No Pain in Maine
After the stuffed shirts and the society dames in Boston, and the primped up beaches at Cape Cod, it was a relief to be in Maine. Not that the MA beaches weren't exquisite, they were. But there's just no heart in Nantucket. It looks like somewhat like a beautiful porcelain toy. Too delicate and cutesy for my taste. Anyway, it was a big relief to be in a place as laidback and easygoing as Maine.
Specially enjoyed the timeout at Old Orchard Beach. Classic good old American family beach destination. 7 miles of glorious uninterrupted sand, a 500 ft pier and an atmosphere more like one of those southern theme parks or old fashioned amusement arcades. None of the flashy new Atlantic City style amusements, or the stuffy country clubs of Cape Cod. Just plain old beach, and plain old beachfront amusements for kids and accomodations for people of all tastes and budgets, with pitched tents sandwiched between quaint old beach cottages and motels and fairly decent Bed and Breakfasts. This was more my kinda place.
You can enjoy minature golf within walking distance of the beach, there's 2 lighthouses to gawk at, lots of activities on the water, including kayaking and pier fishing and offshore fishing, charter boats and whale watching and lots more touristy stuff. Basically, let's just say that the shores of Maine offer a whole lot and expect very little in return. The Palace Playland was closed, but you could still see theattraction of New England's last beachfront amusement park to family travelers. Best thing I liked about Old Orchard Beach was that they really seemed to welcome you, and it was like, come have fun with us. The beach is pristine and relatively tourist free, or maybe it was because it was off-season, but still, you can make out the difference. Some places, like in Seattle and Nantucket, they just don't make you feel all that welcome. Not so in Maine and Old Orchard Beach. Its fun, its cheap and its beautiful. Can't say you'd want more from a beach vacation.
On a last note, this marks the last leg of this epic journey, starting from San Diego and San Francisco to the Gulf Coast, Florida and on to the East Coast and New England. I've seen a lotta beaches, and met lots of interesting people and made new friends and probably drunk enough beer to fill a smallsized lake. Had some fiascos along the way, especially playing hide and seek with Hurricane Ike and a coupel of other storms in Galveston and the Outer Banks in North Carolina. But on balance, it was pretty educational, and entertaining. Going to need a big break after this, and take a staycation back home in California.
