Maine, Part I

It's been a long time. Hopefully blogging will be consistent again, but WN isn't making any more promises.

PREMISE

WN and WoWN were set to leave on vacation for a week. All summer long we had been planning to go south to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. But with nothing booked 4 days before leaving and with temperatures forecasted into the 90's, we changed plans and decided to head for the lobster-filled and cooler shores of Maine. To be young and spontaneous - and to have procrastinated long enough to make a last minute decision.

SUNDAY

WN and WoWN left at 5:30 a.m. for the long drive to Portland, Maine. With a quick stop at Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast and coffee, we were off. The trip was largely uneventful, although it rained most of the way through New Jersey and we ended up detouring on the Palisades Parkway instead of going through New York City or around it on the Garden State Parkway.

We arrived in Boston around 1:00 p.m. to stop and visit friends who had recently moved to the city. We caught up with them for a leisurely lunch and chat. Very nice and welcome respite from the road.

From there, we drove to Portland and arrived around 5:30 p.m. We stayed at Howard Johnson's, which also had an attached Friendly's. A decent place to hang your hat for two days. Then we ventured into Portland proper.

The weird thing about Portland is that they did a lot to advertise their downtown area, but Portland seemed devoid of maps and signs. We ended up driving through a rather unremarkable part of Portland - was there really nothing to do or see here? - before finally stumbling upon the downtown area. It's not all that big, but it was nice and we had a good dinner and beers at Gritty McDuff's. WN enjoyed a lobster roll (LOBSTER MEAL #1). After dinner we walked around the area a little more before retreating to HoJo's and stopping by Friendly's for dessert.

MONDAY

We struck out in the morning, grabbed a small breakfast, and headed to South Portland and Cape Elizabeth. We enjoyed the morning near Two Lights State Park and Fort Williams, doing some light hiking along the rocks and enjoying the relaxing lapping of the waves of Casco Bay. We ate lunch at a lobster pound (the name of which escapes me), which claimed to have the best lobster rolls in Portland. Challenge accepted. WN and WoWN both partaked (partook?) lobster rolls, which were indeed delicious (LOBSTER MEAL #2).

After lunch, we went back to Portland and walked along the rail trail. Then we struck out for Freeport for dinner (at the Jameson Tavern, where allegedly the state charter or something similar was signed for Maine) and a stop by L.L. Bean headquarters, which is actually open 24-7. If you want comfortable outdoor gear and sensible casual wear at 3 in the morning in southern Maine, this is your place.

TUESDAY

Tuesday we packed up, grabbed breakfast, and headed up Route 1 to Boothbay Harbor. Boothbay was very nice and we strolled along the harbor before settling in at Captain Jack's Lobster Shack or something else so quaintly named. We had a lobster bake (although we got chips instead of a baked potato, but okay) and a pitcher of Shipyard Ale while sitting on the farside of the harbor. This was the best lobster WN had ever eaten - magnificent (LOBSTER MEAL #3). After lunch, we walked around the harbor, looked at the ships, stopped in some shops, had some ice cream (french maple? outrageous!) and then headed back to the car.

From Boothbay Harbor, we drove further on Route 1 to Searsport, which is along the northside of Penobscot Bay. We stayed at the 1794 Watchtide by the Sea Bed and Breakfast, a small but charming little B&B on the bay. We checked in, unpacked, and then headed down to Belfast for dinner. Most of Belfast was closed or closing by 8:00, but we did have an enjoyable meal at Darby's before retiring for the night.

Stay tuned for Part II, coming soon.