Old Long Since

What a year it has been. I cannot speak for anyone who reads our collective writings, but it feels like this year flew by like a non-stop, 70 mph tour bus through the shortest block of the smallest city. Every month brought something new for Kari and I, whether we new it was coming or not. We both live very hectic lives and I couldn't even imagine how I would handle all of my disorganized thoughts and aspirations without the assistance, support, and encouragement I have gotten from Kari (This is where I insert the obligatory I love you, sorry to those of you who didn't plan on reading a love letter). It is true to say that Kari is all of that which guides me safely through the turbulent and tremendous encounters our lives have to offer, for this I am eternally grateful.

Gratitude where it is due, I intend to direct a portion to you the reader and a special few scattered about the country during these celebratory days. All too often we find ourselves alone, either figuratively or literally, and we cannot seem to find anyone nearby to comfort our solitude. In the loudest of company we may feel that we are only singular and not a part of the raucous surrounding we find ourselves in. It is a terrible feeling to feel alone, but I want to offer some thoughts that may shed a familiar light on those who desire a familiar face, voice, or even embrace, to help see in the new year and out the old.

This New Years Eve, if you find yourself missing someone or thinking of those who seem lost to you, look inside of yourself and find the your recollections of these individuals. You may find that while they are not there in person, they are there within you and you may even realize that you are with them in the exact same sense. I don't want to reiterate the cliche of being there "in spirit" because I wish to state something more. When you feel you are alone and you turn to look inward for that connection or that memory of a loved one and you reflect on the previous year or years; take note of the warmth generated in your heart from the memories and experiences you have had with those that you love. Let that warmth swell and warm you in the coming winter and as the countdown to the New Year begins. It is easy to forget the compassion and fellowship of those we care about when they are not there to grace us with their presence and remind us of their love for us, but if you take the time to remember and acquiesce the darkness of your perceived loneliness , those memories will keep you bound close to those you love in the farthest of distances and the coldest of nights.

So to everyone, I wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR! May we find ourselves in good company and in great spirit as we dive into the next decade, and may we all be healthy, happy, and loved in the New Year.

(Sometimes family is closer than you think, sometimes you just have to concentrate to find them in your hearts)
My apologies to the following for a lack of entry (Jacob, Tank, Rudy, Louise, Holly, & Leo)

1 out of 4 ain't bad

I remember turning 25, it was kind of like turning 24 only that it took longer.



Oh Kari, a quarter century old... don't worry though, lots of great things could not happen without the magical number 25. For a start, parking, it takes the magical number to earn 6, 15, and sometimes even up to 20 mins on a parking meter, which could be a significant amount of time when doing something like blowing out birthday candles perhaps. How about the realm of science, why without the number 25 we could never have the lovable element manganese, you may laugh, but without manganese we would not have photosynthesis. Without the number 25 in sports no major league baseball team could have a full roster and volleyball, under rally scoring rules of course, would be quite the tedious arrangement. Their would be no silver for love as it is the marker for a twenty fifth anniversary. There would be no fast route between New Mexico and Wyoming. Musical performances by the likes of Veruca Salt and Patti Smith would go unrealized by the lack of the number 25. In Britain, there would be no slang term for 25 pounds, which is a pony by the way.

While these all attest to the importance of the number 25, I think we can all agree on one thing, that is the ultimate reason, purpose, and need for the number twenty five; and that is you, Kari B. Gallow. Without the number 25 we couldn't have you and thus I for one am eternally greatful for the number 25.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARI!
love: the Cat and I

