Life is but a Dream in Portland, Maine

I have missed all of you, but have been SO busy living this dream life in Maine. I have fallen way behind on my writing. If you follow me on social media you have seen all the dreamy photos of where I have been blessed to experience my life these days. I feel for all of you melting in Arizona. Sorry for the 🔥 I’m currently typing in a fancy hotel lobby(my fav places) with long sleeves and a winter vest as it has been a rainy, foggy, chilly weekend in New England.

First, …….I want to offer a warm Welcome to the New Subscribers….there are a few. So glad you are along for the adventures of Dora.🎉

Second……I want to thank my biggest fans/followers!! Thank YOU!!! I absolutely LOVE the comments, texts, emails, phone calls, and social media attention. It warms my heart and allows me to stay connected to all of you while so far away. Valerie- to answer your question- The ice cream guy, Max from last year at Beal’s is no longer working at the shop. He has a new summer job, but the girl remembered me, ha. She thought it was funny I was looking for him. My nail salon and the egg guy at my farmers market remember me too. I love that I made a lasting impression with some people. LOL😂

I’m planning to secure my same apartment for the entire summer next year, as this is my happy place hands down. The calendar next year will be open for visitors- Portland is a must experience town for everyone. So grateful to be here 2 months, if I had only booked for 1 month, I would be so sad, as somehow 23 days has flown by!!! Now to catch you all up on the last few weeks in dream land…..

I have made a few new friends, one being a Naturopathic physician. I connected with Sarah through our mutual friend Stephanie from AZ. Sarah and I met to walk along Congress Street for the First Friday art/music exhibits, have dinner, and listen to some performers while walking through the Portland Art Museum– open for free tonight. It was SO fun and she shared the ins/outs of this city with me. She moved to Portland 18 years ago, having graduated from Central High School in Phoenix and the Southwest College of Naturopathic medicine. Crazy what a small world it is…..we knew a few others in common, and I love that I have a new friend.

As previously shared, I signed up for the Old Port 5k, what a blast to be a part of this event. I am not an avid runner, but did complete the Rock N Roll 1/2 marathon 15 years ago in Phoenix.

I met the entire town, or so it felt in the streets of the Old Port at 630am to run with a crowd of hundreds in the most breathtaking scenery. They were blasting loud motivational music with a speaker screaming positive statements to get you pumped up for the start. 3-2-1, LET’s GO!!! I surprised myself how I was able to run the majority of the 3.2 miles, as I’m truly a walker. The beauty of the course, the energy of the crowd, the motivation from the bystanders- all of it made for an enjoyable morning. Once completed, I met some strangers in the beer garden and got some photos taken to mark this moment in time. It was a fun day!

I scheduled an appointment at Soakology and The Washington Baths for the rest of the day after another long walk. Total mileage that day was 10 miles, a record to date in Portland so far. Soakology- this was a relaxing experience. I arrived and was greeted by a soakologist…they provided a menu and explanation. A copper bowl is filled with your choice of aroma and petals to invigorate your feet, while you sip on a special tea and treat of your choice. $100 later I exited the spa type place feeling relaxed & lighter. It was the best chai tea, with a sugared rim and yummy rosemary tea shortbread cookies. Then home to chill before the Washington Bath experience. This was a recommendation from my new friend Sarah, not sure I will attend it again, but was an opportunity to explore, as they are now closed for the summer. This place was interesting…..I should have known upon entry when they inquired how I identified….as in what locker room key suited my gender. Hmmmmm. Not meant to be offensive here, but I was sort of floored. Was this guy, who actually looked like he could be a porn star going to give me a men’s locker room key if I said I identified that way? I made a joke and laughed,…..quickly realizing he took his job seriously. I said I’m a female, may I have the woman’s key. He provided me with the key and instructions. I did get to try some yummy maple water. This was a public sauna! A place to relax in a sauna with ur sex and then go into the public area for a coed soak in a hot bath or cold plunge. It was a unique place with eclectic people. An experience nonetheless. I can just imagine my moms golden girls 4some here. LOL

I have found myself a couple of new work spots…..I love a new place called, Novel. It’s a bookstore, coffee shop, bar- they serve alcohol & coffee, play live music, and are located in a cool part of town. Another restaurant in the Wharf area- I learned it transforms to a coffee shop during the morning/early afternoon hours, before becoming a busy restaurant at night. They have couches and private quiet areas since being so huge. And of course still using my normal hotel lobby’s/coffee shops. This town is SO cool!

I’m all about venturing out, seeing new parts and old. I spent my first weekend exploring more of Maine I had not seen. I drove to a town of Westbrook and visited a waterfall, made my way to Falmouth to look at that seaside town. I’ve been told not to go hiking in the woods trails alone, too many homeless people wander. I’ll wait for a partner when visitors arrive. I met a friend from MA for dinner in Portsmouth, NH. An easy drive from here, matter a fact I have another lunch planned there this week with a work colleague. What I love about the east coast, is how close in proximity you are to another state.

I finally got to experience the 5 star restaurant in town, Scales. This is the #1 restaurant in town…..took a while to get a reservation. I arrived solo for a Sunday night 6pm rez, felt like my dad’s spirit was with me. It was his kind of place……and I had an older gentleman sitting next to me at the bar. A true local whose son worked there. I ended up talking to him and his wife most of the night about all the must eat at joints in town. They are avid hikers and sharedw ith me the must do’s on my upcoming Bar Harbor trip. The asparugus salad and the scallops were over the top. I was glad I made the decision to break the bank for the night. Well worth it!

