Started with the Visitor Center located in the ferry terminal at the wharf.  Very helpful couple who obviously love to share details about their city and it’s attractions.   We walked the historical and still working wharf where you could buy today’s catch very reasonably priced.  Lobster for under $4/lb.  Lots of shops and attractions nestled between the water and downtown.  Beautiful historic homes adorn the hills at either end of downtown, mostly built by sea captains, ship owners and successful traders.

It was a short walk to Maine Mead Works where they have perfected making wines utilizing “mead” or fermented honey.  We sampled their selection and chose a couple for additional tasting later.  As we were leaving with our newly found bounty we noticed an enticing aroma and ventured into the coffee roasting business next door.  After some serious consideration and sampling we got out with only 1 pound of coffee and a pastry.  When you add the wild Maine blueberry jam and blueberry orange marmalade from Stonewall Kitchens we have quite a few local specialty items for future consumption.

Nature preserves – Best known is operated by the Audubon Society. Scarborough salt marsh claims the largest salt marsh on the eastern seacoast.  It was mid-day and there was a breeze so the mosquitoes were not bad.  Probably don’t want to visit here in the evening without some serious repellant. Gilsland Farm offers a variety of woodlands, meadows and salt marsh and many walking trails.  They have a problematic wild turkey who is very social, hanging around the visitor center and threatening to enter.  We saw a few birds and woodchucks as we surveyed the trails.

Lenny the chocolate moose(1700 # milk chocolate) has recently been joined by Libby the bear(380# dark chocolate) and her cubs Cocoa and Chip at a confectioners along Route 1 inScarborough.  They make a killer Carmel Cashew milkshake.

Bradbury Mountain State Park is just a few miles out of Portlandand boasts a granite outcropping with serious views.  Many short trails and a small campground that is home for the stay.

This is where you really began to notice the rocky cliff shoreline so famous along the Maine coast.  Very few sand beaches from here north.  The Portland Head Lighthouse and historical coastal defense fortifications are included within a community park on the south edge of the harbor.  Beautiful place.

Picture of the Week – Portland Head Light