An Untold Tale of an Unknown Tail

And now a sojourn to the uncanny tale of one Rupert S. Beltweille (monkey to some).
A young and surprisingly limber primate sprung forth into a world of possibilities and challenges a plenty. Rupert left home at the shocking age of 9 to become a stock broker in the obscure, yet astonishingly versatile, Tallahassee Market Exchange.
After several years of primate-less comradeship in the work place, Rupert grew tired of his small successful endeavor in the marketplace. Warning of dire straits in future economic affairs within this nation, Rupert left his firm of Johnson & son & other son. He moved onto use his marketing talents in New York City and took a job carving custom figureheads for the sea faring ships of which Rupert had grown to admire on the Atlantic by his adobe shack on the NYC coast. After gaining a slight dependance on the favors of an ice cold glass of campari, Rupert took to the seas. Aboard the Sweet Saint Whatever he met the unsavory, and raggedly shavin, Duelin Dugan Boru and suffered adventures the likes of which shall not be mentioned in such a civil blog.
After a run in with some ill tempered Maori off the coast of New Zealand, Rupert left the sea and the surf behind. He headed back to New York and found passage to a small town in the central valleys of New York. Penniless and wandering, he stumbled upon the humble and gracious doorstep of the Great Family Gallow of Groton, where he was taken in by the sweet lady Kari and her oft aloof companion Theoderic.
He shared home and hearth with this sweet couple. All was well, until he was presented with a new co-tenant, and unkown assassin to poor sweet Rupert, the sweet, sly, and sometimes savage Jacob A. Wright-Gallow.
After several vicious, deadly, and quite loud encounters, Rupert offered submission for favor from this wretched, yet sometimes cuddly, beast of little repose. Whilst Jacob did not wish to fail in his mission nor expose his cliant for which the task had been payed for, he found great training and release from the savage beatings delivered to poor, sweet, limber, Rupert. Little is known of what has happened to Rupert, there is a rumor that travels on the wind of him living a life of desolation in the north eastern shores of this great nation, in a world of suffering, but never death at the hands of his keeper, companion, and nemesis, Jacob A. Wright-Gallow.

Lately in Maine

Today I come to you with sea shanties on the radio and rain falling on the windows.

In the past week we've seen many a leaves turn from green to red, sometimes right before our eyes. We've also watched the Nor'easters take on someone in soccer and win by some undisclosed amount. And, speaking of sports, I was informed yesterday that I must become a Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins fan now that I'm living in New England. I'm not quite sure about that, as Tom Brady is choking and the Jets (Did you know the Jets were in Cortland!?!) are a shocking 3-0. Regardless, enough of this meaningless sports talk, onto more important things, like coffee and kitties.

Jacob has taken to attacking a stuffed monkey, and we've been drinking in some delightful Ithaca Coffee Company Coffee (thanks Mom!).

Derek has been drawing self portraits and various appendages for his drawing class. He sometimes wears his fancy blazer in what he refers to as his artist outfit.

And I've been wandering around outside in the exceedingly chilly fall weather. Derek and I volunteered at the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge and got the opportunity to hang out in a Salt Marsh and take data. Yesterday I traveled with my boss Mitch Rasor of MRLD to the small town of Rockland, home of the Lobster Festival, for a site visit.

Most importantly, we'll be heading back to the great state of Upstate New York at some point this upcoming week for a wedding and a visit! See you all soon!

Palace Playland (now with English subtitles)

A throwback post, because who doesn't like reminiscing over short periods of time.

Back when we were "visiting" and not officially "from away," Allen, Deidre, Kari, and myself were fortunate enough to get to visit Old Orchard Beach. This beach is not merely a beach mind you, but an extravaganza featuring all the necessities one would come to expect from an Atlantic Ocean side town such as;


Full Theme Park- Though with an apparently permanent theme, the beach. The Palace Playland, though lacking an actual palace, is truly a land of play. Equipped with rides and entertaining games where you might win anything from a stuffed animal to a mirror with the visage of some archaic eighties rock band, Judas Priest anyone? Heck Yea!


A Pier Precariously Placed Portside Providing Potential Pedestrian Purchases- What's that folks, can't afford to go to the Ponte Vecchio!?! Well, worry no more. Substitute Bridge for Dock, then Substitute world reknown jewelry for possible imitation Dolce & Gabana suneglasses, sure it won't have that old world flavor, but I'm fairly certain you can get your "significant others" name air brushed on just about anything you possess. All of this glorious commerce topped off with not just one, but TWO pubs on this Dock of Wonders.


