Weekend Getaway

I had every intention of sharing this post with you yesterday, and then we got hit with a major rain storm late Sunday night, with winds hitting 50mph knocking out power across most of New England. We were lucky enough to have ours restored only a few hours ago. Thankfully we had no other major damage. Our basement flooded with a few inches of water, but luckily I had just spent Columbus Day cleaning and organizing down there, so everything was up off the floor. And thankfully my husband was very persistent the first year we lived here pushing me to get us a generator. We have relied on that thing more times than I care to admit, one winter for 10 days. So other than a few inconveniences we were left unharmed. Just before the storm hit, however, the hubby and I enjoyed a little weekend getaway. Honestly I was so smitten with this cute little coastal are we visited, I just had to share some of my favorite things with you 😉

We planned this little weekend getaway earlier this summer, and honestly it felt like such a distant event, the anticipation didn’t start to build until last week. If you have young children, or had young children, then you know the joy we felt being able to have a few night away to unwind, rest, and enjoy each others company uninterrupted.

We honestly felt like honey-mooners all over again, and had so much fun exploring and eating our way through downtown Portland Maine. We stayed at the Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, which is about a 15 minute ride south of Portland. It’s a beautiful drive too, through that cute little coastal town, and since we hit it off-season, we were able to soak in every inch of it without feeling the hustle and bustle summer tourists can add.

The inn is nestled back in this little cove, with a picturesque boardwalk out to the beach. From our room we could see the ocean off in the distant, but the best part was you could open your windows and hear the ocean as well. Instant relaxation mode.

The grounds were beautiful to say the least. Every inch of it was perfectly landscaped, even for fall, they had sprinkled pumpkins and gourds, and other fall foliage all around.

I would stay there again in a heartbeat! Honestly, I already told the hubby I want to go back, the inside was even more beautiful than the outside, but more than that, it was so peaceful there. You didn’t feel like you were staying in a hotel, it felt like a cozy bed and breakfast with all of the perks of a hotel.

Just down the road from the inn, on your way to Portland, is one of Maine’s iconic lighthouses. The hubby thought I was a little silly wanting to go see a lighthouse. I mean, we are both from New England and live only 30 minutes from the coast, so we’ve seen a lighthouse a time or two before. But I hadn’t seen this one, and I’m so glad I persuaded him to go. 

We visited the Portland Head Light lighthouse technically in Cape Elizabeth, and it was breath taking. There was so much to see there, more than just the iconic lighthouse, rich with history dating all the way back to George Washington. Breathtaking views, and lots of walking paths to explore the cliffs and nearby Fort Williams Park.

We had so much fun exploring, and just soaking in the view. Also on the grounds is Goddard Mansion. It was built at the start of the Civil War in 1861 for a volunteer army colonel, and later acquired as quarters for the soldiers. It is a stunning structure, even though seriously deteriorated. I just loved imaging what it used to look like in it’s prime.

We also had a blast exploring downtown Portland. Right on the coast, it’s a picturesque New England town, with more pubs and restaurants than you have room for in your tummy!

We were recommended to visit Standard Baking Co. for it’s unbelievable cinnamon rolls made with croissant dough.

I can honestly tell you, I could easily eat one every day and not be the slightest bit concerned about my expanding waistline. They were so light and fluffy, but every bit as moist as you’d hope a gooey cinnamon bun would be! And don’t even get me started on how scrumptious every little detail of this cute baker is! Herringbone + Marble countertop = Yes PLEASE!

We ate dinner at Vignola in a corner booth of this beautiful historic building, people watching and enjoying elegant cocktails.

It was the coolest building inside, with vintage edison bulb pendants casting the perfect dimmed lit atmosphere. The food was amazing, so it was a winning combination all around, and I told my husband I felt like we won the lottery getting to sit in the corner booth.

We had the best time enjoying all Cape Elizabeth and Portland has to offer. Walking around and enjoying cute shops and boutiques, drinking coffee and local eats. We certainly feel refreshed, and something about seeing cute displays in boutiques, and historic architecture gets this “homebody” inspired.

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