Carla Schoepfle

Well it was good to get away to the beach in Groton Long Point, Connecticut.  It may not have been as relaxing as expected (but then again – watching Ian is a pretty active job), but the change in scenery was nice to have (and after many months of no extended vacation, I was feeling a bit burned out).

The highlight (for everyone) was definitely the Mystic Aquarium.  Ian really enjoyed seeing the sharks, whales, and fish.  I think the sharks definitely made an impression (and we’ll have to visit more acquariums soon).  I had expected some sort of small - nondescript acquarium, but was pleasantly supprised.  It was quite nice.  

I seem to have the worst luck in 2 areas for vacation:

1. Finding the slow lane for traffic.  Especially on the way home, where we averaged 40 miles an hour for all of New Jersey. 
2. Finding satisfactory breakfast.  On the way up, I found the Starbucks of Rye Connecticut to be less than stellar.  The coffee was cold, straws were hard to find and the sugar came in the tiny packets instead of the jug (and I am not my best before I have had some coffee).  On the way back, the IHop in New Castle, Deleware was not quite working out either.  After 10 minutes of sitting in a booth with no server we left, since we hadn’t even ordered coffee yet.  I’m afraid I’ve never left a place due to poor service before, but I don’t think that Ian would have lasted (and w/out coffee – I definitely wouldn’t have)

So now I’m looking forward to our next vacation to the Outer Banks in North Carolina.