11 Jul 2024 - Old Orchard Beach and Dinner with Mike Scott

 

Fun day today.  While the sky was still overcast in the morning we took the campground shuttle a few miles to Old Orchard Beach.  This campground own's and operates it's own shuttle which is a very nice benefit for the campers.  Like the downtown Portland, parking is expensive at Old Orchard Beach.  The shuttle is free of charge!  

Since we were the only people onboard the 1000 hrs departure, our driver took us on a quick tour of Pine Point, another beach area that they drop off.  It's closer to the campground but there are no shops and restaurants there.  We continued on to Old Orchard Beach arriving at 1030 hrs.

Interesting story about this area.  On 15 Aug 1907 a terrible fire destroyed the Velveteen Hotel before it jumped the railroad tracks and consumed 17 hotels, 60 cottages, 110 businesses and 3 lives.  

As we walked down the street towards the beach, "The Pier" came into view but it appeared to be closed so we figured we were just a bit early.  

Barricade tape

So Doreen and I removed our sandals and headed for the water, walking quite a ways down the beach in search of shells or pirates treasure!  The tide was out and just started heading in.  The sound of the surf was very relaxing. 

Not many on the beach with the overcast and it being a weekday, 

but it would pick up significantly later in the morning

A few brave one's in the chilly water!

Lifeguard stations along the beach standing guard, ready to respond.

Looking back on "The Pier" 

Mesmerizing sounds of the waves and hypnotizing patterns in the sand.   

 As we scanned the beach for shells, the amusement park was to our back.  It did not come alive until about 1100 hrs,  

We finished up our beach walk and headed up the street to check out the souvenir shops.  Doreen picked up a couple items and then we continued our stroll up the street.  Our trolley departs every hour on the half hour, and we had a bit of time so we stopped at Johnny Shucks Maine Lobster for a cold drink. 

They offered a lobster poutine and I could not resist.  It was not bad, but there was no discernable lobster in there at all.  My expectations were obviously wrong as if you read the fine print it was "lobster bisque".  

Soon we hopped on the trolley back to the campground to start making preparations to depart tomorrow.  Later, our friend Mike Scott, his wife Renae and his daughter drove to the campground to pick us up for dinner.  Mike and our son Dan played Fort Des Moines Little League and Senior League baseball together and I helped coach him along the way.  We have not seen Mike in many years.  His career is in the financial management area and after graduating college and further obtaining his Master's Degree he spent some time in the Carolinas and now he is here in Lewiston Maine.  He also owns property here in Old Orchard Beach.  His wife Renae works in IT.  

We had dinner at  Dunstan Tap and got caught up on what each of us have been up to.  I'll tell you Doreen and I are super proud of this young man!  I was always impressed with Mike as a young athlete,  but after talking with him this evening and hearing what he has done with his life,  he obviously has taken his life challenges and turned them into motivation and opportunities.  So awesome!  Thank you Mike and Renae for carving time out of your busy schedules to see us!

Tomorrow we pull chocks and head down to Sturbridge Massachusetts and the Pine Lake RV Resort & Cottages for the next four nights.