Monday night 07/02/12 we had Chinese food delivered and watched Avatar as neither Marion or John had seen it. But that did get us all to bed fairly late. So, we took our time getting up Tuesday morning.

It was a bright sunny day Tuesday as we drove over to the local Subway to get sandwiches around 11:00am. I drove everyone down to Portsmouth, parked on State Street, and we walked down to Prescott Park gardens where we ate our lunch.

We walked through the gardens and over the bridge to the Pierce Island boat launch, Sue snapping pictures all the way. It was the first time that I have walked out on the launch pier and hadn't been aware that the city had laid stone blocks all the way down the sloping shore so that no matter the tide people would be able to back their cars down safely as far as needed.

We made our way along the water's edge back to the car and drove over to Albacore Park, where the U.S.S. Albacore 569 was. It had been years, and years since I had toured it, and John was really keen to see it as well. Though really hot out, the fans in the sub at least kept the air moving so it wasn't too bad. A great experience!

We drove back up the Spaulding Turnpike, and hooked back over Rt 101 to R2 236 and then the short way down to the road that leads back to the Hamilton House. Unfortunately, they weren't giving house tours but we did have a really nice time walking through the gardens and looking out at the river views before heading for home.

But at 6:00pm we were back out the door. We were headed over to Captain and Patty's Restaurant on Pepperell Cove in Kittery Point, ME for dinner. Before going in, we walked out on the town docks so Marion and John could get a good view of everything there was to see. Dinner itself was slow and relaxing with beautiful views of the mouth of Portsmouth Harbor from the second story dining room.

We were back out on the town docks at dusk, about 8:30 and Sue caught some amazing pictures of the full moon rising over the trees to the northeast. We realized that Portsmouth was having their fireworks celebration that night, the 3rd, as opposed to the 4th but that from where we were I doubted that we'd be able to see anything.

We all jumped in Sue's car and I directed them down into Kittery where we found an open view across the river to where the fireworks would be displayed and we'd be able to see them over the trees. They didn't start until 9:15pm and had one of the best finales that I have ever seen. Not bad for not even thinking about fireworks to start! All Sue had hoped for was Marion and John seeing a nice sunset over the harbor. This was just a bonus!

When we got back home, Sue lit some candles and we sat in the glimmering of that light out on deck for just a little while, listening to the silence and enjoying the cooling night airs around us before heading off to bed.