Peaks Island, Portland Headlight, and a dreamy day spent at an Inn……

A lot has been going on in Portland, ME. Terri thinks she is training for The Amazing Race, lol. I keep her very busy. The comments that come out of my Royal sista’s mouth make me laugh daily. She is one entertaining girl! Queen of the shining stars…..for those who don’t know my fabulous sister is famous in Scottsdale, AZ. Miss Terri is a “lifer” at the JCC preschool. She has been the MOST sought after teacher for decades. Everyone wants to have their kid be a shining star 🌟 in her class. She teaches the 3’s, and is a ROCKSTAR teacher. Well, she is super animated, sweet, kind, caring, brave, happy, joyful, silly, and a true teacher type. She has made videos for her class that are being shared while she is away and these little 3 yr olds send back the cutest videos about how much they miss her. This teacher is on VACATION. Thank goodness after her week here she has a much more relaxing trip planned with her husband in Denver. He goes to bed early and would NEVER walk 20,000 steps three days in a row, 😂. I have promised we will get pedicures on Sunday so she can have a foot massage before leaving.

Thursday, we awoke to my day off of wk, and a full day of fun planned exploring Portland. We walked to Becky’s diner….just okay in my book, but on her list of places to checkout. We then purchased our Ferry tickets for Peak’s Island. While we waited 30 minutes before departure time we walked along the shore, passing by all the sailboats. Kids were getting ready for sail camp, people are walking, biking, taking in the gorgeous breeze of this sunny day. As we walked back to the ferry dock, we met a nice man named, Peter. Ironically he lives in Green Valley, AZ now after spending 38 yrs in Alaska. His wife inherited a summer cottage on Diamond Island….he gave us so many great pointers and tips for our Island tour. Turns out he and his wife were both teachers and Miss Terri and him talked about education in schools. His son left Scottsdale to spend a month in Portland a while back similar to me. He was another friendly dude we met on the street. It’s time for the 17 min Ferry ride across Casco Bay, the same water we were in last night for the Sunset/lighthouse tour. We made our way to the top deck outside and watched all the lighthouses, other boats, and the skyline of Portland in the distance with the wind on our faces. Peaks Island only has 1000 year round residents. A few years ago it was only 500. It blows up in the summer month, but I think thats the norm around here.

We rented bikes and rode around the entire perimeter of the Island (approx 4 miles). Terri was like goldilocks, as she must have sat on 3-4 bikes before selecting the most comfortable. It was a BIG deal that she is riding….not an avid bike rider since our childhood, but as the saying goes….once you know how to ride a bike you can always do it. After some practice and laughter she is good to go and ready to ride. I have the best video of her….I was very proud! Go Terri Go!! We took so many photos, as the ride went by the most incredible scenery. The sounds of birds singing, water crashing, and nature noises all over. A rock formation area that was SO cool, a few rocky beaches, mostly just beautiful landscape , pretty flowers, the amazing aromas, and breathtaking views. We rode by unique, funky homes, all different and each one has a name. We tossed around many ideas we would name our dream home when we have an island beach cottage, lol

We returned the bikes just in time for lunch- oink oink…Lobster roll, and a pulled pork sandwich, we split both and I had a watermelon margarita. Ended with the famous Ice Cream shop on the Island for peppermint stick yummy flavor. Back on the boat…..once back we head to Old Orchard Beach. We had a gorgeous beach day. Read our books and relaxed. It was low tide and I was able to walk soooo far out which was awesome. I sure love a beach day with my feet in the sand and collecting seashells like a kid.

After our relaxation ended, we headed home to get ready for a fine dining restaurant….called Fore Restaurant. While seated at the bar the only spot to sit, we meet 2 brothers from GA and compare notes of what to do in Portland. Then again with the couple who just got engaged on the other side of me from Chicago. Portland is a true melting pot of American culture.s. Everyone is from somewhere else. I surprised Miss Terri with this being her b-day dinner since I will miss it this year, Aug 6 th she will be 53. I sang and we shared a Strawberry tart.

