Maine twice in two weeks?! Yes, we’re crazy like that. This trip is a two-parter since we did a bit more than in the middle of July.

Thursday, July 31

Where We Went/What We Did

L.L.Bean: I always love going up to the flagship store in Freeport. We didn’t know they were under construction, as a ginormous tent was set up out in the parking lot where most of the apparel was moved into. Other sections from the main store were moved either into the hunting store or the home store on the grounds. The new store is expected to open in 2026.

I bought a really soft gray fleece pullover with buttons, and when Josh couldn’t find sneakers in his size (he wears a 14 and his shoes are like boat oars), we went over to the L.L. Bean outlet across the street. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find anything in his size there either, but I bought another pullover for 60% off that gives Nordic vibes.

Desert of Maine: We were looking for something else to do in Freeport besides L.L.Bean, and while we were looking at Google Maps, this popped up, and Josh was like, “Wait, I think I know about that place.” It’s basically a “desert” in the middle of Maine that stems back to the 1800s. You could freely walk around the grounds, and there were fun science-y stations around where you could learn more about the sand, fossils, and how part of Maine formed from the Ice Age on.

The day we went was sort of misty, but it wasn’t terrible to walk around, plus it wasn’t super crowded. Also, there are really cute cabins you can rent and stay in on the grounds, totally like my style of “glamping.” We want to look into it for next year and stay a night or two.

Two Brothers Books: This was a last-minute stop along Route 1 as we drove by it on the way to the Desert of Maine, so we had to go back afterward. It was my favorite kind of used bookstore with just SO MANY books and so many piles all over the place. I got two: another from the series Bones is based on (I got 6 of those from a public library sale in Hyannis when we were in the Cape) and a book from the Dexter series.

What We Ate + Drank

Goodfire Brewing: This was our lunch stop while in Freeport. We decided to sit at the bar since it was full service; if you sat at the tables, you ordered beers from the counter and food on your phone. I got Goodfire Lager and Josh got Lutro; for food, I got a BLT and Josh got a fried chicken sandwich.

Pedro’s Mexican: Pedro’s is located just outside of downtown Kennebunkport, and I was surprised that Josh had never been there before. He got a beer, I got a strawberry hibiscus margarita, and we split some salsa and guac. For our dinners, I got Mexican street tacos made with chicken and sides of rice and beans, and Josh got Quesabirria, which was three tortillas filled with beef, cheeses, and onions.

We will 100% be going back there again.

Shain’s of Maine: Josh loves to go here for ice cream, and I’m not going to say no to ice cream. I got Dino Crunch (which is bright blue ice cream because I am a child), and he got Maine Tracks, which I think was peanut butter based with chocolate chunks. I didn’t get pictures because we got them in cups to go and ate them back at the trailer.

Friday, August 1

Where We Went/What We Did

Marginal Way: I think this was my third (?) time walking the Marginal Way, which is a 1.25-mile walk on a paved path along the Atlantic Ocean. The views are absolutely beautiful, and we had a perfect day to go.

Perkins Cove: At the end of the Marginal Way is Perkins Cove, and walking the Marigal Way is the easiest way to get to the Cove since parking is insane. It’s a nice reward after the walk anyway. We stopped into Perkins Cove Candy, one of Josh’s favorite stops; he got Swedish Fish and I got Sour Patch Kids. Then we stopped into a gift shop to get t-shirts; Josh got a new one, I got my first Perkins Cove one, and he got one for his niece that she’ll eventually grow into.

What We Ate + Drank

KPort Bagel: This was a repeat from a few weeks ago, but for good reason. Josh picked up bagels for his parents, who were also up at the trailer; he and I both got the same orders as last time: salt bagel with veggie cream cheese for me and cheddar cheese bagel with veggie cream cheese for Josh.

Scoop Deck: One of my goals on this trip was to get a scoop flight! You pick 6 flavors from 70+ options. Since we were coming from after lunch at Backyard Coffeehouse, I figured we could split the flight since the scoops were on the small side. 

Smoke BBQ: We’ve driven by this place before on previous trips, and while planning this trip, I asked Josh if he had ever been there. He said no, so that meant we were going. And we’re so glad we did—it was so good.