Carry on, Mr Bowditch - Salem, Massachusetts

If you haven't yet read the book - you'll love it!

There is little about Nathaniel Bowditch in Salem apart from his former residence, the library he helped found and University named after him.  But we also enjoyed the maritime history exhibits and visiting places form Nat's life like the Derby wharf and home, the customs house, the site of Ropes and Hodges Ship Chandlery and Mr Hodges home where Nat lived as well as explored the ship 'Friendship', built at the time Nat was sailing.  It was a wonderful day with continual quotes from the book, laughter and inspiration.

Us outside of Nat's home, feeling quite disappointed it is no longer open to the public.
But we did see the Captain's walk etc.

Mr Hodges mansion.

The Derby mansion which we took a tour of.

The customs house with which Nat was very familiar.

Examples of cargo which arrived at this port....and more below.

Listening to the tour guide....with varying degrees of interest!

The 'Friendship'

On Derby wharf.

Dunes on PEI

A beautiful, relaxing afternoon at the beach.  Nothing could be more Pearses7-ish!

The goggles were totally superfluous - the water was FREEZING!

A lot of the KOAs have these jumping pillows.

Even Tony had a go!

Dreams really do come true.....

Every dream we ever dreamed, as well as some we knew were too fanciful to dream about, has come true.

As we left Malone, NY, and I (E) was looking at the map and charting a course, Tony said, "You'd really like to go to Prince Edward Island, wouldn't you?"

So we did.

We arrived just on sunset and you can see how beautiful it was.

On nearly every hill there's a little white church looking so picturesque.

At Cavendish, there is an Anne of Green Gables Village where Anne arrives at 10:00am every morning!
Scenes from the story are enacted on an outdoor stage and we get to become part of the story!

Briony-Anne met Anne as she waited on the platform for Mr Matthew Cuthbert to come for her.
Meanwhile, Mr Cuthbert was asking all visitors if they had seen an orphan boy he had come for......

We attended school with Gilbert Blythe, Josie Pye and Diana Barry.
Gilbert sat in front of Briony-Anne and gave her the correct answers, like the correct year - 1907.

The school master rode this interesting bike - and gave the boys a turn (not the usual policy, apparently!)

Briony-Anne really enjoyed Diana's sweet nature.

Gilbert taught the boys this old-time game - but I forgot the name!

Kindred spirits?

Kindred spirits!

There was a room full of dress-ups we could use, with this wagon and other scenes! We all had a ball.

Once we use photoshop to lengthen Tony's pants, this will be a great portrait!

Our very own Anne-girl.

In the barn.  These horses were enormous!

I'm not sure where he thinks he is going without snow (or the horse power)....