Northeast Adventure's Bits and Pieces Part 3A

Travel is an avenue I've chosen. it shakes me loose of routines. cleanses my mind of assumptions. makes room for child-like awe of a world bursting with treasures. 

Travel is an avenue I've chosen. illuminated by poets, painters, and the printing press.

the human story of foreign geography. unveiled like the sun after mid-afternoon thunderstorms.

Amazing artists, journalists, and poets brought depth to my understanding of Maine's geography and people. One poem I fell in love with is featured below.

Inland

written by Edna Vincent Millay

born in Rockland, Maine (1892 -1950)

People that build their houses inland,

   People that buy a plot of ground
Shaped like a house, and build a house there,
   Far from the sea-board, far from the sound

Of water sucking the hollow ledges,
   Tons of water striking the shore,—
What do they long for, as I long for
   One salt smell of the sea once more?

People the waves have not awakened,
   Spanking the boats at the harbour's head,
What do they long for, as I long for,—
   Starting up in my inland bed,

Beating the narrow walls, and finding
   Neither a window nor a door,
Screaming to God for death by drowning,—

   One salt taste of the sea once more? 

If you missed my Northeast Adventures Bits and Pieces Part 1 click here or Part 2 click here.

Otherwise, check back in a few days for Part 3B.  

More reflections upon art and nature in Maine to come!

Northeast Adventure's Bits and Pieces Part 2

Making friends with my gluttonous spirit:

My first lobster roll.   Portland, Maine.   2011.

Belly full and spirit content, the end of each meal on my trip was met with conversation and/or thoughts of the next meal. This was one of the only consistent unchanging elements of my time in the northeast. Days were filled with pastries, coffee, cider, seafood and local micro-brews. Calling me gluttonous maybe the understatement of the year.

Below is a photo record of my gluttony.

Enjoy!


Two thumbs up for The Daily Catch Restaurant.

A Boston staple since 1973, the original Daily Catch is located in the North End of the city. It seats only 20 people at a time, and its seafood is fresh and local. Their linguine and claims in white sauce is perfection!

Aesthetically it's a little rough around the edges, but that's exactly what makes it charming!

The pan my linguine was cooked in was served right to my table.

My friend Abbey had a sauteed calamari dish. There is only one word to describe her seafood experience: hardcore!

Across the street from The Daily Catch Restaurant is Mike's Pastry. Home to one of the most delicious cannolis I've ever eaten.

Vegetarian love!


I ate at Clover twice while in Boston. First at their Cambridge shop. Second at their food truck at a Farmer's Market downtown.

 They kept it seasonal with Apple Fritters!

Although their soy BLT isn't their most popular sandwich, I ordered it twice. Yum!

My first seasonal beer of fall:

Sam Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale w/a cinnamon rim.

A true Portland greeting!

My friend Betsy made me a very tasty welcome dinner my first evening in Portland.

Pasta with sun-dried tomatoes.

Naan baked in olive oil.

Peppered fresh tomatoes.

Arugula salad topped with carrot shavings.

A famous local brew pub in Portland:

Gritty McDuff's.

Their "flight" allows patrons to try seven beers for just over ten dollars. My personal favorite was the Original Pub Style Beer.

Seafood love.

Oysters!

Lobster Roll!

Pizza. Pizza. Pizza.

Portland, Maine has excellent local pizza shops. I visited Otto Pizza twice!

Butternut squash, ricotta, and cranberry pizza.
Conventional? No.
Amazingly delectable? Absolutely!

Tis the season for everything pumpkin flavored!

Pumpkin Pie Latte. This drink was so sweet and sugary, I could have been eating ice cream for breakfast.

Extravagance.

Before arriving in Portland, Betsy and I decided to have one evening of true indulgence. Ignoring the price tag, we booked ourselves a reservation at the best sushi restaurant in Portland. We each ordered the chef's choice five course meal. We split a bottle of Sake and ordered a couple of Japanese beers.

Although I don't usually travel with evenings like this in mind, I'm immensely glad we decided to treat ourselves!

If you missed my Northeast Adventures Bits and Pieces Part 1 click here.

Otherwise, check back in a few days for part 3. 

Reflections upon art and nature in Maine to come!