Veritable Pantheon of Culinary Mediocrity and Indigestion- Who's says corn dogs aren't a staple to a healthy diet? Well they lied my friend, but to those of you may remain weary to such ideas, you have nothing to worry about. There is a multitude of food provision here from pizza, to seafood (fresh), to burgers, to fried dough, and some vaguely foreign food as well. You'll be gobbling down candy apples before you even know what the last thing you ate even was. Not to mention the true palace of the wonderland Dickinsons Candy Shop where you will see young children moving at near light speed fueld by sugar highs that only Mr. Wonka himself could attest to.

Out of this World Experience- Well, not really, more like out of this country to a land of native French speaking peoples, without actually leaving the continent... or the country for that matter. Here you will find yourself thrust into a bizzare world of elequint linguistics that could quite possibly insults, if only you knew what they were saying. Really though, there were wondefrul people everywhere having fun with family and friends alike, it was a very reffreshing environment to be in.


Terrifying Rides of Nausiating Ability- Well, not really terrifying, or nausiating, I'm speaking on my behalf on this one as I can't even turn around quickly without getting nautious these days. The lighting on all of these rides was amazing, especially to see at night, and even more amazing being that I was only expecting an empty beach with shops on a pier and a ferris wheel.

All in all, we had a good and gained some good memories. I look forward to returning and maybe, just possibly doing some shopping for a holiday perhaps, but who knows, I mean there always is the fish market.


Final consensus, if you are in town, go. You won't regret it. Old Orchard beach is kind of like the illegitimate love child between Myrtle Beach and Seabreeze, but with less seediness and an actual sea.

Lessons

While I know that there are millions, possibly billions?, of Blogs out there. Each one discussing something of value to the author/s, hopefully. This bit of chronologically placed literary tribute, however, is not just the idle meanderings of two minds out of there natural habitat, nor is it blind placement of events in word.

It has been a while since we updated and I'd like to say that it was for good reason, but it was not. Our adventure is like any other true adventure, with a romantic ideal for good fortune and perseverance. Anyone who has read our previous posts knows that we enjoy, or at least try to, all of that which we encounter in our new setting. Though things have been hard as of recent, there is a reason for this somber, and hopefully not too dreary, addition. But before I carry on, I would like to say to those of you who read this that Kari and I both know. You are sorely missed and in our thoughts always. We love you and a cannot not wait to see you all again. So here goes...

Like anyone who has stepped outside of their "comfort zone," we have come to realize some obstacles in the pursuit of what we believe and hold most dear. I know and have known for some time the good fortune that I gained in Kari entering my life. She has given me support, humor, and inspiration; and she has opened the door that I had been afraid of passing through for most of my life, the passageway to my dreams and truest aspirations. But I have learned that belief, perseverance, faith, and other forms of stick-to-it practice are not always enough, sometimes the best of intentions fail and leave you standing on shaky ground. I have learned this since our move here and it has been hard.

But I have learned not to yield to failure and disappointment. Things are finally turning around for us and this shaky ground that had me very scared is becoming less fearsome and more of an accepted challenge. We have learned that through anything that we encounter or experience, some things will always hold true. We have become stronger together in realizing our purpose, once again, for this venture. I know now that no matter what may come, we will face it forward surmount what we can and not dwell on what we cannot. We will be there when the other is down and remind them of when they were up and that they will find good fortune again.

Once again, I know that this is not my usual "plucky and fun" commentary and I appreciate that attention that has been given by those still reading. So I will end this post on a high note, as I think is necessary.

I want to remind all of you who are reading this of what a true blessing life is when it is spent pursuing the things that compel our dreams to display wonders of happiness and the satisfaction of doing that which we believe in hearts to be true.

