Ever since I was a child, I loved those Sunday’s when we took rides on Route 1. We would go from So. Portland all the way to Kittery. My father was never in a hurry and we knew there were several stops we could count on each time we made the Route 1 ride. Our first stop was at Len Libby Chocolates (We called it Libby’s candy!) where we were allowed to pick out some of our favorite candy. If you’ve never stopped into Len Libby’s (419 US Rt 1 in Scarborough) you need to add it to your Maine Bucket List… it’s that special. Since I was a child they have added Lenny! Lenny is a life-size chocolate moose. Being a moose lover and a chocolate lover, I think Lenny is the best. You can see him on the Len Libby web site.
Bike and Pedestrian Trail Through the Salt Marsh
After Len Libby’s it’s a short ride to Scarborough’s beautiful salt marsh, which I have loved since the first time I saw and smelled it. Birds were everywhere (and still are) My favorite then was the red-winged black birds I saw sitting on almost every cattail stock. Today, all the birds are my favorites. Once again, times have changed things, and probably for the better (though secretly I long for the things the way they were in my childhood). Today the marsh is protected, and that’s a good thing. At the Audobon Center you can rent a canoe or kayak, take your camera and go on a nice little photo trip through the 3,100 acre salt marsh. Don’t forget your binoculars. Watch for egrets, herons, glossy ibis and others . When the summer moon is full, the center runs evening, guided canoe tours. You’ll find a list of events on the Audobon Website.
Kayaking the Scarborough Salt Marsh
By the time we left the marsh, we would be getting hungry and my dad would head to Old Orchard Beach where his cousin had a hamburger stand in the summer and the best french fries with white vinegar. After filling up on burgers, fries and drinks we would take a little walk on the pier before climbing back into the car. The ferris wheel and bumper cars would have to wait for another day.
Old Orchard Beach Pier
Back in the car we would head south again. Now it was time to watch for the gift shops, used book shops and antique shops for Mom. Then, as now, most of the shops had outside displays on nice days so we would call out the items we saw and when she heard or saw something of interest my dad would pull into the shop. The owners and names have changed over the years, but there is still an abundance of wonderful shops filled with memories of days gone by, books with musty leather covers and brand new gifts, many made in Maine. More on route 1 in the next post.
