My full “day in between” of this trip I thought I would add onto my previous post, again to remember. But as time went on I decided to write a second post for this trip to also share, and encourage you to your own adventures. And, this will be mainly images – not verbose, I promise.

On the 26th I headed north on US 1, first turning into Drake Island to get a feel for the beaches – spoiler alert – I am not a beach person.

I had a plan, and a route, and (as you all know) remain flexible in execution. It was to be an antiquing day, and travel roads I had not been on since 2015 and 2012. Back north on US 1 then Route 9 towards Kennebunkport. Re-looking at the map again I see things I need to return to experience – 1802 House B&B, again see the Brick Store Museum, the Wedding Cake House, and find the Maine Classic Car Museum which is a tad further north on US 1. I made a stop and purchased some books which I will place in new homes, helping to pay for this outing. It was then off on Log Cabin Road back to US 1 and the Arundel Antique Center where I have “scored” on each visit. (note to self – when heading up I-95, jump off Exit 25 to visit the above).

On this road is the Seashore Trolley Museum, and I again stopped. Opening again on May 4, people were at work everywhere sprucing up.

as you enter the grounds you see equipment awaiting restoration

I do not recall this visitor center museum building on my last visits, nor the buildings that have been moved in, maybe from a Boston route?

Heading out I stopped as a bucket was dropping on an old caboose – not everything can be restored. Three seconds sooner I would have captured the end being crushed, but here the result seconds later.

Yes, I again did well at the Arundel Antique Center before heading south on US 1 scouting along the way. I stopped for the obligatory Maine lobster buoy shot (all for sale).

and guarding them…

On the “scouting list” this trip for my new “summer house” was another wicker chair, wicker table, and a bridge lamp. Soon on US 1, two thirds accomplished, and at reasonable prices.

A later stop was at Bo Mar Hall Antiques in Wells, Maine. Entering I was greeted by all these friendly folk. You may recall my recent interest in blow molds, their history and acquiring some – well this display was “over the top.” Saturday morning I shared these images on two Facebook groups – Blow Mold Nation and Blow Mold Collectors — twenty-three hours later: 226 likes/loves/etc. and 55 comments – “viral?” – and growing while I write.

On my list, with Gary, is to take Amtrak’s DOWNEASTER from Boston (well Woburn where he lives) to Brunswick, Maine, and back. At lunch Thursday I was alongside the track when one of the five daily trains passed – oh the whistle. So, getting back to Wells, I had to see the transportation center, which in chatting with the station attendant is the third busiest station on the route.

Beautiful station built as service was expanded in 2001 — below images from the display inside of the inaugural trip – December 14, 2001.

I then worked my way back down US 1 to Ogunquit where I walked around for awhile and then worked on my post for April 26, and also assembling the restoration images of BLACK BEAUTY. I cannot use everything, so time for her to find a new home, and details and the back story are always “value added.” I enjoyed a nice scallop diner, and soon called it a night.

I departed my Inn to reach the York Antiques Center on US 1 when it opened at 10 am. Lovely things, extraordinary prices: set of four wicker chairs, even though a tad unique, $3500, pottery book I had never seen before half price off $68, checked and found copies at $16, and some Floyd Clymer scrapbooks for $110 – they are $10 books – happy to sell them my copies for $20 each. If nothing else, a treat to see fine antiques.

Find your Maine map — I headed south on US 1A turning west on Maine 103 through peaceful scenery near the coast line. I have stopped before and toured, but again pulled into Fort McClary then deciding to share the following (remember you can click my images and galleries for larger views)

below looking off to the Portsmouth coast on the right, and past the land on the left is the Isles of Shoals (I am overdue for another visit and stay there)

Continuing on Route 103, it is easy to then get on the Maine Turnpike (I-95) and cross the Piscataqua back into NH in moments. I decided to double back on Antique Alley towards Concord and made a few stops. In Concord I stopped at a shop that I waited 20 minutes to open on Thursday – was able to buy a few books. Heading out I-89 north, you pick up US 202 (remember the woods of my Connecticut property and shop bordered 202) and it is also NH 9 – 202 breaks off eventually. But wait, it has been awhile since I have been through Washington (New Hampshire that is) so in Hillsboro I turned right on Rt 31 — tad longer route home, and a route one is never on unless on purpose.

Washington, New Hampshire was the first town named for our first President.

A hill town on the same road as Franklin Pierce’s home – there is really nothing between Hillsboro and Goshen. But, make the effort, one friend who has lived here well over 30 years told me she had never been there. The Common is breathtaking. Across from the Common was an antique shop in a barn that I do not remember seeing – yes, a purchased the perfect “bridge lamp” for my “summer house” liking it better than the one I had purchased two hours before on Antique Alley. Do you need one?

as is this home, just next to the Common, past the church in the center above.

Over 20 years ago when Cathy and I discovered the Town (where The Seventh-day Adventist Church was formed in 1862, and considered the first of that denomination.), and toured streets around the Common. Already on Walpole’s Common we thought it would be interesting to move here when we saw a fellow putting out a for sale sign in front of the home below. Tempted, he showed us around – I could have kept at least ten Model A Fords in the barn, and there was a lake over the hill. Well, things do change, and where I am is the best for me.

And, home at 5 pm – a good break, a good buying trip – breaking the travel story writing block to “remember and share” and ready for the next outing. It may even be a Choo-Choo. Again, no obligation to ever look and read, but if you did thank you. You may take an outing to Washington, NH, as a result – luv, RAY