Make This Go On Forever
August 8th, 2011
We went away for our anniversary this weekend (Portsmouth, NH and Ogunquit, ME) WITH our small offspring, and though we were smart enough to get a two-room suite this time, lest anyone forget LAST year’s getaway, which involved a baby who woke up at 2:30 a.m. FOR THE DAY*, I tell you, vacationing with a two-year-old is rather, um, rigorous. This is particularly true when it’s a last-minute weekend trip and you’re in a hotel rather than a rented house-type property and HOTELS ARE NOT FOR FAMILIES WITH SMALL CHILDREN, is all I’m saying. She woke up at 5:30, perky as all get-out, and though we tried to do our usual switch-off on the sleeping in thing, there are, you know, only two small rooms, so we were ALL up at 5:30, which is a VERY EARLY TIME TO START THE DAY, if you didn’t know, and it turns out, walking to Starbucks and plying her with donuts only takes up, like, an hour and you guys, IT IS STILL ONLY SIX-THIRTY. WHICH IS ALSO EARLY.
*Yes, she woke up for the day at 2:30 a.m. on the Cape last year. And just to refresh y’all’s memory about how it all went down, we were SUPPOSED to have a two-room suite, but for reasons that don’t matter now, DID NOT, but we didn’t realize that until we arrived. Our child CANNOT sleep in the same room as us without … not sleeping. And waking up early. And whatever, YOU GUYS WE SLEPT IN THE CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. LIKE VAGABONDS.
Next year, we’re planning ahead and renting a house. Which brings me to …
Maine. You guys. I’ve lived here off and on for years — YEARS — and every time I go to Maine, I am struck anew about how beautiful it is. Meredith described Nantucket as being one of those places that just fits her, and man, Maine is that for me. Yes, here. It’s cold and harsh in the winter, and although I bitch about the snow here, you know, that’s just the price you pay to live near someplace so beautiful. Besides, I am a four seasons gal and BESIDES, besides, have you guys ever been to Maine on a hot summer’s day?
The shoreline is rocky, as you would expect from a Maine beach, but oh, the water is perfectly crystal clear and such a deep turquoise, you almost think you’re in the Caribbean. I mean, until it rains and drops 30 degrees in fifteen minutes, that is.
And Portsmouth! So close, but hell if you don’t feel like you’ve been transported to a quaint seafaring town in another COUNTRY, for God’s sake.
We went on a long cliffside walk on Marginal Way, wandered around the towns and beaches, ate lobster rolls, took Sam for ice cream and then, you know, passed out at 9:30 p.m. after grabbing take-out due to an overtired toddler, but you know what? Still magical. I want to go back next year for an entire week, and hell if I’m not spending every free second looking at properties, because I WILL NOT BE CAUGHT UNAWARES NEXT YEAR, SUMMER VACATION!
(Yes, it’s true I’ve had, like, ELEVEN VACATIONS this year, what with Las Vegas and North Carolina and Nantucket and plenty of beach visits and water parks and HA HA I AM SPOILED I KNOW. It’s just that Adam was along for exactly zero of those non-Vegas trips, so we had to do SOMEthing, and next year, we’ll plan better so he can, you know, have a family vacation too.) (Oops.)
Anyway, the whole thing beat the pants off of BlogHer, is all I’m saying. It’s not that I didn’t love BlogHer last year, or that I think the conference isn’t great (it is!), it’s just that if I’m not going for business (and I do, sometimes, go to those things for business — in fact, I was a hair’s breadth away from being a booth babe this year in San Diego), but if I’m going just for the socialization, I’m totally doing something like The Blathering, because, well, I like smaller groups and 3,000 people makes me twitchy, and I’m not really into the sessions for my own personal interest AND AND AND, so whatever, I went to Maine this year and I loved it and am now campaigning to MOVE TO MAINE.
(Not really.)
Man, I hope you’re having a great summer, too. It’s going so FAST and in three weeks — THREE WEEKS! — Sam goes to preschool, and though I am excited for two! glorious! hours! to do exciting things like work and clean the house, I am SO IMMEASURABLY SAD about it, as though I am driving her to college and leaving her in a dorm room.
For, you know, a whopping five and a half hours a week. OMFGGGGGG.
Have a great Tuesday.
*Snow Patrol. Whatever, cheesy title, WHATEVER. I AM ON VACATION. (Not really.)
Entry Filed under: Adam,Beeber McSteebs
38 Comments Add your own
1. LizScott | August 8th, 2011 at 11:22 pm
I went to camp in Maine for seven (7) years growing up. It’s in Raymond, about 30 minutes south of Portland on Lake Sebago. And yes, ok, I can see where people wouldn’t want to send their kids away to seven (7) (!) weeks of camp you have to understand: it was MAGICAL. Seven weeks of every summer I spent in the best place on earth, with the same girls returning year after year (it was only 100 girls total, ages 9-16, almost everyone repeat campers, so you get to know them WELL. Lots of families; my mom went there growing up, my cousins were there — so yes, seven weeks away, but also: seven weeks surrounding by AWESOMENESS).
I love me some Maine is what I am trying to say. It’s just — I mean, come on: MAINE.
2. Jessica | August 9th, 2011 at 4:43 am
Yay for the Blathering!
