Kennebec Tavern and Marina was the site of a 'meeting of the minds' as we met up with innkeeper friends for a night of comraderie. The view from the dining room is fabulous and it looks as if the deck is progressing quickly. A warm summer night on the deck over the river will be the perfect setting for dinner!

We had the potato leek soup for starters and it was yum! I had the salmon special with smashed potatoes and it was done perfectly. The others in the group had the broiled haddock with fresh veggies, the pasta del mar and the sasanoa chicken. There were no leftovers to take home to the dogs!

Our waitress, Sharon, was a hoot. The drinks were done just right and all-in-all it was a wonderful night out with friends.

The Kennebec Tavern is located on Commercial Street in Bath.

Bug Light, Spring Point Ledge & Portland Head Light

Bug Light

Bug Light, Spring Point Light and Portland Head Light are the three lighthouses we went searching for yesterday.


Bug Light has a flat, grassy park that was perfect yesterday for kite-flying and general lolling around in the sun! There is an outdoor museum there dedicated to the Portland shipbuilders whose efforts in the 1940's launched dozens of Liberty Ships bound for the war theaters of WWII.

There is a walking trail around the outer edge of the park and you can walk right out to Bug Light and enjoy the brisk breezes and great vantage point to watch ships and pleasure boats in the Casco Bay.


To get to Spring Point Light you drive right through the campus of Southern Maine Community Technical College. Parking is limited on the waterfront. Handicap parking is available.

Walking along the grounds of Fort Preble we came to the entrance to Willard Beach. Looks as if you could climb across the rocks to get to the sandy beach area but only at low tide. It's an easy enough drive around to the beach from the fort.

It is possible to walk along the granite block breakwater out to Spring Point Light. Great spot for relaxing and taking photos. From Mid June thru Oct 11, Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is open on Saturdays for tours (weather permitting). Hours are 11 AM to 3 PM. $5 entry fee supports the lighthouse preservation trust.

Portland Head

After Spring Point we headed to Cape Elizabeth and the Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park. On a clear day you can see out to Ram Island Light as well. Great trails in the park and, of course, great photo ops of the lighthouse and incoming ships. Cruise liners are frequent visitors to Portland and photographing one of those coming in alongside the lighthouse is a great opportunity.

Ram Island Ledge Light

We headed back to Freeport and stopped along Commercial Street at Becky's Diner for a late lunch. I'd been wanting lobster roll all day and opted for that selection on the menu, along with curly fries. The lobster roll comes with cole slaw and pickles and a toasted bun. The lobster meat was plentiful and lunch really hit the spot.

We recommend this 'lighthouse tour' for a great day out. Take a picnic lunch (great sandwiches available at the Olde World Deli in Freeport), your camera and a Casco Bay map and make a day of it!

White Cedar Inn Bed and Breakfast 178 Main Street Freeport, Maine 04032

www.whitecedarinn.com

The renovation is well underway! All the old wallpaper is gone, the flooring has been removed and assorted 'little' projects have been completed.

Yesterday and today the new linoleum was put in. So far so good! Tomorrow the hard wood goes in and I'm waiting to see how that will match up with the linoleum.

You can use this link to see up-to-date photos and progress.

We've been hanging out at Jameson Tavern on Sunday nights. The place is hopping, the beer is great and I've got a new favorite dish...Caesar Salad with lobster salad on top. Oh boy! There is enough salad here to take some home for lunch the next day. The Caesar dressing is just right and just enough. I am not fond of salad greens swimming in dressing so this salad is perfect for me.

With a nice glass of wine (Il Bastardo is what I opt for) and a look at the dessert list, it's a fun way to spend Sunday night after a busy weekend.

Rock still loves his lobster stew, although I did get him to try the lobster croissant this last time out. He really liked that as well. The croissant was flaky and it was piled high with lobster salad. The salad has just enough mayo to hold it together. Served with chips it's a great light dinner option. (Right, nothing 'light' about mayo, chips or a croissant, but it's certainly lighter than a 3-course dinner!)

We'll be taking the family out for dinner at Jameson Tavern next week when we have some of them here for Christmas. I know what I'll be having!

