HELLO MARYLOU! GOOD-BYE MAINE

September 27
Continuing south, we landed in Saco/Old Orchard Beach, ME.  We drove through Old Orchard Beach, a summer resort area with a large expanse of sandy beach.  The town looks a little tired with most buildings appearing like they were built in the 1950's and '60's and not too much updating done since.  They've rolled up the sidewalks for the season in Old Orchard Beach and the beach side amusement rides were being packed away for the winter, as well as several restaurants and gift shops having closed until next summer.

September 28
We woke to a steady drizzle of rain that turned into a constant soaking rain.  Neither one of us had the ambition or desire to go anywhere, so we we took the day off from sightseeing and spent the day in our cozy camper reading, and watching movies.

September 29
I'm excited to get to Salisbury, Massachusetts today where we will meet up with my friend, Marylou, who is visiting her daughter and family in Amesbury (3 miles from our campsite).  We haven't seen any familiar faces since we departed ways with Mark and Cindy back in Copper Harbor, MI.

Our camping neighbors, back in Mexico, NY, told us to be sure to eat at Warren's Lobster House if we got to Kittery, ME.  Kittery was right on the way, so I found the address on the Points Of Interest function of the GPS.

After taking a few wrong turns, maneuvering around roundabouts and detours, we spotted Warren's and drove into the crowded parking lot where we realized too late there wasn't a spot big enough to park the RV and Jeep, and there was no way to turn around. So, for the first time on this trip, we had to unhook the Jeep in order to back up, turn around to get out of the situation.  A few blocks away, we found an auto repair place with a big parking lot; Jim asked the owner if it was o.k. to leave the RV there while we went to have lunch.  The owner thanked him for asking, and gave him a $10 coupon for Warren's Lobster House!

After lunch, we hooked back up with the RV and slowly made our way south through the towns and villages along Highway 1.  We left the beautiful state of Maine, drove through a little bit of New Hampshire, and crossed the border in Massachusetts.

Our campsite in Salisbury, MA is only 3 miles from the Marshall's (Marylou's daughter and son-in-law's home); they invited us over for supper.  It was great catching up with Marylou, seeing Sommer and Pete, and meeting their two adorable children, Ellie and Owen.

Yes, the Marshall's are New England Patriot fans!

September 30
Marylou gave us a tour of the area today.  After stopping at Cider Hill Farm and devouring a hot pumpkin donut that was so good it made me weep, she took us to her favorite restaurant and introduced us to Maine Baby Shrimp.  Now I know why she's been raving about those shrimp!

Marylou and Connie in MA.  Can't wait to get that donut!

Here we are in NH.  Yum, those shrimp were good!

We drove along the coast in NH and MA, oohing and awing over the magnificent homes along the coast road, and stopping to walk on the beaches.  Did you know that NH has beaches, and people actually surf there?  Well, I sure didn't know that until today.

Surfers in New Hampshire...who knew?

 "A lobstah trap!  Now I can catch my own!"

Marylou showed us around the quaint and charming town of Amesbury, hometown of cartoonist Al Cap (Li'l Abner).  The town has winding streets with roundabouts, old brick buildings and sidewalks, with baskets of flowers hanging everywhere.  Marylou and I said our good-byes and wondered where our paths will cross next..