South Maine coast and Boston, MA

We picked up Jack and Laura at the airport in Portland, Maine on Sept. 30th at noon. We were camped 30 miles away in Wells. Before we left Portland we made a trip to the wharf to pick up a dozen 1 pound lobsters to go with the clams Rob and I had harvested for this occasion. The rest of our first glorious day together was spent cooking and eating, having cocktails and playing our favorite game, Uker. Always guys against the girls, Laura and I should have stopped after the first two games. Just a little sidebar, Rob and I dug up way too many clams, the first batch we cooked of about 4 dozen would have been more than enough, but we had to cook all of them, which was probably another 7 dozen and none of us wanted to eat them because we were stuffed to the brim , I just wanted to throw them away but Rob insisted that we make good use of them so they were shucked and are currently in the freezer. I don't care if I ever see another clam.

Day two was the rainy day, but we didn't let that stop us. We headed south of Wells and went to the Kittery Trading Post and the little seaside town of York, where we went to an absolutely beautiful light house on Cape Neddick nicknamed the Nubbles Lighthouse. We then went on to Portsmouth in New Hampshire. All along the way stopping and shopping, we found an unbelievable pastry shop and picked up the best seafood chowder for dinner at the Maine diner in Wells.

Day three we went north to Kennebuck, Kennebunkport (the Bushes were not in town),Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Scarborough and then to Portland for dinner. We had all been told to have dinner at DeMillo's Restauant which is an Italian restaurant on a retired car ferry in the harbor. The food was mediocre but we still had a big time. There was a big yacht parked right next door called "Casino Royale" and decked out in all kinds of James Bond decor. When we went outside the entire crew of the yacht were standing on the upper deck taking pictures and waving up to the sky. We turned around to see and it was a 727 coming in for a landing at the nearby airport. Boy did we ever want to know who was on that airplane. Course we later googled it, and it was someone we had never heard of. The man apparently has the largest car dealership in the country as well as a dozen others. I was convinced it was John Travolta, you know, flying his own plane, doing a fly by of his yacht and his adoring crew enthusiastically awaiting his arrival. Our fantasy was far better than the reality.

Day four was a trip to Boston. Jack was particularily excited about this leg of the trip. We all would have liked to see the Red Sox play at Fenway but it wasn't to be. First we went to brunch and then did a two hour walking tour which was led by a young woman who was extraordinary at her job. She was dressed in 1700 period attire and had the accent and attitude to match. We got the REAL scoop on  our nations history and got to see some pretty amazing landmarks. Paul Revere's home, the oldest  running tavern  in America "The Bell in Hand", Old North Church (where they signaled the British are coming) and so many other little tidbits. It was  great!  Then on to Little Italy with our Italian friends, Jack and Laura. Here we sampled all kinds of Italian fare and drink and it was all mighty fine.

 Day 5 was hitting all the shops we missed on the way back to the airport for Jack and Laura's 6:00 p.m. flight. Laura went home with all kinds of goodies. We had such a wonderful time with our dear friends and I am positive we all gained several pounds. Thank you Jack and Laura for spending some time with us out here on the trail, it gave Rob and I a much needed break from each other.We do love you guys.