Maine Vacation 2022, Part 5
In my previous not-so Wordless Wednesday, I closed out our first day in Maine. It was well after 9 pm before we called it a day. We got in bed much later than anticipated. What we needed was a full night’s sleep but didn’t allow ourselves that luxury. We agreed to get up early. I set the alarm for 6am. I had no problem going to sleep and I don’t remember waking up a single time until my phone beep-beeped. To my surprise, I got up quickly. We had a mission and that was to see all that we came to see.
DD#2 who is now a Maine resident mentioned a restaurant in Saco that has a good breakfast and that was our first destination of the day but we stopped at Reilly’s Bakery which was on the way for donuts. The reviews mentioned they sell out fast. We didn’t want to risk missing out on the opportunity and it kept us from back tracking. I like well thought out plans, don’t you?
We arrived a little later than we wanted and there was a thirty minute wait. It was a gorgeous day, so we didn’t mind waiting. We did a selfie in front of New Moon. I sent the children and my sister a few pictures from the previous day to keep them in the loop. The time went quickly and soon we were called to be seated.
It’s a very small restaurant and it was busy. We sat at a small table for two next to the window to the right of the entrance. DH ordered the omelette, home fries, and toast for me and he had the blueberry pancakes and sausage with a side of corn beef hash. DD#2 really likes the hash and said for us to be sure to get some. This is one of the few times I managed to get a picture without taking a bite.
Everything was good but between the previous days’ breakfast and this one, we agreed that we liked Goldenrod the best.
Our next step for the day was revisiting Fort Williams Park in south Portland, home to the fame lighthouse that inspired Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Portland Head Light. Entering the park, our eyes instantly fell on the large sail boat near the coast line. I didn’t this before now but Google maps identified the area as Ship Cove. The structure to the left of the picture is the Battery Keys. I’ll get that in a little bit. Isn’t this a pretty sight?
The park was really busy but it was Saturday so I’m not surprised by the show of people especially on such a beautiful. DH let me hop out of the car so I capture the shot above. After I got back in, we parked the car so he could take some pictures. There were plenty of picnickers on the grounds and in this part of the park a hot dog vendor. What I really wished I had seen before hand was this elderly fella painting s seascape. By the time I noticed him, he was loading his painting into the back of his SUV. I asked if I could look at it and he nodded yes. I’m sure he was thinking, “Tourists!” If only he knew how I secretly envy those who do real life painting whereas all of my colorized artwork is always done using my iPad. I only dream about being a “real painter”. Maybe someday, I’ll give it a try. Anyway back to our day.
We strolled out the short trail to the Battery Keyes. It was all so fantastic. I just soaked up the glorious rays and light breezy. The temperature on this day was in the low 70s and the wind kept it from being too warm. We wore baseball hats to keep the sun off our faces and I wore sunglasses to minimize squinting. I don’t need anymore wrinkles.
We eventually made it to the Battery Keyes but we weren’t in a rush. I captured the waves crashing against the rocks in the background of this photo and that’s when I saw the seagull posed in the shot.
The sailboat was in my line of sight right through an opening of two sections of brush. I zoomed in using the 3x setting on my iPhone. It really works well and the results are super amazing.
We climbed the narrow stairs up the Battery Keyes. I was nervous making the ascent. There wasn’t a hand rail or anything to grab hold to if I missed my footing. The wrong step be disastrous. DH kept me safe. The view was incredible from this vantage point. By this time, I was able to get another picture of the sailboat.
I like how the couple just happened to be in the right place when I snapped the picture. It would’ve been nice to venture where they sat but getting where I stood was enough of an adventure. It was time to go back down which was scarier but before we went all the way down, I wanted to peep inside the Battery Keyes lookout hold.
I goofed with the above shot. I failed to let my iPhone camera focus on the right place. That’s why the cage wire is sharp and off in the distance blurred but I got it right with my next picture looking toward Portland Head Light.
You can’t see the lighthouse but it’s to the right of the two parallel pipes where I’m standing.
