May 27
Driving through the Painted Lakes area of New York - gorgeous. Stopped in a beautiful town called Owego on the Susquehanna River. Look at these amazing homes. What I really love about the midwest and east coast is that so many homes (even those less grand) have large porches with seating. Growing up in 50s California, the homes didn't really feature porches, all were fenced for privacy. Although the kids played in the streets (come in when the street lights come on!) the neighborhoods weren't really meant for walking and visiting neighbors on the porches. So I've always been attracted to the porch life. Of course with air-conditioning, people probably don't use their porches in the midwest and east anymore, but I love to think of the times when people lived on their porches in the evenings.
May 28
Kittery is the oldest town in Maine, right across the river from Portsmouth NH. Lots of great restaurants, and the start of that beautiful Maine coastline. Also stopped in Damariscotta - voted best place to live in Maine in Down East magazine last year - Down East magazine is the Maine version of Sunset.
Fort McClary - Kittery
Fort McClary - Kittery
Damariscotta, Maine
May 29-30
I love the Rockport/Camden area. I stayed here a few days last October and was happy to have a couple of extra days to stop there again. Settled into my charming AirBnB. Shared a bottle of wine with my hostess Frances and the dogs bonded with her sweet little terrier Lily. Frances manages the Archipelago shop in Rockland, the gift shop, filled with local arts and crafts, that helps fund the non-profit Island Institute.
The Island Institute was founded to help sustain Maine's island and remote coastal communities. Frances was also housing an intern for the summer, a lovely girl (I can't remember her name!) from San Francisco who is a senior at Bates College in Maine majoring in environmental studies. A really interesting evening, great conversation.
Rockport - Frances' house
Dogs on the back patio
Frances recommended a great walk through the town of Rockport, the harbor and a spectacular conservation area - again, I enjoyed looking at the homes in the town - not as many porches, the homes were in the New England style.
The second evening I was able to visit Lisa who was my AirBnB hostess in October. The dogs enjoyed playing with Sammie, Lisa's golden doodle. Lisa (an artist and fellow USTA tennis player) also turned 60 and had just returned from 3 weeks at a Chateau in France, a pretty nice way to celebrate! She had another AirBnB guest, Ed from NC. He was recently retired as a professor at UNC. He was there to prepare his boat for the summer. An avid sailor, he and his family have been summering on the water in Maine for decades. Another great evening of wine and conversation thanks to AirBnB!
May 30
The mid-coast of Maine is really special - I keep returning to Belfast. So picturesque. Look at the stunning views along the harbor.
There seems to be a theme with the boat names . . .
May 31
Finally arrived in Eastport Maine, my home for the next 6 weeks or so. I can't wait to get to know this area! Stay tuned for the next installment!
This is my parking space - my car is dwarfed by the boat!
Salmon Farm - view of the Bay from Shackford State Park
The Bay of Fundy is just minute walk from my house
