Hancock, NH to Sanford, ME

Friday, July 16^th, 2010 – Day 3: Hancock, NH to Sanford, ME

Despite the rough start, the remainder of the morning went swimmingly. The breakfast was outstanding and provided a surprising number of choices. We were used to having one main dish to enjoy, but at the Hancock Inn there were at least 5 main choices, plus muffins, granola, yogurt, fresh fruit and coffee. Needless to say that by the time our main dish was ready (an omelet for me and blueberry pancakes with sausage for Tara) we were nearly full. Robert, the proprietor, patiently answered all of our questions about the Inn and activities to do in the area over breakfast. When we had had enough food, Robert asked Tara if he could feed George the Parrot her left over sausage. Having never seen a meat eating parrot, we were amazed that George took to the patty immediately and whistled out thanks.

We left the Hancock Inn around 10, giving a farewell pet to Bailey, the Inn’s “guard” dog, and made our way north through Concord to Canterbury, NH and the Shaker Village that had been preserved. The Shakers were an interesting offshoot of the Quaker persuasion of Christianity. They embraced technology, including having the first motor vehicle in the state of New Hampshire, yet demanded chastity above everything. Even married couples that joined the church lived in separate homes and were forbidden to fornicate. It does not seem surprising that this sect has nearly died out, claiming only 3 living followers in the northern parts of Maine. The village displayed the inventiveness of the Shakers, highlighting their contributions to medicine (early adoption of soap), washing machines (they invented a commercial washer that was used by hotels across the northeast), furniture, and brooms (they created the flat broom). Cleanliness was also one of their primary tenants. We spent almost two hours at the village looking around and trapped in a longer than necessary walking tour.

From the Shaker Village, we traveled west on Rt. 4 to Portsmouth, NH, discovering the remains of Pease Air Force Base where my father was stationed from 1983 – 1985. Pease AFB was closed a number of years ago and converted into an international trading post. We then took Rt. 1 north into Maine. Having never been to this state I asked Tara what she was expecting to see and she described a tranquil scene of a lighthouse on a cliff over pounding surf with fog rolling in. With this in mind our first stop was the Cape Neddick "Nubble" Lighthouse near York Beach, where her vision was fulfilled sans fog. After snapping a dozen pictures we walked across the parking lot to split our first Lobster Roll of the trip at Fox’s Lobster House. A Lobster Roll is basically a toasted hot dog bun filled with chunks of lobster meat lightly coated with mayonnaise on a leaf of lettuce. They are excellent little sandwiches that are often overpriced this close to a scenic landmark.

We continued along Rt. 1, stopping at York Beach proper to walk around and for me to reminisce. This was the beach that my family would frequent during the summer with some of the other families from the squadron. I pointed out the places where my friends and I would crab hunt during low tide, where we would get an ice cream cone at the end of the day, and the salt water taffy shop that had the taffy stretchers in the window. With the afternoon drawing to a close, we made our way due north to Sanford, ME and the Oakwood Inn Town Motel. We quickly dropped off our bags in the room with a ¾ bath (stand up shower) and headed into Portland, ME, 45 minutes away to meet up with my sister Jenny. Jenny was in Maine with her boyfriend Pat attending one of his fraternity brother’s wedding. We met them at the Eastland Park Hotel on the corner of High and Congress Street, and took the courtesy van to a restaurant near the waterfront called Bull Feeney. We spent an enjoyable dinner with Jenny, Pat and two other young couples. As they were heading out to further explore the nightlife that Portland had to offer, Tara and I hailed a cab back to our car and returned to our Motel by 10:30, well past our standard bedtime.

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