We had a relaxing breakfast at the hotel before embarking in the next leg of our journey, affectionately entitled, “Lighthouse Witchery.” We spent some time perusing our maps and sketching out a general path toward Texas, with a few stops along the way.
First among those would be a lighthouse. Portland Head Light is probably the most famous one in the area, and we missed it last time we came through here (that would be, in case you have forgotten, on our 25th wedding anniversary trip when we were sent here by our children). It was … a lighthouse. Nothing spectacular. Just extremely touristified.
The clerk at the museum quietly suggested that we go about five miles away to a set of double lighthouses that are kind of off the beaten track. Their claim to fame? Other than being, well, lighthouses built within spitting’ distance of each other … they are next door to the “best seafood place in New England.” How could we resist? The lighthouses were ... lighthouses. The place to eat was called The Lobster Shack. People were lined up outside the door in the cold waiting for the doors to open. We joined them. Glad we did. We actually found the Northeastern equivalent of Shrimp n Stuff. Dinners were served on paper plates. About the only difference was they also served lobsters (still in paper trays). And they had clam cakes instead of crab cakes. I tried the shrimp plate. Yep. Comparable. That’s high praise. Chris stuck with her go-to, clam chowder. And when we left, the line was longer than when we arrived. We would go back for sure.
From there we bounced over to Cape Neddick to see the Nubble lighthouse. Had to go see that one for romantic reasons. See, that’s the one we remember most from our aforementioned special 25th anniversary trip when our kids sent us to Maine, “so Mom can see some lighthouses.”
After that one, it was goodbye to Maine and back into New Hampshire. Well, we have to backtrack somewhere to get back to Texas. We found a hotel about ten miles from the next National Park, in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Now, you might be wondering why the word “witchery” in the title. Well, our original plan was to go into Salem, Massachusetts, to check out a few things. The witches must have been against us being there, though. Guess they have had their share of Christians for the season. we'll save that one for a specialized Boston trip in the future.
We received a real treat presented to us at our hotel. We accumulated enough loyalty points to use them toward the room. And what a room it was. They called it the “king bed-Executive.” The desk clerk fell all over herself trying to help us out. The room was really nice. But there was a problem. “Those special rooms” (her words) are on the second floor. And (insert long pause here) the hotel has no elevator. But wait! She called out to a passing employee, “we are here to help you and this fine young man will be happy to carry your luggage up.” He was certainly willing and able, so we got established fairly quickly. Great surprise. Oh, and speaking of hotel room surprises, guess what we found on the bed? Two towels were squished and twisted to form some kind of shape, and rose petals had been spaced out upon them. Unexpected. We kind of felt like we were on a cruise ship.
Matthew 6:14 says, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
Father, thank you for the memories dredged up when we went lighthouse hunting again after so many years. I love seeing Chris’ eyes light up eyes she sees one. Amen.
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