Northeast Adventure's Bits and Pieces Part 1

Chicago and I have been reunited again! I've safely made it back to the mid-west after 8 days of venturing out to the great northeast of the United States.

(If you would like to see the first few glimpses of my trip click here, here, and here.)

In total, my vacation was eight days long. But fortunately (and surprisingly) it felt more like a month.   Everyday was new. Everyday was a step away from my routine. Everyday my five senses worked overtime, creating symphonies of stimulation as I moved about unfamiliar destinations.  And like a kitchen sink sponge, I soaked in as much as I could possibly take in. 

Since leaving Maine, I've been busy. I've been busy uploading and editing photos. I've been busy using notes and memorabilia to create a more formal written account of my time away.

Below is some bits and pieces of what I've been working on.

Come and knock on our door... We've been waiting for you...

These days, trips are planned around the geographical locations of friends. My friends are ambitious and talented. They constantly seek out new adventures, and opportunities to further their education. I'm never surprised to hear of a change in living situation, or proposal for an exciting travel plan. I love this! It provides me a strong base of inspiration for my own future geographical planning. And it always challenges me. It challenges me to shake things up, and do something I've never done before.

On this particular trip, I knocked on the doors of friends in the northeast. 

In Boston my beautiful hosts were former housemates of mine from college.

Abbey was my partner in crime in Boston. Despite being busy with job interviews, she jumped on numerous buses and trains with me as I sought out the ivy at Harvard, seafood and cannolis' in the north end, and the romance of the Public Gardens near the shopping haven of Newberry street.

Michael is a busy man these days! He is currently beginning his studies at Lesley University to earn a Masters in Music Therapy. He also works part time at Whole Foods. I was glad we could fit in time to chat and catch up over dinner. Thanks for the beer Michael!

Ellen was a gracious host, sharing a bed with me for two nights and preparing a fabulous dinner with muscles cooked in a seasonal autumn beer. She also celebrated her twenty-fourth birthday during my stay. A small celebration at a local pub enabled me to meet her grad school friends from Boston College. It was nice to see she'll be in good company over the next couple years as she pursues her Masters in Divinity.

In Portland, Maine my beautiful host was a friend I made in the dorms during my first year of college (as well as her amazingly sweet boyfriend). 

Miss. Betsy Schluge showed me incredible hospitality throughout the entirety of my stay in Portland. She has a knack for pointing people in the direction of the best coffee, and the best places to find inspiration from nature and art. Despite balancing work and a busy class schedule, she found energy to knock back brews with me in the mid-afternoon, plan a camping trip, and show me the new neighborhood she'll be moving to in a few weeks via a three mile run. I am immensely grateful to have the opportunity to create new wonderful memories with such a passionate positive person.

Andy met Betsy approximately four years ago. It's been a delight witnessing a friend find a partner like Andy, where a loving committed relationship can truly blossom. A few years ago I visited Andy and Betsy at Glacier National Park, where I was able to first witness Andy's remarkable trip planning skills. My day hike up Shangri la is still one of my most memorable. 

During my Maine visit, Andy drove us out to Two Lights State Park and Fort Williams Park. These destinations graced me with Atlantic surf, crashing upon textured granite like a fourth of July fireworks show. Truly incredible!

Together...

Check back in the next few days as I post more details of my trip. Reflections upon making friends with my gluttonous spirit and true indulgence to come!

Travelin' Tuesdays - nine

I left Boston

for Portland, Maine

on Thursday September 15th.

I made my way from the bus terminal to the #5

 (a city bus) 

wandered on Congress St.

then State St.

then Pine St.

and found myself looking,

looking upon the house I would call home for the remainder of my stay;

an electric yellow and plum colored house

w/ green accents 

and numerous residents

This was the beginning...

...to see more

 check back over the course of this week

as I sort through photos and notes.

(I am a little too exhausted to post more at the moment! My apologies!)

Light & Love

-Abigail

Boston lost and found...

A few  images 

of time spent in Boston

among beautiful people

and a city I now love.

Enjoy!

Travelin' Tuesdays - eight

 Today is the first day of my east coast vacation! I landed safely in Boston this morning, and am absolutely falling in love with this city. Thus far I have found the locals charming, vegetarian food plentiful, and Harvard gorgeous. Below are a few photos of my time in Harvard Square. Stay tuned this week for further updates!