Every summer, I travel from Greenwich, Connecticut, to Maine with my family for vacation. My mom and dad have been going since they were married, and my brother and I essentially grew up in Maine because we have been going since we were babies.
Some people assume that I get bored going to the same place every summer. However, our Maine vacation is one of the summer plans I look forward to the most. We usually stay for two weeks in Maine, and when we are up there, there is always something new to explore. Along with exploring, we still maintain traditions like eating at restaurants and making excursions. Maine has a special place in my heart, and I feel like all our worries just disappear when we arrive. Whether it is the fresh smell of salt water or the sun hitting my skin perfectly, Maine has grown to become my happy place.
For about four or five days, my family and I will travel first to Portland, Maine. We stay in a hotel right in the town center, where there is only a 10-minute walk to the shops and restaurants.
The shops
One of my favorite things about Portland is the shops. I wake up, get breakfast with my family, get dressed, and head out to the shops with my mom. The shops in Portland are some of the most interesting and unique shops I have ever seen. In addition to tourist shops or kitchen and home living shops, there are cute local boutiques to peruse. I find some of the cutest clothing and jewelry pieces for the summer when I am shopping in Portland.
The eats
Once I am done shopping with my mom, I grow an appetite, looking for something to eat. Portland has some of the best food in Maine, and I always look forward to eating one of their chocolate or blueberry whoopie pies to fuel me. As the night arrives, with the perfect sunset, I always enjoy Maine buttered lobster or poutine drowned in gravy at my favorite restaurant, DuckFat. You cannot go wrong with Maine’s food. Portland is such a special place to me, and I look forward to the vibe, energy, and happiness it brings me.
A change of pace
After we leave Portland, we head over to Oguniquit, Maine. I do not usually get upset when leaving Portland, remembering that I am still in Maine and there is more to explore. I like the transition from Portland to Ogunquit because it goes from a summer city vibe to a beachy, summery, late-night ice cream kind of energy. Ogunquit is where we go to the beach and pool, and where I try to tan. I love looking out onto my hotel room’s balcony and smelling the fresh water, feeling the wind brush my skin, seeing my hair whirl around my head, and releasing any negative thoughts.
Ogunquit brings me relaxation, calmness, and overall joy. After a long day at the beach, I’ll go get dinner with my family anywhere in the main town, often including a buttered lobster roll and a chilled homemade blueberry pie for dessert. I, of course, also have to wait in line for an hour at the most popular ice cream place in town just to get a scoop of chocolate ice cream with rainbow sprinkles, and I would do it another 100 times. There are no complaints when I’m in Maine, and I cannot wait to go back this summer.
I cannot wait to be back in Maine this summer and spend time with my family. There’s something special in Maine that makes me, my mom, my dad, and my brother happy, and I love that my family honors the traditions we make/made. I’m looking forward to eating at the same restaurants, staying in the same hotels, going to the same shops, and going to the same beach. However, Maine is so special because it brings new memories to make. Whether that’s a new excursion, restaurant, or coffee place. That is why Maine is so special to me.
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