Maine, How I Love Thee….Let Me Count the Ways

This is my first time visiting Maine. I had to see for myself what the big deal was. We arrived in late on Sunday so we didn’t have time for exploring. On Monday, I didn’t really see anything spellbinding around town. Oh, it was cute and quaint but what was all the fuss about?

Tuesday was when this coastal charm stole my heart. It was absolutely stunning and my first glimpse of the coastline nearly took my breath away. It felt pretty much like the first time I saw the Grand Canyon. I remember standing there with my mouth wide open saying to myself, “how in the world did this all happen”. It was so amazing, so grand, so unbelievable.

I felt that same exact way when I laid eyes on those beautiful earth brown rocks poking out through the blueish green clear waters. I’ve been to the Caribbean and Cancun and I have to say this tops both.

Maybe it’s the rocks. After all, I have a ‘thing’ for rocks. I’ve been saving my favorite rocks since I was a child. I still have a small bag full of my most treasured finds. Among my prized possessions are a pink rock with a hint of a heart shape and one I swear is a tektite meteorite stone.

But regardless of what the draw is, it’s hard to take a bad picture here. Everywhere you look, it’s very, very beautiful. While I would never entertain hanging out here in the winter months, I could easily make this my summer love. And it doesn’t hurt that, aside from the day we arrived, the weather has been simply gorgeous. It’s been sunny with pleasant temperatures all week. So without further ado, I will share what our week has looked like.

Sites We’ve Seen

Exploring near Marginal Way

Marginal Way – If you’re ever in Southern Maine, I highly recommend you walk the Marginal Way Footpath. It’s about a mile with lots of benches along the way. We’ve been twice and will probably go back one more time. This is where I stole my first glimpse of this beautiful place and it’s well worth your time. There are a few bed and breakfasts you can stop into for a quick lunch. At each entrance there are plenty of places to eat and shop.

Ogunquit Beach – Even after Labor Day, this beauty was pretty darn crowded. But hey, it’s the beach so who’s complaining? Definitely not me. In the section where we were, you could go out pretty far and still be only knee-deep. The water, as expected, was pretty nippy but that didn’t stop the kids.

Places We’ve Eaten

Hey we are on vacation after all. This is the first family vacation we’ve taken this year. And, as the locals say it, we’re in ‘lobstah’ territory. So, we’ve been indulging ourselves.

Jake’s Seafood – This place has the absolute best fried clams/shrimp I’ve ever had. Of course hubby and I enjoyed a lobster each.

Many, many flavors

Backyard seating

Scoop Deck – This is an ice cream joint with seating in the ‘backyard’, picnic table style. There are so many flavors of ice cream here it’s amazing. We’ve already been twice and will probably make a final stop before leaving.

East Restaurant – This is a Chinese restaurant that also serves Thai and Japanese. I was skeptical, being in a beach town known for seafood. But we were pleasantly surprised. All the adults ordered Thai dishes and they were all very good. The girls ordered Chinese dishes and enjoyed them as well.

Lobster Pound Restaurant – We went here based on a review stating they had great lobster prices. NOT. Yes, we’re on vacation in lobster land but we still have a budget to adhere to. Their lobsters were $20/lb. Ummm, no. We ate hamburgers while shaking our heads at the review.

Perkins Cove Lobster Pound – Now we’re talking. This is the lobster shack we had intended to visit. Two 1 1/4 pound lobsters for $22, yep, this is where it’s at. They don’t have much else except the best darn corn on the cob I’ve had in a while. We’ll be hitting this up one more time.

Places We’ve Shopped

We haven’t really spent any money in the tourist traps. In fact, we try to avoid them at all costs. We did get some postcards and some chocolate of course. But perhaps that should be grouped above? Nah, we don’t want it to look like all we do is eat!

Bread & Roses Bakery – Nice place to stop in for a loaf of bread or a quick lunch. We got some cupcakes and the girls shared a giant cookie. I’ve definitely had better, cupcake was eh.

Harbor Candy Shop – This place is expensive. And sometimes snobbishness accompanies that, you know what I mean? Make sure you’re wearing fine jewelry and your best cologne before entering. Okay, okay, I’m exaggerating a tad bit. But $1 for ONE chocolate covered cherry??!! Oh, and marzipan for $42/lb, ummm, I’m good, thank you very much.

It’s already Friday and this week has flown by!

Oh, my beloved rocks!

Before we know it, we’ll be nestled into our next location in Niagara Falls. I reserved a state park on the cheap. The same one I was planning on staying at this summer, Four Miles Creek State Park. We only have electric, no water or sewer hook-ups. But at $20/night versus the ridiculous rates I’ve seen, we’ll take it.

Oh, the kids will be crying the internet withdrawal blues and we’ll be showering in the bath houses but that will suit us just fine. This is the closest state park to the falls. I hear from reviews that it’s pretty, there’s room to stretch out and has some hiking trails. Sounds good to me.

Maine, we love you

I will be very, very sad to leave Maine. But I’m very grateful for the experience. This place has been amazing. But no worries, if fate allows it, I will definitely be coming back.

{Hugs} from the Crew!

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