Sampson Cove & Goose Rocks Beach

Our days were mostly spent between kayaking in  Sampson Cove and relaxing on Goose Rocks Beach.  Our cottage overlooked the cove and had kayaks that we were able to use during our stay.  The catch was that we only had a four-hour window of time to kayak during high tide.  The cove completely empties during low tide, so we would be stuck carrying the kayak through the muddy clam beds that line the cove!  We explored some of the islands that were outside the cove, like Stage Island.  We pulled up our kayak along the grassy bank of this island and walked about a mile to the edge of the island that overlooks the open Atlantic Ocean.  It was a magnificent sight to see the waves breaking along the rocks that border the edge of this barrier island. Goose Rocks Beach was about three miles away from our cottage and where we spent most of our afternoons.  This beach was quiet and family-oriented.  There were tons of beach houses around this beach, so if we ever come  back to Maine we would probably look for a beach house to rent in this area where you could walk to the beach.  Parking seems to be very limited at all Maine beaches and very costly!  We had to buy a permit to park each day we went to the beach - yuck!

Notify TMZ - Celeb Sightings!

Cape Porpoise, Maine seemed to be the most unlikely place to spot any famous people, but we apparently were there during the most exciting week since Paul Newman shot a movie at Nunan's Lobster Hut (whenever Paul Newman made movies instead of salad dressing...so maybe 1970s??).  We were having our brunch at The Wayfarer and noticed lots of people setting up lights and screens outside The Captain's Restaurant, which is only open for dinner.  We asked our waitress what was going on, and she said that Taylor Swift was going to be shooting a music video there.  We slowly finished brunch so we could snoop some more, and then we decided to stake it out for a while.  The director of the video told us that Taylor would come out of the restaurant when she was finished and would wave to all her fans.  We waited for an hour to get a good glimpse of her. A few days earlier, we were driving through the center of Cape Porpoise and noticed an older gentleman standing at the stop sign along his bike.  He wiped the sweat off his brow, and looked right in our direction.  It was George H. W. Bush!  He was with a younger man on a bike in a bright yellow shirt, so I'm assuming that was his secret service agent.  Adam thought I was crazy, and that it couldn't have been President Bush even though their family stays at Walker Point just a few miles away from our cottage.  Later that evening, the local news confirmed that the Bush family was in town because Barbara was going to be visiting her hospital in Portland the next day.  So, chances are that WAS George H. W. Bush!  Too cool!!

Steaming, Fresh Lobstah!

The Food - Maine is known for fresh lobster, so we definitely tried it out!  We went to the Cape Pier Chowder House where you order at the counter and they bring out your order on paper plates to your picnic table overlooking the harbor.    The lobster was so fresh and the meat in the claw was the best!  One of our other favorite places was called The Wayfarer.  It was a local restaurant where everything was homemade.  We had breakfast here most mornings and enjoyed the fresh squeezed orange juice and real maple syrup on our pancakes and French toast.  The best part of visiting was the lady working there who wore sunnyside up dangly egg earrings every day.  She also had about ten rubber and bracelets on one arm and about ten beaded bracelets on her other arm.  She also topped her outfit off with completely mismatching socks in wild patterns that she wore with her Teva sandals...awesome!

Nuts About Baseball

The people in Boston are certainly nuts about baseball!  In particular, look at the peanut guy's dangly peanut earring...so intriguing yet so creepy.  It really makes you want to go buy peanuts, doesn't it?  Yeah, I thought so...and apparently he's hoping so, too.  This was the main gate at Fenway, and it was crazy!  We stood here waiting to get in for a while until we realized our tickets said we could only enter at gate c.  Oops...Fenway isn't like Great American Ballpark - you can't access all parts of the ballpark from every gate.

