Well, we're FINALLY here!!! After 3 long, adventure-filled days in the car, we have arrived in Old Orchard Beach, Maine!
(In case you have no idea what I am talking about, my husband and daughter are about to join a great group of bikers, who will ride 280 miles across Maine in The Great Bike Challenge to help raise support and awareness for Kids Across America Kamps)
All the bikers have arrived, and they're all getting ready to begin The Great Bike Challenge! The weather is absolutely gorgeous today--sunny, but not too hot. Walking around this evening was just perfect.
Since we arrived in Old Orchard Beach late last night, we had the whole day to explore and play on the beach!
You can't tell here...but the water is COLD!! A little cold water wasn't going to stop our girls from a whole lot of digging, moat and castle building, shell collecting, and running around on the beach today!
Mike suggested I try the BBQ chicken panini with carmelized onions and sharp cheddar. He had me at carmelized onions! The sandwich was perfect. Dave ordered the chef salad, and kept bugging me until I would take a bite of cucumber and cherry tomato. WOW. I don't mean to go on and on about our lunch--but the vegetables tasted garden fresh, crisp, and full of summertime flavor!
Oh, but can we talk about the gelato? Because you KNOW I had some gelato for dessert! I chose large (yes, yes, I did!) because with the large size, you could have 3 different flavors. I had a trio of tart fruityness--red orange (my favorite!) mandarincello, and pink grapefruit (whoo, tart!)
Well, you KNEW there would be pictures of lobsters on a trip to Maine! I do not want to disappoint! Look at this friendly fella--he gave his life so that we could have yummy lobster on our first evening here. Thank ya, Larry Lobster. Your generosity will never be forgotten.
Okay, hurry and take the picture--Larry is HOT! But, look--Larry is giving a little goodbye wave to his friends and family back home. However...come to think of it...I'm not sure any lobsters actually read this blog... Gotta work on that lobster marketing. (Poor Larry...his wave was in vain...)
Note Sara Beth's face here...She said something SMELLED FUNNY. She had a dinner of delicious french fries--which she requested to please eat away from the funny smelling lobster food!
Ah! Were you wondering if there were any of the bike crew in this post? Well, lookie here--a whole table full of bike crew friends! All enjoying the lobster, potato, and corn dinner at the local Lobster Festival. I believe Mark and Chris there are enjoying their very first lobster. They gave the experience a thumbs up! Thanks to Mindy for instructing all us lobster novices on the proper way to crack open Larry's little claws and tail. And, Sarah--who is always looking to serve and help!! Love her!
Old Orchard Beach has a really great evening vibe. Of course, the perfect temperature made the night seem even more perfect!
UPDATE ON THE EVENING VIBE: Let me insert here that I am not appreciating that evening vibe now that I am in our condo, and ready to go to sleep. The vibe sounds like it is still going strong. I just wish the vibe would go on home, and put itself to bed! Enough vibe, okay?
We had a great time walking around, taking in all of the sights. Even stopping to enjoy a little dessert!
Nothing like a little lemon Italian ice to finish off a really great day!
Tomorrow the bikers will pull on their spandex and line up at the start! (Time to get good eye contact with the bikers...if ya know what I mean!)
Check back later--I'll try to upload some pics of our lovely Old Victorian condo room.
