Northeast Adventure's Bits and Pieces Part 4

The Final Post.

There are no happier people on this planet than those who decide that they want something, define what they want, get hold of the feeling of it even before its manifestation and then joyously watch the unfolding as, piece by piece by piece, it begins to unfold. That's the feeling of your hands in the clay. 

- Abraham Hicks

I want to travel. 

I want to see the world;

its diverse landscapes and people.

I want to taste unknown fruit

and hear sounds for which I have no words. 

I want my nostrils to know confusion 

and eyes to stare in wonderment and awe.

I want faraway sands to filter

through my fingers

-- upon arrival home

find it swishing around in my shoe.

I want to witness the sunset 

at a thousand angles, 

slowly watching the night stars fill the sky 

with brightness. 

I want to listen to the rain make peculiar noises 

under an unfamiliar roof.

I want to travel

I want to see the world.

As an adult, I have found deciding what I want is not a simple task. 
For me it ceases to be simple because there is so much I want and yearn for. I only have so much time in a day. I only have so much money to spend. Understanding these facts, despite my best efforts to ignore them at times, I know decisions must be made. I know I must move certain interests aside, allowing others to take center stage and come to fruition.


One of those decisions I've made is to travel. A choice that involves scrimping and saving for such experiences. Forgoing luxuries of a car, new clothes, or even a fun night out with friends. And sometimes that is hard. But I know something harder. Not buying the plane ticket. Not climbing the mountain. Not visiting faraway friends. Not eating my first lobster roll. Not flipping the truth I've known on its head. Not seeing how others live out their day-to-day lives. That would be much harder for me.


So onward I continue.


Below are the last remaining highlights of my Northeast Adventures. 
If you missed my Northeast Adventures Bits and Pieces Part 1 click here , Part 2 click here, Part 3A click here, Part 3B click here, Part 3C click here.


And be sure to visit Underlined and Bold tomorrow as I reveal my next travel destination! 


Happy Wednesday Everyone!!


Light and love,
Abigail 


Local. Local. Local.
Unique small local businesses are on every corner of Portland, Maine. Placed prominently in front window displays are "buy local" signs. Guides books to "Keep Portland Independent" are easily located throughout the city. As American landscapes are taken over more and more by big corporations, Portland shows a strong stance against that norm.

I LOVE THIS!

Click here to see the work of a talented local artist.

Yoga is for everyone.

Yoga is an integral part of my life. A source of spiritual guidance. A light where darkness lingers mentally and physically. I believe it can serve as such in anyone's life.

My goal: to visit at least one yoga studio everywhere I travel.

In Boston I had a delightful experience with Back Bay Yoga Studio.

In Portland, I attended a one hour "Mixed Flow" class with Shannon at Lila East End Yoga. Shannon is a hands on teacher with strong cuing. Her presence is light and fun, making me feel right at home among her regular students. After class we spent an hour chatting about yoga, and her journey to becoming a yoga teacher. She truly has an amazing spirit! If you are in the area, drop into one of Shannon's classes and tell her I say "hi".

Shannon!

Camping with a porcupine.

As day slipped into night, a porcupine decided to join Betsy and I at our campsite on Hermit Island. Running around our tent with baby in tow, it eventually decided to sit on the branch directly above our tent. She kindly reminded us of her presence by pooping and dropping tree bark all night.

Embarrassing Fun Fact:  As Betsy and I hid in the car, I called my boyfriend Chris to ensure we were not going to be viciously attacked by a porcupine. He informed us, to our relief, that porcupines are docile creatures.

Bathroom Wisdom.

Henry Ford and I shared a meeting of the minds while I tinkled in the Hilltop Coffee Shop bathroom. 

Strengthening Friendships.

There is something truly magical about visiting friends who no longer live near. Details of their new locale may penetrate your imagination via phone, e-mail and/or Facebook. But there is nothing like seeing where they walk, where they sleep, and with whom they find companionship with in person.

I have had this experience repeatedly in my life.

 I feel immensely blessed.

Northeast Adventure's Bits and Pieces Part 3C

Scrapbook: Exploring Maine's Natural Elements

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy amidst the simple beauty of nature. ...I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.  

-Anne Frank

For me

Only as an adult

I've Learned 

Turning to nature

Inspires 

And helps heal even the deepest of wounds

Providing

Clarity. Stillness. Quiet. Love.

What places provide you healing and/or inspiration?

If you missed my Northeast Adventures Bits and Pieces Part 1 click here , Part 2 click here, Part 3A click here, Part 3B click here.

Otherwise, check back in the next few days for Northeast Adventure's Bits and Pieces Part 4.

It will be the final wrap up post of the series!

(I'm a little sad about this. It's been extremely fun to daydream and revisit the pleasures of my vacation as my days fill up with the more practical aspects of life -- you know -- laundry and paying my rent.)

Northeast Adventure's Bits and Pieces Part 3B

A cloudy cool autumn morning +  Portland Museum of Art =

inspiration

Features of note:

-A distinct focus on local artists 

Beauty surrounded me while traveling in Maine. 

Boat harbors, crashing waves, scenic ferry rides to neighboring islands, camping on Hermit Island (under careful watch of some friendly porcupines), light houses, red brick side walks, old colonial homes with inviting front porches, complex skies layering clouds far out above the ocean, long runs around Back Cove Bay...

This beauty I witnessed was greatly enhanced by seeing it through the eyes of past and present artists; artists trying to convey narratives from the land sourcing their pride and pain.

-Traveling exhibit: John Marin: Modernism at Midcentury.

The exhibit is well done. Pieces on display and corresponding text provide a thought provoking experience.  

It steers one to think about Modernism and the purpose of art as the life of Marin is revealed through his work and words.

Famous Marin quotes:

"Give paint a chance to show itself entirely as paint."

"Painting is like golf; the fewer strokes I take, the better the picture."

Deer Isle Series: Mark Island Lighthouse, 1928
I scanned a copy of the card I bought from the gift shop for myself, a painting of Marin's.
Hopefully it will continually remind me of the inspiration I found in his work.

If you missed my Northeast Adventures Bits and Pieces Part 1 click here , Part 2 click here, or Part 3A click here.

Otherwise, check back tomorrow for Part 3C.  

Scenic photos of Maine to come!

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!