3. akofaolain | August 9th, 2011 at 9:38 am
We are going to Maine in 3 weeks and I’m counting the minutes – love, love, love Maine!!
4. Steph | August 9th, 2011 at 9:58 am
We’re heading to Ogunquit for a wedding this weekend — it’ll be our first time in Maine. We’ll be in one hotel room with our 18-month-old daughter. But all the sun, sand, and surf’ll make her sleep great, right?? She’s an awful sleeper at home so I’m not too worried about it — it could only be better than usual. I am worried about the wedding we all will be in — starts at 9:00 and goes til 4:00, so no nap time and no time for breakfast, and lunch later than she’s used to….
5. -R- | August 9th, 2011 at 10:14 am
I love, love, love, love southern Maine. I hope to bring the whole family in a year or two, when a plane trip might be a little easier.
If you are interested, I have a friend who owns a house that he rents out in York Beach. Just let me know.
Glad you had a great anniversary weekend!
6. Lawyerish | August 9th, 2011 at 10:54 am
Oooh, I love Portsmouth and Maine, TOO. I need to get back to both of those places! Perhaps we can meet up there AND in Nantucket next summer!
7. Life of a Doctor's Wife | August 9th, 2011 at 11:57 am
Oh you make Maine sound so wonderful! It’s definitely on my list of Must See Locations, and I just imagine it as this idyllic sparkling corner of the country.
Glad the anniversary went well. Although 5:30?!?!? Holy cats!
8. Deanna | August 9th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
I am on a big campaign for a somewhere-in-New-England vacation, and you are SO helping my case. I’ll be emailing this post to my husband. I keep saying I want to go on a beach vacation to somewhere I can ride a bicycle around town and where I need a sweatshirt at night. At the beach! I can’t even imagine.
We do the Florida or Alabama beach almost every year, but it’s just not my idea of an amazing vacation. I mean, it’s still HOT and STICKY, and then you take all that sand and add two toddlers, and just….no.
If you have a great (budget-conscious!) rental site to pass on, I’d love to hear it.
9. Christine | August 9th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
OH man 5:30 is just way too early. And I totally get your sleeping on the side of the road like vagrants. Because I’ve done it on work days after driving up and down the state for court appearances. There have been occasions where I’ll pull over in a rest stop for a snooze. In my suit. Like a lunatic. But man, safety first!
Glad that you had fun in Maine, now I’m going to have to petition for a trip up that way.
10. Sheila | August 9th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Oh man. I had the awesome experience of living in Portland, Maine for 4 years. Knew it was temporary the whole time but damn if I don’t miss it. Love that place and still campaign MOVE TO MAINE, though it won’t happen. At the very least, its an even better place to visit after having lived there for a while.
11. Terri | August 9th, 2011 at 11:23 pm
Maine is one of my most favorite places ever. It is almost my “yes, here” place as well. Took a week trip with sister and BIL last September from Portland to Acadia and South Harbor with Camden and drove south to Kennebunkport. Awesome. So relaxing, so beautiful. I have been looking for a big home to bring kids and grandchildren to as well. And lobster and scallops….holy cow. Amazing. But the scenery tops it all. And not sweltering! Also a plus, a big plus.
12. Cherie Beyond | August 10th, 2011 at 11:38 am
Hi. I live in Maine. You should move here. Unless you are fussy about things like jobs that pay well and needing a Target or Trader Joe’s nearby. If you are, you will be disappointed.
(I’m from here. I don’t feel at home anywhere else. I’ve tried.)
13. ClumberKim | August 10th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
I grew up in Maine and firmly believe it is a lovely place to visit in any season (except for Mud Season). I’m happy to arrive, and just as happy to head back home. That said, I’m lobbying for a month there next summer, if we can find a reasonable rental and someone who wants to live in our Pittsburgh house at the same time.
14. Mary Kate | August 12th, 2011 at 6:57 am
I love, love, love Maine!!! Went to High School there (North of Bangor) and worked on the Coast of Maine through college. One of my dreams is to own a vacation home in York Beach, Me. In fact, if you are looking for places to stay for a week, I totally recommend York Beach. It is 15 minutes from Portsmouth and Oqunquit and has two fabulous beaches. They have a ton of cottages/houses for rent, at fairly reasonable prices. One great but little know place to rent is actually the cottages directly behind the Diary Bar in York Beach. (https://www.facebook.com/pages/York-Beach-Dairy-Bar/231051125130). I believe you call the Dairy Bar and they would give you the info.
15. Heather R | August 14th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
I totally know what you mean about Portsmouth. We went there for a date night last night and I was in heaven! I grew up in Southern Maine and had summer jobs in Wells and Ogunquit and it is very beautiful!! I went to UNH and I just LOVE the whole seacoast area of NH. We are planning to move to NH next year and I am seriously pushing for the seacoast region, although for my husband’s line of work, he will probably find a job more easily in Manchester or Nashua (blah).
Oh, and if you plan to rent a house on the Cape next summer I highly recommend booking your trip in early January. We got every summer for a week and that is when we do our planning and everything is already starting to book up at that point. Homeaway.com is a good site to use….and maybe capecodrentals.com?? We love Brewster. Definitely stick to the bay side!
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