We’d always wanted to travel within the States—kids included. So one summer, not too long ago, we finally made it happen. We packed the car, fueled up on snacks and questionable playlists, and headed off for an East Coast adventure that eventually took us all the way into Canada and back home again.
I could write a whole book about that trip, but each stop had its own spirit, its own flavors, its own little set of memories that deserve their own space. The kids were finally old enough to remember everything—and, maybe more importantly, old enough to survive long hours in the car as we hopped from state to state.
Our first stop: Milford, Connecticut.
A small beach town with charm and good food, the kind of place that feels instantly familiar. We grabbed some local pizza, wandered into an ice cream shop, and let summer do what summer does—slow us down just enough. The kids were thrilled, the adults were exhausted, and the ocean breeze felt like the perfect welcome to the journey ahead.
We walked along the beach at sunset, letting the day settle into our skin before calling it a night.
The next morning, we drove a few hours to Salem, Massachusetts—a special request from my daughter, who wanted to learn about the witch trials and the brutal history behind women being criminalized simply for existing outside the norm. Heavy history, yes, but important. And Salem carries those stories with a strange, haunting beauty.
Touristy? Absolutely. Worth it? Also absolutely.
We walked the old cobblestone streets, listened to stories, and let the gravity of the past sink in. Then, as any self-respecting travelers would, we balanced the emotional intensity with fresh oysters on the half shell and our first lobster roll of the trip. (Food heals. I don’t make the rules.)
After exploring the town, we hopped back into the car and drove to Cape Elizabeth, Maine, where the views stretched forever and the light lasted just long enough for us to stretch our legs and soak it all in.
And then…
We hit the road again, this time toward Sedgwick, Maine, where we’d rest before visiting Acadia the next day.
Driving deep into Maine after dark? Let’s just say it was equal parts chaotic, nerve-wracking, and absurdly thrilling. Fog wrapped the road like a blanket, and by the time we reached our Airbnb, the house looked straight out of a ghost story. Salem energy was still lingering, and we couldn’t help but laugh at how perfectly eerie it all felt.
That night—full of spells from Salem, seafood from the coast, foggy roads, and laughter bouncing around the car—we finally went to sleep, ready for the next chapter of our adventure.
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