Detour in Portland, ME

       After spending a few days in Caratunk without the feet improving, Seth and I determined to make moves. We hopped on a bus in Waterville, ME and rode two hours to Portland, ME. Our goals there were to eat lobster rolls, regroup, experience classic coastal Maine since we're up here.

Nothing too exciting here- riding the bus.  

Walking from the bus stop to our AirBnb in Deering Highlands. We walked a little over a mile and Seth was limping the whole way.  

        As we were traveling, we considered our options. Whether we hop back on the trail or not, we definitely want to see Seth's sister in western Massachusetts. If we're not able to get back on the trail, one loose idea we have is just to meander our way down the east coast on busses and trains stopping in cities of interest on our way back to Atlanta or Nashville (where my family currently lives). With this in mind, we contacted a friend in Boston and he graciously offered to let us stay with him and his wife. Arriving in Portland on a Saturday didn't set us up too well to see a doctor and we figured we'd have more options in Boston. Seth was able to get an appointment early in the week, so it feels good to have that set up and will hopefully be getting some answers soon on what's happening with his feet. He continues to have pain on top of his right foot on the outside metatarsal area and in his left ankle. 

The back porch of the AirBnb- super relaxing. 

       Back to business- lobster rolls. We ate at the very touristy Portland Lobster Company on Long Wharf, which was the experience we were going for, I guess. The lobster roll was satisfactory. The best lobster roll I ever had was on a business trip to Cape Cod, MA and it occurred to me that it was probably at a really fancy place that I didn't have to pay for, so yeah, we had the basic lobster roll here. We also stuffed our faces with a bunch of other sea-foody deliciousness, so we were happy.

Pictured: Lobster roll with fries, lobster mac n' cheese with corn on the cob, New England clam chowder in bread bowl, fried calamari, and blueberry pie.  

       After getting some town shoes for Seth and cigars, we had lunch at a yummy sandwich shop in the neighborhood. So this AT trip is starting to look like a lot of our other vacations- going from one food place to the next. I'm not complaining. Plus, Seth and I really have time to relax and enjoy each other. Seth expresses his love for me by saying things like, "you're the prettiest wife I've ever had." He's so great- I feel so special. 

Big Sky Bread Company. Cinnamon oatmeal cookie recommended.  

       To top off our mega-tourist status we made reservations for the Lighthouse Lovers Boat Tour with Portland Discovery Land and Sea Tours. 

Portland Breakwater Lighthouse

Lots of sailboats. I had a short daydream about maybe learning how to sail and having an adventure like that, but I felt seasick for at least part of this tour, so it just, like, why? 

This may look like the same picture as the one above, but it's not. It's a different lighthouse- Portland Head Light. 

Great views- kept on happening.

Just excited. This was the first lighthouse.  

This was a great tour- saw four lighthouses and learned a lot about the history of the area, but I've never gotten to the end of a boat tour and wished there was more, ya know?  

        After the tour, we ate at a pasta and pizza place called Tipo in neighborhood of Back Cove.

Pictured: Pasta with lamb ragu, margherita pizza, and Seth with his mouth full.  

       Since we don't have a car, we've done quite a bit of walking, which is the best way to take in a city in my opinion. Portland is a very pedestrian city- at least the neighborhood in which we're staying. A lot of people had beautiful gardens in their yards, so I literally got to stop and smell a lot of roses. We indulged in cigars on our walk home from the restaurant and enjoyed the sun going down behind the houses. 

Truth: Seth did have a trail name bestowed upon him in Monson, ME on account of all the cigars he smoked while we were stopped there (4 in 2 days), however, Seth never really adopted it because he doesn't like the word- "Stogie." 

Seth really liked how this tree looked like it's branches were painted.  

       We leave for Boston tomorrow. Not sure how long we're going to stay there, but we have identified a couple things we'd like to do. Seth and I have visited Boston separately, but never been there together, so we'd like to make this an actual stop on whatever this trip is turning into and not just a doctor's visit.