Maine I Love It!

A few years ago my best friend and I decided to go on vacation with her 14 year old son, 18 year old daughter and friend. We had wanted to visit Maine for a while and decided to go to Old Orchard Beach. We wanted to relax and enjoy the trip so the first night we would stay in Gorham,NH which was a little over 2/3's of the way. The Town and Country Inn, located near Mt. Washington would be our destination the first day.

We started early in the morning from Ogdensburg,Ny located on the Canadian Border and traveled to Plattsburg and than took a ferry across Lake Champlaine to Burlington, VT from there we headed on to Gorham,NH. We arrived in the afternoon and had time to use the hot tub and the pool before dining.

Thus the first nights wind down would suffice.

The accommodations were excellent and the next morning we had breakfast there . The mountain air was crisp and cool and the mist and fog was rolling off the mountains.

We had a few hours before we would arrive in Old Orchard. We stopped at a visitor's center as we entered Maine. We procured many brochures and asked multiple questions and we were received with friendliness and hospitality. One of the girls working there spied the Ogdensburg sweatshirt on the 14 year old and said she had one just like it. Her grandmother lived in Ogdensburg and her mother grew up here. Small world isn't it?

Early afternoon we arrived at Old Orchard Beach and found our accommodations to be quite satisfactory. We had a cottage with a living room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms ,bathroom and a screened in porch and even a small back step and yard with a clothesline.

The Ocean was quite close you could view it from the porch and even better your could hear the roar of the wave.

We headed for the beach and checked out the landscape and the weather was exceptionally warm and the area quite populated.

We headed out to find the supermarket to load up on supplies and necessities for our stay.

We then had supper, the teenagers headed for the amusement park a couple blocks away they would be back later walking along the beach to come home. The sunset was superb that evening and was very calming and relaxing along with the sound of the ocean.

I spent most of my evenings on the porch with my trusty laptop and my friend usually watched TV or napped or both.

Our days were filled with site seeing and walking on the beach and in the ocean looking for shells and such. What a wonderful feeling when the water goes back out and the sand makes you feeling like your sinking and moving at the same time. I love it.

We spend a day at the Well's Auto Museum. There was a large array of antique cars, bicycles, and old time juke boxes as to say. There were various player piano's where coins were deposited for music. My friend gave a demonstration of old time boogie to one of the numbers much to the dismay of her son. It was a very interesting place to visit.

Also that day we went to the Lighthouse Depot in Wells. We have a love of lighthouses, my friend more than I. There were so many lighthouse articles and gifts, it was awesome. The prices went from affordable to outrageous, but hours could be spent pondering the merchandise. It was a very memorable experience. I would return if I ever had the opportunity.

Another one of our side trips was to Kennebunkport to visit the quaint shops and lunch. Cabot Cove is located near Kennebunkport which reminded us of Jessica from "Murder She Wrote ". A short cruise of the ocean from Kennebunkport revealed the Portland Lighthouse and Seal Island with quite a few seals to entertain us.

We allowed time to wade in the ocean and collect shells most every day. We could also go into the heated pools afterwards. I loved the moments in the ocean itself.

Another day trip to Aquarium was enjoyable, the seals were delightful and the many forms of ocean marine life was very interesting and informative.

Miniature golf at the Pirate's Cove is very enjoyable. A few trips there provided relaxation and enjoyment despite the large array of mosquitoes.

An evening was spent at the Amusement Park at Old Orchard browsing the many concession stands with all their wares displayed. My favorite was a booth with an airbrush artist who painted everything from guitars, T-shirts to license plates, even a picture of Elvis. A stroll along the pier investigating their shops was also part of the evening.

The days passed and we enjoyed the ocean and trips to shop for groceries, T-shirts, memorabilia. Also a trip to find a Laundromat was successful. Soon it was time for the trip home.

Trying to pack the car was a riot, we had much more returning than starting, somehow we managed. We said good-bye to Maine and proceeded back to Gorham New Hampshire for the night. We again stayed at the Town and Country Inn. The next morning it was quite a difference waking to morning mountain air after being in Maine. We had a lengthy breakfast and proceeded home.

Another trip across Lake Champlain fromVermont to Plattsburg, NY and on to Ogdensburg.

We arrived before supper no worse for the wear. I would like to have many more trips to Maine, only with less people, like one person, myself to take in the ocean and all its splendor!

I built this lighthouse it sits in my friends' backyard and when I go there it reminds me of our trip to Maine.

This is my reminder of Maine, the ocean and peace.