The Grand Finale

We are posting two entries today in order to include the pictures from our Pemaquid trip on Monday, so be sure to scroll down to that entry.

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and yesterday was the last day of the 2010 Maine Event.  We decided to end it with a grand finale; that is, a Cap’n Fish’s Special Tour out of Boothbay Harbor.

The Pink Lady was waiting for us at Pier 7 and we began boarding at 9:30.

Ironically our Captain was quite young and his name is Young.

We departed Boothbay Harbor at ten hundred hours sharp.  Spruce Point marks the eastern point of Boothbay Harbor.

We played tag with this sailboat as we rounded Ram Island.

Along the way we saw a couple of Osprey nests as well as seals lounging around on Hypocrite Islands.

Then we made our way into Christmas Cove where another pair of ospreys make their home.  The tower in the background was used during World War II.

The last leg of our tour passed by Damariscotta River and Ocean Harbor.

Burnt Island Lighthouse marks our way back into Boothbay Harbor along the western shoreline.  The light is automated today but, it is a state historical site with the lighthouse tender’s boathouse and boat on display.

Once back on dry land it was time to forage up some food and we found another great seafood meal awaiting us at McSeagulls Restaurant.  After chowing down we spend some time checking out a few of the cute little shops that make up downtown Boothbay Harbor.

What a great week it has been.  We’ve enjoyed the company of wonderful people, eaten all of Maine’s seafood (sorry folks), drank a few margaritas, told many a story, and laughed a lot.  The weather has been superb and our accommodations more than adequate.  We are truly blessed people in deed. 

Hope you have enjoyed following along and be sure to check out Glen and Sylvia’s, Mike and Peggy’s,  and Mark and Dortha’s accounts of our week together at the Maine Event.

Pemaquid Point Trip

Here are the pictures that we promised to post from our trip to Pemaquid.  We took the wrong road and ended up at Christmas Cove which is on the west side of John’s Bay, however, it provided us with a lot of beautiful views none the less.

 

John Smith sailed and charted the coast of Maine back in the early sixteen hundreds.  Colonial Pemaquid was settled in 1625, some fifteen years prior to the arrival of the Mayflower at Plymouth, Massachusetts.  We had lunch at the Historic Site overlooking Pemaquid Harbor.  The remains of Fort William Henry along with many foundations of the early settlement still remain.

After our visiting the Colonial Pemaquid Historic Site we made our way to the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse where we strolled around the grounds, climbed on the rocks, visited the gift shop next door, and enjoyed the many views.

Before we knew it, it was getting time to eat again so we took an hour’s drive from Pemaquid Point to Harpswell and Estes Lobster House which is located right on the waterfront.  Old Salty greeted us while Mr. Lobstah told us to “Eat Mor Chikin”.  We had a window table with views across the bay and enjoyed some more wonderful seafood, sorry Mr. Lobstah!

Well, Thar Ya Go!!  Hope you enjoyed the photo tour.

A Drive Along The Coast

We piled into two vehicles, with our picnic lunches in hand, and pointed them in the direction of Pemaquid Point.  The plan was to visit Colonial Pemaquid Historic Site, Pemaquid Beach, and Pemaquid Lighthouse.  After a few detours (note:  I’ve never been lost in my life, however, I was confused once for three days) we arrived at our destination.

Along our “side trips” we were able to catch the picturesque Maine coast on digital film; it was a beautiful drive to say the least.  Once arriving at Colonial Pemaquid we secured a picnic table for partaking of our lunches while gawking out over the waterfront.  Priceless.

From there we made our way out to the point and Pemaquid Lighthouse where we spent a couple hours climbing on the rocks, touring the museum, climbing up to the light, and visiting the gift shop next door.

Then we made our way back to Brunswick where we turned south heading to Harpswell for dinner at Estes Lobster House which sits on a narrows with water frontage on both sides of the restaurant.  After having a nice meal together we spent some time walking on the beach and watching the sunset.