Friday…..We slept in….a first for me, but I knew I had to give her a rest, ha. If she tells me again that she is an athlete training for The Amazing Race in Portland I will pee in my pants. She says funny stuff constantly. We walked 2 miles to the yummy Rose Foods for that bagel/lox delish, rented bikes again to ride the Back Bay Cove Trail, 3.5 miles around the bay that you see out my kitchen window. Exploring an entirely new neighborhood. Came back home, packed sack lunches, snacks for our day out. We went straight to The Portland Headlight, this is the most photographed lighthouse in the USA. We felt like we were living in a fairytale book. The grounds of Fort Williams Park are the most manicured, acres and acres of green grass, beautiful trails, flowers, unreal coastline views, so well kept and a serious tourist spot to capture natures beauty. We wandered around here snapping pictures, making videos, and I was acting like a kid climbing the rocks. Too Scary for my playmate. We did meet the Park ranger and his wife. I like to explore always in the areas where not many go. I was trying to see the front of the mansions…..we ended up on a rd and saw a couple walking a dog…..leave it to me to strike up a convo and we learned he maintains the park. We learned more facts about the property and sure enough his 1 daughter lives in Encinitas, CA and another kid frequents Scottsdale. Lol You cant make this stuff up. As we walk back towards lighthouse and car, Miss Terri says its like Snow White & the t dwarfs may walk out…..truly it was dreamy and seemed like we are living in a movie set.

We leave here and venture to a hotel I have been dying to see. If you know me well, I love 5 star hotel property’s. Always have to check them out when nearby. Well we drive down the coast through the exclusive zip code of Cape Elizabeth…..getting lost on the way which is part of the adventure. Seeing dream homes, meeting bikers as we stop to take in views by benches along the water. I meat a lady who gives us directions(GPS not working on the cape), she offers a longer scenic route, we’ll take it. We end up at The Inn by the Sea, a $1500 a night hotel for the basic room, suites are $3000 a night. Its on the beach, or I should say has a carved out beautiful path/walk to get to Crescent Beach. My aunt Marlene would sit at this beach ALL day. And the hotel had a pool, which Terri Sue loves. Well Dora did her usual, I own the place tour. Made friends with the young boys who are from other countries working here for the season. Ege was from Turkey and so proper. After T and I checked it all out we decided the weather forecast was wrong and we took our chances on another beach day. The hotel had a private part of the beach with chairs, umbrellas, towels, and Ege was offering cold water, lol Don’t worry we spared him having to wait on us, but we did use their amenities. It turned into a dreamy day.

Okay, ready for another small world moment…….a lady shows up to sit in the chair next to me. She walks towards the water, which was freezing. After 15 min she walks towards us totally wet, hair and all…..I say did you really go all the way in that cold water. She says yes….Im from Woodstock, NY and this is nothing for me. Well I immediately say, OMG….I know Woodstock is a small town I know 3 people who live there. She happens to be bff with the woman whose apartment I am renting in NYC. They were just at a concert together and do yoga together. Crazy small world- Nuts!! We pack up to leave serenity. Walk back to the car passing by huge strawberry fields. We get ready for dinner and this is our night to try the infamous, DuckFat restaurant. Tracy had wanted to go, but I had to save it for Terri. Not my favorite or necessary place, a super fattening experience. I truly need a juice cleanse when Terri leaves before my moms arrival. Terri went nuts over the Poutine w/ Duck Confit and an egg on top. I had a sandwich. We met great people here, ha. All the restaurants are set up like community style eating so everyone talks to each other. It makes dining SO fun. Met a jewish couple from NJ and then a big guy from Chicago. He was loads of fun. Did our usual walk around the old port at night. Live music everywhere….the streets are more crowded, its Friday night. Passed by a few bachelor and bachelorette groups having a lot of fun. We ventured to a cocktail bar, ‘ Room for Improvement’ , where our waiter told us had tye best espresso martini. OMG, he was right…..it was SO delish with a special banana foam on top. It was the perfect night cap way to end our night.

Love Dora…..AKA, Laurie Sue XO 😘🦞🧚🏻‍♀️💕❤️💫🌟🥰🐷