The mermaid-blue Atlantic Ocean is full of sailors and submerged history. Maine is the first state I've been to on the Atlantic coast. The ocean looks just like it did years ago when I was in Portugal.
Today, a U.S. Customs House built during the height of Portland's role as a trading port in the late nineteenth century, still processes imports and exports.
Sea gulls — which I'd nearly forgotten about — socialize in Portland's historic Old Port District, a cobblestoned array of businesses, restaurants and stores catering to residents and tourists, who arrive by car, foot and Leviathan-sized cruise boat.
A friendly sign speaks to me…
"And may you avoid the traps of your foes!" they should add.
A monument to "Liberty Ships" — built in South Portland en masse to deliver supplies to World War II troops — rears over a small section of Maine's craggy coast.
I love this covert McDonald's in Freeport — forced to tone things down to comply with zoning laws.
While in Yarmouth, map software company DeLorme wins the award for largest rotating globe. My second cosuin, Portland architect J.P. Pondelis, took this photo of "Eartha" floating above me.
On my journey, I have driven past many cemeteries. As I proceed east, they just get older, like this collection of headstones in South Portland. "There goes another sleeping city," I think.
And since Halloween is fast approaching, I ordered you guys a ghostly house and some fog in the Portland area countryside.
Found you through a link article about Whiteclay, NE. As time allows, will be reading your postings and poetry. Just absorbed “Southeast Maine Americana.”
I especially appreciate your candid and non- polarizing (read nonpolitical) observations.
God bless, Chas
Technically, New Hampshire was the first Atlantic coastal state you were in. There’s about 13 miles of coastline on your way down to Boston. Portsmouth, NH is a nice little college town.