880Blog: The Seasons

When I first moved to California five years ago people from the east and midwest would often ask me if I miss the seasons. And truth be told, no I don't. I don't miss the icy chill of winter, the hot, humid summer, we get a nice green spring and some crisp days in fall. What's to miss?

This year however when I friend asked if I wanted to accompany him to a conference in Portsmouth, New Hampshire the first week in October I couldn't resist. Fanciful images of bright fall foliage, brisk walks along the rocky coast, meandering through quaint towns filled my head. Last week in it all came true!

We started the trip off with a night and a day in Ogunquit, Maine. There could not be a more picture perfect town, complete with old fashioned fire house and very expensive parking. On a beautiful fall morning we walked the Marginal Way along the coast,

about a mile from Perkins Cove into Ogunquit. The waves breaking against the shore provided a soundtrack as we stopped to scramble a bit along the rocky coast and watch the barnacles feed. After the short walk we left Ogunquit to make the short drive north along Highway One to Kennebunkport. How can one not visit Kennebunkport when one is so close?

Perched along the coast with a small inlet separating Kennebunk from Kennbunkport it's as picturesque a New England town as it sounds. We parked outside of town at the free parking lot by the firestation and admired the old

white church and classic architecture as we walked into the main part of town. For a few hours we meandered around the shops built on and over the water, had a bite of lunch, stopped at the Kennebunkport Brewing Company for a pint, and took a lot of pictures.

From Kennebunkport we did a little more driving on the blue highways stopping to marvel at the gorgeous coastline and admire the houses built along the lakes, inlets and ocean. Our next destination was Portsmouth NH and as we drove South on I95 headed to New Hampshire the