Southern Maine

First stop on the drive to Boothbay Harbor: Rooster Brother, a great kitchen shop in Ellsworth. We made further stops in Lincolnville and Camden before having lunch in Cafe Miranda in Rockland with Brian Harden, another college classmate. The Roasted Vegetable Medley and the "Sorta Kefta" lamb patties were both excellent. 

After checking into our hotel in Boothbay we crossed the harbor via the pedestrian bridge and wandered around town for a bit.

After a way good Sunday breakfast we headed for the Botanic Garden. This garden, opened in 2007. It was great then. And it has only gotten bigger and better. Each summer they feature work by a sculptor. This summer's exhibit features George Sherwood’s kinetic sculptures. 

Sculpture by George Sherwood...
suspended metal disks reflect light.

We enjoyed lunch upstairs at "The Boathouse". We each had risotto (BLT for Pat and Scallop for Bill). After a short break we drove down to Ocean Point and got some great views over the harbor. 

View at Ocean Point

Next morning after breakfast we took a short side trip to Damariscotta to see the shops and then head toward Freeport. We arrive in time for a late lunch at Linda Bean’s - lobster for Pat and haddock for Bill with a nice New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. 

After lunch we enjoyed our shopping spree at LL Bean...spending Bill's birthday gift card from his Mom.

While walking back to the car we have an unexpected encounter with the daughter of one of neighbors from when we lived in Sudbury MA (1972-1984), Lorraine, her husband Burns and daughter Gracie. They were in the area visiting potential universities for Gracie (Colby, Bates and Bowdoin), and being solid New Englanders they were making the obligatory Freeport shopping stops (outlets and LL Bean).

With Lorraine, Burns & Gracie in Freeport.
Lorraine is sooo... much better at taking selfies than I am. Sigh.

We went to Portland in the morning for a little touring and shopping and were back in Freeport for lunch. Bill rested and Pat shopped for the rest of the afternoon.

At a shop in Portland: Maple Syrup from Foss Hill Farm,
Produced and packaged by childhood friend Barb Crispell

Wednesday we visited the Portland Museum of Art. Founded in 1882 as the Portland Society of Art, the collection includes decorative and fine arts dating from the 18th century to the present, and includes notably Maine artists including Winslow Homer and the Wyeth family (Andrew, Jamie and N.C.). It's a great collection and we enjoy going there on most of our visits to the state. After visiting the museum we drove to the eastern promenade for some views over the bay and islands.

NC Wyeth: Dark Harbor Fishermen 1943

Bernard Langlais: Indian Jungle Scene 1966

Lunch was with Peter and Caroline, friends that we met in San Miguel but who live in Portland.  Lunch was at the Great Lost Bear, a pub in their neighborhood. Peter and Bill talked about painting and technology while Caroline and Pat discussed some possible activities around Charleston and Savannah. 

We were having withdrawal symptom and had to stop at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods for snacks.  Upon our return to Freeport we also visited "When Pigs Fly" (a fabulous bakery featuring a broad range of crusty breads). 

Thursday we shop around Freeport and visit Linda Bean again for lunch. Pat had steamers (steamed clams) and Bill had more scallops. All washed down with a Steele Chardonnay. And we had the blueberry pie for dessert. A great traditional meal.

Steamers

Friday we visited "When Pigs Fly" again to pick up some bread to take along on our visit with Dave and Margie on Hutchinson Pond. Dave is a co-worker of Pat's from the early 70's. We arrived at their place in Western Maine around midday. After some catching up on happenings we headed to Bethel for dinner at 22 Broadstreet, a very fine Italian restaurant, We shared stuffed mushrooms followed by ravolis with bacon, carmelized onion and cheese for Pat and Carbonara for Bill ...all accompanied by a very nice Primitivo. We had several torrential downpours during dinner but managed to escape to the car during a lull.

Next morning after breakfast the four of us scaled Mt Sabbatus, 1.4 mile loop to the 1253 foot summit. It was what Terry would call a "roots and rocks" trail, but we managed it easily and enjoyed the views from the top.

At the summit of Mt Sabbatus

View from Mt Sabbatus...looking over Southern NH

Dave and Margie headed home and we headed for Ogunquit for lunch at Prego. After stops at Stonewall Kitchen and the flagship "When Pigs Fly",  we left Maine and headed for our B&B in Portsmouth NH.

Bread From When Pigs Fly: Sun-Dried Tomato with Fresh Basil