U. getting Astrid ready for bed.In the morning we're packing up and traveling by car to Bar Harbor, Maine. On the way we're going to make a stop at an Alpaca farm, and of course get more lobster.
Showing posts with label Portland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Portland. Show all posts
Monday, September 17, 2007
Goodnight Portland, Maine
Night night.
U. getting Astrid ready for bed.
In the morning we're packing up and traveling by car to Bar Harbor, Maine. On the way we're going to make a stop at an Alpaca farm, and of course get more lobster.
U. getting Astrid ready for bed.In the morning we're packing up and traveling by car to Bar Harbor, Maine. On the way we're going to make a stop at an Alpaca farm, and of course get more lobster.
Evening in Portland, Maine
Before heading out for dinner we stopped in our hotel's lobby for the complimentary "Manager's Hour" (aka happy hour).
Astrid pushing the button in the elevator to go back down to the lobby.
In packing for this trip I came across this adorable winter hat I bought Astrid last year when we went to Arizona around Christmas time, and it still fits. It gets pretty cold at night here (for Los Angelos at least) so it was perfect.
Astrid pushing the button in the elevator to go back down to the lobby.In packing for this trip I came across this adorable winter hat I bought Astrid last year when we went to Arizona around Christmas time, and it still fits. It gets pretty cold at night here (for Los Angelos at least) so it was perfect.
Astrid ate 10 pieces of watermelon. Meanwhile U. had some cravings for the chex mex snacks that were there so he tried to hide them from Astrid, until she saw Papa eating them and demanded he share. I was content with the veggie platter. They had a nice selection of healthy snacks and the cocktails were good too.
Getting a kiss from Papa.
While Astrid waited for us to finish our drinks she colored in her coloring book. I love this backpack because it contains activities for her that don't take up space in her diaper bag.
We had reservations at an upscale restaurant, but when we saw that the menu had a lot of pasta dishes and we were in the mood for whole lobster, we went to to a seafood restaurant with a raw seafood bar.
Astrid did not want to take off her hat (even inside the restaurant).
The restaurant was nice enough to make a child's cup by cutting a hole in the top of a to-go clam chowder container for the straw.
U. was shocked by the price, thinking that lobster would be cheaper in Maine - but alas, it's pretty much the same price (unless you get the early bird special).
Sightseeing in Portland, Maine
We are the proverbial tourists. If you don't believe me, check out the photo of U. below.
Lobster-mania.
In all seriousness though, we were both surprised that Portland, Maine is so touristy.
Brick sidewalks. 
Going to see the old Victorian Mansion (nothing to write home about - hence no photos of it).
Astrid's been "stroller" crazy since we got the contraption out to travel. We haven't used it in ages, but now all she wants to do is sit in it (and sometimes push it). Maybe because we don't use it?
After the 5 hour flight from LA to NJ you'd think she'd be dying to stretch her legs and run around, but nope, she wanted to sit in her stroller. She had a major tantrum in the finger when U. put some bags in the stroller and she wanted to sit there.
Oh and then there's the new thing that she does - she wants me to do everything. It has to be "Mommy" not Papa. This includes pushing her stroller when she's sitting in it. If she turns around and notices Papa pushing her she has a meltdown. Right before I took this photo she cried and screamed for me to push her and U. was having none of it. He wants to break her of this bad habit before we get to New York and he's gone again for the week (at a conference). Finally she calmed down and here she is happily walking beside the stroller with U. pushing it.
Happy as a clam in front of the wrought iron fish artwork.
Whenever we cross the street, Astrid wants to push the crosswalk button. So here I got a photo of her pushing the button.
We stopped by a cute little wine and cheese shop and picked up some wine and champagne for tonight.
Astrid checking out the boats.
Smiling for the camera.
We had lunch at Dimillo's a floating restaurant (former ferry). It's a complete tourist trap, but if it's your first time in Portland, ME you should check it out just for the view and ambiance on the water. The restaurant is full of nautical stuff that kids enjoy too.
They claim to have the best lobster roll which isn't true. I had thee BEST lobster roll last night at a restaurant I can't remember the name of, which seemed to be a "local" fave. U. had a bite and wished he had ordered it. Real pieces of fresh lobster, no mayo, with a piece of lettuce, on a type of bread that's similar to the hot dog buns at Yankee Stadium. Simple and delicious!
A family pic.
Astrid wants to wear her vest, just like mama - and the weather is ideal for it, so you'll see a lot of photos of us wearing our vests (aka the partner look).
Astrid and I playing the "whisper in your ear" game. I whisper a word into Astrid's ear and she whispers it back into my ear. It's a great boredom buster when the food takes too long or there's a long wait. The word here could have been "lobster" which we will be eating 3 times a day. It is a treat to be eating Maine lobster in Maine.
Some Maine trivia:
Lobster-mania.In all seriousness though, we were both surprised that Portland, Maine is so touristy.
Brick sidewalks. Going to see the old Victorian Mansion (nothing to write home about - hence no photos of it).Astrid's been "stroller" crazy since we got the contraption out to travel. We haven't used it in ages, but now all she wants to do is sit in it (and sometimes push it). Maybe because we don't use it?After the 5 hour flight from LA to NJ you'd think she'd be dying to stretch her legs and run around, but nope, she wanted to sit in her stroller. She had a major tantrum in the finger when U. put some bags in the stroller and she wanted to sit there.