I love my 9 mile days…..an eastern promenade walk every morning to start the day and either a repeat at night, or I have ventured to check out the West end now too. I definitely prefer the east end of Portland. I have taken a Barre class, signed up for an upcoming sound bowl class, and keep my eye on the current events. I LOVE how much there is to do in this town and all the live music happening daily outside. I have made new friends and am enjoying normal life here.

Danielle’s family arrived late on Friday night last week. We tried a new well known BBQ restaurant, Terlingua while they shared the highlights of the week they had just spent in NYC. For those who don’t know…..Danielle & Ian are my college friends, whom I’m blessed to be their 3 children’s godmother. I love this title and cherish it greatly. The weekend we shared together in Portland and the 2 days I got to be with them in Bar Harbor made my summer complete. Crazy how fast time goes by, as the oldest, Cosette is off to college in the fall, I recall the day she was born. NUTS!!! I was the tour guide for them, and they were ready. We saw, did, and ate it all. The high light for everyone in Portland, I think, was our Peaks Island Day. We took the ferry over, rented bikes, and biked the entire Island after eating the most delicious neapolitan style pizza in the woods. Lot’s of ice cream and the famous 88 donuts, Crispy Gai, blueberry muffins, etc. You know the drill of what a tourist must eat on Dora’s Amazing Race in Portland. LOL We had a very packed weekend including all the highlights a tourist must see here, including the Portland Headlight. (the most photographed lighthouse in the USA)

After our long day…..The Schweikert’s were tired and I had an impromptu night out with my new friend in Portland. He could not believe I had never tried an Oyster. Off to The High Roller for me……A beginner experience with 7 oysters to share, thankfully I only had to swallow 3, ha ha!! I soaked them in sauces and took a bite. The slimy creature was a biazzaro texture in my mouth. Now at least I can say I have had an oyster. I might go try the hot one that Terri loved while visiting me here last year. We shall see if Rachel is up for the experience.

I met Danielle’s entire family on Monday morning at Rose Foods for the BEST bagel/lox in town before we caravanned to Bar Harbor. Ian took all the back roads possible, as to avoid freeways and see as much of the coast as possible. We passed by the coolest places, scenery, marinas, and snapped photos at quick stops along the way. Our first stop was at my dear old friends favorite lobster shack. In his honor we visited The Trenton Bridge Lobster pound to share a Lobster Mac & Cheese with a slice of blueberry pie a’la mode. Yummy!!!

The arrival into Acadia National Park was mesmerizing. The beauty that exists in this part of the country is breath-taking and doesn’t seem real. My 2 night and 2.5 days with them were beyond memorable. Playing rummy cube, taking hikes, laughing, exploring, shopping, and enjoying the beauty of life all together- PRICELESS!!! We had amazing meals, lots more ice creams, good coffee, and great conversations. On the last day, Danielle, Ian, and I awoke at 4am to go experience the 1st spot in North America where the sun rises from. They allow 100 cars to drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain to watch this event. We did not make the rez, but made our way to Ocean Drive in the park to watch the sun come over the water with many others who also wanted this special moment etched in their memory. After watching we made our way to the Bar harbor Pier where teh 5 star hotel, The Bar Harbor Inn serves free coffee for guest. You know me, I am a hotel crasher…..LOL Normally for a good pool day, this time for a nice comfy couch by a fireplace while sipping a warm fresh coffee at 530am before any shops are open. We walked the pier with all the boats. We eventually made our way to the best hike of my life to date. We walked the parameter of Jordon Pond, a 3 mile hike that part of it is built on a boardwalk type wooden plank. Photos don’t do this scenery justice. The sounds of frogs, birds, bugs, people, children’s laughter, water streaming, and just nature in general. WOWeeee!!! I was in heaven. We ended our magical morning at Cafe This Way, a recommendation from my friend Helene. This place had the MOST delish blueberry pancakes I have ever tasted. With of course fresh Maple syrup from Maine Maple trees. We went back to their hotel for me to say my good bye’s and head back to Portland for my wk day. They still get to spend 3 more nights in Paradise. They are on a 18 day East Coast adventure. Family vacations are truly the BEST times spent in life. I was SO lucky they included me in theirs. Feeling extreme gratitude.

It’s true, all the novels and books you read that take place in Maine……This is where it is at!!!I LOVE this state. I think it has beaten out Connecticut for me. Having always been a lover of New England, the only thing missing is my family. So many different areas of one state with SO much to see and do. I made it home in 3 hours for a full work day that awaited me.

Bringing me to this weekend. I have had 2- 9 mile walking days. I visited The Victoria Mansion ( pictured below), a museum w/history from the 1800’s I had not seen yet. I’m really trying to check off all the tourist places in this state. I have Booth Bay Harbor on the list still to explore. The rest was spent doing normal chores……laundry, grocery shopping, oil change w/new car battery, catching up on work, and some TV to learn the current events. I went by the mall to buy a few items. I will be sharing my latest Jewdicious article in my next entry, as that was finally completed this weekend too. All about Connections in life. I spent the entire day today (Sunday) at the dreamy Inn by The Sea in Cape Elizabeth. I am a hotel lobby addict when given the opportunity.

I’m off to Ft. Worth ,Texas mid- week for a business conference and will be back for the weekend in ME. Thankfully it’s only 2 days…as I know it will be much hotter in Texas. I hope you all enjoyed this catch up. I look forward to all the comments. Last time I had 12 from the blog…makes me so happy! LOL No pressure to reply- Ha Ha Ha Funny how much I was annoyed by my dad’s reply all’s and now bask in it- we all grow up!! Happy Summer Solstice and if Macey is reading until the end, Happy Half Birthday to you! 🥳

Love Always,
Laurie Sue AKA- Dora

XOXO❤️❤️❤️💕💕💫💫🧚🏻‍♀️🧚🏻‍♀️🎉😘