The #OronaSquad in New Hampshire: A 4th of July Train Experience

I have been observing the 4th of July for 11 long years now. But I don't really celebrate it like most Americans do not because I'm NOT an American. In fact, I AM. Well, that's what my passport says. You know what I mean.

The 4th of July should be celebrated with family. Though I have my American family to celebrate with it would be more special if I have my Filipino family to enjoy it too.

A Day in Boston

Boston, Massachusetts is just a couple of hours away from Maine. However, it's not very often that I get the chance to visit it. I can come up with 2 reasons -  traffic and traffic.

It's a good thing that I have a friend who loves to drive and doesn't really mind traffic. Well, not as much as I do.

Californication Day 6 (Part 1): What did happen in Vegas

Our Sta Monica escapade which concluded my 5th day in California technically ended with a hearty meal at one of the restaurants that Carmen brought us to. Too bad I was too overwhelmed to even remember where it was and the name of the food I ordered. Anyway, the following day we woke up early to take my first trip out of L.A. with my dear cousin Joey.

Snow-capped mountain

Our destination... Las Vegas, Nevada!

Arriving early that morning at the strip.

The trip took only about a couple of hours so we got there early for sight seeing. We stayed at the Excalibur Hotel and at this early in the morning, Vegas was just a typical sleeping town... sleepy.

Joey and I were the only souls in the street at this early so we can't ask anybody to take our photos together.

But when the night fell, I was amazed how the city was transformed. It was simply magical. We wasted no time in the Sin City. Right after we checked-in in our hotel, we hit the strip and explored every nook and cranny there is until night fall.

 In front of the Caesar's Palace.

We checked out almost all the hotels and casinos just like any other tourist for that matter. The sights and sounds were too overwhelming for a country girl like me. I didn't like it.

Inside the Caesar's Palace Hotel and Casino

A little tired checking out all the trendy boutiques.

Colorful glass art at the ceiling of the Bellagio Hotel Lobby.

The Fountain. For now - but will surely have a repeat of this in Roma soon. wink*

The strip came alive when when the night falls.

And of course, as for me and my cousin, vacation will not be complete without checking out the "happiest place on the planet." Wink***

After an hour of browsing and getting awed by the wonderful collections inside this wonderful place on earth... we left happy. It was indeed amazing how that "little blue box" made me happy! Just a hindsight. wink***

It was a little chilly that particular night and it spitted snow for few minutes as we headed back to our hotel. It was so funny how the people in this part of America was so excited to see snow when we in my part of America dreaded it. LOL.

We went to bed early to recharge and refresh for the next day's hectic schedule. Thus, Vegas Part 1 officially ends at lights off.

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More Info on Vegas Destination:
1. Caesar's Palace
2. Vegas
3. 20 Great Things to Do in Vegas

This is one of 'MERICA Posts Series. A regular post dedicated to my HOME away from home.

Read more about my 'merica HERE as I share my experiences in this land of amazing People, Culture and Traditions.

Rise or Fall

Life is a game of football. When you fall... just rise back up and aim for a touchdown.

- Ruthi Orona-Gregoire -

-------------------------------- Photo Friday ---------------------------------

To Join Photo Friday Challenge... click HERE.

PYO Apple

One of my favorite seasons here in Maine is the Apple Season. It’s yummy. It’s crunchy. It’s sweet. Summer is almost over and Apple Season came early this year. It is now time to go out and take a trip or two to the orchards and PYO [pick your own apples] is the way to go. It's easy. It's fun. And it's yummy! [If you know what I mean.]

 

I took a trip to the Apple Orchards with my friends. We had breakfast of apple cider donuts with cinnamon and sugar sprinkles and hot apple cider tea at the picnic table located near the farm store and gift shop while enjoying whatever seasonal event they had scheduled for the day.

Apple Ciders and Donuts are a great match.

Apple Cider Donuts are the best donuts around this time.

There are lots of orchards around Maine. People from all over the state and tourists alike come to the orchard to buy their fruits in season. It serves as a fun family activities that Mainers look forward to every summer.

Brackett's Orchard in Limerick

Apple Acres Orchard in Cornish, Maine

Libby's and Sons Orchard in Limerick, Maine

These orchards are open to the public for apple picking. People can pick the apples directly from the tree by hand... or with a special tools... and pay them by the pound. PYO is the best way to buy your fruits when in season because you can choose the fruit straight from the tree. Sampling them is a bonus since you can't do that in the grocery store. LOL

Picking apple straight from the tree.

Apple picking using a special tool.

