Pinchy (#2)

We had an amazing weekend in Maine over Memorial day weekend to check another item off my list!  We flew from Charlotte to Boston on Saturday, picked up a car and headed North.  The first stop was Ogunquit, which was recommended by one of my friends who goes to Maine every year with her family.  It was a cute coastal town and our first stop was Barnacle Billy’s for a delicious lobster roll.

After that we walked along the Marginal Way trail to a sandy the beach where we paddled in  icy cold water and enjoyed lying in the sun for a few hours.  Then we drove on up to Portland and arrived at the Portland Harbor Hotel by late afternoon.  I took a peaceful nap and then we headed out for some beers and a cheese and meat plate at Novare Res Café to kick off the night.

 

That was followed by an amazing meal at Fore Street.  We had fresh sardines, then mussels, then a pork chop.  On the way back to the hotel there was a live band in one of the bars that caught my attention and a few Jack Daniels later it was time to dance.

Sunday started with a yummy brunch at Becky’s Diner.  After that we took a drive out to the breathtaking Portland Head Lighthouse (as seen in one of my favourite Edward Hopper’s paintings).

Around lunchtime we drove further up the coast with stops at Orr’s Island for the views and Wiscasset for homemade wild blackberry ice cream. 

We arrived at the Hawthorn Inn B&B in Camden in the afternoon and then headed out to explore the town.  Our landlady aka “Nosey Nancy” wanted to be very involved in the planning of the stroll and dinner (this became a theme) but we managed to quickly escape her.  We sat on the deck of the Waterfront Restaurant watching the boats and had enjoyed some oysters in anticipation of Maine lobster in Maine. 

Pinchy the 3lb lobster was freshly steamed and dipped in hot butter. I was impressed with how much better the lobster was in Maine than I’ve had elsewhere.

On Monday we had our first (and last) breakfast prepared by Nosey Nancy.  The food she made was out of this world but the overly formal dining room and awkward forced interaction with the other guests was a pain.  After that we picked up some sandwiches and headed on a hike up Mt. Battie.  It was a hot, rocky scramble but absolutely worth it for the views at the top.

Tired but happy from the hike we read and relaxed in the serene Camden Harbor Park (which was designed by Frederick Olmsted who also designed Central Park in New York). The day ended with a pizza and a movie.

Feeling indulgent that it was my last day of vacation (and eager to avoid breakfast) I went and had a massage.  Around lunchtime we started heading back down to Boston, with a stop at Red’s Eats in Wiscasset for ONE final lobster roll.  It was an amazing long weekend and I will definitely be returning to Maine.