From out of the ashes cont.

It was remarked that I lived such an exciting life...but because of being involved in World competition, travel has always been part of my married life however, in 1970 it meant driving all night with another couple (to save gas) to go to a competition in San Jose, Ca. and the cheapest motel was the criteria not the amenities:) but that trip also included a tour of the Winchester Mansion as well as a 5th place trophy.

Travel for me in learning. Learning about other places and people but also about myself and my responses to the challenges travel often brings. The one sure thing about travel is that it is NEVER what you expected...it may be better or it may be worse but it is never how you imagined it to be........................

I had always wanted to go to Maine and so I began our search for our next exchange.......

The Samoset Resort seemed to be the nicest one but it was also more isolated than those in the southern part of the state............but we knew we were renting a car and we like to drive so this was our choice

located in Rockport, Maine
Beautiful....yes, but this resort was all about golfing (another lesson to be learned) and we aren't golfers but we love LOBSTER....of my gosh, it was the best lobster I had ever eaten and we could have it everyday! They even served it "sissy style" which means it was shelled and swimming in butter. Makes my mouth water even today and of course the view from the restaurant was breathtaking.

We managed many day trips to nearby areas and the buildings were fascinating to me

This was a little bar that we just had to check out.....

and this was a Emporium...meaning a what not shop with a outdoor BBQ for a lunch stop

that included the most amazing wood carvings

One day we found a little winery that took us down a dirt road past little rustic homes but the best place we went to? Bar Harbor, Maine.

This is how I imagined Maine to be...........The prettiest little town with tons of little shops, and this beautiful hotel right on the water.

You guessed it....we spent the extra money and spent the night even though it was double dipping you might say but we knew we would never be back here so we took the "need to enjoy it while you can" theory.

This area had many beautiful homes

that one could only imagine living in.....yes, I definitely would recommend Bar Harbor, Maine as a vacation spot.

There were many surprises along the way like the waterfall no one paid any attention to behind the restaurant

and the strangest restaurant that wrote the menu on butcher paper and hung it up where you entered and served so casually you weren't sure you were in restaurant.... note: this restaurant was recommended to us because from the looks of it we would have never gone there....but oh, what great food.

and a little bar called "Route 66"!

This was the most amazing thing to me....I mean, I lived on old route 66 growing up in Arizona and this is MAINE. You could spend hours looking at all the memorabilia they had displayed but how about the lamp made out of old Melamie dishes....

from ceiling to floor there were displays...

No trip to Maine would be complete without a light house experience and the walk over was a bit challenging....

but the view after you got there was a ahhhhh moment.

Hope I am not boring you but I sure am having a good time looking back...............

to be continued......................