DH and I celebrated our anniversary this year with a day trip. We began by dropping DS1 off in Portland for a meeting with the artist of the game he’s working (no deets until it is released as an iPhone app early next year, then I’ll brag). We walked around Portland for an hour, enjoying the shops all dolled up for the holidays with lights and wreaths and specials.

Then, on to our #1 favorite destination on a late fall 50 degree day, Old Orchard Beach:

It was a gorgeous day, and we walked the beach up and down with hardly another soul around. Except for the men putting the lights on the town tree.

I wonder if those guys avoid the sticky tree sap arms if they use cranes to hang the lights? I didn’t ask. They were working when we arrived, and still working when we left. It was one big tree.

Next, on to Freeport for a great lunch, some window shopping, and a total immersion in holiday display:

We couldn’t figure out how to slow the shutter speed enough, but these are individual lights, and quite beautiful.

If you ever get a chance to go to Freeport in late November or December, make sure to stay for dusk (not that hard, since dusk seems to come around 3 p.m that time of year.!).

Excellent day, well worth playing hooky to enjoy (especially since the cold weather blew in right after and looks to be staying for the new year).

Kelly