Southern Maine
US Route 1 is a very special place south of Portland,
Maine. It is special everywhere, but exceptional here.
Route 1 from Portland south is almost completely
covered by white sand beaches; there are several
beautiful State Parks: Two Lights State Park in Cape
Elizabeth, Crescent Beach State Park just below Cape
Elizabeth and Ferry Beach State Park in Saco, not to
mention the incredible beaches of Cape Porpoise,
Wells, York and Kittery.
Eastern Maine is noted for its rocky coastline, where
the surf crashes against the rocks, sending spray into
the cold Maine air. Central Coastal Maine is noted for
its beautiful bays and ports, where sailboats wait in
port for the next wind; but southern Maine is known
for its beautiful beaches and high-priced real estate.
The Bush family’s ancestral fortress is here in
Kennebunkport and it is possible to see the huge
compound from Route 1. You can’t get there from here,
but you can see it. Coastal Route 1 and A1A is slow
traveling, but it is a hoot to see some on the
mansions, smell the sea roses and the salt in the air.
In Old Orchard, there is an unwritten law that you
have to walk the boardwalk, have your fortune told and
ride one of the rickety rides before dipping your feet
into water that never sees 35 degrees!
Any clam or lobster roll is bound to be overpriced but
absolutely delicious and there is a Maine guarantee
that you will have sand in your underwear for at least
three months!