Thursday and Friday in Maine

Thursday dawned bright and sunny as promised. After breakfast we headed over to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It was time to attempt the Mount Washington road. First stop was a little pull out on the Swift River off the Kancamagus highway. A beautiful spot, if only a little out of our way. Had tried to find the West Side Highway around North Conway. Ended up having to route back through, but the side trip had been worth it.


Finally found our way to Mt. Washington and without a single hesitation drove on in and paid our fare to drive up. And what a drive it was. The road winds up 8 miles and 6,000 feet. To say it's steep and winding is an understatement. Fortunately, the caretakers managed to put quite a few turnouts along the way, so there was a respite from the white knuckle road trip.

We did finally make it to the top. The views on the way up were spectacular...although I should have kept my eyes on the road. It began to get a little dizzying towards the top where there are switchbacks and sheer drop offs...just a tad disconcerting. We found a nice fellow traveler in the parking lot to get a picture of all the girls in one shot. A tour around the top included a trip to the gift shop (of course!) and a look see in the Tip Top Hotel. We were in and out of clouds for much of the visit, but managed a few moments of clarity and got someone to take a picture of Marilin, Les and Kathy at the summit marker. I kept looking around for someone advertising to do the return drive for a fee, but alas, there were no takers. I kept my eyes peeled to the road on the trip down. Doesn't pay to look over the side in those dizzying circumstances. Got a quick lunch at the bottom then off to North Conway and Cathedral Ledge.

Cathedral Ledge is a lovely overlook that you can drive or hike to. We opted to drive. The views from Cathedral Ledge are spectacular. There is also a view of the climbers...this being a popular climbing spot. The sign behind Gladys reminds people not to throw anything over the edge to avoid hitting the climbers. One would think you wouldn't have to tell people that, but oh well...

After the trip to Cathedral Ledge it was time to return to the cabin so we could make our date with Ken's Kove. We had a 6 p.m. lobster pick up time scheduled and we were not going to miss it. We did a Williams' family tradition with all the fixin's at the house and a pick up of steamed lobster. It was deeelish. I did end up haivng to take a quick lie down after we returned. The trip up Mt. Washington had given me a little bit of vertigo. I think the next time I attempt that I'll have to pay someone else to drive me up.

Gladys made a special cocktail for the ladies as a pre-dinner drink. I tried a sip. Tasted a lot like a margarita. The only three ingredients I can remember offhand are: 1 - 12 oz can frozen limeade, thawed; 8 oz tequila and; 1 corona. If I find the recipe I'll post.

Took a nice evening kayak with Kathy. Water was like glass. Quiet evening of reading and off to bed.

Friday was clean up and prepare to depart day. Sure wish we could have stayed longer. Kathy and I took a morning paddle. The lake was still clear as glass and wonderfully soothing. Saw the momma loon and poppa nearby keeping an eye on us.

Maureen, Marilin and Gladys stripped beds and ran laundry. Kathy and I stowed the kayaks and other dock gear. Raked the path to the lake so that others who follow will have an easier trip down the hill. Raked under the clothes lines and in the drive, trying to clear out the accumulation of years of leaves. Once all laundry was done it was time to make one more run into Bridgton. Took the laptop so Gladys and Kathy could print boarding passes at the library. Also wanted to check to make sure that Renys didn't have just one last thing that we couldn't do without. For the uninintiated Reny's is a Maine institution. A variety store stocked with all the basics you might need to furnish a cottage or even your own home if you're a Mainiac. they have a great assortment of seconds and over runs. You can find some great buys pretty cheap here. Managed to find a couple of trinkets. This is the Bridgton Renys which was expanded in 2008.

After all the errands were completed in Bridgton I had a request for ice cream. Well, if you're in Maine there is only one place for ice cream for the Williams clan. That's Shaner's in South Paris. Shaner's has been there for years. Used to be the store front for a local dairy and they make all their own ice cream....and sherbet as I found. So, we hopped in the car and drove over towards Norway and then into South Paris. Found Shaner's and the girls bellied up for ice cream.

Gladys waiting for her peanut butter ice cream and hot fudge sundae. Kathy with her "boring" (her words, not mine) vanilla and strawberry selection.

Marilin with her pistachio over maple walnut cone. Maureen waiting for her hot fudge sundae. I didn't get a picture of mine, but it was a huge serving of homemade orange sherbet. Shaner's comes through again.

On the way back stopped for a picture at the infamous all roads lead to somewhere exotic sign. The cabin is in Sweden, and we shop in Norway, South Paris, Paris and Oxford Hills. There must be a lot about the look of the Maine topography to remind folks of their homes in the old country.

Home to pack and eat up the leftovers. Packed the car and got everything ready for an early (but not too early) morning departure. Gladys was first out of the overpacked car with a flight from Portland on Saturday morning at 9:20. Kathy was next to be dropped at Logan Airport in Boston. Good thing she had a good book for her marathon wait for a 4:00 p.m. flight back to Nashville. Maureen, Les and Marilin made it back to McLean by about 9:00 p.m. and to a tasty dinner of grilled salmon and salad. That Terry is a keeper. All in all a fun week with the girls. Next up: a long weekend October of 2010 at Gladys's house in Patrick County. Wonder if there will be lobster?