"Ask yourself whether the dreams of heaven and greatness should be waiting for us in our graves – or whether it should be ours here and now and on this earth" Ayn Rand

A Tale of Two (State) Parks

Obviously there has been a large gap in our blog postings, apologizes all around.

Over the past few weeks we've had the opportunity to visit two Maine State Parks in our area. While Maine is obviously known for Acadia, the only National Park in New England there are a number of State Parks within an hours drive of Biddeford.

State Park #1: Ferry Beach State Park

Date: Labor Day/Brazilian Independence Day

Purpose: Picnicking Awesomeness

With our crab salad sandwiches, tossed salad with a homemade vinaigrette and small bottle of red vino packed in our picnic cooler (thanks Aunt Cindy!) we hit the road in search of a park. Ferry Beach State Park is in Saco (or Old Orchard Beach, or maybe both) so it was a quick drive. We pulled into the long driveway and realized quickly that we had exactly $0 in cash so were fully prepared to turn around. Luckily the Park Greeters/Money Takers were in a good Labor Day kind of mood and let us through anyway.

We walked to a nice picnic area, a clearing surrounded by Oak Trees (and falling acorns) with a number of picnic tables, layed out our blanket on the grass, and feasted!

We then decided to explore the trails and the beach. The beach was nice, if a little crowded, but the trails were quite beautiful. They reminded us of some trails near our favorite camp in the Adirondacks!

Verdict: 4/5 stars

Blurb: A nice State Park with extensive trails and beaches. There didn't appear to be much in the way of open fields for frisbee or impromptu games of whiffle ball.

Photos:

State Park #2: Crescent Beach State Park

Date: 9.20

Purpose: Mom came to Maine! Sunday Celebration!

As my Mom came to town we decided to try and show her some of the sites and sounds of Maine, which meant the ocean and lobster! We had heard of a (supposedly) great Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth, about 20 minutes north of us, so we decided to hit up another state park for a lunch picnic and exploration mission. We packed up some delicious fruits and cheeses and hit the road, taking the coastal route to show the momma as much of the ocean as possible.

When we arrived at the park (we paid this time!) we noticed a massive parking lot, close to the ocean, and a slew of cars with expensive bikes attached. Apparently the Portland Bikers Club was picnicking that day as well. We went in search of a perfect area to leave our stuff, and found several secluded picnicking areas among the trees along the ocean. We quickly abandoned our food and bags and went in search of areas to explore.

The water was at pretty high tide when we arrived on the beach, and we walked out to a rocky area before returning to our lunch. After our apatites were sated we returned to exploring to find the tide much lower. There were all sorts of fascinating things along the rocks this time to visit!

Unfortunately, after putting our bags back in the car and looking for other (read: wooded) trails to walk along we found very little. Fortunately, we found delicious lobster dinners at the Lobster Shack close by for dinner!

Verdict: 2.5/5 Stars

Blurb: The beach area was very nice, but, I would argue, no nicer than Fortune's Rock (which is free). The picnic areas were nice small secluded areas, but there is only one large group picnicking area. The rest of the park seems to be taken up by a large parking lot.

Photos:

Full Moon on the Beach

The tide is coming in to a rock jetty.

Derek walking through the braiding water.

I see a full moon rising.

Full moon and the surf.

Today was the first full moon since we've been here in Maine so we made sure to head out to the beach at sundown to see the moon rise above the beach. The tide was on its way in when we arrived and a few beach fires were roaring when we arrived. We made our first journey out onto the rock jetty to check out the beach before heading out to walk along the surf. The moon rose and was beautiful.

We eventually got sick of the mosquitoes and their attack and went back to the car to drive along the coast to see the moon. This gave me a chance to take a few photos for you all to see.

As most of you know I'm well into an employment search here in Maine. Things are going about as well as could be expected with the current economic situation and the dependence on residential work in Maine. I've visited a number of firms and have spoken with a number of people, and will probably be taking some design/landscaping/nursery work in the mean time to tide things over until things start looking up. We appreciate all of the support we're getting from home and hopefully will have some good news to report soon!