Merry Christmas!

Had a really nice surprise in the mail this week...we're in Everyday with Rachael Ray (Dec/Jan 2007 issue) AND in Down East magazine (Dec 2006).

We had been speaking with and corresponding with the folks at Everyday with Rachael Ray since September and were happy to see the article didn't get cut (check the YUM section).

The Down East article was completely a surprise. We thank them immensely for including us in their article on Freeport's Secret Shops. It's a quick little overview of some of the smaller, independent shops in Freeport that sometimes get overlooked in the shadows of the 'big' names.

There are not yet links to the articles online. I'll post them when they come up.

Hope you'll stop by and stay with us while checking out some of the folks in the articles...our favorite wine shop is in the Down East article...Freeport Cheese and Wine on Bow Street. And you don't want to miss Jacqueline's Tea Room on upper Main Street, 1 block north of us. Also mentioned in Everyday with Rachael Ray was Azure Cafe and their great ravioli, Cold River Vodka and, of course, LL Bean.

Down East highlighted 'local favorites' Earrings & Co, Pet Pantry, Freeport Knife and Thos Moser (all up at this end of town) along with some of OUR favorite restaurants, the Mediterranean Grill and Jameson Tavern. At the opposite end of town, Grittys, definitely a local favorite! For outdoor activities they highlighted Pettingill Farm (owned by the Freeport Historical Society) and Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park (a great place to snowshoe!)

Thanks again to the folks who put the articles together! If you have a chance, get the magazines and stop by to say hello!

We finally made the trek down Rt 1 to the Big Indian to have dinner at Conundrum. It was a Tuesday night and we were rather surprised, this late in the year, to see the parking lot quite full. Then we realized the license plates were all from Maine. Good sign.

Walking through the front door we were pleased by the jazz music, large bar and happy crowd. This was definitely a professional crowd stopping in for relaxed drinks and appetizers before heading home or heading out for the evening.

Conundrum has an extensive wine list and cocktail selections were au courant. We started with a glass of pinot noir for me and a Guinness for Rock. Our appetizer of salmon crostini was tasty and understated. The bread had a wonderful crust and was the perfect complement to the salmon.

For our entrees we selected the Sweet Sausage Puttanesca and the Moroccan Pork with Tarragon Carrots and Mashed Potatoes. The puttanesca was hearty (as the name implies) and the rigatoni was al dente. The pork was a tad overcooked but the Mango Chutney served with it was sweet and zesty. The tarragon carrots were about twice the size of 'baby carrots' and still had a bit of greenery on the top. Quite tasty.

The service at Conundrum was attentive and helpful but not overbearing. The price was right as well, setting us back a mere $60, including tip. This is definitely on our list of places to go for dinner or just a few drinks and appetizers.

Rt 1 South at the Big Indian in Freeport, Maine.

Bridgham & Cook Ltd, the British Goods shop, has moved its location from Bow Street to Main Street, right next door to Foreside Company. Walked by today and they have a large assortment of tea biscuits in the front window. Perfect season for a hot cuppa with biscuits by the fire! The original shop suffered smoke and fire damage earlier this fall.

Other news...The Blue Onion on Lower Main Street has been razed to make room for Antonia's Sports Bar. Not sure when that is scheduled to be built as the sign has been there quite a long time now.

There is some hustle and bustle in the former Freeport Flower Shop, also on Lower Main St and in front of Grittys. Looks like a clothing store is going in...more details next time I drive by. (Rapid River Clothing and Accessories is the name of the shop that has moved in.)

Jameson Tavern has been getting rave reviews for their lobster stew. Everyone is thrilled with 'how much lobster' is in the stew. 'Large chunks, looks like a whole claw in there,' was the most popular comment this past weekend. Also getting raves was the prime rib.

Azure Cafe has won the Chowdah Challenge held at the new Freeport Community Center. Azure is hanging on to that award, which they have won 3 years running. Azure's executive chef, Chris Bassett, was also featured on '207', Maine's local living show.

Fall is definitely prime time for delectable foods in Maine!