Hanging Out in the Yaahd

Boston - this city is really nice (in the touristy areas at least).  It is a big city with a small town feel.  The streets are tree-lined and the landscaping is gorgeous!  It almost feels like you are on a movie set - especially when you're in Beacon Hill.  Boston Common was wonderful!  Lots of benches and shade made for good people watching!  There was also a huge wading pool for little kids called the Frog Pond.  What a fun thing to do with kids for free!  There was also a lot of historical things to do around town, such as walk the Freedom Trail.  We walked a good portion of it and even eavesdropped on other people's paid tours with a tour guide dressed in Revolutionary War period clothing!  We saw where Paul Revere and Samuel Adams were buried and also lots of historic churches.  We veered away from taking the entire trail and watched the same street performers who were in Battery Park when we got engaged in NYC.  How do we know they were the same?  Their routine and what they said to the crowd was the exact same!!  We also made our way to the Esplanade for the 4th of July with the Boston Pops.  What a nightmare!!!  It might look nice on TV but there were too many people and not enough places on the lawn!  We quickly left and waited on the lawn in Boston Common to see a few fireworks before taking the late train back to Maine.   

I Love It When You Call Me Big Papi

Fenway Park is what baseball should be and what it probably was like years ago.  Die hard fans come in droves to support their hometown team and are very serious about baseball.  They mostly take the T to the games, which makes each car standing room only.  If you looked around on the T you'll see every person wearing a team shirt, jersey, hat, or tattoo (fake and real).         You could definitely tell that we were visitors.  The game was super hot on the 4th of July, but we still had a litttle bit of a breeze.  Jetfighters flew overhead and made messages in the sky - see picture above.  The Red Sox ended up losing to the Orioles (currently the worst team in baseball), so it was a rough day on the fans.  However, it was entertaining to see how upset the fans got over the team's poor performance and criticizing the plays.  These people definitely live for the game!

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Lunch today at the Bull & Finch pub on Boston, which inspired the look of Cheers.  It was exactly like the show but three stories high!  We entered through the basement and were welcomed by the friendly wooden Indian.  We shared a mug of clam chowda and Adam had to enjoy a beverage at one of the most famous bars in America!

Lovin' the 1-A Highway

Ahhh...the 1-A route up the coast.  If you ever get a chance to drive up this way, do it!  Not only do you get beautiful views of the coast, but you can explore all the little beach towns, too!  I personally loved the colorful little shops in Ogunquit, Wells, and Kennebunkport.  Each shop was so unique and sold very interesting merchandise!  The restaurants were the same way - not a chain restaurant up the entire coast.  My mom and mother-in-law would love these stretches of shops - not to mention the whole slew of outlet shops in Kittery (just inside the Maine state line)!  Maybe one day we can all go together...Maine seems to cater to big family groups from what I've seen traveling up the 1-A.

The Way Things Should Be

The sign welcoming you into Maine says: Maine: The Way Things Should Be.  It's probably right because there was almost an immediate sense of calmness to this area.  Especially after driving through Massachusetts - where drivers seem to interpret the speed limit as a guide to go at least 20mph faster than legally recommended! The coastline in Maine was rocky, but the ocean was extremely blue.   A stark contrast to the murky waters of the Atlantic in North or South Carolina!  There was a nice breeze and little humidity...we almost needed a jacket this evening even though it had been in the 80s all day. 

Down by the River

What a surprise this morning!  After driving until midnight, we stopped in Owego, NY.  Who knew that our hotel was on the banks of the Susquehanna River?!?!?  It was a beautiful view and the breakfast nook overlooked the river.  

Here's to You Mr. Poncho Maker

Here's to you Mr. Poncho Maker.  We rocked the poncho look today during a rainy Reds game!

When Pigs Fly

Did you see any little piglets flying around this afternoon? If you didn't, you probably should have because the Cincinnati Reds are now in first place in the National League! My husband and I have been going to the Reds games together for five years, and this is the best this team has played collectively for a long time. Hopefully this will continue throughout the rest of the season as we look forward to more road trips to Cincy. Go Reds! Sent from my iPhone