Day 4, Berkshire Mountains of Mass and Stratton, Vermont

Norman Rockwell is known for his painting on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post magazines. The museum has a copy of every cover he painted. We looked at the ones that were painted for the month we were born. Because of copy right rules we couldn't take photos of them. He was also known for his Four Freedoms paintings. Which represents Freedom of Speech, Freedom from Fear, Freedom from Want and Freedom of Worship. Each of his artwork tells a story of America.

We then headed through the Green Mountains to where we would be spending the night in Stratton, Vermont. We stopped at the Battle at Green Mountain Monument. We took the elevator to the top. The Green Mountain Boys were Vermont's militia, for more info look here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Mountain_Boys It was a beautiful view from up there.
Our motel for the night was a condo at a ski resort. We walked around the resort in the morning before we boarded the bus. It was a beautiful area.

Day 3, Newport, Rhode Island and Mystic Seaport, Connecticut

On the third day we went to Newport, Rhode Island, the sailing capital of the world, Where Gary's aunt Peg met us and drove us around Newport a bit as we visited with her. We were able to get out and take a picture of the St. Mary's Church where Pres. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier were married. It had been opened but by the time we got there it was closed so we couldn't go inside.
We also went to Mystic Seaport, Conn. to the nation's leading maritime museum. We enjoyed walking through the town and seeing the ships. Gary's cousin, Chris and his wife Candy and his other cousin Matt, met us at out hotel and we went to dinner together. The restaurant was very expensive. We each got a small bowl of chowder and I had scallops which consisted of 3 small scallops and a little rice under it. Gary had Tuna and it was very small as well. Our part of the dinner was almost $80. The company was great and we enjoyed getting to know them better. This was the first time I had met them and Gary's Aunt Peg. Later they took us to downtown Mystic.
Earlier in the day we were able to tour "The Breakers", the Vanderbilt's summer cottage. This Italian Renaissance style palace has 70 rooms and is the grandest of all the Newport estates. It's amazing to see the amount of money that was invested in building this home. Since the Vanderbilt's were the wealthest family there no one could build a castle that was more impressive than theirs or they would have been shunned by the "400 club." We couldn't take pictures so we bought a few postcards to show how beautiful it was. Most of these mansions are no longer being used because they are so expensive to keep up. Some are being maintained by the Historical Society.

Day 2, Martha's Vineyard

Our second day we took a ferry to Martha's Vineyard Island. It was about an hour ride. The ferry was a lot smaller than the ones we have here and not nearly as nice.
During the early 1800's the people would have a religious camp on the Island every year. People would come from all around to it. It started out being just a couple days long then went to a week long and eventually longer. Since people had to bring all their food, tents etc. it was a sacrifice for them. Eventually the people started to buy small lots to put a 3 sided tent on and leave it from year to year. As time went on they started to build pre-fabed cottages from Sears. It was about the time that the scroll saws were invented so they could personalize their cottages. There are only about 250 cottages and 50 of them have been winterized and only 10 families stay there year round. These cottages have been handed down through their family for generations. They are only 500 sq. ft. and one sold last for $1,000,000. There's one on the market this year for $500,000. Some of the families bought more than one lot and added several homes together for a larger home. They have an outdoor tabernacle that they use for the religious camp once a year. There are several celebrities that live on the Island and it's very expensive to live there.
The light house was one of many that we saw while on our trip. They are different than the ones on the west coast. They are smaller and you can just walk to them and not have to hike down to them.
The last picture is a sign outside of an ice cream shop, showing lobster ice cream. I didn't even want to try it. I like ice cream and lobster but I don't think they would go together.

Day 1 of New England Bus Tour

We arrived in Boston at our hotel about 11:00 am, and decided to take the subway to Boston to see some of the sights. They have what is called The Freedom Trail, which is a red brick trail through town that leads to all the sights that have to do with the American Revolutionary War. We walked to the USS Consitution which is a battle ship that was used in the war of 1812. It is still an active commissioned war ship. It took us about 2 hours to walk to it as we stopped along the way to see other sights. It was about 80 degrees and the humidity was high. We were both pretty hot and sweaty when we got there. We were going to go to Bunker Hill but that was even farther so we decided not to. We ended up taking a taxi back to our motel. It cost us $25.00 for a 10 minute ride. (expensive) We also saw Paul Revere's home and The Old North Church along the way. We also saw them on the first day of the tour.

The box seats in the church is a part of the building that the members would purchase for their family. The closer the box is to the pupit the more they cost. They would then decorate it with their best furnishings to impress others. Those who couldn't afford a box would have to sit in the balcony. Their Sunday services went on all day. The preacher was considered the best by how long he could preach.
The Old North Church is where Robert Newman, lit the lanterns to let the Federalist know which way the British were coming.

The Colonial Inn is in Concord and was where the Federlist would hide their ammunition. The British started to burn it down and that's what caused the first battle at the North Bridge. The Inn was used as a hospital during the war.

We then went to Plymouth where we saw the "Monument of the Founding Fathers." This was very impressive. It is a statue of the Lady of Faith. It has four sides each representing, Liberty, Education, Law-Justice and Peace, and Morality.
We also saw Plymouth Rock which is not very big. It's been moved a few times and each time pieces have chipped off. It's not even certain the the Pilgrams actually landed at Plymouth Rock.

My Life in a Jar #15

What church callings have you had? Which one did you enjoy the most?
I figured it's way past time that I do another post on My Life in a Jar. I have held callings in every organization except for Sunday School. My favorite is Young Women's and Primary. In YW's I have served in every area except for an advisor. I especially like the Mia-maids. It's an age that if a teenager is going to rebel, they usually do it between 14-16. They are also beginning to realize that they will soon be in control of their lives, they can see that graduation isn't to far off. They start contemplating what they want to do for the rest of their lives. They are to young to drive and date. But boys are very important to them. They have a hard time understanding the importance of rules and that rules really do set you free. They are still eager to try new things and not afraid to have fun.
I have probably served in Primary the most. I think being Primary Pres. was the most fulfilling because it was a time I had to get to know all the children. It was also the most frustrating when teachers just wouldn't show up. I love teaching, especially Sr. Primary. Currently I am a teacher and Activity Day leader. Which I love. I call it watered down YW. The girls love anything we plan and it's fun to see their excitement as they learn something new. I love the things children say and their innocents. I have served as a Cub Scout den leader many times and felt the same way with the boys. It's a lot more fun serving as a den leader to the boys than teaching them in Primary. You can just have fun with them and not have to constantly telling them to be quiet.
In Relief Society I have served as a counselor, Pres. and on the Enrichment committee.
It is the most difficult organization for me to serve in. I feel very inadequate among so many women. The 4 years I served as Pres. were difficult because I could really never make plans because things could change so fast, if a special need would arise. It also made me depend on the Lord because I truly didn't have the answers. One thing I have learned is that no matter where you serve you learn to love those you serve.