it's a light and I like lights even when there isn't much to say besides "Nice light, it's got a…read moregood beat but I can't dance to it..." these things are so cool jutting out of the surf getting waved at in the worst possible way day after day; a picture of endurance in a literal sea of trouble. so there's the light off in the distance. it isn't the portsmouth light (directly behind the coast guarders on dry ground but currently inaccessible) and it isn't the fancy house looking thing (that would be the recently restored wood island life saving station) but out there in the distance in the channel (not on the Maine shore where Brian marked it) blah blah blah built in 1872... focal plane for the flashing white lights (8.4 second and 1.4 second intervals) variously given between fifty and seventy feet above mean sea level... automated in 1963... fog horn is loud enough to damage the rest of the structure so the volume was reduced from 11 in 1991... ownership transferred to american lighthouse foundation in 2008... VLB-44 LED optic light in 2009 - 1912 lens in storage in a museum in Salem, Massachusetts.

A very very strong…read morelighthouse The area around the Piscataqua River and Portsmouth Harbor is a treacherous place. Lots of strong and unpredictable currents, huge rocks and wild storms. So it was decided long ago that a lighthouse to mark the area might be a wise idea. So a light at the entrance of the harbor was first built in 1829. Unfortunately the builder was a scoundrel and constructed a really flimsy thing that shook every time the wind blew. Everyone was surprised that it lasted for almost 40 years. But it was obvious that the crappy lighthouse wasn't going to last much longer so a new one was built to replace it. The new builders decided that their lighthouse wasn't going to fall apart so they used a very expensive and time consuming method of dovetailed blocks of granite to construct it. Not many lighthouses are built like this because of the cost and difficulties of building them but once the blocks of granite are fitted together they aren't going anywhere. Whaleback is about 50 feet tall and had a 4th order Fresnel Lens that was removed when it was automated in 1963. Like most Fresnel Lens I couldn't find out what happen to it and the priceless lens might be sitting in someones garage. The lighthouse still stoical sits out in the harbor and occasionally huge waves do break over the top and break a window or cause some minor damage but the lighthouse itself just yawns at anything nature or time can throw at it. Whaleback is a light that is going to be around for a long, long time.

The Wiggly Bridge is a narrow pedestrian suspension bridge that stands in York, Maine. Located just…read moreoff of Maine State Route 103 (Lilac Lane), the 75-foot-long bridge crosses the tidal flow from Barrel Mill Pond to the York River. Built in the 1930s, it is believed to be the smallest suspension bridge in the United States. The bridge provides access to the Steedman Woods Nature Preserve and is a popular feature of the Fisherman's Walk trail. Originally known as the "Barrel Bridge", local lore claims that it earned its current name from a perceptive group of Girl Scouts who noted the bridge's "wiggly" nature. When walked upon, the deck bounces and flexes, banging back and forth in the anchorages. Many native southern Mainers can share their own childhood memories of leaping over the edge into the water and being pushed underneath with the current, one way or the other depending on the tide. This practice, as well as clam digging and any other possibly damaging activity, is now discouraged due to the erosion of mudflats. The Wiggly Bridge stands out as an iconic landmark and a must-visit destination for anyone looking to immerse themselves in York, Maine's unique charm and natural splendor. Steedman Woods is also a great place to visit. A nice stroll on the trails in this lush and tranquil forest offer scenic viewpoints and picturesque spots that showcase the breathtaking beauty of the Maine coast. Parking near the Wiggly Bridge is limited, so you may need to park on the side of Route 103 or in a nearby harbor lot, keeping in mind some spots may require a permit or have time restrictions. It is also possible to walk to the bridge from nearby York Village.

Cute little bridge that you can definitely jump on! Having been to other suspension bridges, I can…read moresay this one is just as wiggly as Lynn Canyon in Canada. It's small obviously, not the views in the area are commanding. My only complaint is that parking is really tricky. We had to park at a store and walk a bit (not awful but not ideal). Anyway, would hike this trail again! It was relatively flat, shaded, and not crowded.

