Day #6

President Polk stayed in that suite.  He was president before the Civil War.  

Overall, we enjoyed our stay in the Airbnb.  The history of the building really appealed to me.

On this day we decided to drive back to Portland to enjoy some seafood, and to walk around.  Maine's biggest city is about an hour from Damariscotta - an easy drive.

You want a fantastic variety of oysters to shuck at home?  You can get them at Harbor Fish Market.

We wanted to return to Gilbert's, since we enjoyed it so much last Fall.  We were actually the first customers in line!

We felt that Gilbert's was not as great the second time around.  But I wouldn't tell anybody not to give it a try!  Cozy up to the bar and order the seafood chowder.

Yep, we returned.  We ordered two negronis, and I got a dozen oysters.  Eventide is fantastic!

After eating and drinking, it was time to walk around Portland.  The idea was to walk the entirety of one of the main roads and to look inside as many shops as possible.

Portland (city proper) doesn't have a huge population, but the downtown is very large.  If you like architecture, history and great dining experiences, its a wonderful city.  I love quality time in a place, and I would need at least four full days just in Portland.  A week there would be splendid.

Kade wanted to stop in Portland's Whole Foods, which was on the edge of downtown.

Although I don't have a photo to attach here, on the drive back to Damariscotta we stopped one final time at Scully Sea Products.  The oysters were exceptional, again.  No doubt, Eventide, Scully Sea Products and The Hub are places I could return to over and over.

Back in Damariscotta we went to this historic site where indigenous people piled up oyster shells over centuries.  It was very interesting, and an easy walk. 

When we were done, we got ice cream next door.  They even had a lovely view of the river from their back deck.

This concluded our last full day in Damariscotta, base number one.  I was so happy we opted to stay in D this time, just for a different experience.  Boothbay Harbor is not far, and I certainly understand why people might opt to stay there.  It's gorgeous.  But if you love oysters and you're trying to the most efficient with your time, Damariscotta is the better location.  You have Shuck Station in Newscastle (right by D), and then you can drive easily to Portland, Scully Sea Products (Edgecomb) and easily get down to The Hub (Bristol).  If you were down in Boothbay Harbor, there would be more driving to do.  Plus, other than Mine Oyster, you don't have the selection of oysters down there.