Blues Trail in Maine...Rockland, Rockport, Camden, & Belfast

 

While walking around Rockland, Maine we were surprised to see this sign.  Apparently Maine was first prominently mentioned in blues lyrics in 1928 (The Brakeman's Blues).   Through the years, many of the popular blues artists have performed in Maine and the annual North Atlantic Blues Festival featured many artists from Mississippi.   Still learning!

After a few days, the Maine coastline towns began running together.  Rockland, Rockport, and Camden, are only a few miles apart and having toured these all in one day, I can't really tell which is which as they all had beautiful harbors, touristy shops, great restaurants, and lots of lobsters!

    

                            

Belfast, however, was a pleasant surprise.  Not only do they have Perry's Nut House, which is right on the highway, and a place you must stop; but the harbor there was beautiful.  The breathtaking 139 foot yacht "Rebecca" was docked in the harbor.  Its owned by Charles Butt, who spends summers in Maine.  Charles is the majority shareholder in the grocery chain HEB (380 stores).

The city's crosswalks were all painted with colorful happy murals.  We had a great dinner at Delvino's Grill and Pasta House.  We had the lasagna entree with side salad and bread.  

Kennebunkport, Portland, Boothbay Harbor, & Bath MAINE

 

Kennebunkport, Maine is a picturesque town on the coast.  

 Its well known for being the location of the Bush family compound.   It was very nice, but modest and understated....as former Presidential summer homes go.

Bush Compound

We stopped in Portland, Maine for lunch and did a quick drive around there.   

We then drove to the coast to Boothbay Harbor; a popular yachting and tourist destination in the summer.  The streets were lined with touristy shops.  After walking along the harbor and downtown, we ended our day in Bath, Maine and had dinner at JR Maxwell & Co.   I had lobster crepes and Richard enjoyed blackened salmon.

Massachusetts to Maine

Today we left Cape Cod, with the trunk of our rental car loaded with things that D&D wanted to send to Sutton Island.   We had packed lightly, so we had plenty of room.  But because everything had been vacumn sealed, we were afraid to open the trunk before we met back up, in case there was an explosion of bags that had refilled with air.

We drove through the beautiful town of Glouster and Rockport, MA. 

Rockport, MA

Rockport, MA

This red fishing shack at the end of a granite wharf in Rockport, MA is known as 

Motif No. 1.  Rockport is known as a colony of artists and fishermen.

Cape Neddick Lighthouse, York MA

We stopped to see a magnificant lighthouse in York; then had to pull over to look at the Cape Neddick Lobster Pound; a nearby restaurant that was closed.

We finally made it to our final destination for the day, Ogunquit, Maine!   A long day in the car, but lots of stops along the way.  We came across this beautiful Church building, that unfortunately had been turned into a retail establishment.  It was named "Revelations Gifts and Home Accents"; just a reminder that its just a building that formerly housed a Church.

Chatham & NFL

 On Sunday, we decided to tour the nearby quaint town of Chatham.  Still learning, we discovered "swackets".  Its not a sweater, and its not a jacket....its a swacket.   We saw more beautiful beaches.

Since D&D are major Patriot fans, and the Patriots were playing Miami, we chose to stay close to the TV and watch two former Alabama quarterbacks take each other on.  Mac Jones and Tua Tagovailoa.    Either way, our team was going to win!

Another Beautiful Day in CC!

The sun was shining and the skies were blue today.   We took a long walk on Cold Storage Beach.  Penny went with us and enjoyed running and playing on the beach.    We were amazed at the sand ripples caused by low tide.  

The 5 Amigos

We stopped by Sesuit Harbor Cafe, a quaint beach side dive, for lunch and enjoyed a lobster roll and oyster po boy at a picnic table beside the water.

D&D then took us to the historical Windmill Village in Brewster.  There was a blacksmith shop, an old house, and a windmill that you could tour.   The top of the windmill rotated 360 degrees.

 

We then stopped by this road side grist mill.  Behind it was a water ladder to enable fish to migrate upstream to spawn.   

After arriving back home, D&D's daughter and granddaughter surprised us with a visit.  At 4 years old, Little "A" doesn't know a stranger and we became fast friends; but we do believe she's got her granddad wrapped around her little finger.

Penny, in the meantime, was enjoying chasing the ducks from the dock. 

 

We enjoyed "stuffies" for dinner.  I think they were stuffed clams (or quahogs).   We're learning a lot of new things here.

D made up for not getting the SEC channel on TV (Alabama was playing!), by showing us what she had learned on the ukelele she received for her birthday.

Another full and satisfying day on the Cape!

Provincetown and Steamers!

 The sun was shining this morning and we got to get a better view of D&Ds beautiful home located on Long Pond.   Small lakes as we know them are referred to as ponds; an understatement indeed.

         

We stopped by Shady Knoll Campground in Brewster to drop Penny off with family for the day.  Shady Knoll is one of the campgrounds that D&D owned and operated for many years before retiring and passing it on to their children.

They then drove us to see the beautiful beaches, lighthouses, windmills and the other campground (Atlantic Oaks) that they previously owned and operated.  It’s now being operated by their son and daughter-in-law.  

We stopped at the Beachcomber in Wellfleet, MA for lunch.   They insisted that we try “steamers” and we are so glad we did!   Steamed soft shell clams dipped in butter.  We also enjoyed oysters Rockefeller and lobster tacos.

Then we continued on to Provincetown, located on the northern tip of Cape Cod.  This is actually the site where the Mayflower landed in 1620.   Very similar to Key West, Commercial Street contained numerous galleries, restaurants, nightclubs, and specialty shops.    We enjoyed an soft serve ice cream cone before leaving there.  

Back at their home, we enjoyed a nice evening outside with a beautiful fire, sunset, and hospitality. 

Cape Cod

 An early start to the day as our plane departed Muscle Shoals airport at 6 am.   We arrived safely in Providence, Rhode Island at 11 am, grabbed our rental car and headed to Cape Cod.   We had planned to spend a little time in Providence but it was raining so we drove straight to the Nussdorfers home in Harwich, Mass; a beautiful town located near the Cape Cod National Seashore.   

We had prearranged for a case of Dr. Frank wine to be delivered that day and Donna prepared a delicious fish piccata for dinner.  Off to a great start!   Oh, wait…..there was that one thing.    As we were shown upstairs and given a choice of two wonderful bedrooms with queen beds; Richard chose Donna and Daves master with the king!    I’m not sure if they knew he was kidding or were just worried it might get really crowded.