“You can’t get there from here” is a theme in New England in general and Maine in particular. My family and I never planned on spending six days in Portland, Maine but it ended up being a great adventure. Sometimes the best things are unplanned, something I don’t really believe in because I’m a neurotic planner, but as you will read, a lot of good came from an accidental click of a button and measures beyond our control.
WEEK OF JULY 1, 2019
RUNNING
If you’re as crazy as I am then you will attempt to run yourself into the ground in the days leading up to vacation because you know you will probably not get quality workouts in once on vacation. I almost killed myself with little sleep and long, hot, grueling runs for three days in a row before heading to Maine…and then I did more once I got there. I’m not too bright.
Monday: hills 5 x (20 seconds then 40 seconds) | 6.03 miles | 8:42 average pace
Tuesday: half marathon tempo run | 5.89 miles | 7:50 average pace
Wednesday: long run | 10 miles | 8:43 average pace
Friday: Maine running | 4.57 miles | 8:23 average pace
Sunday: Maine running with Kara | 8 miles | 9:10 average pace
Total = 34.49 miles
Plus, I was able to meet up with my sweet blog friend Kara for a gorgeous 8 miler around the cove! The miles flew by as we chatted the entire way.
As Kara and I were finishing up, my husband came running from the other way. Massive surprise. So much so that Kara actually recognized him before I did! Later on he said “I didn’t think that was you because I’m not used to you being the tall one!” LOL! Kara is adorably small…
CYCLING
Have I told you how much I love riding with my kids? They absolutely love being on their bikes and Maine is a perfect place for group riding! We rode the same trail around the cove that Kara and I ran and then biked the entirety of Peaks Island…more on that later.
THINGS I LOVE
Making it work when shit goes sideways.
We were never supposed to spend six days in Portland, Maine. We were supposed to be visiting Nova Scotia for the first time ever, and then our ferry service was canceled. Yes, canceled. Since flights to Halifax (in case you’re wondering) average about $1,000 per person on the fourth of July holiday, and driving there would take about 24 hours, we decided we needed a new plan.
I canceled my AirBnB and frantically searched for another one somewhere in Maine. I found a great place in Portland, within walking distance to literally everything, but never thought we would have such a great time!
Then, when making online reservations for dinner, I accidentally scheduled a placed called The Chebeague Inn based on the photo of the gorgeous front porch with ocean views. Once I made the reservation, there was a notation saying it was on a freaking island off the coast of Maine and we would have the ferry in. Wtf? #youcantgetherefromhere
After consulting with the fam, we decided to keep the reservation and booked a water taxi to get us out there and back. It ended up being one of the best parts of the entire trip!
We also found out there are like 1,000 islands off the coast of Portland, some of which are pretty populated and all of which are beautiful. We ferried out to Peaks Island on Monday where we biked, swam and ate our faces off. Who knew Portland was this amazing?
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
There is a pretty significant homeless population in Portland and a lot of the homeless are young adults, some with mental illness.
The first day we were there the police were called because a homeless guy, who looked like he was about 20, was waving a box cutter around on a very crowded Commercial Street and literally right next to me and my family. The worst part is that he was obviously mentally ill but all the cops did (or could do) was take away the “weapon” and put him back on the street.
We saw homelessness everywhere – on the running path, in our neighborhood, downtown while shopping – everywhere. A lot of them had knives, some bigger than others, and most just looked beaten down and tired.
We gave them some money and leftover food from our various lunches and dinners, and I did see some service buildings and shelters, but I left feeling like so much more needs to be done.
It was a learning opportunity for the kids and for me. Whatever I end up doing with my degree in counseling, it will involve pro bono work for the homeless or those who can’t afford to get the help and services they need. It’s disgusting that it’s even an issue in this country.
TELEVISION + MOVIES
We obviously need more real-life heroes but, for now, I’ll settle for the fake ones. We went to see Spiderman Far From Home while in Maine and, although it was no End Game and there was no Thor, I would definitely recommend it!
The other series I watched was recommended by a few of you here and I have to give you a huge thanks! The Imposters on Netflix did not disappoint and I may have watched four episodes in one day. I cannot wait to start season 2!
I mean, no one even told me Uma Thurman was in it!
As expected, I’ve been equal parts mesmerized and disgusted by Handmaid’s Tale season 2 but I was in love with this drink I found at Scales in Portland.
Praise be.
RANDOM PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Oh there are just so many to choose from but, this one is my favorite.
And when I took the picture a woman walking by said “Amen to that!” May the Lord open.
Here’s to getting back to the summer grind and finding my way back from wherever the hell I just was…
How was your week? Any recent trips?
Ever end up somewhere unexpected and had a blast?
