Kennebunkport, ME
2:02 PM
We made it to Ogunquit and struggled to find a parking spot in the beach city. The main street was lined with shops selling paintings and restaurants all advertising lobster. That word caught my eye. And my stomach’s. We found a spot near the beach for $2/hour and immediately heard the ocean hitting the shore. It was grey, cloudy, and in the mid 60′s, but it wasn’t raining, so I took off my sandals and hit the beach. The tides of Maine are more pronounced in any place I’ve been with some levels as much as 10 feet. In this case, the tide was out which meant a large area of flat, hard packed sand that was perfect for walking. The Maine four walked past families trying to get some sun in a day where there was none. The water temp was very similar to that of Lake Ontario, not ice cold, but definitely not warm. The beach reminded me of Myrtle Beach with high dunes and tall grass. After a couple miles of walking we got in the car and headed toward Oarweed Cove, a nook that jutted out from the ocean. More shops lined the street and the parking was more pronounced here, $10 and $8 in most places. We found a free one hour spot and found a place to eat. The lobster prices are high, close to $30 for a 1 1/2 pounder. None of us bit and I got a seafood chowder and two crab cakes at the Oarweed restaurant. The chowder was full of stuff, but not as warm as it should have been. My old roommate in CLT is a big fan of crab cakes and the Oarweed did a good job. I am not a connoisseur by any means, but these were the best I’d had.
After our 3:00 lunch we walked out onto Marginal Point. The ocean crashed onto huge rocks below and all of us could have taken a great nap to the sounds. A few pictures later we decided we’d head to another spot, to Kennebunkport, made famous by the elder George Bush. The first stop in the city was at a parking spot that stared out to the most scenic property we had seen. Three flags flew on a pole, a US flag, a Maine flag, and a Texas flag. Maureen said the Texas flag meant George senior was in town. I could imagine the sunsets from the mammoth house lined with windows. There were living quarters for the staff, tennis courts, and a black SUV that you see in movies whisking presidents from place to place. There was chatter amongst the gawkers about the beauty of the spot and then the state of the country. I listened but did not interject. Maine seems to be more politically charged than Rochester.
Our paparazzi time ended and it was time to see the town. Another small shore city was in front of us and a parking spot on the main street opened up just for me. I guided Fe into her home and we walked toward Lobster signs. My stomach wasn’t empty, but now was what the long drive from Rochester was about. Mike and I were the only lobster eaters. My cost cutting eyes found a spot that sold live and cooked lobsters on the spot. The only issue was no waiter, no sides besides chips, and we had to eat outside on wooden lobster traps. No problem for $15 lobsters. Blue Eyes at the Clam Shack even turned an eye to our six pack of blueberry beer as we ate. The red beast did not a stand a chance. Note: they don’t have vocal chords and the sound is just the steam. The tail was systematically dissected first, slowly followed by one claw and then the next. The drawn butter was a bursting pool of taste as the meat soaked. Mike and I sighed in satisfaction upon completion. The rain came soon after. It did not stop us from going to get pints of ice cream from the Ben and Jerry ice cream shop. Yesterday was a day of eating.
It was an early night because today is test day. Maureen is in the middle of 8 hours and 400 questions. The boys have napped and watched the World Cup. Lazy days are OK. Tonight we take her out to celebrate her efforts. Tomorrow we’re off to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Weather forecast is not great. Grey is better than rain.