Kennebunkport, ME

Today we worked from Wells to Kennebunkport on a rainy, overcast day.  I captured a photo of an antique shop billed as a  “museum” in Wells that encompassed several buildings along the highway on a large cleared and grassy lot.  The museum is operated by a doctor (retired I presume) and was too interesting not to grab a few photographs from the street, although they prefer you wouldn’t stop for photographs.  Instead, they were encouraging those interested to come in as there are signs posted all along the front of the property that said “no stopping” on the side the road.  We didn’t go in but the old buildings seemed rather intriguing even from the street.

Amazing but true...and cool!

In Kennebunkport at our last inspection of the day we encountered a tree growing on massive rocks next to the park’s pool.  First I have to wonder how they ever dug the hole for the pool and second what enticed the tree to grow so big on the rocks.  I suspect the roots have long since found their way around the rocks and down into the soil.  Do you suppose that this type of root system is better in a wind storm?  There was also a beautiful cluster of white birch here.

We stopped for a late lunch at “Mabel’s Lobster Claw Restaurant in Kennebunkport.  They make a dish there called the “Savannah Stuffed Lobster with Newburgh sauce.”  The steamed lobster is stuffed with scallops, shrimp, and breadcrumbs then smothered in Newburgh sauce and topped with cheese all of which is broiled briefly in the oven until the cheese is beautifully browned.  This may be the most delicious meal I have ever tasted.  It comes with yummy coleslaw and French fries, but I had no room left for the fries nor a piece of homemade raspberry or blueberry pie.

After leaving there, we drove along the coast and stumbled upon the summer residence of former U.S. president George H. W. Bush.  We learned the estate was purchased in the late 19th century by St. Louis banker George H. Walker, with the mansion being built there in 1903.  Later the estate passed on to his daughter Dorothy Walker Bush and her husband Prescott Bush, the president’s parents.  The estate has since remained in the Bush family.  Located on Walker’s Point, the residence has been owned by the president since the 1980’s.  The home and contents were substantially damaged by a strong series of storms in late October, 1991.  The damage was estimated at $300,000–$400,000 and the President did receive an undisclosed amount in flood insurance, but failed to take the full deduction for storm damage on his 1991 tax return to avoid a conflict of interest as he was the person responsible for declaring Maine a 'disaster area' following the storms.  The large central house, built in the New England shingle style, has nine bedrooms, four sitting rooms, an office, a den, a library, a dining room, a kitchen, and various patios and decks.  Next to the main house are a four-car garage, a pool, tennis court, dock, boathouse, and guesthouse. There are spacious lawns on either side of the house, on which there is also a small sports field.  The property is guarded by the Secret Service as you pass by, but you can still see the home fairly well from the highway.

The main house.

The coastline near the house.

Snoopy's Corner:

There is a building near Wells that has a cat painted on it.  Now I could be offended that they didn't ask me to model for the painting, but it is cute anyway.  It reminds me of greeting cards Mom has by an artist from Oregon.  The artist put a kitty in all of her paintings similar to this cat.

Let me know if you want me to model for anything.  I always have time on my hands when Mom and Day are working.  In the meantime I am trying not to fall in love with this kitty's beautiful blue eyes.