These special tools for picking apples from the top of the tree are very handy

for vertically challenged people like me. wink**

Apple picking is not just the reason why we go to the Orchards. Believe me you, but there are lots of fun activities and events that your family can enjoy in the orchards aside from picking apples and eating them.

I enjoy... people watching...

I enjoy listening to live music...

I am so excited with the hayrides...

I like getting stuck at the apple maze...

I love to hear the laughter of the kids at play...

and exploring the orchard...

And maybe I would like to have my picture taken in one of those painted objects that has hole in it where you stick your head out.

Well, I don’t expect to get sick this season for I eat more than one apple a day now. Wink* But surely I will keep coming to get my apples from the Orchard until the season ends.

For more interesting places and orchards to go PYO, check out the following link:
1. Brackett's Orchard
2. Libby & Son U-Picks Orchard
3. Apple Acres Orchard

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This is a SPECIAL POST for MAINE Attraction... a regular blog that features everything and anything about my home - Maine.

The Gregoires went picking

Last Wednesday my Sweetest didn't go to work and since it is still vacation for me and B, I decided to plan a blueberry[slash]raspberry picking for the three of us. Good thing my Sweetest didn't really have a plan to go anywhere that day so he said yes.

raspberries

blueberries

We went back to Libby's and Son U-Pick in Limerick because it was shouted out in their facebook page that raspberry picking is open for the day.

back to the orchard

We came a little late because my Sweetest wanted to finish his coffee first. So when we got there the raspberries were all picked out already. But I insisted to see the bushes hoping I would be able to find even just half a pint of raspberries. I just need to have raspberry. It isn't that hard to ask, is it? [wink*]

my Sweetest and B getting ready to be transported to the blueberry/raspberry fields

the view of the raspberry field from top of the hill

So yes, I could see from top of the hill that the raspberry field was already deserted. But when we got there, there was one old lady patiently picking some berries. I decided to go to the farthest end of the field where the bushes are all low and smaller.

the only soul I found in the field combing the bushes for some sweet ripe raspberry

And yes, I found some ripe ones enough to fill a half a pint container. And I was happy.

there you are

and there are more to go back to

At the other side of the field, my boys were busy picking blueberries. My Sweetest and B are not big fans of raspberries but both are fanatics of blueberries so they really went with me on a different mission.

my boys picking some blueberries

Hubby picking the ripe ones

So yeah, we had fun at the orchard and enjoyed our berries.

the pick of the day

A pint of blueberries and half a pint of raspberries... mission accomplished. The Gregoires are happy.

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This is a SPECIAL POST for MAINE Attraction... a regular Blog Series that features everything and anything about my home - Maine.

The Old Maine

Before we went Blueberry picking last weekend, we went down to one of Maine's memory lanes in Newfield - The 19th Century Willowbrook Village.

With my friends at Willowbrook

Since we left the house already late that afternoon we didn't have enough time to really explore the place so didn't bother to buy a ticket to see the Museums and just took some photos around the place.

The Amos Straw Country Store that sells old fashioned candies.

However, last fall, I got the chance to see this place when I got lost looking for an apple orchard. LOL. And I took a lot of photos of the place.

 The Village is so beautiful during this time of the year, isn't it?

 The Schoolhouse taken from the second floor of the old house.

Old gas lamps... I find them so pretty.

The 19th Century Willowbrook Village is a small restored country village/museum that represents what the Maine's way of life used to be. It is located in Newfield about 2 hours drive from Boston.

 The Old School house taken from the print shop where other antique pieces are exhibited.

 The Schoolhouse

The Mill by the pond.

It has two historic houses and barns where they kept and exhibit different antique pieces from ordinary household stuff to trade and agricultural tools to horse-drawn sleighs and carriages.

 Old Wheels

 Old Printing Press

Old Carpentry tools

Old carriage

It also has an 1894 Carousel that is yes... operational. Kids can have a chance to ride it on certain schedule.

The Carousel

The village is open from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend up to Columbus Day. It is open from 10AM to 5PM, Thursday to Monday. It is free to roam around the village and take photos but to be able to see the exhibits in go inside the historical houses, admission fee is charged.

The Bandstand and the place where they usually have their

Farmer's and Artisan Market every Saturday.

I still have lots of photos to share so I will surely have a part 2 [and 3] of this Village. So I hope you will look forward to it. As for my friends and I we called it day after I bought a piece of their famous locally made "sharp cheese". That one is to die for and one good reason for you to check out this place.

For direction on how to get there... Click HERE.

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This is a SPECIAL POST for MAINE Attraction... a regular Blog Series that features everything and anything about my home - Maine.