Lighthouses & More!

Today we woke up around 7:45 AM; enjoyed a breakfast of egg sandwiches, cereal, yogurt, juice, and milk; and headed to the DeLorme headquarters.  DeLorme is the maker of Atlas & Gazetteers for every state in the USA, and in this particular store, they have the world's largest rotating globe!  At night, it is lit up, and during the day, it's still really cool.  They also have a great store there with everything ever associated with maps/geography sold there.

After seeing the giant globe, we went to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse.  It is beautiful, and we had the chance to go up in it, look out at the water, read some history about it, and visit the Fisherman's Museum adjacent to the lighthouse.  We enjoyed lunch at The Sea Gull Shop, a restaurant/store combination.  The fish sandwich and clam chowder are delicious!  And the view of the endless ocean, plus the waves lapping at the shore, is gorgeous.  The store also offers a great variety of lighthouse- and ocean-themed collectibles, from mugs to Christmas ornaments.

We visited the Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve, where we officially touched the Atlantic Ocean and marveled at the waves crashing against the rocks.  We then proceeded to the Portland Head Lighthouse, which is considered one of the most beautiful lighthouses to photograph.  We were there in the fading sunlight, so that added to the already-pretty setting.  Although you can't go up in it, there are plenty of photo opportunities, plus a nice walking path that leads you to many different views of the ocean and the lighthouse.  We even walked down to the ocean on a small path...and I proceeded to get some water on me when the biggest wave of all came up and splashed me (I didn't see it coming).  At least I can say I officially got wet from the Atlantic! :)

Tomorrow we will be heading back to Albany, New York, stopping along the way at various places.  Sunday morning is our flight back home.  Unfortunately, that means the vacation is almost finished, but I hold many special memories close to my heart, and I will NEVER forget them.  I hope you'll remember my memories in this blog, and I do hope you have enjoyed reading about my adventures.

The world's largest globe at the DeLorme headquarters; it is VERY big!

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

Climbing up to the top of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse; lots of spiral stairs!

A wave is about to crest at the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse.

Portland Head Lighthouse; it is SO pretty with the ocean, sunset, and rocky cliffs.

~Anna~