A Spring Mix

This is technically my spring break, so although I have quite a bit to get accomplished before I graduate in 2 months, I really wanted to make my working vacation as interesting as possible.
I started Spring Break off with a quick trip to NC.  My original plan involved a long weekend in Raleigh after New Years but a nor'easter postponed my itinerary.  At least coming in March I managed to overlap my stay with my brother and his family by one day.  It was great to see them. 

Brunch with Mom, Dad, Andrew's family and Jen's sister, Adrienne, and her husband, Andrew (yes, both sisters married an Andrew!)

Carter enjoying his bento box at Cowfish, the restaurant that specializes in sushi-hamburger fusion.  Seriously.

With the exception of the day I arrived and the day I left, which were sunny and warm (as can be expected), the days in between were drizzly, dark, and chilly.  Public schools across the state were even closed for one full day due to ice, which melted by 11am.  I won't comment on this.

Thursday night I returned to Waltham, only to leave with Seth Friday morning for Maine.  We hadn't spent time in ME so it was great at least to see the southern part of the state, if even for a quick overnight trip.  Starting in Salisbury, MA, we took the long, scenic road (Routes 1A and 103) along the coast all the way to Ogunquit. 

Nubble Light House near York, Maine

After checking in to our hotel, we tried to take a walk in the Wells National Estuarine Nature Reserve, but a stiff wind and snowy, slushy trails kept us from getting very far. (We still managed to walk about 2 miles.)  It was quite a change from the 70 degree temperature in Raleigh the day before.

Wells National Estuarine Nature Reserve

A frozen marsh

Wedding Cake House, Kennebunk, ME

After the "hike" we stopped for dinner at a classic Maine diner, The Maine Diner.  It became famous after it was featured on the TV show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.  You wouldn't have guessed it was so popular with travelers; since it is the off season all we saw were locals.  I must have stood out like a sore thumb carrying travel guides under my arm to read :P

A chowder sampler: seafood chowder, she-crab chowder, and clam chowder. 

Seth with his lovely salmon pie

We intended to spend our morning run on Marginal Way, which is a paved walking path along the seashore.  It was still covered in deep snow and ice, so we didn't get too far...

Snowy Marginal Way

 

 
...so we instead found a quiet road through some woods and neighborhoods.  I think many of these roads are quite congested during the hustle and bustle of the summer months, which only really last from July 4th through mid-August.  Many of the homes seemed like they have been abandoned all winter, which shouldn't be surprising considering many of the shops and restaurants are still closed for the season, too.

Many of the houses are still decorated for Christmas.  I think Winter lasts 10 months in Maine.

Running in Ogunquit, ME

Three things Maine has plenty of: 1) snow 2) trucks 3) lobstermen.  See the lobster cages?

Ogunquit is famous for its 3.5 mile sandy beach.  I saw pictures of it completely packed with sunbathers in the summer.  Only a few rugged strollers and a handful of surfers are out these days!

Downtown Ogunquit

Why such a slender house?

After a quick lentil lunch at the hotel, we headed home.  Along the way on Route 1, we unexpectedly passed the When Pigs Fly company store.  We actually turned around to check it out.  Besides the tour buses, it was a nice bread-filled diversion, for sure!