New England Day 5 – Portland And South

The things on my New England Bucket List to start this day were eat fried clams and a lobster roll, check out the Portland fish markets and drive down the coast south of Portland. We did them all this day and after filling 2 coolers with fresh seafood, we decided to head back to Tennessee a day early – other than drive up Mt. Washington, we’ve done everything I wanted to do.

I took a few shots in North Conway of the older homes that had been turned into inns and their version of an early 1900's hotel like the Mt. Washington Hotel.

This in a very unique motel.

I decided to take a different route to Portland to avoid the 15 minute dead stop we experienced for road work the previous trip and I’m sure glad I did. Even though it was more of a back road, it was in no worse shape than the other route and it went by some beautiful little lakes (ponds) – I’ve never seen so much water as there are streams, lakes and bogs everywhere we went. Here’s a few lake shots.

We headed directly to the Portland Harbor area and went to the highly recommended Harbor Fish Market to check it out, unbelievable – separate post still coming. Upon saying we needed to get our shopping list together and I wanted a lobster roll for lunch the fish monger said the Portland Lobster Co about a half block away had the best in town, so off we went along the wharf.

No trouble finding a seat on a mid-May weekday.

I had the lobster roll and Bev had the fried clams, items 1 and 2 on todays list.  They were both good, but once again, I was underwhelmed by the lobster and preferred the clams.  It was a toasted hotdog bun, and the cold meat from a 1# lobster that had been brushed with butter - I thought a little mayo based sauce mixed in would have made it better.  The Native Americans used lobster to toss on their fields for fertilizer and the early European settlers gave them to the servants, but we pay outrageous prices for them - hum.

After lunch and a two-coolers-full fish purchase, we headed for Cape Elizabeth, which had been recommended by Mary at Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes. She also recommended several restaurants and we saw three of them, but we had already eaten – thanks Mary.

At Cape Elizabeth we visited the light houses and the shore – notice that I didn’t say beach as the coastline was rocky – quite a departure from the southern beaches we’re used to. The shore was beautiful none the less and here are a few shots including a lighthouse, of course.

Since we needed to get packed for the trip home, we headed back to the NH resort rather than driving on down the coast for more scenery and to drop by for a visit with the Bush’s at their Kennebunkport compound – maybe next time.

When we got back, we checked out a few menus and decided to try the very close Mexican place – Margarita Grill, thinking we were seafooded out but we were shocked.

It was a fantastic combination of New England and Mexican and other -we each had a scallop dish. I forgot pictures, but Bev had the baked scallop and mushroom appetizer and I had the Cajun scallop special which came with a super good slaw of cabbage and dried cranberries and sweet potato fries. Bev commented that she could have eaten there every night for our week. And to top it off, the margaritas were excellent and the service was outstanding – and we brought home a bottle each of their homemade hot sauces – I think that made 7 for the trip.

When we got back to the resort, this little guy was looking around for a meal.

Then it was pack up the car and hit the sack for an early start to the trip home.

REMINDER: The dead line for the blogger party is June 1 and so far we have 15 adults and some kids, so it looks like a good party in the making.

All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

One year ago:  A BBQ Plan That Works Well For Us

Larry