Day 1 - 9/29/23 - Travel Day
Jack and I both worked this morning; he was able to take some breaks to pack, but my morning was jam-packed and stressful. We received notice mid-morning the Augusta flight was delayed so we left the house around 1 and headed to grab a bite to eat. We had lunch at Cracker Barrell and then headed to the Augusta airport. As always Augusta is a pleasant airport to fly out of; no stress; nice folks - it is just an all-around good experience. The clerk that checked us in insisted I put Mama in a chair even though it's nothing like Atlanta; which did get us through security quicker, so blessing.
Once we flew out of Augusta we met up with Linda at the Atlanta airport. I didn't even recognize her in the terminal- I looked right past her :( The flight out of Atlanta was also delayed so we went and grabbed dinner at TGI Fridays. Jack and I split some ribs and they were good. The conversation flowed easily and before we knew it we were pressuring our waiter to leave so we could catch the flight.
Loading on the flight to Atlanta I really wish I would have gotten the attendant's name - I would have reported her. We do the preloading due to Mama's 02 and of course, Linda loaded with us. She was behind us and went to scan her boarding pass, but accidentally scanned the receipt document they gave you instead and walked onto the tarmac. Instead of the lady saying "Miss you scanned the wrong document - I need the other one" she screams "I need you to scan your boarding pass - if you get on that plane you can go to jail or I will have you put in jail" or some other nonsense. I leave Linda with Jack and head down to continue helping Mama. While Linda is looking for the other document her carry-on (which rolls really well) proceeds to roll down the loading ramp without her. So a guy says "incoming" and here comes a piece of luggage just rolling on down. It was SOOO funny! I grabbed and the other passenger promised to tell the stewardess it was my mother-in-law because at this point I had Mama's Linda's and My carry on and we were only allowed 2. I hear Linda ask where her bag is and the passenger who said "incoming" said the woman in front of me who I think is your daughter has it... if not a random stranger has it 🤣 When I loaded the stewardess just smiled and waved me on with all of my bags, I think she could tell they weren't mine and I was helping. Everyone finally got on and seated...
The flight from ATL to Bolston overall was uneventful. We had seen an amazing moon out of the airport and hoped to see it in the air, but that didn't work out. I read a book, Mama played a bit on the inflight entertainment, Jack read/dozed and Linda was sitting behind us on her phone. My bra may have been hurting and came off mid-flight while in my seat only to be reapplied while in my seat right before landing... Quite an accomplishment with a sports bra and no one seeing anything :)
Once we landed in Boston the airport attendant met us with Mama's wheelchair and off to baggage claim we went. Mama tried to carry on a conversation with him, but he couldn't understand her deep southern drawl and kept looking to us for translation... He was nice though. Once at baggage claim I almost made a grave error and forgot Mama's walker but I remembered it at the last minute. Thank you Jesus for the reminder.
We then took a bus to the rental car place, where Jack proceeded to wait in line for what seemed like and I think hours. The three ladies relaxed on a bench and chit-chatted. It was a long time... had to be at least an hour. But when we got the car it was big enough; not really clean. Mama found a full beer bottle and the seats needed some good beating to get crumbs out, but it's a big suburban, is comfortable, and meets our needs. Driving from the airport to the hotel was an interesting endeavor; everyone was tired. Jack is driving at dark and in the rain - By the time the car was parked cuss words were stated, micro arguments were going on and we all needed to go to bed. We finally made it to our rooms around 2 AM and I think everyone promptly crashed; I know we did.
Day 2 - Ogunquit Maine
This morning we got up and left the hotel around 9 headed for Maine. It was a little over an hour and a half trip and largely uneventful. Linda is having some trouble with her eyes and was in quite of bit of pain so mostly it was a quiet drive. By the time we got to the breakfast restaurant in Ogunquit, she was feeling a bit better. We ate at The Omelet Factory and I was not disappointed. Linda and I played a bit of cornholl while we waited (which was a very short wait) and then we headed in. The manager or owner was really nice. The serving staff was great and the food was delicious. I had the French toast with fruit, an egg white, and bacon - oh, and coffee. We must not forget coffee! It was really great.
After breakfast, we played a bit more cornholl before heading out for the day. We parked near downtown Ogunquit and were given free parking due to Mama's handicapped sticker. After a bit of a rough start leaving the car (Mama med issue, Lisa forgetting her camera, Lisa forgetting the batteries to her camera, etc...) we walked along the Marginal Way. This is a roughly 1.5-mile paved trail along the coast; it is absolutely gorgeous with beautiful flowers, rocky outcroppings being hit by waves, a small lighthouse, and just an amazingly beautiful experience. We took photos, climbed on rocks, rested on benches, and just enjoyed the walk. It took us probably 3-4 hours with all the stops and starts, but the weather was perfect.
We then ate at the Oarweed Cove which was right at the end of our walk in Perkin's Cove. This restaurant was rated well, but I didn't love it. The service was great and so was the view, but my crabcakes were a bit overdone and the tea was not great. Everyone else seemed to like their meals, but no one raved. I don't think I'll recommend it on Yelp.
After lunch, we decided to Uber back to the car. While we waited we took a few pictures of the bridge and the boats. If I had realized how cool it was I would have probably paused the Uber for a few minutes, but at the same time, we were all tired. The Uber ride was okay - the guy was nice enough, though he didn't offer to help us very much with the walker/getting in the backseat etc. I don't know what I expected him to do honestly, but it just was an ok experience.
Once at the car we rode to the hotel (a whole mile away) and checked in. I kind of wanted to rest, but the shops close a bit early here and Mama wanted to walk around them so we headed down. It was probably a mile walk (maybe 3/4) and that isn't much but I was regretting not driving by the end - we've walked a lot today. But it was a nice stroll and cool to see all the buildings and flowers. + I got ice cream so that's always a win.
We shopped a little; not a ton but some and then I decided to go back and get the car for Mama. I get sidetracked on the way by a cute shop and buy a couple of souvenirs; only to get a text from Jack that he is at the theater... which was past me. So - I didn't go get the car and we all walked back together. Mama is really doing great physically; a few breathing issues but she handled today like an absolute trooper and I think is having a nice time; I hope so.
Once back at the hotel, everyone went to their rooms. Jack and I ran out to the grocery store for some bottled water. We also grabbed a sandwich for later because I was not going back out. I need a good night's sleep. On the drive back we stopped to clean the windshield and when we started to drive out again realized it was on the inside... of course no paper towels. It was extremely hard to see and I finally just whipped off my shirt, cleaned the windshield from the inside, and drove to the hotel in my bra - nothing to see here folks, nothing to see... In all fairness, my sports bras have more covering than a lot of people wear for clothes, but it was funny none-the-less.
We are now back at the hotel; I got myself a hot bath and as soon as I finish this journal I'm calling it for the night. It's been a good but long 2 days; time for some rest before we go further north tomorrow.
When I asked Jack what his highlights were he said. Great breakfast and the walk. His favorite part of the walk was climbing on the rocks, watching the surf crash against the rocks and the fact the people we passed on the trail were all friendly. He loved the scene when we came around the curve and saw buildings on the other side of the cove; he said it looked like a watercolor painting.
Another memory I want to keep is that we were supposed to do a sailboat ride at 4:30. I would have enjoyed it but they canceled due to the tide; I think it was Jesus looking out for us. The day was great without it and unrushed - I still want to ride a sailboat, but I think today was a blessing it didn't work out.