There really isn't a category for an artists colony, but that's what the Upper Mill building is…read more There are over 100 artists sharing a big mill building in little Rollingsford and twice a year, about half of them participate in an open house. This review is based on attending the open house as a visitor. The open house was fun. There's a ton of things to see and it didn't get boring. My favorite studio belongs to David Random but there were five floors of artists of all types. Some of them are amazing and some I didn't get at all, but that's art. I didn't feel quite the "I want to quit my job and become an artist" vibe that I got at the similar Button Factory mill building in Portsmouth but it was still good. And the building has a more "single purpose" feel than the Washington St. Mills in Dover, though I don't know if that matters. The open house is held twice a year, on the weekends before Mother's Day and Thanksgiving, and it's worth visiting. The only catch is the parking. There's enough for the artists, but not enough for all of the people that show up for the open house so be patient.

So, contrary to the name, the deceased is indeed, not a witch. Sorry…read more Several decades after Mary Nasson died, a local tale began that said she was a witch because there is a large stone slab over her grave and that the stone was intended to 'keep her in the grave'. Hers is the only grave with a stone slab. The real story however has to do with geology. Not too far underground is a stone ledge. According to my source, her husband had the stone slab put over her coffin to keep her remains from being disturbed by animals. I don't know if this was a problem for other graves, but ewwwww. That's gnarly. Regardless of the truth, that has not stopped generations of people from coming by Mary Nasson's grave, to take photos, leave her gifts and enjoy this historic cemetery. There are several very interesting headstone here. A real 'local site of interest'. An information signs located by the front edge of the graveyard includes a map and famous cemetery inhabitants. On street parking is available for free on the side street where you will also find a memorial. Town hall across the street and the building next to the cemetery are also historic sites that you may want to look at during your visit. Happy exploring. Don't get followed home by a spirit. Or a witch.

What a stunning spot to look out on to a quintessential Maine Harbor. Sunset is spectacular here…read more Heaven.

This was amazing. I'm so glad we decided to go down the coast and take this walk. We decided to go…read moreat sunrise. Although there was overcast, it was still a beautiful walk. I imagined the people who walked this jetty every single day and I was jealous. We didn't tour the lighthouse but we've seen plenty of lighthouses. We've never seen one out a mile though. Don't miss this gem! Be sure to use the bathroom before coming here as we did not see any portapods. Also, wear shoes with hood support. We saw a few wearing flip flops; so t know how they did it. I wouldn't take the risk of tripping.

The ending to a perfect day in Maine? Watching the sunset from a jetty of course!…read more After spending the day exploring coastal areas in southern Maine, we decided to walk the jetty near Wells Harbor/York Beach. We didn't know what to expect when we discovered this spot - so when you come know that there are two jetty's. One you can access from the elongated, sandy parking area on Foster Ln (which was free to use and deserted when we came in early November); and, one you can access from a bigger, concrete parking area at the end of Atlantic Ave (beyond Sage Fishing Charters - it's pay to park here, but I don't know if that's just during the height of the summer season). These jetty's are long (I read somewhere that they're over a mile) stone breakwaters that stretch out relatively far from land into the Atlantic. It's beautiful to walk down and back as you get stunning views of Wells Harbor, the beach on either side, and great for bird watching too (we were captivated by some sanderlings!). It's important to be mindful when walking on jetty's though - these big boulders have crevices between them, so "mind the gap"; if the ocean is rough, you might also get soaked from waves crashing against them! Absolutely worth seeing, especially in the shoulder season when it's got that much more serene, humble feeling to it!

