My younger son, Taylor, just finished his second year of college — glory hallelujah.  He brought his girlfriend, Lauren, up to Belfast for a week of hiking and outdoor activity –however,  the weather deities conspired to upset this plan.  Most of the time was spent playing Scrabble (did you know the English word “bot”?  I challenged and was wrong.  Note: this is not the normal outcome for my challenges!), watching movies and other rainy day activities.  Sidebar: Lauren recommended that I read Middlesex; I asked if she meant Middlemarch (one of my favorite books of all time). I heard correctly the first time: Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and a very good book. 

On Saturday, 30 May, the sun burst forth in all its glory; my husband, Santiago, Taylor, Lauren and I headed for the door and an invigorating walk into downtown Belfast and the harbor.

Belfast has many inviting attributes but one of the most endearing is the pedestrian bridge across the Passy River, which runs parallel to the US Route 1 bridge.  (Passy stands for Passagassawakeag – but who can say or spell that one?)  Actually, the pedestrian bridge at one time was the only bridge connecting Belfast with North Belfast and Searsport.  When the  larger, more modern bridge,was constructed in 1962,  the original bridge lost its raison d’etre — but the townspeople raised enough funds to convert the bridge into a lovely pedestrian walkway which has been dedicated to the the local heroes who fought in World War I.  The vistas of Belfast, its harbor cannot be beaten from this gem of a walkway — don’t miss it.    

Below are two snapshots — the first is Taylor and Lauren enjoying the view and the sun!  The second is Stop 21 on the Museum in the Streets: :the Biggest Little City.”

Later, Diana