3 Months flew by…..This was August in Maine!

OMG!!! How in the heck is my time in my favorite place wrapping up?!! Crazy how time flies when life is a playground daily!

August has ended, which means it’s time for my post. First, thank you to all my supporters, readers, commenters, and fans. I feel the love and attention from across the country.

August started in Rural Maine – be sure to look up Millinocket, ME. It was a 3-hour drive north to the rustic part of this state where I had never explored before. Andrew’s sister lives here on a beautiful, very peaceful lake. We stayed in a rustic “camp,” similar to a lake house, but not made for winter weather, and a bit on the rustic side with serious character. Super grateful, as we were given this “camp” to stay by his sisters friend, as the place is listed for sale. Not sure how else to describe the meaning of a camp, LOL. If you’re from these parts, you will understand, as everyone here knows what it means. HA.

Nonetheless, DORA was up for the adventure, and I think she managed quite well. We sat by a campfire at night with fireworks going off over the still waters of Lake Ambajejus, went kayaking on the still peaceful lake in the morning, went boating all day, enjoyed home-cooked breakfasts and dinners, drank a few cocktails, and had lots of fun conversations. Breakfast consisted of fresh maple syrup straight from “the tap”, eggs made outside with crispy bacon and potatoes. We ate outside at a picnic table staring into the peaceful waters with bald eagles flying over us with so many sounds of nature, and absolute quiet too.

True lake-life living!

I’ll spare all the details, as this might be another long post. Some of you love it, and for others, it’s too much. I’m trying to balance this post for the audience.

We got to spend quality time with his sister, Brandi, and her partner. It was an adventurous weekend to say the least. It took us 3 hours to get there, yet we took the very long scenic route home, taking 5-6 hours. My playmate was all about taking me to experience The Golden Road (pictured above)- a bumpy, 96-mile-long dirt road through the forests of Maine, of which we only stayed on for about 45 minutes. This is a road that loggers used to drive to the paper mills. You truly feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere. Lots of history in this neck of the woods.

We drove by the most beautiful scenery in America, in my eyes, the entire journey home. As you all know, I LOVE New England. We listened to many podcasts – Jay Shetty and Joe Dispenza’s interview was a favorite, which sparked deep chats about life. Stopping in a few small towns on the way back and one fancy Blair Hill Inn by Moosehead Lake, (pictured above) I needed to walk through for a potty break- 🤣

More real life work during the weeks from my attic, along with my long daily walks. I have hit a record 2 times now, walking over 10+ miles in a day. Rainy days arrived in August, with some colder nights occasionally. The sun is still shining, and it’s glorious.

We also attended a comedy show starring Jared Fried, a Jewish comedian that Cousin Julie recommended. He was funny!

We celebrated 2 months since we met with a very special dinner at Earth at The Hidden Pond. What a dining experience this was, a 4-course meal in a stunning setting. It was a spectacular evening! We started at The Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport for drinks. This is where both of the Bush Presidents held very classified meetings. It’s wedding season here, and there was fabulous people-watching!

At the restaurant, I started with potato leek soup w/ caviar, halibut, cavatelli with lamb, and donuts for dessert. Roll me home! HA!

To wrap up some other details… I have spent more time with all my girlfriends in my complex. Monica and I have tried new restaurants, Kelly has become my walking partner on some occasions, and a partner in crime on a beach day at my favorite inn. Kristan and I have spent time together, with me teaching her about Ai. We all enjoy hanging out together. I feel SO lucky and blessed to have created a group of nice friends in Maine. I also joined a gym for a 30-day membership for those rainy-day workouts. Who knew, but Monica used to be a trainer. We work out together.

Andrew and I spent lots of time together and ventured to New Hampshire again for a Mumford & Sons concert. It was a great show! I highly recommend seeing them if ever given the opportunity. It was near Lake Winnipesaukee – another beautiful resort lake-life community to explore and walk around the town of Meredith.

We enjoyed a day at Zorvino Vineyards in NH, doing some wine tasting. Next….an apple orchard experience! I had never in my life walked through the grounds of an orchard! This was quite the experience, getting to actually pick peaches, plums, blueberries, apples, and Asian pears. Talk about FRESH fruit! Yummy!

OH, how can I forget The Castle in the Clouds experience before our concert!? We really pack in as many activities as possible into one day. We walked around a true 1900s castle learning it’s history and hiked the Brook Trail, which passed by 7 waterfalls. We heard there were bear sightings on the day we were there. I would have had a heart attack!

