Rapher's Log - Stardate 09/11/15
Well, 'tis time to head back home, weary traveller. As it was on the way to Salem, the trip gets split into two segments, so I don't fall asleep while driving.
Up around 7:00 again, not rushing around too much, since the main goal for the day was driving back to Bangor. Got checked out before 9:00 and headed out of Salem. First stop, Danvers. *G* Breakfast at Denny's. No, it's not fancy but it's a tradition. The weather forecast was calling for some rain, so I was a little worried, especially with the darkness of the clouds. We did hit some rain, but nothing major.
First stop, of course, was the NH Liquor Store - the one just off the I95 in Hampton, I believe. Some of the prices are ridiculously low compared to here especially if you're will to go over your limit and pay the duty. THe larger bottles are amazingly priced. Even the regular bottles aren't bad and, since we were hoping for a smoother border crossing coming home, both of us stayed within our limit.
The drive was fairly uneventful. Stopped off several times, of course. Had to revisit When Pigs Fly in Kittery, bought some more bread and some pumpkin butter. Wandered around Maine Mall in Portland, but didn't buy much, if anything. Slightly disappointed, FYE didn't have any Living Dead Dolls at all this time, nor did Spencers. Hot Topic hasn't had 'em in ages. Newbury Comics (as well as the two comic stores in Salem we went to) did, but none that I wanted. Newbury Comics probably was the most amusing store, there were a number of things I considered buying...or that we were laughing at (sometimes that was the intention, sometimes it was the price making us laugh). As always, there were persistent mall kiosk people, who really do not want to take no for an answer. Hit at least two rest areas on the I95, once to get Starbucks (and I got some Combos), the other, to get gas.
That was different. The attendant (yes, I go to full serve gas stations) came over and asked for the numbers of my postal code (I think...may have been just the letters). He punched those in, then had to put in the amount. I wanted to fill up the tank so I guessed how much it would cost. I was off by $1 so that wasn't too bad. Chatty fellow, chatted with us as well as some other people getting gas.
Two more rest area stops - one in Newton, because I was really in need of a driving break and once just before Bangor, where we had great timing. Went into the bathroom and came out to find a line up that went out the door. Apparently a large group pulled up just behind us. Got checked into the Comfort Inn by Bangor Mall (formerly the Hampton Inn), relaxed a bit, then headed out to Uno for supper. I had to get their Pizza Skins (deep dish pizza dough with mashed potatoes, topped with bacon & cheddar). Sooo good.
The rest of the evening was supposed to be spent shopping for Hallowe'en stuff at Walmart, or Target. That fell through. Walmart had next to nothing out yet, we figured Target would be the same (since we'd just been to the one in Danvers two nights before), so we skipped going there and just went back to the room. Early morning ahead!
Ok, last day of the trip, not much to say. But I shall say it anyway...
Up around 7:00 again, not rushing around too much, since the main goal for the day was driving back to Bangor. Got checked out before 9:00 and headed out of Salem. First stop, Danvers. *G* Breakfast at Denny's. No, it's not fancy but it's a tradition. The weather forecast was calling for some rain, so I was a little worried, especially with the darkness of the clouds. We did hit some rain, but nothing major.
First stop, of course, was the NH Liquor Store - the one just off the I95 in Hampton, I believe. Some of the prices are ridiculously low compared to here especially if you're will to go over your limit and pay the duty. THe larger bottles are amazingly priced. Even the regular bottles aren't bad and, since we were hoping for a smoother border crossing coming home, both of us stayed within our limit.
The drive was fairly uneventful. Stopped off several times, of course. Had to revisit When Pigs Fly in Kittery, bought some more bread and some pumpkin butter. Wandered around Maine Mall in Portland, but didn't buy much, if anything. Slightly disappointed, FYE didn't have any Living Dead Dolls at all this time, nor did Spencers. Hot Topic hasn't had 'em in ages. Newbury Comics (as well as the two comic stores in Salem we went to) did, but none that I wanted. Newbury Comics probably was the most amusing store, there were a number of things I considered buying...or that we were laughing at (sometimes that was the intention, sometimes it was the price making us laugh). As always, there were persistent mall kiosk people, who really do not want to take no for an answer. Hit at least two rest areas on the I95, once to get Starbucks (and I got some Combos), the other, to get gas.
That was different. The attendant (yes, I go to full serve gas stations) came over and asked for the numbers of my postal code (I think...may have been just the letters). He punched those in, then had to put in the amount. I wanted to fill up the tank so I guessed how much it would cost. I was off by $1 so that wasn't too bad. Chatty fellow, chatted with us as well as some other people getting gas.
Two more rest area stops - one in Newton, because I was really in need of a driving break and once just before Bangor, where we had great timing. Went into the bathroom and came out to find a line up that went out the door. Apparently a large group pulled up just behind us. Got checked into the Comfort Inn by Bangor Mall (formerly the Hampton Inn), relaxed a bit, then headed out to Uno for supper. I had to get their Pizza Skins (deep dish pizza dough with mashed potatoes, topped with bacon & cheddar). Sooo good.
The rest of the evening was supposed to be spent shopping for Hallowe'en stuff at Walmart, or Target. That fell through. Walmart had next to nothing out yet, we figured Target would be the same (since we'd just been to the one in Danvers two nights before), so we skipped going there and just went back to the room. Early morning ahead!
Ok, last day of the trip, not much to say. But I shall say it anyway...