Thursday, May 24, 2018

On to Boothbay

This morning we head further downeast to Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor to spend the Memorial Day weekend.  We made this reservation way, way back to ensure we found a place for the holiday.  We have been to Shore Hills many times before, it is a nice well laid out campground with a whole section for big rigs, so it is easy to get into and maneuver into and out of your site.  Those that are smaller and want to, can go way down the hill and camp right on the water.  It is in a good location which makes it easy for us to go to the places we have planned.

I have to admit we spent the brunt of our time in Portland eating:-)   A visit from friends, Bob and Harlean, who spent a short weekend here was one of our highlights.  We all were supposed to go on a mail boat cruise around the islands but it was called due to the weather, probably a good thing as it was cool, breezy, and rainy.  Spring in New England.  

We used to spend 2 weeks in the summer renting a house right on Wells Beach years ago, so we wanted to take a ride by, see the old place, and take a walk on the beach, one of our favorites.  Well it didn't work out quite as we planned, we hit the tide wrong, and it was a bit stormy, so not much beach.
Well's Beach
When it is not high tide the beach is perfect for walking, flat, firm, wide, and you can go a long way.  But the main reason we had gone so far south was to go to the Clam Shack in Kennebunkport for arguably the best lobster roll in Maine, our first for this visit.  But they were closed!!!!!!!  

But since we were down that way anyway we could ride over to visit the Maine Diner for lunch.  Now we had been there many times over the years, but not recently, and we had just seen a Triple D show featuring their famous lobster pie that we had never had before, so we felt we just had to do it.  And..... the best we can really say is it was okay and expensive, it did have a lot of lobster, but the cost???
Famous Lobster Pie

The clam roll was pretty good
I can't really say we recommend the place.  

Jan made a call to the Clam Shack and found out they were on much reduced hours until Memorial Day, and would be open in a couple days.  So we marked it on the calendar and headed back down later.  And yes they were open, and yes it was just as delicious as we remembered.
The Clam Shack lobster rolls
Yes they are a bit unique as they are NOT served on a New England Hot Dog roll
But, oh so good!

We accompanied them with stellar onion rings and clam chowder

Full of clams!
We ate in the truck as it was quite brisk out and savored every bite.  

Then as you all know we are quite fickle and don't think we'll be back to this area for a long time, so we decided with the fact the seafood chowder at Harraseeket Lunch was so good, we should go back and try it again and get something different.  Don't get the idea that these places are a long way, they all are within a very reasonable striking distance.
View from the dock

Another shot of the fantastic seafood chowder
We'd put this up against ANY other!

How's that for a haddock sandwich
Yes it was as delicious as it looks!

Even got a sample of lobster bisque
We did a lot of walking while we were here and I'm sure it offsets all the eating.  Jan and I are convinced of it.  It was mostly cool and overcast for our time here, but it was interspersed with a couple nice and warm days, very welcome temps after Florida.
Jan caught a pretty sunset from our site
We decided to go back into Portland, walk around a bit and try, yes, another restaurant, this time a break from seafood, Chinese.  We had read about the Empire Chinese Kitchen which had excellent reviews, and since we both love Chinese off we went.  It was a beautiful day, blue skies, warm temps, a perfect time to walk around the city.  Our lunch was spectacular, they have a small menu and we wanted to try several things.
Inside shot

Hot and Sour soup

Duck Lo Mein

Shrimp dumplings

These were amazing!
Spicy Pork Belly Buns
I know, enough food all ready!  Well, gird up, I can guarantee more will be coming as we continue our travels:-)

After lunch and walking around, we went over to Fort Allen Park and the Eastern Promenade.  They have the afterdeck of the USS Portland there as a memorial.  She saw  much action, received 15 Battle Stars making her one of the most decorated ships in the US Navy, and after the war Portland accepted the Japanese surrender in the Caroline Islands.
Casco Bay


Fort Gorges
Obsolete before it was ever used


Me standing on the afterdeck of the USS Portland


It is also a memorial to those first responders who assisted and helped on 9/11.

2 comments:

Nancy Thurow said...

Do you understand how difficult it is to read about all these lobster rolls? Particularly from landlocked NM and as a weight Watcher! Enjoy your fill with me in mind. I am overflowing with nostalgia. And btw how is that Wells beach house holding up? My mouth is watering and my chicken salad did not satisfy my lobster longing! Nancy

Bill said...

We are only doing it in the interest of science. The Wells Beach house looks a bit worse for wear, of course it never was a contender for the parade of homes:-) Evidently all those nor'easters this year did a number on a lot of the houses along the ocean. We saw many that were having their entire foundations replaced, and "our" house looked pretty beat up and forlorn. A few more necessary lobster rolls and then I'll give you a break:-)