Last days in Maine

We kept looking for the moose in Maine, but he never crossed the road where he was supposed to.

So we got back in the fast lane on US 1.

Heading to Freeport to visit L.L. Bean.

There is unofficial boondocking allowed in their RV parking lot, but it was early in the day, so we didn't  stay overnight.

A dog friendly community.

The door handles

I guess these are the only moose we'll see....locked horns forever.

The story about the locked moose.

There was also a trout pond inside the store.

Nan tried on a kayak vest.

Then she tried on a kayak. This one didn't fit, but she did buy the vest.

Outside L.L. Bean we found lobster bisque for lunch.

And although it's made in VT, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream made a good New England dessert.

Then it was on to Portland...

Where we visited Portland Head Lighthouse

It was a pretty day for flying flags and kites.

This is Frank who was selling franks outside the lighthouse. We were too full for a frank, but Frank gave Roe a dog biscuit.

Another angle of the lighthouse.

Our next stop was Cabela's in Scarborough.

They also have impressive displays in their store.

Kudos to them....they allow overnight rv parking in a designated lot, and also provide fresh water fill and rv dump station.

This place was recommended for dinner....it's pizza pie.

Their menu items are named after Maine landmarks.

I chose the Bar Harbor.

And Nan had the Red Claws Pie.

The Bar Harbor

Red Claws Pie

In the morning we decided to check out a little town with an interesting name: Biddeford Pool. On the way I snapped pictures of some houses.

Pool Road goes out to the end of a spit of land (narrow peninsula).

Some more houses...

The name comes from the large tidal pool partially seen here.

The water was cold.

I meant to check my guide to see if these are Eider Ducks. Perhaps someone will know.

Biddeford Pool

Down the road we found another refuge named for Rachel Carson.

And we stopped to hike the trail through the salt marshes.

The evergreen woodland along Maine's shore is mostly white pines and hemlocks, a few oaks and maples, and a ground cover of ferns.

Ground water carries nutrients from the forest's decaying leaves and needles out to the marsh. Many mammals and birds rely on this habitat for food, cover, and breeding habitat.

Marshes are flooded and drained twice a day by meandering tidal creeks like this one.

Tidal currents erode the outside bank as they build up the inside bank. The creek will slowly carry the soil away, spreading it through the marsh.

These are called salt pannes, and are important feeding areas for shore birds.

The tale of two grasses: The tall Saltwater cordgrass grows along the creek banks. It has special adaptation to get oxygen to its roots during high tide. The shorter saltmeadow cordgrass grows above high tide and forms broad meadows.

In the distance we could see a group of people doing some research in another part of the refuge.

A resident of the nesting box.

THe dedication plaque. Rachel Carson worked for US Fish & Wildlife Service from 1936-1952. Her books about the coast challenged the widespread use of pesticides and changed our outlook on the environment.

The Edge of the Sea: A place to sit and contemplate Rachel Carson's words.

When we finished the trail, Bandit informed me he was a pet too, so he had to have his turn....a shorter walk.

Time for lunch! My sister-in-law had told me to stop here in Wells for a lobster roll.

It looks just like the diners I remember from my youth, complete with counter stools inside.

And my sister-in-law was so right about the lobster roll.

Found another childhood favorite on the menu: Indian Pudding for dessert.

We spent our last night in Maine camping free at the Kittery Trading Post. This thistle blossom was growing there.

I am now in Massachusetts where I spent the past few days including my birthday at my sister's. She demonstrated her sense of humor with my birthday cake. Here's a link to the Geritol Gypsy song: Geritol Gypsy

Me and my sister. The flag shirts were not planned.

Next up....Cape Cod.