More Maine

We had planned to visit two more coastal towns, Castine and Camden to do some kayaking and shopping but the weather didn't cooperate. After several perfect, sunny, crisp days, the rain came. We figured it best to drive on to the big city of Portland considering the grey day ahead.

We enjoyed the drive through quaint towns and Charlie got to enjoy a big breakfast, complete with lobster omelet and blueberry muffins and pancakes, in Camden.


We took our time driving along the coast, slowing to take in the little harbors along the way. It really poured all day, so we didn't stop, but listened to more of Narnia as we drove.

Before reaching Portland we made a stop at LL Bean! If we couldn't be outside, we might as well be in the flagship store. I knocked out some Christmas shopping and we continued on to Portland.

We were lucky to get one of the few remaining rooms in the city, albeit one of the most expensive rooms in the city, because it was Maine's 35th Annual Old Port Festival in Portland on Sunday.


The day started with a parade. I am not sure I have ever been to a parade outside of New Orleans, but I've watched enough television to know that a good ole Americana parade is nothing like what we have in Nawlins.


Lots of kids with balloons lined up to see jugglers, drummers, and costumed marchers wind through the streets.


After the parade the festivities began. There were a few stages with live music of all sorts. Lots of cover bands like Retro Rockerz, the quintessential old rockers.... wearing black jeans, faded black t-shirts, and black tennis shoes.



Areas were set up for local merchants with booths as well as artists. And there was lots of "festival" food, or what Charlie tells me is festival food....french fries, root beer, ice cream, hot dogs and sausage, and fried dough. I had never seen "fried dough" on a fair menu. I'm thinking they need a catchy name for the stuff.


And although I know New Orleans is different than the rest of the country I am always surprised that there is no beer on the street, even at a festival. Charlie tells me he thinks New Orleans really isn't part of the U.S. because if this.

So we had to head into some bars to "refresh."


People watching was good...lots of "crunchy," hippie, young folks with oodles of kids. We were really surprised by the number of 3+ child families we saw. Must be in the water...or those long winters. Also funny to listen to that local accent..."chowdah."


Maine was a great summertime get away. We loved always being along the coast. We also loved how dog friendly of a state it is! Every hotel allowed pets and people brought their dogs with them everywhere.


I think we have another summer in Maine, complete with "chowdah and lobstah" in our future.

My favorite souvenir, ever

Any time we go anywhere there are a few things to get. Postcards are a must. I love getting them so I always send them. Postcards sent.

Charlie also gets a magnetic clip. He's a chip fiend and we never seem to have enough clips for all those chip bags, so he's constantly on a hunt for them in each place we visit. Chip clip found.

As if the chip clip isn't enough, the newest must have for my dearest is a smashed penny. Put in two quarters and your penny, select the image, and crank the penny through the gears to press some kitschy image into the penny. We're gaining quite the collection of these. And what does one do with a smashed penny collection? Evidently it is pretty serious business for some but for us most of the fun is just stumbling across the dang penny smashers and we finally decided to put magnets on the back and add them to that chip clip magnet collection on the side of the fridge. 5 smashed pennies with lighthouses, lobsters, and moose at my last count.

And the final must is an ornament for the Christmas tree. We got a moose in Montana, a loon in Minnesota, an apple in NYC. We got some real doozies when we were exiles from the floods after Katrina from interstate gas stations between New Orleans and Denver.

Maine's got that lobster and lighthouse thing going on here, so we got a cute wooden lobster and a clam shell with a lighthouse painted on it. That clamshell was pretty close to being my favorite until we found this...


That would be Santa Claws...a lobster claw made into Santa! Better than a shot glass any day. This one is going in my carry on to make sure it's not lost or broken. Can't wait for the tree to go up.

Whale watching

We decided to spend an afternoon on a boat tour. I was torn between going to see the seals and lobster fisherman OR the whales and puffins. The whales won out and I figured we could do the seal tour on our next visit down east.

We bundled up after warnings of cold temperatures off shore, and thank goodness we did. I was cold!


We saw two whales coming up for a few moments and then diving to feed. We have lots of shots of the fin on the finback whales...


The boat hung out for about an hour waiting and watching as they came up for air and down to feed.


Charlie was the photographer for the day because my hands were not coming out of my pockets!


The whales leave a sort of void on the surface after they dive. The footprint lasts for several minutes.


We also rode out to see some sea birds near the light houses.

No bird photos but we did get to see lots of puffins, loons, black-backed gulls and Leach's storm-petrels.

Nice afternoon, complete with lobster and clam chowder dinner after we docked, of course. Can't get enough!

Down East

That's what they call this place..."Down East".


Not sure if we can get in on that lingo, but are loving the lighthouses, rocky coasts, and lobsters abound!


We are here a bit before the summer rush. Things have just begun to gear up around here, so I think we've timed it just right. It is still a bit chilly, and some places aren't open yet, but we're not hurrying to dinner reservations or worrying about not finding lodging.


We spent some time in Acadia National Park.


While hiking, our views through the trees were always of the coast, no matter where we were.


The temperature has been about 70 degrees each day and atop the mountains it's cool and windy.


We hiked to the top of Acadia Mountain and Cadillac Mountain.


The water looks so tempting, but I know better.


My new shoes, which I *love* (clearance at Massey's!) stayed on my feet.

Charlie braved the cold and put his toes in.


I was content to enjoy the breeze and the view.


We've been filling up on lobster. We've had some each day, and I think Charlie's got designs on having it in an omelet in the morning.


We've discovered the best way to have lobster...at a "lobster pound." These are little, unpretentious, no frills joints that have the fishermen's catch for you to check out and select and then they'll steam it for you to eat out on picnic tables or take to go.

We found "Beal's" in Southwest Harbor. We ordered a lobster, some mussels, corn, coleslaw, and a few beers. A steal for $60...


...considering Charlie selected a 4.25 lb lobster! It was about the biggest lobster I had ever seen!




Charlie was quite content. I still can't believe I gave in and agreed to such a beast! I felt a little sad for the animal sitting in the scale about to be tossed into the steamer.


It was nice to dine on fresh seafood by the water.


Charlie's tired of hearing me "Oh, it's just so Americana" in my swoony voice each time we turn the corner or drive around the bend, but there's no other way to describe it. (I'm sure many of you out there can imagine what Charlie's dealing with!)


Tiny coastal towns, bed and breakfasts, bakeries, pubs...


No sweater wearing, really. I didn't even bring a sweater, but now know who wears all those cute pale spring pink and yellow sweaters I see in catalogs.


We're enjoying poking around someone else's neighborhood, having new people to watch, and even talking about the next place we'll live.

Let the soup eating and sweater wearing begin

We made it to our hotel room at sunrise this morning after 12 hours of traveling. Delayed flights put us in Maine rather late, and we considered hitting the 24 hour LL Bean, but decided it best to head north and get to bed.

After sleeping for a better part of the day, we finally are topped off with lots of clams, both fried and in bowls of creamy chowder!

More rest tonight in flannel pjs and we'll be ready to explore and hike in the morning.