Freeport excursion

 

Aug. 3

Freeport, ME home of LL Bean.  Man do we know how to start a morning.  Flipping on the coffee as soon as we awakened, then next was our celebration breakfast of French Toast.  We weren’t celebrating anything but we thought after driving over 1200 miles it was time for a smile in our stomach.  From there we proceeded to downtown for our morning walk.  The town wasn’t awake yet but we didn’t care.  Our walk went down the main street and then out into some of the neighborhoods (did I mention they were hilly?).

  Their homes are so beautiful!  Narrow lots that go way back allow for some really interesting home layouts.  We were thoroughly impressed.  Some of the stores have some “cool” names – “When Pigs Fly” and “Mangy Moose” are two of them.

Next we traveled to Portland, ME for a “look see” at one of the iconic  light houses in the state, “Head Light House”.  This a short trip that we were glad we made. 

This light house sits on a spectacular rocky point, the entrance to Portland harbor.  As we looked around a yacht passed through.  It must have been every bit of 100’ long and at least 4 decks.  Looking around we see a set up for a foot race being constructed.  Being the bashful person I am, I walked over and ask what was to happen.  This is a run that was begun by Joan Benoit Samuelson (the winner of the first women’s Olympic marathon) several years ago and Saturday they expect over  6,500 participants.

While there, I asked where we could try a lobster roll.  They pointed over the hill to a small mobile kitchen.  The newspaper clippings on the kitchen showed that this was one of the best locations in the state for a lobster roll.  Jan and I made a “beeline” to the trailer.  When we got there the line was getting long, so we thought this will be good.  Ordering a “Maine lobster roll”, we sat down and waited our order to be called. 

Again, we started talking with others sitting and waiting.  The people up here may talk a little funny but they are really nice.  Each person gave us great advice on things to do and places to see.

From Portland we headed back toward Freeport.  But it was early and Jan remembered one of the places that we had been told of.  This place is called the Desert of Maine and is just a few miles out of Freeport.  It is an old farm (late 1700’s) that was over worked.  Over the years the soil blew away and sand covered it.  Some of the depths of the sand went to 90’.  This farm was 300 acres originally now it looks like nature has reclaimed about 70% and is slowly becoming a forested area again. 

To finish out the day, we decided to visit LL Bean. 

But on the way we stopped by a Ben and Jerry’s for ice cream.  Shopping finished us off for the day.