The Last Roundup...

Shout out

My time to thank those people who will never know that their random acts of kindness and/or general good will is appreciated.

Jack and Julie
Ben who made out drinks
Joyce who always took careof our laundry
Heater who made our always late breakfast.
The 97 year old former professional band singer we chatted up one night at dinner in the passport pub
Michele of c-shells in Blue Hill where we had wonderful conversation and a excellent lunch and cappi.
The lady who when we pulled over to let her pass by, stopped because she thought we were lost and offered a map to help us find our way.
Is Isabel Gardner for using her wealth to give us truly one of the great small museums.
Peter from nervous Nellies
Debra and mom, Sarah's friend
Gina chef
Shonna from Ireland studying in Boston for her Masters
Pappion

Heading home....

Our ride home was quicker than normal because we found a more direct way. The trip itself was uneventful but we are exhausted from the drive and just the coming down from the trip.

Showboat

Our dinner at the Gelston was wonderful. Afterward, we took a stroll by the river and it was beautiful. The show was much better than I remember. Sarah really enjoyed the show and we had great seats. I love Goodspeed as it has many good memories with me and Fran. I was so happy that Sarah is now enjoying it as well. It is one of those places, I would have been disappointed if she did not want to like it because of my past history with it. I am happy and we do have a great time in Connecticut at the Goodspeed.

The Goodspeed Opera House...

Today is a lazy day for us. We eat breakfast and take a walk in the town. However, the heat makes us retreat back to the comfort of the hotel. We have dinner reservations at 6:00 pm at the Gelston House which is right across from The Goodspeed Opera House right on the river. I have been coming to Goodspeed for over 25 years. the shows are always wonderful and the surrounding area of Connecticut is filled with fun things to do and scenic drives. Tonight we see Showboat.

To the next stop.....

The good thing is we have a clear sunny day to drive. We head down 95 at about three hours into the drive we stopped at the charming waterfront town of Portsmouth. He like to eat at the Oar House which is right on the water, after a delicious meal, no drinks for me we continue arriving at the Inn at Middletown about 6 pm. A nice, full service hotel and reasonable.

Everyone Comes to Jack's

There is a play Everyone Comes To Rick's that the movie Casablanca was was based on is where I will base Everyone's Comes to Jack's. Instead of a cafe, we have the Passport. So here I will mentioned the variety of characters we have run into at the pub.

The gentlemen living in London now but born in Westchester and spent his summers sailing on Mt. Desert Island and his lovely wife from St. Petersburg. He was in Castine with his 40 foot sailboat. As he waited for the weather to clear, I told him about the blog and the trip Bill and I took. He was reading and laughing as they waiting in the Passport Pub for the weather to clear.

The chemistry professor and his dull wife from Conn.

The 97 year old former professional band singer we chatted up one night at dinner in the passport pub

Jim the board member of the Castine Historical Society and owner of the town antique shop. The elderly, widowed woman who invited me to stop by her home on one of my walks for coffee.

The jerk who is a curator of the Philly museum who had the staff turnoff the music because he could not hear. I did not hear him ask for that or..

The gentlemen and his wife and daughter who was political right arm of an important presidential candidate.

Walter and his wife Vanessa from NYC. A fun, friendly young couple whose company I enjoyed. Walter began hanging around Jack and I as he began to realize this was the place to hang.

The two related men who walked the Appalachian trail. One of them from Alabama, just completed the last leg of the journey 110 miles as he has been walking sections of it since 1997. The other retired gentlemen from Michigan, they were both related by the marriage of their children, loves to sail as he regal me with tales of sailing the great lakes and up toward Canada where he said there are hundreds of small islands to anchor in and relax for an afternoon.
The Alabama Man's wife who loved to talk.

The Northwestern professor who wanted to buy Jack's antique poster of the United Fruit Co. steamship line to the tropics. His girlfriend who got angry at him and left in a huff. He admittedly said he was acting selfish by wanting to stay in the pub as he needed to chat Jack up. I kind of thought he was acting selfish but normally is selfish.

The elderly, couple with a home on Water Street who invited Sarah and I to stop by their home.

