It all started with a book called The Penderwicks. The girls each read the series and the thought of Maine was planted in their heads. When conversations of vacation would come up year over year, Bridget and Megan would both suggest Maine. This year we decided to look into it. I jumped online and searched house rentals and quite quickly found a beautiful place at a very good price. I showed it to Jim and we decided to book it, hoping it wasn't too good to be true.
Our vacation was August 6-13. The drive from Baltimore in the minivan with the 7 of us was long, but we packed lightly and managed it well. With 4 stops it took us a little over 11 hours. The house we rented was in Bridgton, Maine on Solitude Lane by Moose Pond at the foot of Pleasant Mountain, and it did not disappoint. Maine smelled of pine trees and had a fantastic understory of ferns. The house was situated in the woods with a deck, fire pit, small gardens and lawn. the rooms were all big enough for our family to gather together or find a private spot to read or relax.
Jim and I shared the master with a fancy master bathroom and soaking tub. Rachael and Megan shared the front bedroom, and Bridget, Emma and Johanna shared the upstairs bedroom. We settled in for a good vacation.
Visit to Fryeburg, Mass at St Elizabeth Ann Seton church, flea Market, and lunch at 302 West Smokehouse.
Mini hike on trailhead at Pleasant Mountain before a simple dinner of sandwiches
Monday trip to Portland ME:
We started at the Cape Elizabeth Headlight and enjoyed the views. We grabbed some gelato, and then we scrambled on the rocks, enjoying the breeze and the tidepools.
We headed to the Old Port for lunch in a tavern along the main cobblestone road and then we took a ferry over to Peaks Island. Romped on the little beach and then back over to the mainland. We walked the old town streets and did a little shopping. Before heading back to Bridgton.
Renting kayaks from SkiHot at the end of the road and ferrying the paddleboard and kayaks from our place to and from the community beach/launch area. It rained just as we got going, but it felt great on a hot day. Moose Pond was clear and cool.
That night we played Mexican train dominos around the big green dining room table.
Breakfasts of Captain crunch, private spots around the house for down time, moments on the deck, reading in the sun room.
Visiting Bridgton: the bookstore and antique shop, and Reny's general store (our neighbor Jim's cousins own Reny's)
Maine offered a feeling of openness and timelessness. It felt grounded in nature and time.
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