Day #1

Hmmm.  Looking for gift surprises.

This Asheville/Blue Ridge Mountains map at the airport is eye-catching.  The light and glare made it impossible to really photograph, unfortunately.

RIP

Last year we saw Portland and 'Nubble' lights.  Those other three would be knocked out this trip.

We got this Acura upgrade.

Red car with Florida plate??  Nervous now.

This Portland oyster "bar" turned out to be closed.  It was going to be a long shot anyway.  Reviews I read online were only 'decent' and I got the impression it was a place where oyster shuckers went for training.  Maybe another visit?!?

Kade ran inside Eventide oyster bar to take this image, while I sat out in the car.  I mainly wanted to see what oysters were being served, so we could possibly return to it, if we had time.  I was looking for new oyster varieties.

We drove on to The Shop because they had on-site parking.  Also, we had a nice time here last year.  Once again, they a great selection of oysters.  And they were not busy.  Turned out to be a wonderful way to start our day in Portland.  The goal was to hang out a bit in Portland before heading an hour north to our Airbnb.

We also enjoyed smoked mussels and some sides.

Portland is also known for its breweries.  I took advantage!

After The Shop, it was time to go to SoPo Seafood in South Portland.  Just before driving there, we put our names in at Eventide.  We had about an hour and half to play with.  SoPo Seafood is a pretty new oyster bar in Portland.  I had discovered it online.  It's off the tourist path, which I liked.  Locals know where the best oysters are!

Amazing lobster bisque!

Made it to Eventide!  It's one of the top oyster bars in the US.

oyster po-boy

If there was a stressful, frustrating aspect to Portland, it was finding parking, especially to go to Eventide.  I would advise people to give it some thought ahead of time.

passing by Red's Eats in Wiscasset on the way to Damariscotta

We arrived at our Airbnb in Damariscotta, then walked down to Main St.  One of the local high schools was enjoying their homecoming parade.  Great people-watching opportunity!

Was thinking of possibly eating a few more oysters.  Went down to Shuck Station, a place I loved last Fall.  Fortunately for me, on this evening they didn't have new varieties.  Had already tried them all.  Decided to move along.

Elvis is everywhere!

For dinner we went to Damariscotta River Grill, and we enjoyed it.