I’m so glad your trip ended up to be awesome despite the ferry cancellation. Who could’ve seen that coming?? Isn’t Maine amazing? We vacationed in Rockport oh maybe in 2012 or so and LOVED it. Very sad about the homeless in Portland though.
I’m definitely going to check out The Imposters now that I’m finished with Big Little Lies.
Maine IS amazing and I’ve been there a few times before, but I was really surprised it was so much fun for everyone, especially after thinking we would be in Nova Scotia!
How are you finished with Big Little Lies? You know there is a season 2, right? It’s fantastic!!…but so is Imposters so you really can’t go wrong 🙂
I love that you had to wing it with your vacation and that it ended up being amazing anyway. I’ve never been to Maine but everyone raves about it. That restaurant sounds really unique and I bet the boys loved the water taxi. I also loved imposters! Also trying to squeeze in extra workouts is my MO for sure. Thanks for linking up!
Yes! I think you were one of the people to recommend Imposters so THANK YOU! I just started season 2!
I love all the photos from your vacation! I’ve never been to Maine but I want to visit – it looks SO pretty!
Like you, I always try to get in quality workouts before going on vacation, but then always end up finding ways to workout on vacation anyway, lol.
It’s really beautiful up there and nice to unplug!
I always think running and biking are going to be more difficult on vacation but, now that my kids are older, it’s getting a lot easier!
I hope you do get the chance to come to Nova Scotia, it’s a wonderful province. If you have any questions or want recommendations please seek free to ask. I’ve been following along for years on your adventures.
Oh thank you so much! That is so generous of you! We definitely want to reschedule our trip so I will reach out for sure.
Sometimes the backup plan is the best plan, right? I love how you just rolled with it (and I know it had to be hard for you!). Sounds like an absolute blast. Isn’t it fun having kids old enough to keep up with you? Wait until they can drink!
Let’s drink to a better future after 2020!
You KNOW it was super hard!!! And I cannot wait until I can do happy hour with the boys 🙂
Cheers to a better future!!
YOU seem to be the queen of “just going with it.” I’m fairly spontaneous, but in a strange place things sometimes change LOL Looks like your family had a blast! BTW, I’m 5’9, so I’m always the tall one 😉 I sometimes feel awkward around other tall people because I’m not used to being the “short” one…first world probs!
I’m the opposite of “just going with it” but I’ve become better as I’ve had kids and gotten older because really, what choice do I have? LOL!! And YES you are so tall so I can imagine how you feel…or maybe dream is a better word – haha. You always want what you don’t have, right?
Hahaha the Jake Gyllenhaal meme is so true! He was sooooo good as Mysterio. It sounds like you had a fantastic trip! It’s always a happy surprise when a last minute trip turns into such a memorable one.
YES! I knew you would get that one and that movie was better than expected 🙂
Thanks Laura!
Portland looks/ seems amazing. I’ve never been up that far. Only once we had an emergency landing in Portland when I was coming back to NL from the US. I always think about Stephen King when people talk about Maine. Maybe we need to get up there next NE US trip (I want to go see my cousin again at some point, she lives in Kingston, MA).
I really get bothered by homelessness too. Especially when I’m in the States I carry much more change and/or buy more drinks/food for people on the street. We don’t have a lot of homelessness here in NL! So here I don’t really need change since people are ok with me offering food or drink. As I don’t have a whole lot of expendable income I can’t do much more than that at the moment, but I would totally do pro bono if that were my profession.
Um, UMA THURMAN! I have to see if we have the Imposers on Dutch Netflix!! LOVE her!
We just recently returned from Denmark; we drove up to Odense and stayed there rather than Copenhagen (we went there for a day by train). It was planned but as we really didn’t know much about the place and hardly had time to research anything, everything was kind of a fun surprise. Also ran and biked – what’s a vacation without that? 🙂
You should definitely check out the Maine coast or Bar Harbor where the National Park is – it’s truly gorgeous!
It’s nice to know there are places in the world where homelessness is not the problem it is here. The worst part is that you can have a job and STILL be homeless in the U.S.
I hope you can watch Imposters!! It’s SOOO good and of course Uma has an amazing role 🙂
I think you know I dream of visiting the Scandinavian countries so I would love to have visited Denmark on a whim! Glad you had a great time and yes, silly me, what is a vacation without exercising? I have no clue!!
Enjoy your summer!
We’re still smiling from our trip out west with the kids and starting to plan next year. We’re thinking Alaska sounds good… Your vacation in Maine sounds just like what we like to do as well. Relax, be outdoors, and enjoy family time!
Have a great weekend!
So glad you’re still smiling…and still going on trips with your kids! We’re headed to Cape Cod next with my dad and stepmom and some family friends and just cannot wait!
Alaska sounds amazing and we have talked about that as well. Great minds…
Enjoy the rest of your summer.