The woman and her young daughter who I chatted up about the advantages of a Kindle and her daughter who likes fantasy SyFy reading I mended she read the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

The couple who were retired teachers and spent time living and teaching in Morocco.

The German Gentlemen and his wife who live on the cape and spent time talking about travel.

The sexy, sweet Serbian girls who worked for the Inn.

Ben who makes the beat Ambassador in the business.

The wonderful, Joyce who does it all and took care of us and our laundry.

Heather who tolerate us coming late for breakfast with a smile and always willing to whip us up some eggs.

Gina the Italian woman chef par excellence who took a good menu and made it great.

Morning leaving the Pentagoet....

There is an edginess, a sadness the air as we wake up and take to the task of packing and leaving our wonderful honeymoon spot.
The time here has not always been easy as the issues of a difficult and painful year for Sarah and I with the death of her mom, finally getting our house back took its toll on us. However, the time has been good for us. We are happily hopeful the future hold many wonderful and interesting times for us. But today, we much pay our bill, say our goodbyes to Jack and Julie and drive off....

Happy 4th of July..

What a beautiful day....we spent the day going to the local Pradeep of children in costumes, one kid wheeling a chicken behind him in a truck, parents walking their babies in strollers, and band music playing playing Patriotic songs all in all a great time.
The Inn had their BBQ for everyone that evening as we sat arond and waited for the fireworks display. Alas, disappointment greeted us as the night became too foggy and the fee fireworks that were set off could not be seen in the dense Maine fog. So they event was canceled.
This is our last night so a bit of sadness is creeping over us. We need to get an early start about 10 am tomorrow. We will be ending our trip as we always do with a stop on the Connecticut river in a town called Middletown. We will stay at the Inn at Middletown for two nights and see a show at the Goodspeed Opera House. This year it is Showboat.

Il dolce far niente

Saturday and Sunday two days of just hanging out in the town of Castine. The two days founds us with lovely weather but we just wanted to chill out relax. So we spent the day a sittin' and a rockin' a rockin' and a sittin'.

In the evening on Saturday, we had the lobster linguini which was awesome. On Sunday, Sarah had the ribs so tenter it mender in your mouth. I had the bouillabaisse with lobster, haddock, scallops and mussels that was another wonderful creation by the kitchen.

Scoodic Point

Today we decided finalize a plan to meet a friend about a two hour drive away. We stopped for lunch in Ellsworth, and picked up some flowers for her. We found her home with only a few miscues. Her home is nestled in the woods a short walk off the road. The after was spent relaxing, talking and she served up a nice, refreshing dish of strawberries and balsamic over vinegar over yogurt. Afterwards, she drove us into Acadia to visit Schoodic Point. A scenic drive overlooking the water, with Bar Harbor in the background. We had a lot of fun, more that could mention.

We embarked on our drive home and hope to make it back to the Inn by 8 pm for dinner and cocktails. Hopefully, our friend will join us another day for dinner at the Pentagoet. We will have to wait and see.

Being silly.....

Historial Society, Dyce Lighthouse..

I finally got over to see the Castine Historical Society. They have an exhibit on the Penobscot Bay attack in 1789. Since I had read Cornwell's book, The Fort is was not anything new. There was a seven panel quilt on the History of Castine that was interesting along with information about old hotels and houses in Castine.

After the museum, I went down to Dyce Head Lighthouse where the American came ashore during the battle. There was a steep train down to the water that gave you a wonderful view of the bay. I enjoy lighthouse bot for there real reason for their existence and the metaphorical reason of what they represent. Hopefully, some photos below due in some justice.

Sarah spent the time relaxing at the Inn.

The stairs at the end of the path down to the water.

Pointing the way at the top of the stairs....

The view and ominous clouds....

Road to Camden

Everyone talks about what a beautiful town Camden is to stay and visit. So we decided to take a drive t this little town on Route 1 about an hour and a half to 2 hours from Castine. So with a place to eat lunch given to us by the trusty Jack, we were off...The traffic getting into the town w brutal. It felt like being in Manhattan. Yes, the town has a beautiful, picturesque harbor, numerous, pretty, B & B's line the street, cut stores line the main street and overflow onto the side streets---the town is pretty and cute.
Too cute! it felt like a cute town created for tourism. A museum town. Too much traffic, too many people and too many stores for my taste. Nice to go hit a few stores, but not to spend your nights everyday. We stopped at the Waterfront restaurant had a decent lunch with an amazing drink, hit a few stores then Sarah had to drive home.

