is to make the sport of bocce ball something you’d find on school playgrounds and neighborhood parks. His goal is to get families to play together.

            I admire a man who puts family first and stands up for his community. I certainly admire a man who works hard to bring new opportunities to individuals to enhance their lives. Rico’s heart is in the right place and it was a pleasure to meet someone who takes great satisfaction making the world a better place. It just goes to show that the next great opportunity to live and learn about your world  can come at any moment, even when you walk into the deli…

The One and Only Rico Daniele

            Salute, Rico!

Day 5- Touring Saratoga Battlefield and Adirondack Park

            Albany New York is the urban gateway to the historic and very green areas of the Saratoga Springs and the Adirondack Mountains. As such, I decided to focus on two national treasures for the day: Saratoga National Historical Park and Adirondack Park.

            The drive from Albany to Adirondack Park quickly leaves the urban hustle-and-bustle and heads north on I-87 to Adirondack Park. Adirondack Park boasts a 6,000,000 acre preserve in the heart of upstate New York. As you can see from the picture below, the area is impressive and inviting…

Riding North in I-87 to Adirondack Park and Saratoga Springs, NY

            My first stop for the day was the Lake George region, an area known for its namesake lake nestled in a valley surrounded by verdant mountains. I had just a few moments to pass by the Lake George Village Beach and I thought you’d like to take a look...It’s certainly an area to return to in the future with more time to explore.

            Lunch, the topic for another post, was a wonderful picnic in the Lake George Battlefield Park. Minutes from the from the roadway I pulled into a forest, grabbed the picnic set, enjoyed a PBnJ, some dried plums, potato chips and water. While I enjoyed what I ate, the real treat was where I ate. The East Coast does forests like we can’t imagine in Illinois…at least from the Northern Illinois/Chicago perspective. The fresh smell, the sunlight streaming through the trees, and the smell of undisturbed earth soothes your soul…It reminds me that I don’t get outside enough in my daily life. (I’ll have to change that about my life back home…).

Perfect picnic place!

            The Lake George Battlefield part of the park reflects the area’s rich history as a strategic military point for the French and Indian War (1755-1763) and the American Revolution (1775-1783). A short walk led me past the ruins of Fort George, a fort started but not completed for the French and Indian War. The completed bastion was used by the American forces during the Revolutionary War. Note the intricate stonework and the deliberate angle of the wall in its construction.

Examining the 1759 Fort George bastion

            Onward after lunch to Saratoga National Historical Park. This national landmark preserves the Battle of Saratoga battlefield, described by many as one of the most important victories in warfare. Saratoga played a crucial role in the American Revolution for three key reasons: 1) It was a confidence booster for the American soldiers, they had never defeated the fielded British Army before, 2) It earned the respect of other countries who later backed the revolutionary war effort in the colonies, 3) It swung the momentum of the war to the Americans’ side and eventual victory years later. Benjamin Franklin, an American diplomat in France, used the victory to secure France’s support for the American Revolution.

            The serene battlefield today hides the fact that almost 20,000 soldiers clashed at this location on two separate dates. As you tour the park, you’ll see white posts with red and blue marking indicating the positions of the American forces and the British forces. The battlefield tour is self-guided and take about an hour…Come join me for the highlights…

A positioned field piece

The Battle of Saratoga memorial marker with British line post in background

Exploring the defensive redoubt for the American forces

A view down the American lines

            In the end, perhaps the most important take-away from this experience is that many individuals willingly sacrificed their lives in support of American independence. In our modern day, with our many conveniences and relatively peaceful times, it is easy to overlook the pain and suffering that others endured for our benefit. I hope that by reflecting on The Battle of Saratoga you reconnected, in some way, to your own understanding of individual and collective sacrifices that others made for us long before our time.

            To those who gave I offer this peaceful scene taken from the battlefield today in their honor…