The plot to Batman 3...

... and other such this will not be found in this blog post, but I'm glad you stopped by anyway. It's Wednesday here at the Gallow/Wright residence and that can only mean one thing, Derek will be posting the latest and greatest in news of our collective (mis)adventures here in vacationland.



Much has happened since the last post, such things as job interviews, curious bulldogs, chicken fried chicken... that is fried, Mistakenly long runs, parking lot victories, and interesting reading indeed.

To start things off I would like to talk about my ever so impressive, yet unabashedly humble co-author/girlfriend/Karate Sensei Kari. This morning we struck on our third adventure to the great sloping city of Portland, Maine. She had an interview at 9:00 am so we were up bright and early to make sure we had enough time for our travels. She looked very professional and prepared and, dare I say, suave, in her job interview attire. We arrived in time all thanks to Kari's lack of fear of toilet bowl reservoirs (I know it's clean water, it's not the water at present that grosses me out, it is the future water, but enough potty talk.) We made our way to a parking garage and meandered towards the destination point. It was a beautiful morning and the location was quite nice as well. After the well-wishing and mushy lovey dovey talk Kari went inside for her interview and I sought off roaming the streets looking for adventure or free egg sandwiches, whichever would appear first. Although no egg sandwiches were unveiled, I found a quaint second city within the city. We were on free street (don't get me starting about the false advertising at the Free St. Parking garage) and walked around the general vacinity.



Noticing nice mural of a pint of Guinness on a bar so appropriately named Brian Boru, after passing the pub I was at an intersection with an interesting sculpture of what turned out to be another Irish king, though of American lore. There at the intersection was a tribute to, Portland native, director John Ford.



It was nice little spot. Later on my walk I stumbled upon very curious Bulldog an arms reach away but at eye level, all thanks to the elevated lawn that he had been positioned on, he looked at me with that same old bulldog look that says "Listen, I know you are not from around, but that's okay, I think you are pretty cool anyway", I think we've all experienced that. Then I walked by the Portland Civic Center which apparently is right next to the Museum of Art and a , soon to be weekend destination, Portland farmers market. All in all it was a fruitful journey and on our way home we both had some reinvigorated spirits about our futures here in Maine.



On last Monday, we decided our dinner would be fried chicken. A little homage to a southern dish, being that we now reside in southern Maine. I originally intended to do my classic doubles battered drumstick with one dry application of seasonings and then another layer atop a coat of egg dipping. Instead I thought that it may be better to go without the egg on all of them and only do to that way. Now I know, always use egg with seasonings the flavor is way better and the appear to retain a lot more moisture as well, but the meal was delicious none-the-less, all oil burns aside.

The voravious appetite that was sated by the prior meal may have been blamed upon my adventurous nature when running. Egg batter is better is not the only lesson I learned on Monday. The other education I received came from a simple equation:

Running + Sight Seeing = A VERY LONG RUN

This might seem like common knowledge to most folks, but not to a 28 yr old with an mind for adventure relative to someone 21 years his junior. (That is not meant to offend any 7 year old patrons to this blog) I was on a regular 6 mile route down route 9 and around my beautiful campus, when I decided that a strange road just 15-20 yards beyond my normal turning point had a alluring presence of intrigue and fascination, so like a any good fool I chose to run on it. This road turned out to be a connecting road to the same road that takes us to our oceanic beach that we so love to patron and was also a 4.3 mile "scenic" detour. It was really a beautiful road and I saw some interesting flora and fauna in my adventure, but trust me when I say that even today... I hurt.

To finish off this post you will be glad to hear that we have stapled down our own, saved and protected, parking space in our own parking lot. (imagine that) After pointing out kindly to our neighbors that the space with our apartment number in front of it was not just a poor choice for amateur, and very unimaginative, graphitti.