At the waterfront restaurant where the young waitress said we look good together dressed as we were...

Nails and Chocolate......

Sarah slept late as the day was overcast, misty and raining. When we finally got going, we decided to drive to Ellsworth to get manicures and pedicures. I found a nice nail shop that took walk ins and after about an hour drive. Sarah made her nails red. I just was getting a manicure so I did some shopping When I got back, Sarah wanted me to get a pedicure as well. I said ok, I had one before I left for Scotland in May and usually in the summer it is a good idea to get it done every month. We were both pleased and headed back to the Inn for some cocktails, reading and relaxing.

The nails and a drink never far away....

The wonderful sea salt, dark carmel chocolate Sarah gave to Julie...

Historical Markers....

The Fort: by Bernard Cornwell

A Tapas Treat....

Barcelona night! Tonight we engaged in a good cause the "Save the Elms" benefit night at the Pentagoet Inn. We did not do much but read and chat with other guests as the day quietly passed. The benefit started at 5:30. It was too be an evening of Tapas and sangria. We dressed for the event. I wanted to wear my suit but Sarah said I would be over dressed. She also wanted to wear the outfit she bought yesterday in Bar Harbor. Her outfit had a chic casualness and she was concerned that she would be out of place next to my suit. I wanted to is a vintage double breasted, cream colored, summer weight suit. So instead I wore a nice dressy pair of pants, stone color, white shirt and an ascot and of course my Panama hat.

We arrived and the men were all in suits and sport jackets. I knew I should have followed my own instincts. I still was very smartly dressed and Sarah looked wonderful in her chic New York City black skirt, orchard top and beautiful earrings. I thought she would have done better in lighter colored clothing to mix with the summer as she had two different beautiful dresses with her. One in an off white color and the other, we had bought her last year in Castine was flowery green. For better or worst that is just my opinion. I love light colors as feel in summer they create a happier mood and look good as well.

The night began on the porch with Sangria. I didn't care for it and switched to my old reliable Ambassador. After some time on the porch, we moved in the Passport Pub for cocktails and conversation. As Sarah and I were sitting and talking, a woman walked over and introduced herself and began chatting. Her husband and son were at the small bar area. I got up began talking with her and the two men started chatting with Sarah. I find it amusing how it all seems to break up the men vie for Sarah conversation and i converse with the women.

After some time, everyone began moving toward their seats for a tapas dinner. A speech was made thanking everyone for supporting the elms and the plates of tapas kept arriving, one after the other. We ended with rum raisin ice cream and some almond cookies.

I did not take any photos not knowing if others would be comfortable. The evening had very few of the Inn guests as it was mostly town residents. It was a good night and we retired happily, abet a little tipsy to our room.

Bar Harbor

Today the sun is finally out in all its glory. We got a late start today but after some input from Jack on where to eat we set off to Bar Harbor. Now we had visited Bar Harbor last year. It is a beautiful town on the water near Acadia National Park and many wealthy homes. The wealthy from the Gilded Age came here to summer and sail on these waters. Even today, many still call Bar Harbor home during the summer. With all that said, Bar Harbor can be a very crowded, touristy town. At times, difficult to walk on the sidewalk at night due to so many people. I have this love/hate relationship with the town. I love the location, the stores, and many activities. Yet, I dislike the zoo type atmosphere of having to walk in the street or constant bunking into people on my walk. That being said, off we went.....

The ride is about an hour and a half from Castine. We took a route into and around the Northeast harbor and Seal Harbor the exclusive park of Bar Harbor. You know you reach a influential, wealthy part of the drive when all the road for about this two mile stretch was perfectly paved, not a pot hole, or cracked roadway in sight. We had many overlook vistas when you can view out into the water.

We made our way to the actual town, parked our car and decided to walk and window shop. Sarah stopped and a nice female clothes shop and picked out a wonderful skirt, shirt ensemble to go with her colorful lavender earrings for Barcelona night tomorrow evening. Strolling down Main Street we stopped at a few stores to just look. Finally, I said I was hungry and we needed to eat something or was going to go animal.

