Two Islands and Paris in 3 Days

Yes, you read that correct.

Last weekend we did visit two islands and Paris — in a single weekend. We never left New England — and visited ALL these places in one state.

Confused?
Here's HOW we did it. We went to Westport Island, Birch Island, and Paris in Maine. 

Maybe not quite the exotic destinations you might have expected?
But then these trips did cost less and take less time.

Our travels started with a visit to Westport Island, located about 50 miles northeast of Portland, Maine. It's separated from the mainland by two coastal salt-water rivers (Sheepscot River and Back River) and is connected to the mainland by one bridge, built in 1972. The island has year-round residences, many rental cottages and a single bed & breakfast accommodation, The Squire Tarbox Inn, where we stayed.

Longtime NJ friends, Sara and David have rented a summer vacation cottage on the island for the past 10 years. Since we hadn't seen them in nearly 2 years, we planned our anniversary trip to include a get together. This is a long-standing friendship as Sara and I attended high school some xx years ago.

We had a day full of activities, including a visit to the annual North Noble Fair, Booth Bay Harbor (great ice cream sundaes at the Ice Cream Factory) and we climbed Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (more on this in a future post). We capped the day off with dinner at the inn celebrating: David's birthday, our anniversary, and especially our friendship.

Later, we took time for an after-dinner group selfie thanks to Grenville's long reach.

Next travel stop was Paris, ME to visit friends, Chris and Pam, who also live in Nashua, NH and spend long weekends at the home that Chris grew up in. This house dates to 1789 and is in a scenic historic district, known as Paris Hill. 

After Paris, we went to Norway (the lake that is). Captain Chris provided a boat tour of Norway Lake, which is really Lake Pennesseewassee, can you see why it's been renamed after the town it's nearest ?

Our next destination was Birch Island, which houses a small cabin owned by Chris and Pam. It's very basic with no electricity and only accessible by boat or when the lake freezes over and can be driven on. You read that right. They told us that the lake freezes to 3 feet of solid ice and can support a large pickup truck, needed to get supplies there.

Last weekend was a fun-filled pre-celebration trip to visit friends and tour more of New England. While the destinations were not as far-away as the post title might have implied, did I mention that they cost less, were FUN and, most important, very special.

Today is our 17th wedding anniversary — 08-21-2016

Coincidentally, we share our anniversary date with a couple from England, Kath and Andrew. We met them several years ago when they were visiting the U.S. and only later learned that we were married on the same date just in different years. The card shown above was received from them this week. Happy Anniversary, Kath & Andrew.