Maine 2018 - Portland

After disembarking The Angelique in Camden, I drove through Maine going south to Portland. I was scheduled to fly out of Portland Jetport very early the following morning so I booked an Airbnb in South Portland, close to the airport. The fall colors were very prominent  on my drive down the state. I saw brilliant trees reflecting in water, fabulous farms with old barns, antique shops, cider presses, and little towns along the way. I had one destination in mind, Cape Elizabeth and Portland Head Light.

Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth, Maine

After checking into my Airbnb and getting a much needed shower, I headed over to Fort Williams Park to see this spectacular and historic sight. I have always enjoyed old building and have painted many but one of my favorite paintings I create using a photograph as a model was of this majestic tower. I painted it years ago but still have the painting in my inventory.  Once I viewed it from the place the photograph was taken, I felt much better about the painting and took a deep breathe of sea air. This is a most beautiful old building. The keepers house is now a museum, so I paid the two dollars to go inside and learn more about the place. It was one of the first building commissioned by the federal government after the formation of our nation. It is rich in history and the stories of the place are worth being told.

After my tour of the lighthouse I hiked around the park. I found the fall colors much brighter in this part of the state. On the northern coast, there are many evergreen trees but here there was a fine mixture of many different type of vegetation. The grounds were lovely and of course there were lobster rolls sold out of food trucks and a gift shop.

Fall colors in Fort Williams Park, Maine

The weather was misty and chilly, so I had spent enough time wondering around. It was time for me to go find dinner. I ended up at a local pizza parlor and bar for a local brew and veggie pizza. It was delicious but I didn't stay long. I wanted to get to sleep so I could get up in time to make my flight. Maine is a wonderful place to visit. I recommend it to everyone looking for a laid back vacation away from their normal hustle and bustle life.