PCS’ing to New England?

When my husband told me we were PCS’ing to New England, I immediately had several preconceived notions run through my head. I primarily envisioned football games during snowstorms, school buses transferring students during snow storms, people shoveling mounds of snow during snow storms and the electricity going out, you guessed it, during snow storms! While we have had our share of snow, it has been nothing like I imagined. 

Recently, I asked some Military Mom Collective contributors what first came to mind when they heard the word “Maine.” One of them said she would love to visit and thinks of lighthouses, trees, and woodsy places. Another shared how much she thinks of fresh, delicious food like lobster, clam bisque, and shucking oysters right off the boat in winter. She imagined spring being filled with 70 degree salty water air where toes sink into the sand as someone sits in their capris jeans and sweater while reading on the beach. She finished by saying, “No sweat, but glowing skin and lots of boating, canoeing and time on the water.” While both of these contributors had way better picturesque ideas of this place than me, I had to laugh when “no sweat” was mentioned. Maybe not in the spring, but come summertime, the deodorant is lathered on everywhere…and I mean everywhere! July and August are hot, sticky and buggy. Not as bad as our stint in the deep south of Alabama or our years under the hot Mediterranean sun of Italy, but certainly not the dry heat I grew up with in Colorado. Yes, there are lighthouses. Yes, there is lobster and bisque and crabs and fresh oysters off the boat. Yes, there are sweaters worn on the beach and countless woods to explore. And, yes, there are boats, canoes and kayaks, bike rides, fishing and sunset cruises. It actually is just as beautiful as it sounds (with a true “Mainer” thrown in here and there!).

Although our assignment is in New Hampshire, we landed a house across the river in Maine. If you ever get the chance to travel or be stationed near Pease Air National Guard Base, I highly encourage you to jump at the opportunity! In fact, we love it so much here that we have decided to end our time in the military and turn our house into a home. While we are still exploring the area and learning how to live like a “NewEng-lan-dah,” I thought I would share our current top 5 things to see, do and visit. 

1. Fall – If you have ever dreamed of what New England looks like in the fall, it truly is stunning! “Leaf Peepers” travel from all over the world to ride Greyhound buses up and down the scenic highways. Unless a wind storm hits in early October, the best time to see the most brilliant and vibrant colors is from mid-October to early November. The White Mountains in New Hampshire and the fun town of Freeport, Maine are both popular places during peak season. One offers tours on trains while the other tours the birthplace of L.L. Bean. No matter where you drive, just promise to keep your eyes on the road, too! 
2. Great Pond Outdoor Adventure Center –

   

   This DOD Military Lodging resort is located in Great Pond, Maine and it is our favorite place to “camp.”With tent and RV sites, yurts, cabins, a huge lake and a gathering lodge this place has so much to offer year round. Active Duty can reserve lodging a year ahead of time, while retirees can reserve six months out. You must call and reserve your dates over the phone and it is best to follow them on Facebook for last minute availability.

1. Beaches Along the Seacoast – I am a self proclaimed recovering beach hater. I grew up with the Rocky Mountains and have a love/hate relationship with the water. Conditions for me to enjoy the beach have to be pretty close to perfect, which they almost always are not. Luckily, the beaches along the seacoast offer enough variety and perks that they have yet to get old. Many of them have playgrounds, are great for enjoying an off-season picnic and are located within 10-30 minutes of our home.

   

   The towns of York, Ogunquit and Kennebunk are typically busier beach towns while the towns of Kittery and Wells offer less crowded venues near the end of August into September. Parking can be a chore, but sometimes it is worth paying more for a guaranteed spot. Fort Foster in Kittery is super family friendly and offers several coves to explore. It is also located near the Portsmouth Navy Shipyard, so if you are in need of a commissary stop, getting to this one is an adventure in itself!

2. Portsmouth, NH – Any time I visit downtown Portsmouth I feel like I am stepping back in time. This quaint little colonial town is a gem! With its historical homes and buildings, the town looks exactly like a Department 56 Village. Shops and restaurants line the streets, along with our kids’ favorite old time toy store, Tree House Toys. It offers year-round events and entertainment and even has an outdoor skating rink in the winter. If I am ever in need of a long mental health break outside, I will simply go into town, park and walk the streets with no agenda. I absolutely love the immediate peace it brings.

1. Food – Food, food, food! The Lobstah Rolls are plentiful, the oysters are shucked, clams are steaming and the bisque is hot! However, tourist traps can hit your wallet hard when it comes to eating fresh. If you take the time to shop around, you can find plenty of good deals and eat like a local. This may sound odd, but grocery stores offer some of the best prices on seafood and have made to order counters waiting for you. Many lobster boats sell their catch right off the dock, but can sometimes vary the pricing based on size. Grocery stores usually set the price per pound and most cook them for free. We pre-order and either plan a lobster beach picnic or simply bring them home to enjoy at our leisure. When it comes to oysters, check the restaurants in the area you are staying in and see if any of them offer a “Buck a Shuck” day where you can eat all you can for $1 an oyster. If nothing is posted on their website, check out social media for deals. Our Whole Foods even offers them for $1 on Fridays! If it is a sweet treat you are looking for, be on the lookout in April and May for farm stands to carry local syrup and honey. Trees are tapped in March and flow until the temperatures are no longer ideal for the sap to run freely. Again, grocery stores partner with small businesses, so check them out for syrup, too. Lastly, do not leave Maine without trying a Needham. This rich confectionery is made with a combination of potatoes, coconut, sugar and various flavorings. They are not for everyone, but I absolutely love them!

   

If New England is not in the assignment cards, be sure to find the time to explore the North East at some point throughout your travels. No matter what season it is, I promise you’ll have a wicked good time. With its seasonal mix of snow, history, charm and fun all year round, don’t be surprised if it has you saying, “More Pease, please!”