(Originally Published June 2001)

For those of you who knew about Steve's plan to take Chris on a "Mystery Trip"
to celebrate their 20 years of marriage, here's the whole story.

Friday - May 25

   Chris & Steve got up about 3:00 a.m. to get ready to leave on the "Mystery Trip." All that Chris had been told was that they were going to Hoboken (New Jersey that is). Chris made every effort to make sure when they got to the airport that she did NOT hear or see where they were going until just before they landed, it's easy when you're in first class. Well, they landed in Newark. Her first thoughts were that they really were going to Hoboken!!!!! There must be something in Hoboken that she didn't know about.

   Steve then told her that they had to go to a different terminal and wait for a bus. A bus?????? Well, the bus turned out to be a bus that took passengers out to a Turbo Prop that went to Hartford Connecticut. Things were looking a lot better to Chris.

   Once in Hartford, they took the shuttle over the Hertz car rental. Steve spent an awful long time in the office and finally called Chris in so that if needed, she could drive the car. The luggage was carted to the car which turned out to be a yellow Mustang convertible. Steve then took out a cap that Chris had bought for when she gets her convertible and handed her an Elton John CD. Isn't that sweet???? Things were looking even better in Chris' eyes!!!! But, I guess only women would find these actions endearing. Men would be more impressed with the car. It was later discovered that Steve had to tell them the whole "Mystery Trip" story to get the "Yellow Banana" since it was reserved for a Hertz gold member.

   Once Chris' suitcase was shoved into the trunk of the Mustang (Steve's had to go in the back seat, if that's what you call it.) they headed off on Coastal Highway 95 through the Connecticut River Valley. Where they found a sign in Haddam or Deep River that said "Thankful Arnold House." The sign really connected with Steve's Mother's family whose name is Arnold. So, a stop had to be made to take advantage of this "Kodak Moment" and put the top down on the Yellow Banana (so named by Hertz in Hartford) since the rain had stopped. A quick stop was made in New London and then it was on to Fox Woods. Fox Woods is an Indian Reservation Gambling Casino that is tucked away in the woods in Ledyard, Connecticut owned by the Mashantucket Indians. It hard to describe, so here's the website: http://www.foxwoods.com/ .The room was in the Grand Pequot Tower on the 18th floor. The view showed and endless sea of trees. More on trees and gas prices later.

Grand Cedars

Fox Woods

Mystic Seaport

Saturday - May 26

   Upon boarding the Yellow Banana, they toured Mystic, Connecticut. This is the home of the Tall Ships ((http://www.seaport.org/oysterpages/ships.html) and
Mystic pizza. No samples of Mystic Pizza were taken so we cannot not vow for it's rumored magical qualities.

   The tour took them over to Newport, Rhode Island. Chris and Steve spent the afternoon going through 2 of the Newport Mansions; the Breakers and Marble House (http://www.newportmansions.org/gildedage/thebreakers.html) . A walking tour of Newport downtown was next with a visit to the Scrimschander and to have a cool drink at the Newport Quahog Company (definition to follow later). At one restaurant, Chris came back from the restroom complaining about having to climb an additional flight to go the bathroom. The building must have been planned by a man!!!!

   After refreshments, the next stop was Fall River, then Falmouth, Massachusetts. By then it had started raining and the Yellow Banana had to be closed up. The night was spent at the Holiday Inn at Jones Pond (actually Falmouth, MA) on Cape Cod near Woods Hole (http://www.whoi.edu/home/). A repast at the Kansas City Steak was had. Yes, I know "Steak House" and the New England coast does not quite sound right, but the dinner was great! Imagine, a restaurant in New England that knows how to prepare beef!!!!!

Guess what it is??? A tree in Lowell, Mass.

Sunday - May 27

   The next morning the Yellow Banana complained of hunger pains so she was gassed up at $1.86/gallon. (More on gas stations and prices later.) But, alas, it was raining and the Yellow Banana was not able to cruise in style. The tour continued on through Boston. And if you think Austin, TX has major road construction, you should see the road construction in Boston. The construction in Boston makes it look like Austin is doing minor road repair, they call it "the big dig".

   Early mid-day, found the couple in Portland, Maine. Chris felt real self indulgent when she ordered a Lobster Club Sandwich at Di Millo's, (http://www.dimillos.com/floatingrestaurant/index.html). This is an extremely large floating restaurant with excellent food and service. Next stop in Portland was Brian Boru (http://www.bboru.com/), a little Irish Tavern. 

   Next stop was in Freeport and home of the flagship store of LL Bean (http://www.freeportcomfortsuites.com/shopping.html) in Freeport, Maine. Basically the whole town is an outlet mall, all the old building restored for the stores.

   Still cutting their way through the rain, the next stop was Kennebunkport, Maine. Home of George W. & Barbara Bush and the Famous Federal Jacks. (http://www.federaljacks.com/). A small shopping expedition was made to the local stores where a purchase of a large bottle of Maple Syrup was made.

   A quick stop at one of the State Lottery Stores in New Hampshire was made so Steve could collect $ 8.00 of lottery winnings. Then it was off to Newburyport, Massachusetts and for a nights stay at Waltons Ocean Front on Plum Island (CAN'T FIND WEBSITE).

5/28- Monday

   The next day the Yellow Banana was launched on the Johnny Appleseed Trail (http://www.appleseed.org/) as they headed across the top of Massachusetts toward the mountains and the Connecticut river valley. The top was put down and a sunny day was enjoyed. The home of Yankee Candle was happened upon when we ventured a short distance off this trail(http://www.yankeecandle.com/cgi-bin/ycbvp/retail.jsp), the "Scenter of the Universe."

   The trip continued on back toward Connecticut and the Hartford Airport to return home with the top down all the way. When the Yellow Banana was turned in, one of the people that had been in line behind Steve remarked, "So, you did get the yellow convertible!!" They were there at the check out counter on Friday and heard the "whole story"..

   It was a wonderful trip and well worth waiting 20 years for. Both of use are looking forward to visiting New England again and we have several ideas on what we would do on the next trip.

Note 3/11/'05: Sadly we never had the opportunity or time to get back
- it will remain a dream unfulfilled in this lifetime -