Once we were back on the trail, I stopped to capture Portland Head Light off in the distance in the below photo. If you click on the image, you can make it out better. The image looses its sharpness but you can make it out.
Goddard Mansion was nearby, so we ambled over to check out the remains of this historical landmark.
In the above series is a front view, historical marker, back view, and two shots of the inside taken from the main entrance.
We made our way around Ship Cove heading toward the lighthouse. Incidentally, we did try the donuts from Reilly’s Bakery after walking out to Battery Keyes. I failed to take a picture of the assorted dozen donuts DH picked out but they were good. Reilly’s had various filled, glazed, and frosted donuts. I think my favorite might have been the Bismark. DH got two different kinds. This was the first time I’d ever had anything like it and if you haven’t it’s sort of like a donut that’s split stuffed with fruit and cream filling inside. I noticed on Reilly’s photo gallery there’s an image of the Bismark. I guess that wraps things up today. This has turned into a long post. I will continue this series next week with more going-ons and pictures from Portland Head Light. If you’re looking to join other photo memes the you’ll want to check out these Wednesday connections…Sandee, Natasha, & Wordless Wednesday!
Thanks for making me a part of your day. Up next on CAAC, the 4M dance party opens on Sunday for early party goers. I moved my actual music post back to Mondays. Come boogie with me to this week’s theme picks! Have a wild and wonderful day! X💋X💋, Cathy
20 Comments
Debbie D.
Thanks for the tour! 🙂 Such lovely scenery and I love old ruins. That’s quite the substantial breakfast! Much needed, as fuel for your explorations. We try to see and do everything possible on vacation as well. Don’t want to miss a thing! 😎
Cathy Kennedy
Debbie,
That was a lot of food and normally when dining out, we’ll share a plate. That’s always plenty for us but DH wanted pancakes and I wanted my first meal of the day to not be a sugar overload. lol What’s interesting while on vacation, we didn’t gain any extra weight. I don’t think our activity level was such that it would burn off the extra calories but anyway I’m glad that I didn’t come home a few pounds heavier. 😀
Eugenia
Beautiful photos and thank you for sharing them, Cathy!
15andmeowing
Beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing them. I want to go out for breakfast now. 🙂
Cathy Kennedy
I can eat breakfast anytime of the day. Sometimes, I’ve made breakfast for dinner.
messymimi's meanderings
You did what i do when on vacation, gogogo while you are there, cram in as much as you can, come home ready for vacation!
Cathy Kennedy
That’s good to hear. I can’t figure out people who spend all that money then don’t do anything except sit by the pool. That’s okay but you can do that in your own city a lot cheaper. lol
Brian
I’ve not been to Maine either but is really is pretty. That sailboat looks like a fun time.
Cathy Kennedy
I think, you would really like it there. We saw plenty of boats on the water all the time. To see that big sailboat so close to shore made my heart skip a beat. 🙂 The views were so breath-taking everywhere we looked! That’s why we’ve been four times and we’re hoping for a 5th trip next year!
Emille
Minnesota is the most North we ever came, but I am curious about the most Northern states (it’s the travel of the European:) )
Kathe W.
I have not been to Maine in decades- such a lovely place and I love your photos! Breakfast pics made me hungry! Cheers!
Cathy Kennedy
Kathe,
The last time we went to Maine was 2004, so this was a trip very much needed and totally appreciated. It couldn’t have been any more perfect!
Nicole/DVArtist
I never knew Maine was so pretty. It is the one place I have not been too. Thank you for sharing this.
Cathy Kennedy
Nicole,
Maine is very pretty. We fell in love with the place after our first visit in 1989. This makes our 4th time and we’re seriously thinking about returning next year. It’ll give us a chance to visit with our second daughter who now lives there. She’s too far from home!
Sandee
Such a beautiful place. I did get stuck on your breakfast though. Yummy. Made my stomach growl.
You explored a state I would love to explore.
Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday, Cathy. Love and hugs. ♥
Alana Mautone (@RamblinGarden)
Enjoying the scenery in your photos (because landlocked me doesn’t see that kind of scenery normally, either). And, after seeing that breakfast, I am so hungry. By the way, years and years ago, I worked in a donut shop for a few months, so I got my fill of donuts, filled my share, and gained a few pounds eating the leftovers that didn’t sell during that time. Glad you enjoyed! Alana ramblinwitham
Thomas Anderson
Hi, Cathy!
Happy Wild, Wacky & Almost Wordless (or not) Wednesday, dear friend! I hope you and DH are having a great week.
Thanks for letting me tag along with you on the next leg of your New England adventure. First, after that marathon 36+ hour travel and sightseeing day, it’s good to know that you guys finally hit the hay. 🙂 Second, I don’t know how you were able to spring out of bed early the next morning. I would have needed to sleep till noon or later if I had deprived myself of shuteye as long as you did.
Thanks for showing us the hearty breakfasts you both enjoyed at New Moon restaurant. I would have ordered a stack of those blueberry pancakes. You were lucky to have a window table so that you could gaze across the street at those handsome Saco store fronts lined with flowers. I see that the weather was delightful again that day, with a crystal clear blue sky, making your tour of the beautiful area all the more pleasurable. The picture you snapped of the sailboat at Ship Cove – Fort Williams Park – is stunning. What a coincidence that you encountered an artist at the park painting the same lovely scene. I’m sure he was flattered that you took an interest in his work. The pics you took at Battery Keyes are equally thrilling. Your timing was just right to catch the waves exploding off the rocks and the gull sunning himself in the foreground. Your zoom shots of the boat are indeed amazing. There is no loss of clarity. You have a steady hand. The view of the boat from atop the stairs at Battery Keyes is another keeper. Yessum, you were lucky to get that perfect picture of the couple “posing” on a rock in the foreground with the sailboat out on the water. The shot from Battery Keyes trail showing Portland Head Light in the distance is super, especially with a big wave rolling in at that moment and breaking on the rocks. I enjoyed the slide show with different views of the Goddard Mansion ruins. It’s a real “fixer-upper.” 🙂 You and DH should buy the place, do some renovating, and use it as a summer home whenever you visit DD. 🙂 Ship Cove is a gorgeous spot, and once again your camera captured great wave and sailboat action. These are postcard quality images, Cathy! My mouth is watering after viewing those “decadent baked treats” on the Reilly’s Bakery site. The problem with me and sweets is that, once I get started, I can’t stop. I could have polished off a dozen of those yummy donuts in a day’s time. 🙂
I really enjoyed your tour of these scenic spots and landmarks along the coast of Maine. Thank you, dear friend Cathy!
Cathy Kennedy
Tom,
It used to be DH could knock off half-dozen donuts or more without thinking about it twice. Over the years, he’s cut back drastically not that he doesn’t want or can eat that many but out of necessity since generally eating too much sugar bothers his stomach. This was one thing we didn’t want to happen while on vacation. What’s funny is he had quite a bit of sugary food and wasn’t any the worse for it. I believe God gave him a reprieve so the poor fella could enjoy everything about our time in Maine. 🙂
I’m glad you came along with me today as I highlighted some our adventures on this day. Fort Williams Park is a place every person who visits the southern Maine region. I wish we had time to venture into Portland to scout around. There’s still so much to see and do just in that part of the state. Maybe we can include Portland on our next trip!
Birgit
I love all the pics you took and that Sailboat is striking. You could easily frame that image between the trees and showcase it somewhere. I’m not sure I could have climbed those steps since I am so scared of heights. The breakfast is huge buy yuck to the sausage…hahahaa. you had a wondrous time and these images of waves hitting the rocks makes me think there must be a ghost story around d that area.
Cathy Kennedy
Birgit,
I don’t like heights either but we took it slow and DH had a hold of me. He’s really sweet like that but had I slipped I would’ve wiped us both out. Thankfully that didn’t happen! So, you don’t like sausage? I do, so you can give me yours. 😀 We didn’t see any ghosts but a place as old as this surely has a haunt or two hanging around somewhere nearby. It’s good to imagine there is anyhow. 🙂