The Atlantic Ocean (“Landa Goshen”)

  

Eastern Sea Board,Portland Maine

 

Elks Lodge, Portland Maine

We were up and gone early this morning to avoid having to ask forgiveness of the Elks Lodge. The Portland Elks Lodge, founded in 1891, is the mother lodge of Maine. It was great having 30 amp power overnight. As we left, we dialed in Starbucks on our Rand McNally GPS  and headed off to a nearby shopping center that has a Starbucks.  I drove while Ellen rested in bed. On good roads there’s little bumping around in back.  We did not want to take time to make coffee.  As well as Starbucks we found Target, Nordstrom’s Rack, and Bed Bath and Beyond.

With a caramel Latte and a Double Dry Cappuccino in hand and bundled against the morning chill, we went looking for some needed items. On our way through Syracuse, we bought a throw for me. Ellen wanted a different color. Over the next week Ellen glombed onto “my” throw. No problem really, but I would like to have my throw back and we’ve been looking for “the perfect” one for Ellen for a while now. Also on the list: a jacket for me, a scarf, and improved storage solutions. We have a very functional system for storing things, but it can always be improved.

At Nordstrom’s Rack we did find a throw for Ellen and a scarf for me. We did not find a better storage solution.

With no luck finding a campsite the night before, we had almost driven to Old Orchard Beach. This morning we retraced our steps, passing Cascadia Campground and recalling the owner saying “I don’t want to rent to you!”.  That worked out in everyone’s favor.

We took Cascade Road, SR 98 from RT 1 to Old Orchard Beach and passed a number of campgrounds; some closed, others looked to have guests. We pulled into one that looked open. At the office, I was told they were closed. The women then called other campgrounds in the area to find an open campground for us! That was really kind of them, but nothing was open. Tonight we would either try the Elks again or we’d boondock someplace.

Old Orchard Beach and the Atlantic Ocean.

Here we saw the Atlanntic for the firist time this trip. Old Orchard Beach is a very long strip of sand. It is wonderful. However, the number of motels, hotels, B&Bs, rooms for rent, and campgrounds is staggering. During the summer this place must be hoppin’. There’s a water park and carnival like rides, restaurants and quick stop eateries, and they were almost all closed. The place is a ghost town this far off season. There were a few places open here and there, none looked appealing. We drove north on E. Grand Ave that parallels the beach, but with lodges and restaurants fronting the beach, there was no view.

Grand Ave becomes Jones Creek Drive and dead ends at Town Landing beside Bayley’s Lobster Pound. Like most everything in Old Orchard, it was closed. We stopped in a parking lot near the boat ramp. The sun was out, the temperature was climbing, but the wind off the Atlantic Ocean was brisk. Still, we were rewarded with views over grassy bogs fronting the Nonesuch River and of fishing boats moored in the bay.

We drove around the bogs and Nonesuch River and went North up SR 9. We have an appointment with Prime Mercedes, the Sprinter Van sales and service dealer in Scarborough tomorrow. We skipped turning down SR 207 to the beaches and continued up SR 9 to find Prime. With so many Sprinter Vans parked in a huge lot, it would have been difficult not to see them. A U-turn had us headed back to SR 207. As we passed Prime from the north, we saw that Prime is also a Smart Car dealer. Great! Maybe I can test drive a new Smart Car tomorrow.

SR 207 ends at a “Y”, with SR 77 Spurwink Rd branching north and Black Point Rd branching south. The Houses along Block Point Rd and Marion Jordan Rd (the first right on SR 77) are stunning architectural masterpieces. They are expansive, set back from the road on acres of land. Black Point Road eventually runs past Scarborough Beach State Park. Ferry Rd branches right and runs down to Black Rock. That’s a great drive, though it dead ends at Black Rock.

 

77 Winds around past Crescent Beach State Park. A bit further up the road, Two Lights Rd branches off to the right. It leads to Cape Elizabeth with its two light houses,

Two Lighthouses, Lobster Shack, Dyer Point, Portland Maine

Petrified Tree?  Looks it to me.

 

We stopped at both state parks, walked on what looked to be petrified wood along the beach.  The wind was cool but the sun was very warm.  We walked the tide pools, then hunger set in.  We had lobster rolls at the lobster  (lobsta’) at the Lobster Shack.

   

Headed north on SR 77 again, we took Shore Road along the coast. All along the Shore Road there were houses built ocean side that obstructed view of the ocean from the road, but must have wonderful views from picture windows. Maine must allow private ownership of coastal tideland.

  

Thor’s Chair?

 

Two Lights State Park, Portland Maine

We passed Two Lights State Park on the way to the point and had to check it out or our way back.  The park was closed, but open to day access.  Even one of the rest rooms was unlocked.   There were three other couples at the park.  We had the walk along the sore to ourselves.  There were numerous signs warning not to swim in the ocean there.

 

 We had no urge to get wet.

 

Two Lights State Park, Maine

 

Portland Head Lighthouse, Portland Maine

A bit further up 77, we saw the sign for Portland Head Lighthouse, and turned in. The rolling grassy hills, large parking lots, and well maintained lighthouse speak of serious financial backing. This is quite the historical landmark. George Washington directed the construction of the lighthouse in 1787!

 

  Portland Head Lighthouse, Maine

 

 

Commemorative Plaques Portland Head Lighthouse

For further reading about the Portland Head Lighthouse: www.portlandheadlight.com/

These horns are LOUD.

We parked. As I was considering he best angle for a photo, a fellow walked up to me and said, “That looks like the perfect size. Did you drive all the way from California? I’d love to be able to do that.” We were off talking about Li’l Beast. I had him come over, Ellen opened the side door, and took him on a “tour”. Arthur and I spoke about travels, work, and life for a while. He would love to retire early and travel the country. He has not traveled much, though he lives in Massachusetts and owns a summer home in Portland. He told me that Portland has a population of 65,000. Small for the largest city in Maine. He was married 27 years to his wife, but it didn’t work out in the end. For some reason people feel comfortable opening up with us. Maybe it’s because we’re total strangers from afar and they know they’ll never see us again. Perhaps people in Maine are really different. Art said that Maine feels like a different country sometimes.

Ellen at an Overlook

We walked the light house grounds taking a few photos along the way. By now the sun was low in the sky. Should we go back to the Elks? Ellen thought it better to boondock someplace. We’ll be close to Prime Mercedes for tomorrow’s appointment and my smart car encounter (I hope).

Ellen made a great pesto spaghetti squash dish and we had the last piece of apple pie from Beth’s Kitchen with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream! We’re relaxing, watching some silly comedy on HBO before calling it a day.