This Lighthouse is only about 20 ft tall and is still used as of this day. It sits on the Marginal…read moreWay Clift Walk in Ogunquit ME. and the views are breath taking. Nice walking path in front of it and lots of people walking on that path. This Lighthouse was built in 1948 is in very nice shape and still lit as of today. Rumor is its disguised as a pumping station for sewage, but I have not been able to confirm that.

This is a cute little lighthouse that you can see for some fun ops! When we were visiting, we were…read moretrying to see how many lighthouses we could see and find.

I discovered Fort Foster almost two years ago when I decided to explore Kittery. I was looking to…read morespend a bit more time along the pristine coast of Maine and enjoy the sounds of the ocean again. What I didn't expect to find was just how perfect this location was and how the seasons change the overall experience of walking along the beach trails. During late spring to early fall, charcoal grills are installed along the abundant picnic tables so the scent of grilled meats permeate the air and boast of good times. When the grills are removed for the rest of the "off-season", the crowds become much smaller and the sound of the ocean becomes the main soundtrack. But this time around, after missing several opportunities to witness how snow transforms Fort Foster, I finally had the chance to see the magic happen. Nothing could have prepared me for the sight of magical white blanketing this whole area in a peaceful glow. The clouds, the utter silence, and the cold but refreshing breeze that bites deep reminding you what it feels like to still be alive is a magic that cannot be replaced. I love it here and I finally can say that I've loved this place truly through all the seasons.

Remnants of the historic Fort Foster and Battery Chapin can be found at this hidden gem of a park…read morein Kittery, Maine. Fort Foster was commissioned in 1900 following the Spanish American War to protect the harbor underwater minefields. Originally, Battery Chapin was equipped with large mounted guns and a spotlight. The fort ceased operation after WWII and was left idle by the military. Local residents petitioned to turn the grounds into the park that stands today. The park has great views of two lighthouses and other historic structures in the bay and across the shore. There are plenty of picnic tables and a slightly dated playground for the kids. I was able to climb the aging stairs of the Battery Chapin and explore across the structure, but I had to be careful as there are no handrails and the stairs are narrow. The fort is interesting. There is plenty of parking during off season and there was no admission. (There may be admission during peak season, I couldn't tell). Portable potties are available in the parking lot. The park is a great place to bring kids, walk the dog or just have a peaceful afternoon. Lots of history and beauty to enjoy.

Kennebunkport is a quaint seaside town in coastal Maine known for its history, beauty and of course…read morethe Bush compound. Parson's Way, as it is sometimes called, is a walking path with amazing views of the ocean and the many homes along the way. There are many historical homes and landmarks as well as lots of restaurants and shops. There are also museums and historical walks and tours and of course boating and kayaking excursions. A wonderful place to visit and wished you lived there!

It's a pretty little seaport and very touristy. And we don't mean that in a negative way; after…read moreall, we were tourists visiting last week. And we thoroughly enjoyed our day in the village. Lots of boutiques with lots of interesting items, some we felt overpriced, but others not so much. Some very appealing restaurants, lots of nautical-themed establishments (duh!) and easy walking. Parking, not always so easy, and it pays to be cautious crossing the very busy streets although every driver we saw seemed courteous to pedestrians. We wound up buying some nice summer clothing, shirts and hats, and got an excellent lunch recommendation from one of the store owners. We also found the public restroom clean and convenient. Our experience was a good one, and remember, that beautiful water is always just a stroll away. On the Fourth of July weekend we can imagine it may get just too crowded, but mid-June worked for our group.

While the Memorial Bridge looks old, it was actually completed in 2013. The vertical lift bridge…read morereplaced a similar bridge built in 1923 that crossed the Piscataqua River connecting New Hampshire and Maine as part of historic Rt. 1 highway. The bridge honors U.S. forces that served during World War I. The bridge center section is able to raise and allow large boats to pass under using a fascinating chain mechanism. In addition to vehicle traffic, pedestrians can walk or bike across the bridge on a walkway. Picturesque views can be seen from the bridge. There is nearby free parking if you get there early. The sidewalks are accessible. Worth a visit if you like engineering or great scenery.

I hate it when I miss the previous bridge... original…read morebridge, rumored to be the first toll free crossing in these parts, was up and running in 1923 and had continued apace for the larger part of a century before responsible persons determined that the area was long past due for a new bridge. so down went the old bridge in all its antiquated glory to be replaced by a modern but still fabulously bridgey structure. nice that they kept the vertical lift span to permit the passage of ships and boats and all that floats... the central section of the 1200-foot bridge has about 130 feet of clearance to the water at full lift, considerably less when lowered. the lift section is raised for fifteen minutes every thirty in season (I am assuming this is on an as needed basis) and on call for commercial traffic in excess of 100 tonnes because, well, you know... commerce.