Kari and I both watching Heroes Season three right now, Flight of the Conchords Season 2, and enjoying the sweet and thoughtful writings of one Edward Abbey. I implore you to try the same

Mainely a Factual Story

It's recently been brought to my attention that it's been a week without a new post. This is true. And what a week it has been!

Amidst my search for employment there have been a number of exciting developments. Jacob discovered a family of velociraptors living on our sun porch on Tuesday. Wednesday through Friday were spent herding the baby dinosaurs outside our apartment and into the park across the street. While Derek was wrestling Bob, Jim and Mary Louise (we named them) on Thursday I went to visit a small nursery called Snug Harbor Farm, where I had a long conversation with the owner, Tony about Landscape Architecture and such. He was very helpful and sent me on my way with a number of contacts and a promise of employment if none of the big wigs were hiring.

Meanwhile, Derek in his infinite bravery journeyed behind the stove to clean up some spaghetti sauce and discovered a number of exciting things, including a .45 bullet.

Since Thursday I've been making calls and setting up meetings with some firms around the area. More to follow next week.

In other news a group of bitter Quebecois have arrived and brought some frigid miserable weather. The warm, sunny weather we've had since we arrived in Maine was replaced by torrential downpours and sub 60 degree days. The windows were closed and our sandals were relieved of their duty by slippers. The wave report as of yesterday was quite exciting with tumultuous action.

Luckily, the good people of Maine discovered the Quebecois Clan hiding beneath the roller coaster at Old Orchard Beach and banished them back to their Canadian home. As a result, the warm weather and sunshine have made a dramatic reappearance.

Presently, Jacob is training for the upcoming Feline Olympics in the high jump event by repeatedly leaping over the gargantuan broom as it sweeps across the kitchen floor.

In no particular order, paticularly

Well, it has been over a week now. I think that we are slowly retaining some acclimation to our new northern surroundings. No moose as of yet, but we were startled to see a rather large representative of the pin-cushion of the animal kingdom as remnant of poor decision making whist applying road crossing etiquette. Not quite sure what region porcupine are most common in, but apparently in New England they are not found to be important enough to inspire someone to yield.

But this post does not have to be about such tragedies. Instead I will direct it toward a theme of cuisine. On Sunday, Kari and I had decided to make the most out the 10-15 foot oceanic swells that had our beach closed from New Hampshire all the way up to a land that could easily be convinced that French is a very common language in American culture. Rightly so I should add, because I had decided that we could head out early in the day and see the tide after the storm (Hurricane Bill) in the morning sun. What we saw was waves attempting to crush and devour any land mass (or material found on land). It was quite stunning and while I could spend all day watching nature be both beautiful and terrifying all at once, we had decided it best not to sit on a rock all day.




We devised a plan to go to dinner and then a movie, which was both very original and new for us of course. We started the evening with dinner at Nunan's Lobster Hut in Cape Porpoise, ME. Nunan's was quite an interesting little shack on the cusp of a marsh and in a small little village where I'm sure the Autumn foliage could lighten the evening landscape with a brilliance of color as exhilarating and capable as the finest painters palette.




Though quaint and kitschy with it's red siding, black roof, and yellow trim, not to mention the interior decoration that makes the most dedicated pack-rat seem like a minimalist, this lobster hut was very strict in their requirements from their customers. It was something, though not entirely, like this;

1. Be here at or before 5pm
2. Expect to have others who show up after you to accost you in polite conversation whilst, and at the same time as, budging in front of you.
3. Bring only cash, for we do not accept credit cards or checks, though we do accept checks but unfortunately are caught in limbo between electronics and written documentation.
4. Expect to eat lobster, seriously there is not much else, but if that does not interest you I'm sure you can go to a Texas Road House and order the vegan special if you would like.
5. Use a bib, it will look childish, but not as childish as you having to walk away from our establishment looking as though you had enjoyed your lobster thoroughly after preparing it in a blender... without the lid on.
6. We have a sink in the dining area and no, it is not a part of the kitsch.

