Day 119 (9/27/14): Leominster, MA | Providence, RI

We began this beautiful sunny day by taking a scenic drive up to Leominster (pronounced “Lemon-ster” by the locals). As we traveled north, we appreciated bursts of autumn colors in the foliage bordering the highway.   But while it was starting to look like fall, it sure didn’t feel like it. At 82 degrees, this was an unusually warm autumn day for Massachusetts, and it called for an ice cream stop!

In the afternoon, we visited Providence again where it was even warmer at 86 degrees. 86 degrees in New England on September 27th?! Unbelievable! After driving through Downtown Providence, my mom wanted to show me the colonial homes in the area. We parked near the Rhode Island Historical Society on Benevolent Street. As we walked around the neighboring streets, we admired the architecture of the older homes. Many of them were built in the eighteen hundreds! It’s incredible that these houses are still being lived in.

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  Downtown Providence

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  Providence River

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For a late lunch/early dinner (or what my family likes to call “linner”), we had afternoon tea at The Duck & Bunny, a “snuggery.” I wasn’t exaggerating when I said I like to have tea every chance I get. 🙂 The cafe is located in a funky little part of town with a few other random eateries and shops. Stepping inside the older house feels like you’ve entered someone’s actual home. Each room has its own charming personality. The interior is eclectic with a much more laid back environment than other places where I’ve had tea. I like that they’ve made afternoon tea more accessible and mainstream. The atmosphere feels like a typical coffee house rather than a pretentious tea parlor. If I lived in Providence, I would be at The Duck & Bunny weekly!

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  The Duck & Bunny

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  Tea Sandwiches & Scone

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  Mini Cupcakes & Cookies

For our last day with my mom and stepdad in Massachusetts, we started with breakfast at Holden Spa in Holden, MA. With the word “spa” in the name, you would expect to get a massage instead of breakfast, but it’s actually a little diner-type cafe. Next we decided to have separate outings for the guys and gals. While Justin and my stepdad played golf in Leominster, my mom and I went for a drive to Wachusett Mountain State Reservation.   My mom has a phobia of heights, but she powered through her fear and managed to drive us all the way to the top of Wachusett Mountain. Making it to the summit of more than 2,000 feet was an impressive task for her. Good job, Mom!

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  Wachusett Lake

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The nerve-wracking drive paid off. There’s an observation tower at the peak of the mountain with sweeping panoramic views. You can even catch a glimpse of the Boston skyline way (way) out in the distance. When we made our way down the mountain, we passed Wachusett Lake and came across Mountain Barn Restaurant in Princeton, MA. We were starving, so we called the guys up and had them meet us for lunch. With a wide range of menu options, we all enjoyed our varying meals in the cozy cabin-like restaurant. Sadly, this concluded our time with my mom and stepdad since we’ll be leaving Massachusetts tomorrow.  🙁