A couple of weeks ago we went on a totally awesome camping trip up the East coast. Two nights in Rhode Island, two nights in Maine, and two nights in New Hampshire. We were supposed to spend our seventh night back in Rhode Island, but we opted to join the Chad Tobler family at their home in Waltham, MA. We spent several afternoons on various beaches, visited multiple lighthouses, and ate lots of good seafood. I can't go into any more detail because I'm tired and cranky and we don't have power and I feel like we're camping...again. More on our current situation later, though.
Our trip started off with two nights of camping in Naragansett, Rhode Island. The beach was packed despite our trip beginning on a weekday. We learned that if you wait until after 4 pm, you can park and enter the beach for FREE. Much better than paying the $28 fee. So that's exactly what we did. Both days.
Clark may have been one of the whitest bodies on the beach. I was probably the second whitest.
Judith Point Lighthouse. Perhaps I have never declared my love of lighthouses on the blog. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM AND HOPE TO ONE DAY RESIDE IN ONE.
So much so, in fact, that Clark allowed me to have a personal photo shoot with the lighthouse. He's so sweet.
Our second day we drove up to Providence.
And we ate some awesome fish and chips back in Naragansett...
Overlooking the ocean.
We also visited the Fisherman's Memorial, which apparently isn't built to withstand strong winds (or so I assume).
Before we headed back to the beach to watch the sun set, we ate some ice cream at Aunt Carrie's.
Our third day we drove up to Maine, and immediately after setting up camp we hit Old Orchard Beach. It was beautiful and the water was so clear compared to the water at the beach in RI. I'm not saying I didn't like the beach at Rhode Island, because I really did. But, let's be honest here. I prefer clear water over murky water, and long stretches of white sandy beaches are mighty fine, too.
Before leaving for dinner, Clark secured our tent to a nearby tree. Good thing Clark took this precaution because it ended up getting nasty during the night! Meaning, we had plenty of wind and rain.
Later that evening we drove to The Lobster Shack for some fresh and local Maine Lobster! This restaurant was featured on Man v. Food, which is one of the reasons we chose to eat at this establishment. It was packed.
The Two Lights Lighthouse, which can be seen from The Lobster Shack.
DANG, that is a fine looking lobster. The meal was complete with two biscuits, fries and cole slaw.
Clark wasted nothing, and played with his food, too.
As I mentioned, it poured buckets our third night, so our fourth day started out a little drizzly. So we took the opportunity to drive up to Freeport and visit the flagship L.L. Bean store.
Luckily for us, the weather cleared in the afternoon and we were able to walk around Portland without any worries of being drenched and miserable. Portland is such a cool city, and we both agree that it has a Northwest feel, like Seattle or Portland, OR. I could see myself living in Portland, Maine.
Before heading down to New Hampshire on our fifth day, we drove out to the Portland Head Light. It is so picturesque, and I probably took at least 50 pictures of the lighthouse alone.
And later in the afternoon, after we had set up camp in New Hampshire, our much anticipated camping buddies arrived! We loved camping with Chad, Janet, Violet and Lucia!
That night we were supposed to have grilled corn and shrimp, however, the weather turned in an instant and drowned out the fire Clark so carefully started! The rain poured and unfortunately, we only feasted on a dinner of chips and cheese dip.
The next morning we waited out the rain, which eventually stopped. So we headed to York, Maine for some beach time and to see the Nubble Light House.
The beautiful Nubble Light House.
York Beach, Maine. Though it was mostly cloudy, it was still in the mid 70's and enjoyable.
That night we were able to enjoy fine conversation around the campfire.
Thank goodness for coolers. We were also able to enjoy the shrimp that we were supposed to eat the night before.
As we all prepared to depart on the seventh day, Chad and Janet realized that their van had a flat tire and their keys were locked in their van. See the pole in the car? Somehow that pole managed to unlock the van.
Chad and Janet were able to get back to Waltham but the next day as we drove out to Wingaersheek Beach, the tire went flat again.
We noticed the tire was flat at a convenience/sandwich store. The sandwiches were remarkable, by the way.
We were able to make it to the beach, and while Chad figured out the tire situation, we all got to frolic in the sand and on the rocks.
The tide went out and you could walk nearly a half mile out. It was so neat and yes, Chad and Janet, that beach is fantastic!
View of the beach as we walked out with the receding tide.
We had a blast on this trip and are so glad we were able to see so much of the East Coast. I am also thrilled that I have fulfilled my childhood dream of visiting Maine. Next time we visit Maine, we'll go farther North and see the Acadia National Park. Also, I think 6 days of camping might be a few days too many. After about three days our linens were permanently damp and sandy. Yep, I think three days of camping is probably the max from here on out. Thank you, Chad and Janet, for camping with us and for allowing us to stay at your home for a couple of nights!
