Island Livin'

Now back to where we left off. As I was gathering my things to leave my weekend in the 'burg, I received another invitation for another trip away. 

This trip I was invited to would take me back to Maine. 

And that's how I ended up in a car on a Friday, with my best friend, Patti; her fiancee, Ben; and his little sister, Hannah. If you remember, this would be my second trip up to Maine as I spent time on the island with Patti back in 2011. I couldn't wait to go back!

Meanwhile, it was Ben and Hannah's first trip to Maine. But don't you worry, I had my fair share of Maine first times. 

For instance, my first Fluffernutter. For my friends who are from the Southern regions of the United States and aren't quite sure what a Fluffernutter is, let me fill you in. It's a sandwich with peanut and marshmallow fluff. Yeah, I was skeptical at first. But it's actually not that bad. Not sure it actually should constitute as a lunch sandwich though. 

Also, my first lobster roll. There are actually no words to describe this.

But while there were many firsts, I also revisited a few of my favorite spots!

For instance, the popcorn store! We also ate at Dry Dock again, which I think is a must-eat place in Maine. 

Anyway it was a great time! I can't wait to be back on the island again!

Portland and Lighthouses

Twice during our stay at Great Diamond Island, not counting the day we arrived and the day we left, we took the ferry back into Portland for some sightseeing and some souvenir shopping.

The first day we went in Tuesday was just to souvenir shop and relieve our cabin fever a bit! I was excited about getting to see the city of Portland. And I can't even begin to describe it to you. It's like no other city I've visited. With its cobblestone sidewalks and funky little shops, it's definitely a city you should explore.

Actually taken on Thursday, I think

Above is a photo of the outside of one of the Mexicali Blues, where Stephanie and I bought cute headbands. And on Thursday, Patti went back and bought a cute skirt from there. It's a cute little hippie store, which surprisingly they had a bunch of shops similar to this in Portland.

On Tuesday, we had lunch at Dry Dock, which was delicious minus the fact that my BLT burger was a little bit burnt! Anyway, Stephanie was a good sport and let me take an absurd amount of photos of her clam chowder, which smelled delicious!

After lunch we continued to souvenir shop and then took the 3:15 back to Great Diamond Island.

On Thursday, we planned to go see the lighthouses. But we had to wait for Daniel and his dad to get back from lobster hauling! So Stephanie, Patti, and I had some time to kill in Portland. This is when we went back to the popcorn store and hit up Starbucks (the new coconut creme frapp is awesome!)

Then we headed over to the Lobster Shack at Two Lights State Park, where we ate lunch.

Here is one of the two lights.

After we learned that you can't actually get up to either of the two lights because they are private property, we headed to Fort Williams where we saw some old mansions and forts and eventually, Portland Head Lighthouse.

Goddard Mansion

Portland Head Lighthouse

Have you ever been to Portland, ME? If so, what are some of your favorite places and sights?

My Maine Obsession: It's Poppin', it's poppin'...

On Tuesday, we all went into Portland (more about the city of Portland later) and I found my new obsession.

We were walking up Exchange St. when we walked by this store that had the word POPCORN written on the window. But what was more interesting was the popcorn in the window; it didn't look like normal popcorn. Some of it was blue and some of it was multicolored.

Needless to say, our curosity was piqued. We decided to go in. And boy am I glad we did.

So you know how you walk into an ice cream shop and there are all these flavors to choose from? Imagine that with popcorn! That's what Coastal Maine Popcorn Company did.

They have two types of flavors: sweets and savories. The first day we went in there (yes, we visited more than once), we were a bit overwhelmed! Stephanie ended up getting Key Lime Pie and it was delicious!

As Patti and I were mooching off of her popcorn later that night, we started doing our research on the computer. We started out of Facebook because we told the lady at the store that we'd "like" them. Facebook led us to their website and it was then we knew we had to make a second trip. I mean, my mouth was watering for popcorn and that only happens when I think about Buffalo Wild Wings.

On Thursday before we went to see the lighthouses (again, more about that later; patience young grasshoppers), Stephanie, Patti, and I walked around Portland until the popcorn store was finally open at 11 a.m.

When it finally opened, we went in and sampled I don't even know how many flavors. The good thing is that between the 3 of us I think we walked out with 7 bags!

One of our samples

I bought Toasted Coconut for myself and Marshmallow and Cotton Candy for my sisters. I know Patti also got Cotton Candy and Hot Wings&Bleu Cheese for Ben. Stephanie also got Hot Wings&Bleu Cheese and Salt&Vinegar.

Stephanie and Patti in front of Coastal Maine Popcorn Company.

Anyways  Coastal Maine Popcorn Company has two stores, one in Portland and one in Boothbay Harbor. Also you can order online and have it shipped to your house! Please check out their website here and if you're ever in Maine, go by and sample some popcorn! You won't be sorry!