Tag Archives: photos

We were hopping.

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While we usually avoid the Boothbay Harbor region like the plague in the summer due to the high concentration of tourists and traffic, we threw caution to the wind and drove up for an afternoon of bar/restaurant hopping last week since the weather was beyond perfect for a blueberry mojito on the ocean.

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Our first stop was Mine Oyster, which has the best outdoor seating on the harbor. We always elect to sit on the second floor deck but discovered it closed. And empty.

In the summer.

In Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

We were stunned. And as we made our way out back to the first floor deck…

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We were equally as stunned to find only a few people enjoying the view.

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This is a prime spot. A tourist Mecca. A restaurant that offers lobster 20 different ways.

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And it was virtually empty.

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Good for us as we had our pick of seats, but not good for the local economy. We’ve been hearing the tariffs and American relations with Canada had been taking a toll on visitation from our northern neighbors, but this was proof.

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They just weren’t here.

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Lobster stuffed mushrooms for the husband.

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But troubling lack of tourists aside, it’s hard to beat the scenery.

❤️

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Surgery… with a view.

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A friend of ours had to go in the hospital for pancreatic surgery recently so we ordered a bouquet from our outstanding local florist to brighten up his room.

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The arrangement was so beautiful I wanted to keep it myself, but I did the right thing and rode with it on my lap for the drive up the coast to the medical center.

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I didn’t even know this hospital existed.

But north on Route 1, past a boat with a beard…

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And a non partisan political sign…

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On a peninsula in Damarriscotta, stood a waterfront hospital with rooms that really didn’t require cheering up.

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Talk about gilding the lily.

He had a corner private room with a view that can’t be anything but healing.

❤️

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Ominous skies.

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July and August are hot and dry months in Maine.

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Our verdant green grass is browning in spots and I’m constantly hoping for rain.

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My flowers are thirsty and I can only imagine how much water our farming neighbor is pumping on his fields.

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With the high heat comes afternoon thunderstorms.

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But not for us.

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We sit on the porch and sadly watch them roll on by.

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Not one drop fell on our property from this boomer.

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Talk about a missed opportunity.

🥴

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A happy surprise and a big disappointment on the cliff.

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Continuing on our cliff side stroll, there were warning signs…

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Which my husband always ignores.

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I swear the man has mountain goat DNA.

The views were lovely.

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The wild roses fragrant.

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And full of busy bumblebees.

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It’s a gorgeous walk and I highly recommend it if you’re ever in Newport.

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And though the views were stellar…

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It was what I found around the bend of this tree that made my day.

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A bunny!

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As someone who lives in Maine where bunnies are a rarity….

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This was a very pleasant surprise.

💕

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Up ahead?

The famous 40 steps…

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Which to he honest my husband and I were a bit too foot weary to explore.

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My goal was over there…the section of cliff walk that winds around the back of all the fabulous Bellevue Avenue “cottages” we’d been touring.

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First, a rest room break…

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And an oddly jagged rock wall.

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With a sadly poignant memorial.

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As we made our way to the much anticipated section, my husband stopped to talk.

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And talk, and talk, and talk.

So I quietly slithered away to explore a little further ahead.

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Only to discover the part of the cliff walk I was most looking forward to?

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Was closed for repairs and inaccessible.

A big boo to that!

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The best meal of our trip.

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Since we were back in Tiverton and it was long after lunch but slightly before dinner, we took a chance on the highly rated Boat House restaurant that was too crowded the first time we stopped.

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It really is a gorgeous spot.

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And equally as attractive inside as out, with lovely views from all the tables.

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Which is why we sat at the bar.

*sigh…*

Oh well, my Limoncello margarita was fabulous no matter where I parked my keister.

Reposado tequila, limoncello, lemon, agave. Simple, and delicious.

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A perfect compliment to my Caesar salad with homemade croutons.

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Husband’s seafood chowder was rich and delicious.

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Cocktail #2, and okay… #3 as well… was the Princessa, a bar favorite.

Bacardi Limon, strawberry purée, fresh lemon juice, club soda, mint. Again, simple but fabulous.

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As you know we tend to be picky when we eat out. A place has to check 3 boxes to earn a star from us. Atmosphere, cocktails and food quality.

So far, so good.

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Husband’s filet mignon with burgundy demi glacé, asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes?

Perfection.

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My lemon beurre blanc grilled shrimp , roasted Brussels sprouts and garlic mashed potatoes?

Perfect as well.

And dessert?

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Good grief. Bananas Foster cheesecake with caramel drizzle, banana liqueur soaked bananas, homemade cinnamon whipped cream and chocolate lace.

Be still my heart…. this place was goooood!

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I swear to God I’d be tempted to make the 4 hour drive from Maine just to eat there again.

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Even if I have to fight off all the people who live in this mini mountain of high end condos right beside it.

😉

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