Oh and then there's the new thing that she does - she wants me to do everything. It has to be "Mommy" not Papa. This includes pushing her stroller when she's sitting in it. If she turns around and notices Papa pushing her she has a meltdown. Right before I took this photo she cried and screamed for me to push her and U. was having none of it. He wants to break her of this bad habit before we get to New York and he's gone again for the week (at a conference). Finally she calmed down and here she is happily walking beside the stroller with U. pushing it.
Happy as a clam in front of the wrought iron fish artwork. Whenever we cross the street, Astrid wants to push the crosswalk button. So here I got a photo of her pushing the button.We stopped by a cute little wine and cheese shop and picked up some wine and champagne for tonight.
Astrid checking out the boats.Smiling for the camera.We had lunch at Dimillo's a floating restaurant (former ferry). It's a complete tourist trap, but if it's your first time in Portland, ME you should check it out just for the view and ambiance on the water. The restaurant is full of nautical stuff that kids enjoy too.They claim to have the best lobster roll which isn't true. I had thee BEST lobster roll last night at a restaurant I can't remember the name of, which seemed to be a "local" fave. U. had a bite and wished he had ordered it. Real pieces of fresh lobster, no mayo, with a piece of lettuce, on a type of bread that's similar to the hot dog buns at Yankee Stadium. Simple and delicious!
A family pic.Astrid wants to wear her vest, just like mama - and the weather is ideal for it, so you'll see a lot of photos of us wearing our vests (aka the partner look).
Astrid and I playing the "whisper in your ear" game. I whisper a word into Astrid's ear and she whispers it back into my ear. It's a great boredom buster when the food takes too long or there's a long wait. The word here could have been "lobster" which we will be eating 3 times a day. It is a treat to be eating Maine lobster in Maine.Some Maine trivia:
- Known as the Pine Tree state.
- Augusta is the state capital.
- The moose is the state animal.
- Has 65 lighthouses.
- Mt. Katahdin is the highest point in Maine. (It's also the first place in the U.S. where you can see the sunrise.)
- Is America's largest blueberry growing state (raising 98% of the low bush blueberries in the U.S.).
- Forests comprise 89% of the area.
- 70% of all lobsters harvested in New England are caught in Maine.
Maine - Day 2 - Portland Coffee Roasting Company
This morning U. and Astrid went for a morning swim in the hotel's indoor, heated swimming pool, and then all three of us headed back to downtown Portland (we were there last night for dinner) to check out the city during the day.
First on our stop was Portland Coffee Roasting Company which is housed in an old building in downtown.
Astrid has to "Cheers!" before she drinks.
Astrid drinking her organic milk out of a coffee cup. I had a hot chocolate and U. had latte. According to U. the coffee sucked. Oh well, at least we checked it out and were able to sit outside. 
Astrid and I sitting on a bench outside. Astrid is wearing a napkin bib so she doesn't get yogurt on her shirt. She was craving yogurt since we got on the airplane, and we tried to get her some before our connecting flight in New Jersey, but a small single serving was over $4 in the airport terminal and U. refused just on principal alone exclaiming, "What a rip off! How can they charge that much for yogurt? It's not even organic." So this being our first morning in Portland, Maine, Astrid got her yogurt, milk, and bread (croissant) for breakfast.
It's chilly here in the mid 60's during the day (and 40's at night), but in the sun it's still quite warm. I'm enjoying the crisp New England weather, which is a nice break from the summer heat back home in LA. It's refreshing and comfortable, plus you don't sweat. Bonus!
I commented to U. that it took a really long time (to get our order).
U: "Well, there's on a different pace here."
Me: "You mean slow?"
U: "Exactly!"
First on our stop was Portland Coffee Roasting Company which is housed in an old building in downtown.Astrid has to "Cheers!" before she drinks.Astrid drinking her organic milk out of a coffee cup. I had a hot chocolate and U. had latte. According to U. the coffee sucked. Oh well, at least we checked it out and were able to sit outside. Astrid and I sitting on a bench outside. Astrid is wearing a napkin bib so she doesn't get yogurt on her shirt. She was craving yogurt since we got on the airplane, and we tried to get her some before our connecting flight in New Jersey, but a small single serving was over $4 in the airport terminal and U. refused just on principal alone exclaiming, "What a rip off! How can they charge that much for yogurt? It's not even organic." So this being our first morning in Portland, Maine, Astrid got her yogurt, milk, and bread (croissant) for breakfast.
It's chilly here in the mid 60's during the day (and 40's at night), but in the sun it's still quite warm. I'm enjoying the crisp New England weather, which is a nice break from the summer heat back home in LA. It's refreshing and comfortable, plus you don't sweat. Bonus!
I commented to U. that it took a really long time (to get our order).U: "Well, there's on a different pace here."
Me: "You mean slow?"
U: "Exactly!"
I guess we'll just have to get used to the slower pace here.
This is our first time in Maine and we're looking forward to enjoying the fresh seafood (yes, lobster!), clean air, and fall foliage.
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