Day 6--June 1

For some reason, it was so easy to get up this morning. Maybe it was because we knew that we were close. Also, the room, bed, linens, were so nice. It took us minutes to gather our stuff together and get some coffee from the bar in the lobby. This hotel was wonderful--a little eco-boutique hotel, in Syracuse practically on campus. Wish I had taken more pictures. I promise to be better about that.

In about three hours, after a stop for necessaries, we arrived in Albany and, at the last minute, decided to stop at my cousin Antoinette's. She was all dressed up for a wedding that she had to go to in an hour or so. She had iced tea for us and we sat on the front porch since it was such a beautiful day. Her potted geraniums were gorgeous--I'm so jealous.

Janine joined us, but we didn't stay very long. Bob was antsy to get on the road and he was sure that the traffic would be horrible. Antoinette didn't think so. Bob was right again!

Traffic was terrible on the NYS Thruway, on the Massachusetts Turnpike, on 495, on 95. We usually go along the coast to get up to Maine, but we didn't this time. This was annoying to Bob, but we were only about 4 hours from Portland going this way.

Casco Bay

We finally reached our destination for the day, Portland, Maine.

I chose an eco  B&B, The Mercury Inn, in South Portland by a beautiful park. It is an old house on State St, so the stairs are steep old man killers. Poor Bob. Of course our room is on the second floor, so once we climbed the stairs to the front door, we had another flight to climb. Bob was not very happy with me. I don't think they were that bad which makes me think that his knees are worse than mine.

This inn is a sustainable-living business.

Our room

Mercury Inn decor

Mercury Inn breakfast rooms

Our Innkeepers: Tim and Jacob

 Sample Breakfast Menu

SAMPLE MENU

At Mercury Inn, we strive to deliver the best food, made from the freshest ingredients that are seasonably available. Upon request we will prepare special dishes to accommodate dietary restrictions.

Here is a sampling of some of what we offer for breakfast in the winter:

House Made Wild Maine Blueberry Muffins
Wheat grown and processed by Maine Grains, Skowhegan, Maine
Wild Blueberries from Wyman's of Maine, Millbridge, Maine
Honey cultivated by Sparky's Apiaries, Hope, Maine

Apple-Cinnamon Steel Cut Oats
Oats grown and processed by Maine Grains, Skowhegan, Maine
Apples sourced locally through Rosemont Produce Co., Portland, Maine

Savory Cabot Cheddar Bread
Extra-sharp Vermont Cheddar from Cabot Creameries, Cabot, Vermont
Wheat grown and processed from Maine Grains, Skowhegan, Maine
Organic raw cream from Misty Brook Farm, Albion, Maine

Root Vegetable Home fries
Celeriac, potato, and turnip sourced locally through Rosemont Produce Co., Portland, Maine

Breakfast Casserole with Potatoes & Spinach
Eggs from Bowden's Egg Farm, Waldoboro, Maine
Potatoes and spinach sourced locally through Rosemont Produce Co., Portland, Maine

Light & Dark Roast Fair Trade Organic Coffees
Provided by Seacoast Coffee, Portland Maine

McIntosh Blend Apple Cider
Ricker Hill Orchards, Turner, Maine

We checked in and went to the Old Harbor for something to eat, as we had only had breakfast today. We went to Gritty's Pub in the Old Port area.

The other side of the bar in the next room

Gritty's Pub

A mural in the other room about brewing

Grizzly

At the bar

More shops in the Old Port area

A shopping area (stores were closed by the time we left Gritty's) BUMMER!

Mugs for the regulars hung above the bar

 

 

 

 

 

 

So tonight we'll catch up on our walking and do some sightseeing around town. Tomorrow, after breakfast, we'll head out to the coast highway to visit the small towns (and shops!)