Coastal Cruising: Bay Breeze & Aquavit

After spending a couple days in South Portland at the South Port Marina, we are on our way back to take care of some things at home. We spent a day prepping AQUAVIT for the time she will be alone at the dock. Flights from the Portland airport leave early and arrive late. With a rental car, we set out to explore some of the sites Marvin's mother and aunt recalled in their stories of Maine. First there was Old Orchard Beach and pier - an amusement park on a cold water beach frequented by hearty Maineiacs in summer. Then we drove up to Lewiston-Auburn to see the home where my mother grew up. Orphaned at a young age, she lived with her Aunt Lucy on Cook Street in Auburn. Lucy and Donat had a bluing business (manufacturer of bleach) in a building behind their home. We explored this once thriving mill town on the Androscoggin River. At the turn of the previous century the sister towns had over a million square feet of mill factories. Six mills were operated by Bates - well kno...

Our last day in Boston included a delightful visit by the Odria family. Their three girls were so much fun. A trip through the Constitution Museum was filled with interactive activities for kids. Then exploring the USS Constitution was a treat for us again, sharing it with Carlos, Nadia, and the girls, Anna, Carla, and Alma. After the Odrias departed, we were headed to dinner but stopped on the docks to talk to folks using wheelchairs. After our rant about the poor accessibility of this marina, we learned they were on the specially-built catamaran, The Impossible Dream, out of Miami. (www.theimpossibledream.org) We have seen them in NYC at Liberty Landing last year and again this year. Then, they are here at the Charlestown Marina. They have a partnership with the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital located right next door to the marina. Face cards from Spaulding were having a fundraising event on the catamaran. Before the event began, we had the opportunity for a short tour o...

With a week booked in Boston at the Charlestown Marina, we have time to explore this historic city. Being here over Independence Day is particularly poignant. The expressions of pride and patriotism are everywhere from the boats in our marina to the flags on the historic graves of Revolutionary War veterans. The USS Constitution Visiting this venerable ship, the oldest commissioned war ship in the world is a trip back in time. Not only does it have a rich record of success in maritime conflict, but it also reveals the technology of the big ships and the toughness of the crews that manned them. "Old Ironsides" has been the pride of the U.S. Navy since 1797.          We explored all the decks that were open to the public. Navy sailors are assigned to the USS Constitution and costumed in the uniforms of the ship's past. Though Old Ironsides was not a warship engaged in the war for independence, it brought to mind Washington's first ship, s...