We Made it to Maine!

by Kim · Published October 7, 2022 · Updated October 7, 2022

Currently Dale and I are sitting in the local Subaru dealer in Saco, Maine getting our car’s routine maintenance taken care of. Moon Rover (our name for our Subara, haha) is more than ready for its first checkup. We are really enjoying our Outback. Plus everyone we’ve interacted with at the dealerships are so friendly!

We arrived in Saco, Maine one week ago today and already it’s been a really great stay. We left Friday morning and hit three final Massachusetts sites on our way up the coast. A trip that could have taken two hours, lasted all day!

Our first stop was Saugus Iron Works, a National Historic Site located just a few miles from where we were staying in Arlington, Massachusetts. It is the site of the first integrated ironworks in North America, and was in operation between 1646 and approximately 1670. That’s really old! I was particularly interested in the iron works because my dad worked in a steel mill for most of his life, and iron is used in the production of steel.

The forge and blast furnace was used to create iron. It used the Saugus River as its power source.

Our next stop as we headed up the coast was Gloucester. This coastal city on Cape Ann is very much involved in the fishing industry. Its fishing heritage is reflected in the harbor-side Fisherman’s Memorial, with a statue and names of those lost at sea. If you’ve watched the movie “A Perfect Storm” you may remember that this is where the Andrea Gail and her crew departed from. It is also the location of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, a 1600s English settlement. But even better than that, Gloucester is the home of Gorton’s Seafood! I grew up on Gorton’s fish sticks! It was founded in Gloucester in 1849 and is still going strong.

All around this memorial are the names of fishermen who lost their lives over the years. I don’t know the exact number, but it is thousands.

We continued up the coastal scenic byway a few more miles to Rockport. Dallas and I came to Rockport a few years ago on a mission trip with the Harris Family. I loved our visit so much that I really wanted Dale to see it. It was much busier than my first experience and the ice cream shop was closed, which was disappointing.

We stayed the month of September in Arlington (lower left) then hit Gloucester and Rockport on our way north to Maine.

Saco, Maine

We arrived to our Saco Airbnb around 6pm and quickly got unpacked. Our place is sooooo great! It’s in the country, surrounded by trees, birds squirrels and chipmunks! Yes, we’ve been seeing chipmunks every since we left Virginia. They are so cute! And of course the leaves are spectacular! And lastly, the owner of the apartment, which is located above the garage, decorated our place for Fall. She had fresh flowers, Maine syrup, local honey, blueberries and more goodies waiting on us.

It’s such a joy to see the best Autumn has to offer.

The following day, which was Saturday, we headed toward Portland just a few miles down the road. We visited two lighthouses and had pizza in the very busy wharf commercial district. That meal ended up being an expensive event because of the parking cost. There was a huge cruise ship parked there as well, so the streets were teeming with people. Dale took the awesome video at the top of this post, using his drone.

We had dinner in a pizza place situated along the Portland harbor. All around the restaurant is the evidence of seafaring endeavors.

Stay tuned… tomorrow we are headed to Acadia National Park, about three hours north. It is supposed to be one of the most beautiful places to see the leaves and the coast. We are prepared to be patient though because we expect a lot of people to be there.

Here are some additional photos for you to enjoy!

A neat view of one of the old forts at the entrance to the Portland harbor.
This is the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse in the Portland Harbor. It’s not as beautiful as the Portland Headlight Lighthouse.
The Portland Head Lighthouse
Maine coast.
The shore was covered with these rock towers. I don’t know what they are called but it always reminds me of Biblical stories I’ve read.
Dale is always taking video of our trip. One of these days you’ll see the final product!
Selfie!
The quiet harbor of Rockport, MA.
We stopped by Rockport, MA on our way to Maine. I first came to this town with the Harris family about three years ago.
Gloucester, MA was an interesting stop on our way to Maine. This harbor is where the Andrea Gale’s crew set out the day they were killed in a storm. The movie “Perfect Storm” was about the event.
All around this memorial are the names of fishermen who lost their lives over the years. I don’t know the exact number, but it is thousands.
This monument represents the wives and families who are waiting for the safe return of their loved ones.
Good looking! The Gloucester Harbor is behind him.
This huge rock holds a plaque that is dated 1623 and says that on this site a company of fishermen and farmers from Dorcester, England founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
We have really enjoyed the many National Historic Sites throughout New England. This one was a restored iron works.
This house is the only surviving structure from the 1600s. After the mill closed, the house remained in use as a private residence until the 1900s.
There were four water wheels used.
It’s not a pizza oven!
Another view of one of the water wheels.
A selfie at Rockport, Ma.
The last night of our stay in Arlington, MA we enjoyed creating these masterpieces. This Pinot’s Palette is located in Lexington, right across the street from where the Revolutionary War started. I still find it surreal.
Our first Maine lighthouse!