Hannah invited me on a whirlwind minivacation this week—my first real getaway in years, aside from family visits. Our adventure took us to Mystic Seaport, with a stop along the way in Portland to shop at Duluth Trading Co. and a charming independent art store, followed by a visit to the New England Botanical Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts.
The New England Botanical Garden was lovely, though it couldn’t quite compare to our Coastal Maine Botanical Garden in terms of size or displays. Still, I was captivated by the vibrant “stained glass” and metal insect sculptures artfully scattered throughout the grounds.
Once in Connecticut, we spent the morning at the Mystic Aquarium, mesmerized by the Beluga whales. Hannah wanted to meet the whales, and she did. The experience exceeded our expectations—we could have watched those graceful white whales for hours.
That afternoon, we wandered through the Mystic Seaport Museum. Although I’d visited before, it was fun to rediscover the area’s history – although we sat on every bench we came across, so tired from the day’s adventures.
The highlight was the installation “Or, The Whale” by Jos Sances—a breathtaking, life-sized, 51-by-14-foot scratchboard mural shaped as a sperm whale. Seeing Hannah stand before it truly put its scale in perspective. From a distance, it appears to be a beautiful interpretation of a whale. Up close, the intricately inscribed panels reveal a visual history of American capitalism, ecology, and human impact. Every inch invites closer inspection and tells a thought-provoking story.
On our third day, we meandered home, enjoyed some window shopping, and stopped at Snug Harbor Farm in Kennebunkport, a unique garden center and gift shop brimming with beautiful topiary, annuals, perennials, and tropical plants.
We returned home thoroughly exhausted, yet delighted by three days of exploring some of New England’s most iconic attractions.
