This past weekend my husband and I trekked to Maine to pick up our kids from camp. Last year I made the rookie mistake of trying to go on a trip with them after (we were so close to Acadia!) only to learn that by the end of camp kids are EXHAUSTED. Emotionally exhausted. Physically exhausted. Just exhausted.
I called the pediatrician asking about mono, about Lyme, about anything else and learned it was just about camp. It’s a lot of new experiences and they need a beat to decompress from it all. So this year, we decided to spend one night away and then come home for lots of rest in their own beds.
Our night away was in Portland, Maine, a favorite. Here’s what we did…
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Without the kids, pre-pick-up:
Oysters and Whole Fish - we took the opportunity to eat at Street and Co (though to be fair they had a ton of families and we heard our server run through kid-centered pasta options not on the menu) and Eventide Oyster Co. The list of amazing restaurants in Portland is long, so we went for what felt like “most Maine.”
Coffee Me Up - great breakfast sandwiches and specialty drinks perfect for a to-camp roadtrip
With the kids, post-pick-up:
The Highroller Lobster Co - amazing lobster, super cool vibe. Had something for everyone (including my daughter who will not eat seafood) and ridiculously good blueberry whoopie pies. And while the wait was a little long, they text so we just walked around to do some souvenir shopping.
Sail Portland Maine - smaller groups on beautiful boats. This was a fun way to hang out while also being pretty lazy. We talked about camp, but also silently took in the scenery.
On my list for next time:
Crown Jewel Flappy Hour - this would have been perfect with or without the kids.
Exploring Peak’s Island - it’s an easy ferry ride from Portland and the residents get around by golf cart or bike. I think I’d plan to grab lunch at one of the cafés on the island and just explore for a less-than-a-day, off-the-beaten-path experience. Some activity but not too much activity.
Windjammer Sailing Cruise - admittedly this is much farther out (minimum age 12-16), but these totally captured my imagination for pre-pick up trip with my husband or a senior summer celebration as a family.
We are home and the kids are making up for lost time on all the screens and taking lots of naps in their own beds. I am definitely glad I’m not trying to get them to hike through a National Park right now.
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