Good morning Baltimore
There's the flasher who lives next door
There's the bum on his bar room stool
They wish me luck on my way to school

I love musicals and plays! AND I loved hairspray so it only made sense to stop in Baltimore while in Maryland. I was told about this amazing restaurant, the name escapes me now, but I went to check it out two days in a row and it was closed. The phone number was also disconnected, so I can only concluded it is done with. On the trip so far I have had the pleasure of meeting up with college friends, relatives, friends of friends and making new friends but in Maryland I was able to catch up with a high school friend. It was great! She took me to a Jane Austin play Sense and Sensibility.  The theater was gorgeous and as usual, I loved the play. The best part was that my cousin's friend was in the play. Things like that always make you realize how small a world it is. The play took place at the Shakespeare Theater, so she took me out to eat at a restaurant called Romeo and Juliet. Later on in the week we got together to bake which you can read about in the treat section and we did some wine tasting. More on that later!

I also visited Annapolis. What can I say you can't keep me away from the ocean, I'm hooked. Plus the crab was calling me. One outside decoration that you never see in Minnesota, but I thoroughly enjoy are seashell landscaping! Maybe I'll make it a Midwest trend or be Midwest Crazy.

Delaware maybe a small state, but it has big history. It was our very first state. Driving from New Jersey to Maryland, I literally sneezed and I was done driving through it. It rained the entire time I was in Delaware so don't be judgy, but... I didn't take in the history...I took in a movie. I know it is silly, but it was nice and relaxing. I rarely see movies back at home so it was a real treat. Plus I am a popcorn fanatic.

Earlier this year I visited Erie, PA and now I'm on the other side in Philadelphia. I was able to visit another cousin which is always fun. She showed me around to some of the historic sights. Of course we visited Ben Franklin's grave sight. I am not sure if I mentioned this before but my first ever report was on Ben Franklin. Ever since then he has always had a special place in my heart. My cousin thought I was having a religious experience when I bent down to touch the tomb stone, but I was just trying to pick up some of the pennies on it. Awkward, lol!

Some other interesting sight I checked out were: The Liberty Bell, Rocky, Joan of Arc, and a jail that once held Al Capone.

Oh and don't worry of course I tried an authentic Philly Cheese steak. I did not know that authentic meant cheese whiz.

I made it to New Jersey! Survived driving through New York! When I arrived in New Jersey I was told, "There's nothing like the Jersey Shore and nothing is better." There are now two things that I tell everyone I meet when I'm on this trip:
1. I love Dolly Parton
and now...
2. I love the Jersey Shore
It's not the first thing I say but it comes up in conversation. Both things evoke immediate chuckles. I'm a regular comedian. Here are the reasons I loved the Jersey Shore:
1. It doesn't have a really strong fishy smell like other beaches I've been to
2. Great unique shops mixed in with touristy shops
3. Lots of activities
4. The fair style food
5. Even the salt water taffy taste better
6. There is nothing better than a day at the beach!
7. Live music

I also made a quick trip up to New York to visit my cousin and have a New York brunch! She is an actress and is absolutely fabulous.
Check out her website: http://www.amandathickpenny.com
You can just barely see the Statue of Liberty on our walk.

I did do other things besides visit the shore. I went to Thomas Edison's home and factory. Thomas Edison punched into work everyday just like his employees.  His factory was simply amazing and sort of eerie. I am blown away by how many inventions he had, 1093. His factory looks as though it is still up an running. It is as if everyone left work one day and never came back. Everything looks exactly as they left it, but cleaner. I never knew he played a role in creating movies.

I think I should share this delicious treat with you because I am pretty sure I made inappropriate sounds of delight and approval throughout my entire dining experience here. If you ever make it out to Asbury, NJ check out this restaurant: http://www.brandosnj.com.

And of course I couldn't miss the aquarium! Nemo's relatives are very camera shy!

When I was in the Boston area, I thought for sure I'd go to Harvard. Then I didn't. Now in Connecticut I thought I'd go to Yale and of course...I didn't! I really can't bring myself to go to a university I didn't attend unless I'm visiting a friend or watching a football game. I know the architecture is usually amazing, but it's not my thing.

While in Connecticut, I went down and visited Mystic. For those of you who remember the movie, of course I ate at Mystic Pizza. I tried a calzone and it had a ton of ricotta cheese. In the words of Rachel Ray, "Yum-O." They also believe in giant portions at Mystic. The calzone lasted me 4 meals. Then I thought I'd make a day of visiting a cider mill, but its not an all day event like  an apple orchard in Minnesota. The cider and baked goods are still delicious, but Minnesota does fall right.

I spent most of my time in Providence, RI. In many of these older states I almost always come across a cobblestone road. Every time I think my car is going to rattle apart when I drive on them. One of the ladies I met in Provincetown messaged me and we got together for dinner. I love that she reached out to me. After all that is what this trip is all about; meeting new friends, making memories and experiencing new adventures. I also met some lovely ladies from Turkey and Istanbul. They gave me lots of good travel tips for Europe and surrounding areas. European road trip next? Who knows The skies the limit!

Newburyport, Boston, Cape Cod and Provincetown all in a very short visit. Newburyport at one point had its own version of the Boston Tea Party, obviously not as big or as well known. The town is filled with big beautiful ocean homes, history and fun shops carrying old, new and renewed things. A very New England Area. Believe it or not, I actually saw my first SUN RISE!  I took a picture for proof, but by the time the dogs got settled the pictures were blurry and the opportunity was passed. The chances of waking up for another one??? Probably slim.

I have never been to Boston, but this won't be my last visit. Boston is amazing and so rich with history. I visited Quency Market, The Public Market and Cheers. I also did my absolute favorite thing to do in any town...the hop on/hop off trolley tour.

For the second half of Massachusetts, I headed out to Cape Cod. There is a lot of traffic to get in and out of the area, but it is so worth it. Provincetown is a blast and if you ever make it out there eating at The Lobster Pot is a must. If you can sit at the upstairs bar, do it! I met a fabulous group of ladies there and on the weekends you might too. If they introduce themselves as Chris, Chris and Nancy, please say hi from Johanna.

In New Hampshire it was pug city. Four little pugs running around the house for four days. I visited Hampton Beach where I fell in love with the road signs shaped like sails. Although you miss all the hustle and bustle by going this time of year you get lots of deals!!! The stores all have 50% off sales. Plus a day at the beach is always a good day. The next day I visited Portsmouth. It is a lovely town with lots of unique shops, restaurants and coffee shops. I tried chicken and waffles...I don't get the appeal at all. I also need to stop trying things that have maple anything in them. I've now realized I'm a honey girl all the way and just the smell of maple makes me want to vomit. I will now be starting my journey down the coast! Stay tuned!

Maine's welcome sign says, "The way life should be" and I couldn't agree more. The smell of the ocean, lobster and friendly people. I stayed with an old coworker's parents and they were so sweet. The welcome Johanna sign was the best! They told me about the good places to check out, brought me to the ocean and took me out to dinner. They also introduced me to a British cop show that I'm excited to watch when I get back home called, New Tricks. I visited Portland and walked Commercial Street. Lots of great shops and restaurants. I had my very first potato donut from Holy Donut. I definitely like the regular potato donuts over the sweet potato donuts.  I ate my fair share of Lobster. I had a lobster roll, clam bellies, crab roll and shrimp. BUT! The most sinful delight was definitely the Lobster stew. Oh my goodness, soup that good should not be legal.

It is now past September 15, so that means my east coast portion of this trip is now half way up. It has been a dream so far.