For our second outing, we decided to go to Scarborough, Maine. I had never been to Old Orchard Beach before, and I knew I would prefer going before the crowds got there. Because of my cancer, I have a feeding tube, as well as a trach, so I can't go swimming. Rather than choose a resort type place, where I wouldn't be able to use the amenities I would be paying for, we decided to go to Wild Duck. This is an adult, quiet campground, and the perfect place to relax after busy days in Old Orchard and Portland. It is right out in the Scarborough (salt) Marsh, and was really peaceful and nice. The owners were great, and so were the seasonals and regulars there. We decided on a back in site so we would be against the marsh, even though my husband had never backed in before. The regulars there were very helpful directing him!
Old Orchard was really fun in early June before the crowds got there. I was surprised to see how many trains go right through the town every day.
We walked on the pier, which has been there since 1898, then sat on the beach for hours. Another couple came over and sat with us, and we had a great time talking to them and watching the young people playing games and even swimming in the icy water!
All over town there are outside cafes and takeout places. We almost lost our lunch at this one. This seagull was relentless. He kept charging across the table at us trying to steal our lunch. It was really funny!
The next day we went in to Commercial Street in Portland. A dear friend of ours, Cap'n Bill Linnell built this little replica of a tugboat, and sells lobster rolls down there. It was really fun having lobster, and since it was way early in the season, it wasn't too busy. I also went into a lot of the shops down there, and got a wonderful mandolin at a cooking store. I've wanted one of those for a long time, and it made slicing up the vegetables for the foil packets I made that night so much easier!
A few of the days we were there, we just chilled at the campsite, and visited with friends we made there. We also went up the road to a wonderful ice cream takeout place less than a mile from the campground, and drove down to a few of the nearby beaches and fishing wharves, as well as a trip to Cabela's. On another day, we went to one of the towns, my ancestors settled in the 1700's, Buxton, Maine. I have always wanted to go there, and it was very close to the campground. I know that some of the first ancestors to settle there were buried on family property, and their graves are unmarked, but I did see some of the newer, (1740's and later), graves in this churchyard in Bar mills. It was so nice to finally get to see it for myself!
We were only planning on being there for 3 nights, but it was so nice that we stayed for 6 nights instead. This is one of the evenings in front of the campfire.
