Sea Coast of Southern Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire

 

Since we were this far north, why not drive a few more hours and see New England on the way home?! It was a chance to show the kids where I went on my mission and the places I love. We drove across New York state, then across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. We stayed in Portsmouth, NH, one of my favorite places in the world. I was so excited to stay at the Wentworth By The Sea. It was a place I always wanted to stay as a missionary (but it was too expensive). It was amazing. The views out both sides are something I could get used to! 

Walking through the city is amazing. I love all of the mix of modern culture and colonial era buildings. Of course Lucky Dragon wanted to go into the rock and shell store and Lady Hiva wanted to check out the chocolatiers! We spent a few hours just exploring downtown Portsmouth. I then showed them where I used to live and we headed off to Maine!  

We all wanted to see a lighthouse so we went up to York, ME to see Nubble Lighthouse. The two Muggles LOVED playing around on the rocks. Even when it was cold and started to rain, they still begged to "stay five more minutes!" 

This was the one photo we had of Lady Hiva. Shortly after she declared it was too cold for her and she waited in the car...lame! 

We only made it a short way down then road when they two of them spotted Long Sands beach. While it did not take them long to discover that it was, as Koala Bear said, "really different from Hawaii!" They still had fun. They played until they had red fingers and noses because it was so cold. They went shell hunting and had so much fun. They dug in the sand, chased seagulls, and laughed at the water trying to get them. Of course we had to go buy them some new clothes after that because they were soaking wet! 

Only after putting on double layers of coats did we get Lady Hiva to join us out at the beach! 

Lucky Dragon was throwing rocks and the gulls thought he was throwing food...so they were swarming! 

Lady Hiva usually buys food that is local to wherever we traveled. She really wanted to have a lobster, but decided to not eat one due to my allergies (I told her she could, but she still sacrificed for us). 

The woman at the store gave these to the kids declaring that "she wanted to do something nice for Easter!" Such good people in the world