Off Route 1 at Pine Point.
This drive is filled with all the magic an estuary has to offer. This tidal marsh is best viewed in the morning or late afternoon. You will likely see kayaks and canoes gliding through the marsh grass at high tide. Low tide is a quiet feeding frenzy as the marshlands suddenly come alive with herons, kingfishers & egrets. You may even see hawks and ospreys fishing from above. When you get to Pine Point, hop out, stretch your legs and marvel at what nature has created, then retrace your steps back to busy Route 1.

Off Route 1 to Route 103 towards the sea. Follow 103, reconnect with 1A in York, back to Route 1. Kittery Point, early AM, light is fresh and the sea is glowing. Turn at the church, hug the coast road, taking note of the New England architecture and all of the great porches that quietly look out to the Isles of Shoals. Stop the car frequently so you can slowly breathe in the sea air & listen to the waves crashing on the granite shore. It is always a pleasure to watch the gulls & osprey soaring above the surf.

From Portland, Route 1 North to 88 Falmouth Foreside. Reconnect to 9 S and Route 1.. A parallel route to 9 S, this lazy little road will take you through one of the premier neighborhoods of the greater Portland area. It is fun to see these grand estates, summer homes of a bygone era. Great views of the Casco Bay. Stop at the little market on the road side and enjoy a crabmeat roll ~ best in the area! Follow the signs to Falmouth Town landing ~ great place for a picnic ~ where sail boats gently sway to the currents of the Casco Bay.

Museum & Fort Williams
1000 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth. The oldest lighthouse in America! Park at the lighthouse parking lot, walk towards the park, down to the old sea captain's house ruins, look at the views through the vestiges of windows (not much of a house left standing), meander along path on top of the cliff -- sweeping views of Casco Bay and islands. In summer, it is always cool and breezy -- late afternoons or early mornings are magical. Great lawns for a picnic supper...

Baxter Blvd.
Downtown Portland.
This is a great head-clearing walk -- about 3 1/2 miles -- views of the city...bay..& great bird watching. This walk takes about an hour (if you are just strolling). It follows an easy, level path that goes around the back bay...it smells best around high tide...and the colour of the water is as blue as that of the sky above.

Head north on Route 1, follow signs to Baxter School of the Deaf. Park car & bring some water with you. Take your camera also. Try to go on a cool day (there are many). This walk acquaints you with the island's ecosystem -- Pines & wildflowers everywhere & for the hardy there is a nice beach for swimming but Brrrrr! Plan about one hour to circle island on path.

Downtown Portland.
A splendid way to spend a day, a night, or both. Commercial St. -- Forest St. --Exchange St. -- near the water... great architecture, Victorian mostly... You can smell the working harbour... Lobsters...Boats with gulls reeling about... Great galleries, cool stores, unique clothing shops... This is really a sophisticated city & just the right size for walking. In the evening it is very pleasant to walk about aimlessly. letting the different options -- theatre, fine restaurants, ale houses -- create opportunities for fun & entertainment. Try DeMillo's floating restaurant, a real kick on a big old ship -- great lobster rolls.

A quiet walk follows the long sandy beach -- about 3 1/2 miles an easy breezy bit of heaven. Up on the bluffs, Marginal Way winds around the promontory with grand views and benches for contemplative moments.

Take the ferry from downtown Portland -- it is just a short hop, but a great adventure. Wear good walking shoes. Explore the island. Then have lobster at the lobster house near the wharf. It is so much fun you will laugh all the way back to Portland.