The forecast was for a cool, overcast day. Once again, the meteorologists got it wrong – fortunately in a way that was beneficial. On what turned out to be a warm, sunny day we tried to spend as much time as possible outside.
We started in Portsmouth New Hampshire, a town I visited about a month ago and fell in love with. Our first stop was at a small, but glorious garden resplendent with autumn flowers. From there it was a short distance to Strawberry Bank Museum, a restored neighborhood. Unlike places like Mystic Seaport this isn’t a “made-up” reconstruction. Instead, it contains homes owned by local citizens, with their original furniture. Docents tell you the story of the families that built and owned the home. The gardens are planted with flowers and vegetables that would have been grown during the era of the owners. Each building that was open had a flag flying in front—the number and configuration of stars correct for the period. An actor played the part of the local tavern owner, happy to answer questions and tell tales of the townspeople.
It was a short hop over a bridge to Kittery Maine. Sue remembered a lobster restaurant she’d eaten at decades ago. Warren’s was established in 1940 and has been owned and operated by the same family continuously since then. Loved the prices on the menus displayed in the lobby! My lunch of “twin lobsters” was significantly more expensive, but well worth it.
Sated from lobster, we headed a bit further north to Ogunquit Maine. I was grateful the weekend was winding down; I suspect it had been a bit of a madhouse. Every other building in the main part of town is lodging, a restaurant, shop, or bar. Even on Monday afternoon there were hordes of people. However, going a bit off the beaten path the scenery was lovely; marshes, weathered old homes and waves crashing into the rocky shore. Our final stop was at Perkins Cove in Ogunquit. A bit touristy, it had lovely views, a hand operated drawbridge and a zillion places to spend money on things you really didn’t need. I wasn’t even tempted.