Maritime Provinces Kitsch Korner

Lunenberg cast iron sea horse:

Peggy's Cove Christmas tree ornament:

Green Gables Heritage Place Anne doll & Christmas tree ornament:

Prince Edward Island dirt and lobster buoy:

Memerrific!

Several memes, or maybe I mean themes, emerged from our trip.  Look no further than these photos for evidence of lobsters, moose and nappers, the most peculiar species of all!

Peaks Island

We couldn't have picked a more relaxing way than a ferry ride to end our trip.  A sail boat probably would have been more fun, but we didn't have time before our noon check-out.

Islands and forts crowd Portland's Casco Bay like chunks of seafood in its chowder.  Peaks Island is home to the most people, including nearly a thousand year-round residents.  John Ford even directed productions in its summer playhouse.

A man driving a tractor got priority boarding.

Our mostly sunny voyage lasted 17 minutes.

Joe and I documented the return trip on video while Tom napped and Magda participated in a conference call.

I wasn't the only one throwing a peace sign as we disembarked!

The walk back to our Airbnb took us along an Exchange street which had a great view of City Hall.

When Joe pointed out the availability of Lemon Chiffon at a popcorn shop, I couldn't resist buying a small bag.

Live music thrives in Portland, with big-name acts playing medium-sized clubs.  Too bad we didn't stay long enough to catch a show but the Pines beckoned.

"The Home of Craft Everything"

Even tight accommodations look better in the morning.  Magda and Joe slept in the top bunk of our creaky loft bed.

Claustrophobia quickly sent us in search of the Holy Donut, highly ranked by people who care about such things.  Potato flour is the secret ingredient.

 

An early morning stroll took us past some nice homes, pretty flowers, and old buildings.

John Ford, the film director, is another of Portland's favorite sons.  His late-career Western, "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," was one of the first movies I ever saw.  I mostly remember its theme song.  Sung by Gene Pitney, it introduced me to Hal David and Burt Bacharach, my favorite songwriting team.

Murals depicting Portland's maritime past adorn the covered piers.

We bought tickets on a commuter ferry to see more of the city's waterfront.

 

Some of the city's more modern forms of transportation provided momentary distractions until it was time to board.  Who can resist a beer-swilling mermaid?

 

We also popped into a gallery where the owner/artist, who belonged to the class of "Mad Men" before retiring, shrewdly agreed to be photographed with a pair of prospective customers.  Joe and Magda have seen his work elsewhere in New England, and may add one of his paintings to their growing collection of art.