It's a good thing we got out and about yesterday, to see this area while it was dry. The weather weasels were predicting a 20% chance of precip for this afternoon. Close - but I am pretty sure I saw someone building an ark today.
There was a light sprinkle this morning, so we put off going shopping and exploring until this afternoon. We talked about taking a trolley tour of the area. As it turns out, the heavier rain forecast for this morning didn't happen, and the lighter rain forecast for the afternoon was a wash-out.
We drove into the heart of Kennebunkport - the traffic was worse than yesterday...
It was slow-going. Joan spotted an "honor parking lot" that had one space open - we snagged it. And paid for a couple hours at a box on the side of a nearby house. It was easy and convenient. The rain was almost gone while we started walking around town, checking out the various shops. The shops were packed (we would find out why later). And then, the rain started...
We continued our walk around town, ducking into shops that interested us. I decided this would be a good time to check out the trolley tour; we looked up their "location" and walked to it... no office, but there was a trolley at the stop... get onboard and pay the driver, our new friend, Ed.
Ed had the typical "tourist operator patter," a combination of facts, local lore, and humor. We could see fine from our dry spot inside the trolley...
... but, with all the water on the windows, not much for photographs. We had seen many of the sights yesterday, but it was nice to get Ed's info on what we were seeing.
A "cottage" along the coast. Some of these have been made into inns, but many are a "summer house"... as in: no air conditioning, minimal heat, and only get used May through October...
This is the Bush compound, where George and Barbara spend much of their summer. Several homes in the gated compound... "that one is where Jeb stays"... "that one is where W stays"... "that small one if for the Secret Service"... "and there are a couple others for guests."
Pretty spectacular views from that vantage point, I would guess. And, a place for George to keep his speedboat. Not sure he can use that these days, but it was interesting listening to Ed talk about the Bushes.
More cottage homes by the water...
The Atlantic was looking less than friendly, but there were a couple people surfing out there...
This was a hotel that was converted to condos...
Ed talked about the lobstermen and their boats; the ship-building industry that used to be a part of the economy. This boat that has been turned into a bar and restaurant...
It was a good way to see the sights without having to fight traffic ourselves, and get some narration with some local color.
Here's what the trolley looks like on a dryer day...
Oh, and about those crowds: Ed told us that on rainy days, people don't go to the beach, so they come into town and clog up the streets and sidewalks. I can believe that. It was busy yesterday (beautiful sunny day), but not crazy crowded like today. I figured the crowds would be less due to the rain and it being after the weekend. I would be wrong.
After the tour, we checked out some shops on the way back to our car. Time for an early supper, because that is what retired folks do. ;-) Some good Italian food with plenty left over for a snack later this evening. Just the way I like it.
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