3) Newport (RI), Lake Region and Portsmouth (NH)

Saturday (9.4.) we picked up another rental car and drove to Newport in Rhode Island. We walked the “Cliff Walk” and saw quite some impressive mansions along the way. Although spring was on its way, and narcissi flowered, the weather was rather cold and misty. Some parts of the Cliff Walk even offered some easy climbing at the coast. We then visited Fort Adams, which was closed, unfortunately. But we walked around the fort, viewed the bay area and massive Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge. Near the fort, we spotted a cute little rabbit^^. Later, we drove through Newport, seeing plenty more mansions, and stopped for a late lunch in town. We chose to pass the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge on our way back to Boston. It was impressive and worth the $5 toll. Another stop on our way back to Boston was Wrentham Village Outlet Mall, where we enjoyed quite some shopping – yet again :D

Watching the sea from Newport's Cliff Walk

Narcissi flowered along the Cliff Walk

The Cliff Walk offered some easy climbing as well

Rabbit at Fort Adams

The next day (10.4.) we visited the lake region in New Hampshire. We found a great map covering hiking routes in the Belknap Mountain area. We parked on carriage road and used the blue trail to climb Belknap Mountain. The weather was sunny, yet cold and parts of the path were frozen. On Belknap Mountain, we entered the lookout tower. A friendly old man opened the upper deck for us, which was warm and offered some good views over the Mountain area. He explained us that he was looking out for fires and two he pointed out two fire spots in the distance. We used the white trail to get back to our car. That trail offered some more great views. We then drove to the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee and stopped at the tiny Ellacoya State Park. The place was charming and we loved the quiet view over the lake. On our way back to Boston, we stopped in Portsmouth for some sightseeing and dinner. We first stopped at Prescott Park, where Franzi was amused because I like the bridge. From Prescott Park, we walked to North Church and down to the Old Harbour. After sunset, we enjoyed dinner at State Street Saloon – I loved their Lobster Mac&Cheese.

Icy blue trail to Belknap Mountain

Great view from the white trail 

Lake Winnipesaukee at Ellacoya State Park

Portsmouth's main church during sunset

Portsmouth's old harbor

Funny graffitti near Portsmouth's old harbor

2) Cape Cod and Boston love lock

For Sunday (3.4.) we got a last minute rental car from Hertz in the city center. Already when I went to the grocery store early morning to buy fresh baguette, I was surprised by a minor snow storm. The weather did not become better. When we exited the metro green line near the rental car station, the storm destroyed both our umbrellas. We got a nice KIA Soul that brought us savely through the snowy roads to Cape Cod. Our first stop was at the Cape Cod Highland Lighthouse in North Truro. The snow storm stopped and the clouds started to break apart. We went for a short hike at nearby Pilgrim Heights. The short snow storm gave the landscape quite a unique appearence. From there, we drove to Race Point Beach north of Provincetown. It was really funny that we were met by a sand storm now. But all snow had melted there and the sun was shining at the beach :) We visited Provincetown. We didn't climb the Pilgrim tower as we found $12 entrance a bit high for that. Instead, we walked down to the harbor pier. After paying a short visit to the library, we warmed up with some coffee. Provincetown is a charming small touristy city. Although there weren't many tourists at that time^^ From Provincetown we drove back south and visited the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. A really nice gentleman convinced us that there were some good hikes. Once we left the forested area, a strong storm breeze hit us. Thanks to the sun it was a lot of fun and we somehow really enjoyed nature's power. On our way back it started snowing again. From Wellfleet we drove further back south and went for a sunset walk at Sandy Neck Beach where the storm hit us hard with sand. So instead we enjoyed sunset at the Sandwich Boardwalk. After sunset we drove to Plymouth to see the famous Plymouth Rock and Mayflower II, and to have dinner. The Plymouth Rock is the supposed landing point of the Pilgrims in 1620. It was a huge disappointment. So was Mayflower II that welcomed us with a sign "Here you see Mayflower II, which is currently away for repairs". At least we got a great and really cheap Mexican dinner^^

Cape Cod Highland Lighthouse...

...surrounded by snow, in April!

hiking the Pilgrim Heights

the views were good anyways :)

finally sun at Race Point Beach - was there really a snow storm?

Provincetown harbor pier - even the pigeons seemed confused by the weather

Provincetown harbor

Pilgrims Tower seen from Provincetown harbor

hiking along the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

overlooking the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

sand storm at Sand Neck Beach

sunset at Sandwich Boardwalk

The next week Franzi started a two week English course in downtown. On Wednesday (6.4.) we used the free entry offer again to visit the Muesum of Fine Arts. We didn't cover all of during our last visit. Also this time, we only managed to visit a small part of it. The special Asian Mega Cities art pieces were great though. On Friday (8.4.) evening we walked down to the esplanade. We were given a love lock as a wedding present and were pondering for quite some time where we place it: Boston where I proposed, Leipzig where we met or Kahnsdorf where we married. We decided for Boston, but Franzi forgot to bring the love lock with her. So instead of choosing between Boston and Leipzig we now bought a seond one that we placed where I proposed to Franzi and we will place the first one in Leipzig. It was freezing cold this night though. But we found a place for the lock :)

Asian Mega Cities - Museum of Fine Art: the color green is associated with organic, so everything turns green

on our way to the esplanade

Franzi enjoys the night views of Cambridge and MIT from the esplanade, although its freezing cold^^

our love lock near where I proposed to Franzi

Prudential tower on our way back

First church of Christ in front of the Prudential tower