It's been a really fun and adventuresome 8 days for our little girl trip crew. We finished our last full day in Portland, Maine on Thursday and a half day while Midge was in dialysis, on Friday. The weather has been warm but only a few showers one evening. The food has been great, and Amy and Katie did a fabulous job of driving between here and Maine and back with side trips to Niagra Falls, Boston, and Salem, Mass. The weather turned perfectly cool and not humid on Friday, and we did get some final shopping done in comfort. I brought home just a few souvenirs. Some hand painted oyster shells, lobster magnets, books, Christmas ornaments, the mandatory sweatshirt with Maine across the front, and even a broom kit from Salem! Jack got a couple of items that I brought home for him. He's not a tee shirt, sweatshirt dude so Maine wild blueberry jam and a figurine of a boyscout for him. I collect those Lori Mitchel figurines and had never seen one of a boyscout but since Jack was a leader in scouts for 30yrs I thought it would be fun to get him one. (Maybe it was a little for me too? Ha!) After Midge got out of dialysis around 2:30pm we headed for home with a stop in Syracuse, NY for the night. That drive was a nightmare! I swear the whole state of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York were on the road with us. So much traffic. I'm from Chicago and have driven in big cities but this was ridiculous and tiring. We should have gotten to Syracuse by 8:30pm but rolled in around 11. Whew! After a good night's sleep, we were off for home yesterday. Thankfully the weather was great and no traffic problems. We made it to the Pines around 2:30. Then the girls wanted to visit our cute downtown and check out some more shops. We then had an early dinner and came back to make our broom kits into cute brooms. Jack said we looked like a witch's coven putting those together. Very funny hunny! A remark like in the 1600's would have gotten us burned at the stake!
When we were in Salem we had matching T-shirts that said; 'There's a little bit of witch in all of us" I thought they were cute and was happy the girls liked them and wore them for the day.
Not to be out done we wore matching T-shirts with lobsters on them for our full day in Maine. We got lots of comments about those from folks wanting to know where we got them because they wanted some. Again, they were cute!
We hit a few beaches. Not really to swim, just see the ocean, wet our feet and grab some shells. I always look for heart shaped rocks and found a couple there. Midge found some smooth rocks to take home to paint. She's turning into quite the artist these days.
She's been taking a watercolor class and is going to try and do one of this lighthouse.
Ella finding treasures and Midge enjoying the water. Notice the fog in the background? We were going to take a boat tour/whale watch, but it was cancelled due to fog.
Maine 25. I guess you could say we hit that trip running!
You get 3 guesses to know where we are here..the first 2 don't count!
We had to stop by and say hi to George Bush since we were in the neighborhood. He didn't even invite us in! Talk about prime real estate!
We are such tourists!
We bid a fond farewell to the streets of Portland tourist trap...I mean, area. Thanks Maine! It was a wonderful trip, and I would love to go back one day and travel more up the coast. It's on the list!
Before I forget, here's our brooms. Midge made a big one...she has to fly farther than me I guess! I made mine small to fit on a spot on my kitchen fireplace. (Those matchy matchy shirts were not planned. Great minds thinking alike?)
We sure had fun and this morning when the gang took off for Chicago and their homes there were a few tears and lots of hugs and "I'll miss yous!" Not sure when we'll be gathering again but thanks Midge, Katie, Amy, Ella, and Brooke. I was happy to tag along!
They made it home this afternoon safe and sound and full of souvenirs, car snacks, laughs, and lots of memories! Love you guys!
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5 comments:
You put a lot into a quick trip! I too made a salem broom when we went a few years ago. Friday is a horrid time to be in Boston on the roads.
Cathy
Acorn hollow
What a wonderful trip. WE LOVE the North East. And yes Jack will love the wild blueberry jam for sure. We did learn somethings about those wild berries, they are not 'picked' but they call it raking using forked finger things.
Anyway my girl LOVES a wild blueberry pie!
Good report, love sent from NC
What a great trip! Visiting Maine is on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing this fun getaway with us. Have a good week!
Hi, YaYa!
In reference to what we were expressing to each other on my blog earlier, I actually got misty-eyed seeing the last two pictures of your family members leaving The Pines behind and heading by car back home to Chicago. Call me a sentimental fool, but it really tugged at my heartstrings.
This is yet another wonderful post that boasts postcard quality pictures. I admire the fact that you praised Amy and Katie for the great job they did behind the wheel negotiating the heavy traffic for hours and hours at a time. I know how taxing that can be. You wind up stressed and exhausted and unable to fully enjoy your destination. By the way, did other motorists point and stare at you as you drove home with Elizabeth Montgomery strapped to the roof of your car with bungee cords? :) I love that all the girls wore those matching lobster t-shirts. That lighthouse looks exactly like the one my dad used as the subject of a watercolor painting he created 30-some years ago. Mrs. Shady and I have it hung on the wall of our upstairs bathroom.
I realize the "three guesses where we are here" picture is actually a trick question. I was going to say Kennebunkport, but that would not have been accurate. That's because the sign welcoming you to Kennebunkport was behind all of you, placing you outside the city limits in no man's land. :) I can't wait to see pictures of you riding your broom this October. Time to hit the local shops and stock up on new H-ween decorations.
It makes me happy to know that you enjoyed your girl trip and that you returned home safely, and also knowing that Midge and the others also made it home safely. What wonderful memories you will all share of your New England adventure in July of '25. Take care, dear friend YaYa, and I'll see you in the middle of next month when I offer up another edition of my nostalgic series Saved By The Dell.
You packed a lot in for only 8 days with driving. The shirts were a cute idea. Love the brooms too. I loved Maine when I was there, especially the cheap lobster. I thought Bush lived in Texas, not in Maine...but maybe he has more than one house. Janice
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