thursday adventures!
that might be overstating it a bit. but… blah blah blah, steve has off on thursdays, so this was our latest endeavor. let’s go to portland! maine, not oregon. it’d be a true adventure if the latter were true. the day went as follows: wake up at 7, ponder the rest of the day, decide an out-of-the-house “adventure” was definitely in order, let husband sleep in till 9 am on his day off (!!), deliver coffee with his wake-up call (i know. we’re all thinking it so let’s just say it: best wife ever), and then declare PORTLAND. he was down. so off we went.
the weather was spectacular the entire time. i even removed my blazer! high-fives, maine! and we ate lunch outside! weather like that makes me giddy and good-moodish. and it’s only april! more is on its way. hallelujah, it’s been a long winter. we made it! we walked around, i took pictures (and yes, a lot of pictures of signs because… have you seen the signs in portland?!? there are a LOT of great signs there.). we got ice cream, walked some more, saw the motherlode of construction sites complete with a concrete mixer (and it kept parker content as steve and i ate our meal… score!), and then, after more strolling, left. a lot of details you probably didn’t need but there you have it. our day in portland.
i’ve only been a few times but every time i go i declare it a really great city (town? big town? small city?) and one that i want to return to and fast. it also has really good shopping, and really good eats. you done good, portland!
so, if you can manage it, get there yourself.
{deeelish ice cream from the mt. desert ice cream place // and i wanted every single thing in folly 101, this home decor shop that doesn’t have a website, but bought nothing, blast! you’ll have to go see it for yourself. sooooo pretty.}
ugh i love little towns/places like that. I feel like when S and i are missing the UK (or when S is…) then we will be hitting up the east coast area a lot to feel like we are back.
I try to convince my boyfriend multiple times a week that we should move to Portland…it's the best!
I can't wait to visit Maine! I have always wanted to and now it is just a state above where I live now.
I'm from Maine and I'm so looking forward to my next visit home. My mom works in Portland these days. Glad you were able to make a trip up.
Gorgeous. We're going to Portland in a few weekends for a wedding so fingers crossed we get some lovely weather too!
I love love portland (maine).
I Hansen to land,Maine a couple of times…and loved it.it was summer both times,so lobster rolls and amazing ice cream.I would love to go back on a few years time.
Predictive text…start again…
I have been to Portland…
I love Portland. I haven't been since I was a kid, but I have great memories of that place. This is a great time of the year for there too! Jealous.
On another note (and forgive my extreme lateness) I finally got around to reading some of the comments from your Wendy's review and was appalled at some of the comments you were getting in response.
I'm not a fan of fast food either, but as a full-time student, worker, mother, intern, and blogger, sometimes I have no other option but to grab a quick bite, (no matter how carefully laid out my plans are). It happens. I'm actually happy you posted about that sandwich because now I know where I can go to when I'm in need of a quick bite.
You handled the situation perfectly!
Reese
YAY, for good weather!! I am so excited about all this wonderful weather FINALLY!! 🙂 Your pics were so lovely, thanks for sharing them!
xo,
Shio
You were in my summer backyard! We spend summers on an island off the coast of Portland, and next time you go you should take Parker on a ferry trip! Casco Bay Lines does ferry tours that stop at the islands in Casco Bay. You should be sure to get off at Cliff Island for some ice cream 🙂
As a fellow Boston area resident I love all the day trips you can take in New England. Looks like it was a great day!
@lucy, we've actually taken that ferry once before! it was great – and i think it was cliff island where we got off!
what's the drive from Boston to Portland?! I feel like they should be really far apart… or do I need to brush up on my New England geography?
fit with flash, it's a little over an hour from where i live!
These photos are beautiful, Bridget. It looks like a great time. I've always wanted to go to Maine! It is pretty much my dream place to visit.
Portland, ME was my stomping grounds as a free spirited teenager! Next time you make it there you should bring the family to Peak's Island!
How fun!
dreaming is believing
@rachel, we've been there before but it was like 4 years ago! must go back!
We went to that same ice cream place in Mt. Desert–wow is it good. I think it's so nice that they offer a tasting flight when they have so many good choices.
And these ARE good signs. And Parker having viewings of construction sites around town, like a young mayor checking up on things? Priceless.
My husband and I have always wanted to go to Maine, or really, tour the whole Northeast seaboard! Sine we live in California, we never seem to make it to the East Coast, except for Montreal to see family and stopovers while traveling to Europe. After reading your post, I definitely want to go Portland! Maybe an East Coast family vacation is in order…
By the way, I just stumbled upon your blog and I love it! Your story is awesome and I feel like I'm reading a good book that I can't put down!
-Melissa @ Fit 'n' Well Mommy
Hey, that's my little city/big town! Not that we live IN it, but we go there a lot–I was there delivering my baby girl back on 4/20, in fact! 🙂 Seriously, this summer if you're coming up and think of it, fb me and we should meet up! I'd love to see you again and meet Parker and introduce my trio–though be careful, Eleanor's going to give you baby fever. 😉 Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed our fair city! Have you tried Duck Fat–AMAZING food. Just delicious. Or Bubble Maine-ia. The food (Taiwanese) is really good, and obviously the bubble tea is great (hence the name).
portland is a fav…my family lives there and it's wonderful to visit.
How long does it take you to get to Portland? When I was waiting tables, I always had families come in from there.
What a fun adventure, it is definitely a picturesque town, what is the commute from Boston?
@e + @michelle – between 1 and 2 hours depending on where you are, but not too bad!
@wuzy, Kara! That'd be so fun. And no! never have tried that place! (eleanor is ADORABLE, not that you didn't already know!).