We changed our plans at the last minute, so weren't able to arrange to meet anyone in Mystic, but we did manage to stay over (at the nearby Groton Marriot, luxury room free with points :) and spend an afternoon. Followed the recs here and ate at S&P Oyster (had lobster tacos) and the ice cream shop near the bridge. Both were wonderful and a great start to our trip.

We ended up staying in Hyannis the entire time, just down the road from the Kennedy compound, abuzz much of the time due to Eunice's illness/death. Ended up doing lots of small trips - because it had been six years since our previous visit, we wanted to start from scratch.

Foodie highlights were dayboat scallops and steamers. I had a huge lobster roll (rated "best" by the critics) but even better was one sold by the local church ladies at their weekly Friday lunch - $12 for a small, but delicious lobster roll, homemade cake, soda and of course, Cape Cod chips. Complete with piano music :)

Didn't do much regular lobster, because I prefer steamed and all the restaurants there seem to boil or bake. DH loves stuffed lobster, so he had several memorable meals. I'm also not much of a fried food eater, but did indulge in some fried clams and the best onion rings I've ever had. And, of course, ice cream - definitely over-indulged there. Came home to find my ice cream maker (thanks again loves2cook!) was delivered so now I have to try and recreate my favorites.

It was a great way to celebrate surviving my first year of law school. I had to take the second half of a notoriously intense class (legal research and writing) over the summer, which didn't end until in mid-July. I was thrilled to get my final grade while we were away - an A+, which is pretty rare and helped make up for an unspectacular grade in another class ;) DH has had a very stressful year dealing with an immediate relative with Alzheimer's (and associated family in-fighting), so he really needed the break as well.

This was the first time we'd left our four dogs with a sitter for an extended time since moving here and I was very nervous - just before we left, two developed ear infections and one needed a round of several medications. One of the girls is also very storm phobic and we've been having thunder almost daily. Well, they did great and came home looking better than when we left. She also reported that they coasted through the storms. What a relief!

Thanks for all the suggestions! Now, if school just didn't start a week from Monday :(

Sue