We walked to the Bar Harbor Inn on the water and it was a perfect setting and choice. We order some wonderful cocktails when all of a sudden someone comes over to Sarah and gives her a shout. I turn to see what noise this is disturbing my drinking when i see Sarah and her friend warmly embrace. It is her friend Debra who see was just with at the May conference in Alaska.
I know people always use the cliche "what a small world" but in truth it is always said because things like this happen. You make a friend on the other corner of the country and then find him/her again in the place you are on holiday. She was with her mother and we joined them for a fun filled afternoon of drinking, eating and excellent conversation. At 5:30 we said our goodbyes, headed back to our car for the drive back home. A drive that normally would have been ho hum instead had a warm glow from friends reconnecting and friendships made anew....

Me in front of the Man Store!

Need I say anything? Guess which one is my drink.

Happy couple but me with lame glasses on I forgot take off.

Notice the packages on the other chair. You wonder why she looks so happy.

Maine Fog.....

I love a foggy morning.....Early mooring, 6 am, walking out the door of the Pentagoet, I can barely see down the street..a beautiful morning fog has crept up from the bay and descended into the town covering the streets with its mist...it is glorious to walk through it as you barely can see past ten feet...like in the movie The Third Man the fog shrouds the town in mystery giving it a romantic allure. Here are a few photos..It is my hope I did it justice...

Looking toward the bay, normally 1 1/2 blocks away...

Movie day..

Yesterday, the day began again with rain and cloudy skies. I figured that it would not clear up much for the rest of the day so instead we took in a movie. The problem with "just" taking in a movie is that we had to drive 1:45 minutes the movie theater: The Railroad Cinema in Waterville. If you guess that its named because it is near are railroad track you are correct and win a cookie.
The movie was Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris. What a wonderful movie, a travelogue and ode to Paris. The cinematography is incredible as the street scene in Paris are so beautiful.
Owen Wilson a hollywood hack writer transports back and forth from the present to 1920's Paris. Here he meets F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda, Hemingway, Picasso , Cole Porter and attends various salons and parties. I will leave the rest for to to see but own Wilson is an actor who has a lot of charm and so is the movie.

Our walk

I finally got Sarah to take a walk, dragged her kicking and screaming but she did enjoy the stroll. Walking is a great way to get some exercise and hopefully to help her back. Here are some photos of our walk overlooking the Penobscot Bay in Castine.

Cat

On a crisp morning, sitting on the back porch of the Pentagoet you just might find yourself startled by the friendliest cat. He jumps up on the table as I am typing and puts his face next to mine and begins rubbing me. It was so sweet as he hung out looking for lots of pets which I obliged. He comes and goes as he pleases. I believe he oblongs to someone in town somewhere and just comes around gets his pets and leaves. I hope I see this wonderful furry friend again while I am here and I will try and get a photos.

Not all raining days are bad..

The last three days we have seen a lot of rain and cloudy skies. Sarah and I pretty much just hung around the Inn racing and relaxing. Had the Bernard Cornwall book the Fort which is an Historical fiction novel set in Castle about a the battle of Penopscot Bay. A previous post I put up a number of Historical signs that are around Castine. Most of these signs have to do with this battle that took place in the book. It was so good to follow along and compliment my reading with walks and a map in front of me. You know when sometimes a book is so good you start slowing down so you do not finish so quickly. This was that kind of book. I finished the book now need to find another. My appetite is wetted for the American Revolution. I will look for more books along that genre. Sarah finished a great, in her words audio book, Cutting for Stone and now she is onto a Michael Crichton novel Martha recommended.
Our days were relax, nigh times we ate and drank in the Passport Pub talking to different people. We spent time in conversation working on our relationship and coming to terms with how outside circumstances effect our day-to-day life. I would like to think an important part of a relationship is the ability to continually self reflect on its dynamics and look at where it strong and what needs work. The self reflective loop with its constant looking inward to examine our strengths and weaknesses is a crucial important way in which I look at myself and how I have been able to change.

Anyway, not much in the way of photos because we did not really have the opportunity.

A perfect reading spot.