Woodley came to visit me, my third and final visitor for Maine. We had the BEST time together. She had been to Maine before, but never spent much time in Portland. Her first night was my complex courtyard movie night with an ice cream social. She got to meet ALL my friends here – old and young. It was super fun! Then we skipped the movie and had a yummy Central Provisions dinner.

We did all the usual activities that I have written about before, although we tried a new Italian restaurant for me, Ribollita. It was scrumptious. We walked 10.6 miles the day we explored 2 different hikes in the woods. My usual Cliff Trail in Harpswell and a new one, Morse Mountain hike, which ended at the most spectacular Seawall Beach after walking through a Marsh.

We did my favorite bike ride around Peaks Island. While there, we met the retired soccer coach from Franklin & Marshall in PA (my dad’s college). Just another Daddy saying hello moment. Woodley was into it being from PA.

She is my most active, woodsy, adventurous friend, having been the one to introduce me to the trails in PA. She stayed for 4 nights. It was a treat to have real time with just her, as she has 2 fabulous kids, and we never have time with just the 2 of us for so long.

We walked the Bird Sanctuary with Andrew in Biddeford before I took her to the airport. We all enjoyed skipping rocks, collecting seashells, and looking for sea glass. It was a cool spot in the Biddeford Pool neighborhood.

Monica and I have gone on lots of walks, too. Good thing, as this girl has been enjoying the New England ice cream! Lots of taste-testing at the farms and shops voted the best of the best. Good thing I get a kid scoop. LOL

Okay, Bentley’s Saloon. This is also an experience! I was on a search for a karaoke bar. Well, the famous Bentley’s in Arundel, ME, has it every Thursday night. What a fun place! A true biker bar with bras hanging from the ceiling. I accidentally put a $20 bill into the jukebox. Instead of singing karaoke, I had my own personal sing-along show in a private area with a fun bartender who we have since befriended, as I’ve now been back another time. Too much fun being had this summer in Maine. Ha. 🤗

Erin, my old PairTree boss, came to visit with her 12-year-old son. I was so lucky to enjoy a dinner out with them, and once again, a kid scoop. Oink oink.

I drove to Portsmouth, NH, for brunch with an old adoption attorney friend who also does surrogacy. I love my career field of family building. The dots truly have connected over the years. Wild! So grateful!

I also attended the coolest New Moon event in Windham, ME, about 25 minutes away. This was a very special evening with 20 women on a gorgeous outdoor greenhouse/farmhouse property, with outdoor fireplaces going. This was a Reiki, meditation, tarot card, and journaling event. I love when I find these experiences. It was relaxing and unique…a very heaven-on-earth setting.

Andrew has been cooking yummy meals. He’s made homemade protein pancakes (always with Maine maple syrup), goat cheese and honey ravioli with chicken and this artichoke-lemon pesto sauce…delish!! Chicken Marsala, and lots of grilled steaks with Caesar salad, next up is French Onion Soup. Hot honey hummus is my newest addiction. Be sure to try it if you have not.

I even had a hot-honey-buttered lobster roll at Luke’s Lobster for my last one before departing. I’ve been eating good, whether at home or out with friends. Monica and I ate at the new LadyFish. Woodley’s favorite restaurant was the infamous Crispy Gai plus we tried a new Filipino concept, like a walk up Chipotle style yet Filipino, called Barkada. Portland, Maine, is the foodie town – – hands down!!

For the end of August, to wrap up my last weekend in town, we all went to a final Vinyl Tap show at PLC. Monica and I were so happy that our main guy was on the keyboard.

I finally made my way to check off more from the to-do Maine list. Andrew & I walked Marginal Way in Ogunquit. Such a beautiful trail!

Then, on Sunday, my final solo Portland day, I walked 10.8 miles – a true record.

The wildest ending to Portland had the most powerful metaphor/irony for me. For those that “really” know me and have known me for a long time, you may recall my crazy cruise ship job experience. The 23-year-old me who had to be rescued from “The Vision of the Seas” Royal Caribbean ship by my father after I signed a 4-month contract.

Well, without writing more, just know that on the day of my departure, 8/30, this ship was docked in the port. I’m here to say: “Pay attention to where you’ve been and how far you’ve come in your life. I’m here to share that you will survive any terrible moments/experiences, and I promise you will thrive!”

That was my send-off message!! Along with the first car I saw after leaving the port being a silver Cadillac—IYKYK! 💫😇

Stay tuned for September adventures…Until next month! Stay safe! Hug the ones you love – life is SO very precious!

Love,
Laurie Sue AKA Dora!

XOXO ❤️😘

PS. Extra Pics …… My Farewell to Portland, until next summer!