After that it was time to head for the barn to get some rest before starting all over again today.  Now, you may have noticed that we haven’t included any pictures today – that’s because my ‘puter is acting up and keeps locking up while I’m scanning the photos.  I think I have the problem fixed, however, it is time to get ready to head out once again so I promise to post pictures of yesterday’s outing hopefully tonight.

A Zero Day

Well, not entirely a zero day.  Glenn and Sylvia and Mark and Dortha attended church with us at the First Baptist Church of Freeport.  This was our home church when we lived in Topsham.  It was good for Judy and I to see a lot of friends from the past and we enjoyed hearing a great message from Pastor Sandy.

     

However, after church we all decided that today was going to be at stay home day.  We gathered at Mark and Dortha’s where the guys watched the NASCAR race outside while the gals gathered inside to do whatever it is gals do inside while guys watch sports outside.  I even managed to sneak a twenty minute katt napp into the equation.

We ended the day by grilling some meat (as in hamburgers and hot dawgs) and sharing in a whole bunch of pot luck side dishes – another yummy meal.  So, I guess it wasn’t entirely a “zero day” but, it was a relaxing day while spending time with good friends.

The day ended on kind of a downer, Mikee has to drive back to New York to go to “w*rk” (it’s hard for me to say that word).  So, we’ll be one down for the next couple of days.  The good news is that Peggy will still be around to join in with us for the rest of The Maine Event.

Well, I guess that’s all from Vacationland for now.  Be sure to come back tomorrow to see some more photographs from our outing to Pemaquid.  We’ve rested and regained our stamina so we’re off to rock and roll once again.

Tourist Season

There are seven seasons in Maine; winter, mud, spring, black fly, summer, tourist, and fall.  We are officially in tourist season and they certainly had a bumper crop this weekend in Freeport. 

The Maine Event crowd, we’re not tourists mind you, took a journey to DeLorme’s in Yarmouth followed by the trek into Freeport.  Now, true Mainers, known world wide for their down to earth common sense, know better than to stick their noses into Freeport on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in July.  But, we just had to make our appearance into the land of LL Bean in order to say, “We’ve been there, done that!!”

However, let’s start with our visit to DeLorme’s.  Most of you recognize the DeLorme as the mapping technology company that developed Street Atlas USA software but, it is also home to Eartha.  Eartha is the world’s largest rotating and revolving globe.  It has a diameter of 41 feet and a circumference of almost 130 feet.  The Earth’s revolution is mimicked by Eartha’s cantilever arm as it circles the base; it takes 18 minutes for Eartha to make one revolution.

         

Along Route 1, between Yarmouth and Freeport, Maine, stands the “BFI” - Big Freeport Indian.  The Indian is 50’ tall and the work of a Pennsylvania artist.  He is made of fiberglass, plywood, and steel rods and was erected in 1969.  As you can see, he is quite photogenic.

From the “BFI” we made our way to downtown Freeport, Maine, the home of LL Bean.  We spent a couple of hours “shopping”.  The place was buzzing with activity, to say the least.  There were people swarming everywhere like bees around a hive.  Judy found herself a pair of shorts, Glen found a shirt, Mark found some binoculars, and Dortha found a tri-pod for her camera.  

    

One thing that “shopping” does is to conjure up a real strong desire for a nice “Maine Made Ice Cream” cone.  Judy and I choose the Maine Blueberry and it was yummy.  Notice the LL Bean bags; yep, we stimulated the Maine economy alright.

Then it was home for a good old fashioned pot luck dinner with grilled shrimp by Mark being the center piece of the meal.  There was fried ‘taters, asparagus, stir fried squash, pickled beets, and a nice garden salad to complement the shrimp.  Dessert was frosted brownies with chocolate chips in them.  This is a tough gig, I wonder when we are going to get a decent meal around here?

    

Dinner was followed by margaritas, conversation, and laughter.  Dortha has this margarita making thing right down to a science - “How Sweet ‘Tis!”

Well, I guess that just about sums it up for another day for the Maine Event.  We are sure having lots of fun and enjoying spending time together.  Be sure to check back tomorrow to see what kind of mischief we find to get into today.