On to Boothbay Harbor!

Monday, September 7, 2015 – Labor Day!

Up this morning about 6:30, and down for breakfast about 7:30 a.m.  A fairly good spread – some scrambled eggs and country potatoes.  Packed up and were on our way a little after 8 a.m.  We decided that, rather than take the quickest way to Boothbay Harbor (that is, freeway back down south, picking up another freeway that goes north to Portland), we would instead go cross-country on smaller roads.  And wow, what a beautiful route that was! 

Bridge over Connecticut River

New Hampshire, here we come!

It was hard to tell exactly when we were in Vermont and when we were in New Hampshire, as our route originally took us along the Connecticut River, which defines the border between the two and bipped back and forth a bit.  But as we started east, in New Hampshire, we drove along large lakes and small, and there was even a bit of fall foliage turning colors – occasionally a bright red branch or tree!  I can only imagine how stunning this will look in a few weeks time!  Next time…We got to Maine about 11 a.m. and continued east to Portland, on the coast.  The part of Maine through which we traveled isn’t nearly as mountainous as VT and NH, but is still lovely in its own way.  I was surprised how quickly we reached Portland – it’s only about 50 miles from the Vermont border; somehow, I always imagined it to be farther away! 

Stunning Connecticut River

and incredible scenery everywhere!

Home of the lobsters!

In Portland, we basically turned north – or northeast, to be more accurate – and boy, am I glad that was the direction we were heading.  The freeway and roads going from north to south were absolutely jammed with people.  Truly incredible!  I’ve never seen so many kayaks (on car-top carriers)!  It reminded us of a trip to France once, when we were heading to Paris on August 1 – and truly, everyone in Paris was heading our way; the auto route was jammed with campers and trailers and cars towing boats of all description.  I had always heard that was what August 1 was like, but I’d never actually seen it in action.  That was truly like today! (A lady in one of the shops in Boothbay Harbor told us about one year when she and her husband were trying to head south on Labor Day – and there was a 4-hour traffic jam to get to Portland!) 

Despite the temptation to stop at Freeport – home of L.L. Bean and a wonderful outlet area – we resisted and made our way up the freeway, getting off on Highway 1 a few miles north.  From there, we made our way through some lovely areas to Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor.  As it was a bit past lunchtime, but still not time for hotel check-in (3 p.m.) we decided to stop for lobster rolls. 

Robert wanted to photograph holiday traffic!

Phil and Mike's Lobster Roll

We passed several places – one of which wasn’t open – and finally settled for Mike & Phil’s Lobster Rolls on Route 27 a few miles from Boothbay Harbor.  This place really wasn’t a restaurant per se – rather, it’s a sparkling clean kitchen where you queue to order and pay, and then wait until Mike or Phil or whoever is cooking that day calls your name.  The menu is basically limited to lobster rolls and chowder with cookies or pie for dessert.  There are chairs and a high ledge running around the kitchen area outside, as well as picnic tables under cover in what was formerly the garage.  We both ordered lobster rolls, and then waited on the porch for our names to be called.  Fortunately, it wasn’t long … we were both hungry!  And WOW!  What wonderful lobster rolls!  Made us realize why the only really great lobster rolls are found in Maine!  Lobster meat mixed with just a hint of mayonnaise, and that was it, on a nicely crisped roll.  Gone before we knew it!  Back into the car then, and on to Beach Cove Waterfront Inn, Boothbay Harbor. 

As it was about 1:45 p.m. and check in wasn’t until 3, our room was probably ready but we still had to wait.  No problem, as we took our books down the hill and settled next to the water on a picnic bench in the shade. 

M with lobster roll!

R and a lobster roll!

It was very warm out – mid-80’s, but there was a wonderful breeze and the view was spectacular, and it was so peaceful and quiet.  Just the perfect place to unwind for a day or two!  Finally, a few minutes until 3 we were given the keys to room #34 – and truly, it’s WONDERFUL!  It is a two-room suite (as we had planned on having Mom with us!).  The first room you enter has two nice double beds, a flat screen TV, a huge closet, the sparkling clean bathroom, and a desk table, perfect for the computer.  The next room you step into has one king-sized bed and as a second TV and a comfy sofa, as well as a beautiful balcony overlooking the property and the water.  The flooring throughout is wood, and everything is so clean and fresh and new!  We love it!  A terrific success! 

We settled our things into our new space (staying here for two nights) and decided to make a voyage of discovery into town. 

View from our hotel

Bedroom with balcony!

It’s actually quite close to the hotel (although you’d never know it from how quiet this place is!) and we ran a couple of errands first – CVS and the grocery store for some wonderful Sauvignon Blanc – and then parked down by the water for a brief stroll around.  They have some really lovely shops, and I could have spent lots of $$, but decided that experiences are more interesting than more stuff, of which we have plenty…so…back to the hotel about 5, and I checked with the lovely manager to see where she recommended for dinner…as we are looking for lobster.

Well!  The recommendation was a place called Boothbay Lobster Wharf & Fish Market.  It was just on the other side of Boothbay Harbor; very interesting.  First of all, there was a two story structure with picnic tables inside and outside, both upstairs and downstairs.  There was a full bar on the ground floor of the structure.  Then, outside, there were three “stops” – one with a variety of sea food as well as lobster rolls, one with desserts – fabulous ice cream and different kinds of pies and sundaes – and one for lobster – the entire thing – with payment based on the size, and including one side dish each. 

Looking from upper story of lobster pound

What a place!

Not sure exactly what we ordered, but the young man seemed to know what we wanted, and actually, he was right! 

We took our glasses (individual little bottles) of Barefoot Chardonnay and Lunetta Prosecco (one glass each) upstairs, and fortunately for us, had the whole top floor to ourselves.  The reason I say ‘fortunately’ is that we really and truly made a mess with those lobsters.  There was lobster juice and shell parts flying everywhere – and did I mention that we at least were given bibs to tie around our necks?  The lobsters were absolutely, positively, incredibly wonderful, and we each enjoyed every bite.  I’m only glad that we were wearing t-shirts and shorts, as it really seemed like we would need to shower to get all the lobster juice off of us!  Then, heading to the dessert shack, I got the biggest ice cream cone ever – one scoop of vanilla and one of chocolate, and I even managed to eat the entire thing without making a mess!  A first!!  Robert had a piece of warm apple pie, which he cleaned right up. 

Dinner!

Beautiful Boothbay Harbor

By now, the sun had set, and it was actually getting cooler! What a concept?!  So we turned the car toward the hotel and in 10 minutes we were back here.  It was wonderful turning off the air conditioners and opening the windows – fortunately, we even have screens in some of the windows and to the balcony.  Robert is now watching the U.S. Open and I am blogging…preparing to fall asleep very quickly!

More tomorrow!

m

xxx