Girl's Trip to the NE

This past holiday weekend, my friend Hannah Beth and I loaded up her car and drove to Groton, CT for a sorority sister weekend get-away. We stayed with our friend Laura in her beautiful historic home along with three more of our friends (Meagan, Emily, Christina) who made the trip up from down South. The six of us used to live together in the Alpha Omicron Pi house while were at The University of Alabama, but have since spread out and journeyed down various paths. So, it was such a treat to get back together and pick up where we left off.

Some of the highlights of the weekend included:

A day trip to the Connecticut seashore for surf, sand, and quality girl time. We even braved it enough to swim out alongside some adventurous pre-teens and jump off a floating diving platform! After all of that adventure, we figured that we had earned ourselves a homemade doughnut from Flanders--which was a great decision (bonus points for them being patriotic).

Lobster Rolls and shrimp-roasted corn chowder at Abbott's Lobster in the Rough. We feasted on a picnic table (elaborately decorated by Laura-aka Martha Stewart) while we sipped BYOB wine and watched the sun set over the waterfront.

                     

We took a little late night excursion around the American Revolutionary Fort Griswold while watching fireworks (and maybe telling a few ghost stories) from the river bank.

An all day 4th of July fiesta at the home of one of Laura's friends in Rhode Island. It may have sprinkled on and off, but we didn't let that ruin our bonfire, sparkler extravaganza, and back porch chats.

Laura, Emily and I took up the 154+ step challenge to the top of the Groton Monument, a granite monument dedicated to the defenders who fell during the Battle of Groton Heights on September 6, 1781. Hello, leg workout!

We had a fabulous brunch at Engine Room in Mystic, CT (where Mystic Pizza is based) and wandered around the scenic docks before heading out for a day trip to Newport.

While in Newport, we walked the entirety of the Cliff Walk while oohing and ahhing at the seaside Vanderbilt mansions and picturesque seascapes.

Afterwards, we meandered around the quaint ocean side town before boarding a Rum Runner cruise to see the lighthouses, sailboats, and seaside mansions and cottages at sunset.

Then, it was off to dinner at Black Pearl where I had some of their famous New England clam chowder. I was already falling in love with the New England town, but the chowder sealed the deal.

The next day, it was time to pack up and say our farewells. We had our last meal at The Spice Club for some tasty Thai and then it was on our way home.

In between all of our excursions, there were lots of belly laughs, face masks, Sex and the City watch parties, and general catch-up girl-time. I am so thankful to not only have had made and lived with such great friends in college, but to have continued that friendship long after graduation. While I am a bit sad about the weekend coming to a close, I'm already counting down the days 'til next year's reunion!