You stumble upon the burying ground without really expecting it. On the corner of a dead-end street…read moreis a statue representing Mother Africa reaching out to her children. Look down that side street and you see the monument follows the road from the statue to the end. There are plaques along the way with information about how the memorial came to be. There is a QR code you can scan for more information as well. The city did a nice job creating this memorial to those citizens who were buried and forgotten to time. Who were not seen as deserving of a burial in sacred ground. Whose names and lives not deemed worthy of remembering. A much deserved memorial.

Portsmouth did a great job at paying respects to the Black residents who were buried here. It is…read moresad the originally they did not, actually painful. In 2003, construction workers discovered the site while doing work on the street. They found the remains of Black Portsmouth residents. A 1705 map sited the cemetery but the site was paved over. By the 1800s houses were on the site and the cemetery was gone. A sewer line went through the coffins. The Black residents were buried in the same fashion as white residents at the time. Sadly they do not know who they are. To correct the disrespect, the city built the memorial park that is here today. If you have time, I highly recommend doing the Black Heritage Trail.

My now fiancé took me to the lighthouse to propose. It was the most romantic perfect proposal that…read moreI could ever dream of. He booked a dinner session (~5:00 pm-10:30 pm) for a Sunday in May. He had his friend arrive at 5 to set up the decorations (flowers, candles, signs) and our private hostess Pam let her up. We arrived at 6 pm and once we got upstairs, he handed his phone to Pam to record his proposal. After the proposal, we went outside on the balcony where Pam took sunset pictures of us with my ring. We then decided to order from Modern Oak Grill which was absolutely delicious. Pam was able to time out our meal so each course was ~ 20 min apart. She also had drinks in ice staying cold for us. There was also a stereo system that allowed bluetooth capacity so we were able to pair my phone and I could play a spotify playlist. Overall the location was perfect and I could not have asked for anything better. We will definitely be coming back for future anniversaries! Just something to consider: - There are many stairs and a ladder so maybe steer away from heels or long dresses (thankfully I was prewarned to not wear them haha), and if you are afraid of heights, this might not be the best place. - If you want to go out on the balcony you have to crawl through a short door so be warned - If you are tall watch your head! My fiancé is 6'3 and he hit his head a couple times on the chandelier. - there is no bathroom, we used the restaurant next door but by the time we left the lighthouse around 9:30 pm, the restaurant had closed.

Lights views and…read morefood The Newburyport Rear Range Lighthouse was constructed in 1873 and was roughly 32 feet tall. As implied in it's name it is actually one of two lighthouses that sits here on the Merrick River and it's shorter Front Range partner is about a hundred yards away. The twin light ideas was pretty common at one time but proved complicated to use and was abandoned. This light was renovated in 1901 and it's height increased to 53 feet and it continued to serve until it was decommissioned in 1961. Since lighthouses require a lot of money for maintenance someone had the great idea of renting the top of the light out for dinners. It isn't exactly inexpensive but you can reserve dinner at the top of the lighthouse and have the food delivered from one of the area restaurants. Only about four people can squeeze up there at one time and you have to kind of simmer up a small ladder to get to the top but the views, ambiance and uniqueness can't be beat. I like this lighthouse because it is unique, no other looks quite like it. Plus it has another little light only a short distance away and beautiful views of a lovely town and cool river. And if you are willing to drop a couple of hundred bucks you can even have dinner at the top. Doesn't get much cooler than that.

Located in the center of downtown South Berwick, Jewett House has plenty of street parking. It…read morecenters on the life of a famous regional author Sarah Orne Jewett who wrote about South Berwick/Maine life. Tour guide is friendly and knowledgeable. She injected humor and is honest about what she knows about the inhabitants who lived in the house. There is a welcome center with one public restroom.

If you drive North on U.S. Route 1, you'll take the Portsmouth Memorial Bridge over the Piscataqua…read moreRiver as you cross from Portsmouth, NH into Kittery, ME. The current bridge was built in 2013, replacing the original bridge that stood between 1923 and 2013. More or less in the shadows of the bridge, you'll find Memorial Park and the spectacular Portsmouth Veterans Memorial. You'll see two plaques that tell the story of the monument, and engraved medallions for the different branches of service. In the center of a circle is the monument itself- a huge stack of stone slabs inscribed with three words : Honor, Protect, Remember. The base of the monument was made of stone blocks salvaged from the first Memorial Bridge. The plaque inscriptions read: Portsmouth Memorial Park Dedicated November 2013 Displayed at the center of this memorial, are the granite foundation abutments that supported the memorial bridge for eighty-eight years, memorializing the past, present and future, these blocks now symbolize the strength of the heroic souls of the men and women who have courageously served our country and bravely risked their lives to protect our way of life. ( J.W. Teetzel) We honor the Army and Navy Association Dedicated November 2013 The Army and Navy association was established to provide recreational quarters for the military personnel stationed in the area or visiting the city. In 1916, a building that is still stands today was erected to fulfill this mission and provide a space for recreation, social events, and lodging. People serving our country far from home became a part of our community as a result of this hospitality. The Army and Navy Association and its spirit of welcoming and generosity shown to our military personnel will be forever appreciated.