AN ABSOLUTELY MUST DO! 5 STARS! A FREE ANNUAL EVENT THAT ATTRACTS PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY…read more& CANADA TOO! Come very early or really late to snag a metered parking space otherwise you will end up paying exorbitant prices just to park in someone's yard. LOL! THE SAND SCULPTURES ARE MAGNIFICENT & COLOSSAL IN SIZE. If you love crowds come here during Prime Time. If you hate crowds they've got you covered too. They keep the Sand Sculptures up for a week after the event & they even have it illuminated at night. You will avoid a lot of the crowd & traffic too. This Event is located about an hour's drive from Boston. Every June Hampton Beach in New Hampshire hosts its Masters Sand Sculpture Shindig. Artists from all over the country & Canada & their fans come to see these Stupendous Sand Structures. The Event is held on Ocean Ave between B & C Streets from 8AM-5 PM. In 2021 they also had Free bands playing outdoors for the festivities. 2021 marked the 21st Annual Year for The Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic. Some 200 tons of imported sand is plopped on the beach & the "Grady Bunch" starts pounding up the sponsor site. Greg Grady & The Grady Bunch" built a colossal Demo made out of Sand., There was "Sand, Sun and Fun for 2021" There were 10 World Class Master Sand Sculptors & Over $25,000 in Prizes. There was a HUMONGOUS 100 Ton Sponsor Site that was erected too. There was Judging with Winners including a Peoples Choice Award. They also had T Shirts on sale across from the Seashell Stage at BZ Beach Supply. The 2022 dates for the 22nd Annual Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic are June 16-18, 2022 Saturday evening there will be Fireworks Display as well. This year's event promises to be just as Good as last year! You can read all the details on their website. Then after you're done viewing the Sand Sculptures take a dip in the ocean or set up your own private picnic lunch on the beach. Cross the street & see block after block of the Boardwalk with lots of shops to buy T Shirts, Beach supplies, trinkets & gifts. There are lots of eateries here too with many different types of food offerings. There are Fun Arcades like Playland & Funarama that have Vintage Arcade Machines from the 60's & 70's at prices you won't believe .25 & .50 cent. There's Mitchell's Gift Shop a Classic from 1966. Then there's Blink's Fry Doe another Beach Classic & a real throwback - a Rexall Drug Store with Vintage Signs. They also have a Casino Ballroom that brings in a lot of big name entertainers for concerts. You can spend the entire day & night here & lots of people do. Check out my reviews of Hampton Beach & individual places as well. Mark this on your calendar for this & future years for Lots of Memorable Fun for Free! It used to be, you had to have Mega Bucks & be really Rich to have the Good Life, not anymore. The Game has changed. You've been Upgraded. Now You Can Live Like a King on a Limited Budget!

I go to the sandcastle competition every year and it never disappoints!! They get sculptors from…read moreall over (Hawaii, California, Canada and more) and they do an amazing job each year. If you're in town you have to go look at them.

We spent the same amount of time in the Hamptons and couldn't wait til I got home. Here in…read moreOgunquit, was the total opposite. We wanted to end our NY summer with a coastal stay and all it took, was for hubs to point his finger, landing it on Ogunquit and go for it blindly. Ogunquit means "beautiful place by the sea" in the Algonquin language and noted for their hospitality and ocean views. The village of Perkins Cove sits on the southern tip of Ogunquit on a cove by the same name with a charming Norman Rockwell-esque vibe....coastal style. It's not cheesy in a grandma Moses sort of way- it's classy. Real estate here is posh- so are the homes slightly south heading into York by the cliffs. There were some areas in Ogunquit I gravitated to the most. But my heart is set on the southern tip as it's more quaint and way less congested than the 'downtown' area. Mainers are friendly saying "good morning", "hi" or "hello" in a genuinely warm manner without even knowing you. Driving? We had no issues. Mainers are respectful of the road and outsiders. Because Ogunquit doesn't have any traffic lights, there are a ton of crosswalks and motorists yield to pedestrians at all times. Seafood restaurants? Plentiful.....you're in Maine. The Cove has many long-standing ones and many more in the "downtown" area. And when it came to protein, hubs and I had only two things in mind and they're Lobster and Steamers. Bruh....you see Lobster in Maine, the way you see damn hot dogs in NYC. The loud sound of seabirds, staying at a hotel directly on the water, mesmerized by the fishing boats- all had signs of classic Stephen King. But on a more serious note- Ogunquit is only 4hrs and change car ride away from home and what a change in scenery and great vibes it is. There's a next time alright.

Cute, touristy town. Lots of hotels, gift shops and restaurants. No parking. Like at all. If you…read morestay in town you can leave your vehicle in the hotel parking lot and walk where ever you want to go. We paid to park at the opposite end of Marginal Way and walked in to the terminus at the end of town. Ogunquit may be a good location to stay as an overnight tourist, but as a day tripper, it's not accessible unless you walk in.