All things considered, this was a lovely establishment combining sumptuous delicacy with an entertaining interior and wonderful staff. The lobster special of 2 x 1 and 1/4 lb. lobsters was more than I could have hoped for, literally, and Kari's chowder was hands down one of the best chowders I have sampled in sometime. By the way, when we were leaving, the poor folks in the kitchen appeared to be enduring what may have resembled steamy volcanic temperatures, so a special thank you them for toughing it out for our dinner.

After stopping back home to check on our feline aggressor to make sure he had enough rations for his night of stalking bugs and tackling twist ties. We then set out to go see a movie entitled "500 days of summer" starring some funny people, doing funny things such as... well, I won't spoil it, but they do provide some excellent advice for homeowners during the film.

As for today, Monday, we were the peak of productivity. Kari searching diligently for a firm worthy of her talents and I running a distance that, for all intensive purposes, was entirely unnecessary. (note to self: ten miles equals pain in more than just legs) We then rewarded ourselves with savory honey seared potato, Blackened, sweet & spicy broccoli with carrots, and a potpourri mixture of littleneck clams and steamers pan steamed in a melange of white wine reduced with red onion, garlic, cinnamon, allspice, and lime.

Ways that Portland and Ithaca are Similiar: Part I

Today in Portland there was a health care protest.

"What do we want!?!"

"HEALTH CARE!!"

"When do we want it!?!"

"NOW!"

Across the street from the sign waving Ithac- I mean Portlandians (is that a word?), there were two dirty old guys waving signs and yelling about how Obama is ruining the world.

I thought I was near to commons for about five minutes before I inhaled a bunch of salty sea air.

Coastal Wanderings

Today we embarked on a smallish journey in search of interesting new places along the Atlantic Coast. We started out here in Biddeford and moved northward up to Portland and saw many things along the way.

Food:

As we are new to the area we've been in search of a few staple food items that seem to be lacking at the local grocery stores, namely: bagels. We bought a sixer from Shaws last week and were less than satisfied. This morning, in my traditional internet browsing while Derek is still sleeping I stumbled upon a number of fantastic reviews for this place. So we drove through the narrow residential streets of South Portland to find this small (very small) bakery. Much to our dismay they had sold out of bagels before 10 AM, two hours before we had arrived! The woman working at the counter informed us that they would probably sell out before 9 the next morning!! We decided that we would probably head back on a weekday.

Secondly, during our wanderings in Portland I inevitably got hungry, so we stopped in a little cluster of shops with a sign for a place called Anthony's Italian Kitchen. The setting involves a tattoo parlor, a comics shop, a music shop, a gelateria and the cabaret themed aforementioned restaurant. Starving by this point we ordered from the sandwich menu (an Italian Sausage sandwich for me and a BLT wrap for Derek), and boy was the food amazing (and gigantic). The pizza that the French Canadian family sitting next to us downed also looked delicious (Bacon and Pineapple), and the little boy on the other side was raving about his meatball sub.

Entertainment:

During our driving adventures we took Route 9 out to Portland driving through the seaside resort towns of Camp Ellis, Old Orchard Beach and Scarborough (Fair?). We passed many interesting sites and stopped briefly to look out over the ocean at a boat launch.

Boat Launch

Portland

On the return trip we drove through Cape Elizabeth down Route 77 and caught several glimpses of the massive waves and sea mist that Hurricane Bill is sending our way. There were hoards of wetsuit clad surfers riding the waves in a cove in Cape Elizabeth and many beautiful mist covered fields.

Misty Fields

Upon our return we decided to trek out to Biddeford Pool to visit the beach and check out the waves there, and they didn't disappoint! We set off for a long walk on the beach (awww) and encountered many galloping dogs and feasting birds as well as a few giggling kids on boogie boards. Hopefully we'll get out to the beach tomorrow to hit the waves ourselves!