May/June/July 2026: Pitch Perfect

MAY

A two-night Edgefield stay (one night was free in a King suite using points earned over 5+ years of various McMenamins stays). Edgefield is always relaxing during the week, walking around the large grounds which include an outdoor concert venue, an 18-hole golf course, multiple pubs/restaurants & of course the large, meandering 102° saltwater soaking tub.

(Night one = Queen room with common bath)

(Night two = King suite with private bath)

('Strands' got it right that day)

(Outdoor stage for concerts)

(Feeding an overly-fed squirrel at the Little Red Shed)

(Angela & Tony arriving for dinner + drinks)

(Reward points used!)

JUNE

Singing back-up vocals for Natalia was a hoot. Although it was only one afternoon, it was neat to be inside a real recording studio with an actual sound engineer to bring her songs to life. Have we come up with a band name yet?

(Trying not to accentuate the 't' in 'Over & Out')

JULY

Sweet & special visits from JFK, Jennifer & Lainie. 

(JFK at the community garden, NE Portland)

(JFK biking around NE Cully)

(The K Sisters at Kennedy School soaking tub, NE Portland)

(CR & JFK at Sandrian's place, NE Portland)

(Jennifer & JFK at Rich & Victoria's abode, 

N Portland)

(Lainie & SK, best buds since age 5, NE Portland)

(JFK at Milki Ethiopian food cart, NE Portland)

September 2025: Mainestay

Eight years after our first trip to Castine in 2017, CR & I returned to experience the land MS & GG purchased in 2020 & where they created an abode to abide in. To say it modestly, it was the most incredible place we've ever stayed. Perfect weather, outstanding homemade pescatarian cuisine w/estate-grown vegetables + favorite drinks, a downstairs library, screened-in porch & bathtub to die for, an orchard, a garden, a guest house above the garage, frolicking deer, a private beach on placid salt water & a spacious home with an interior made for two kings (+ prince Alistair). 

Bravo Marc & Grant for dreaming what became, nailing all the details, staying in your lanes & sharing your remarkable successes + talents with us! We feel so fortunate to know your generosity, humor, advice & beauty. 

(One of three puzzles completed)

(Looking down from driveway through orchard to main house)

(Looking up to orchard from rear of house + garden)

(Private beach at low tide)

(Le Fat Bastard & Ultraviole(n)t Gasser)

(Carrier's Mainely Lobster, Bucksport)

(Carrier's Mainely Lobster, Bucksport)

(Chase's Daily, Belfast)

(Belfast)

(LDL Lobster Dock & Dine, Little Deer Isle)

(LDL Lobster Dock & Dine, Little Deer Isle)

(Harriman Point Preserve, Brooklin)

(Harriman Point Preserve, Brooklin)

(Harriman Point Preserve, Brooklin)

(Sunset near house, Castine)

May 2025: Changing Gears

 CR & I spent a Tuesday through Friday in Gearhart & Seaside, OR. Driving a sand yellow Mitsubishi Mirage on Highway 101, we ate Dairy Queen burgers + fries, a mini Oreo Blizzard, McDonald's soft serve, pizza + Caesar salad, Thai, ramen, one banh mi & lastly a sub-par burrito & bowl. We walked the beaches, the Seaside promenade as well as the 'Ridge Path' through Gearhart backyards. We enjoyed an N/A beer tasting, entered numerous thrift stores, one puzzle/games store, an Eddie Bauer outlet & watched a few good things on the in-room TV (unusual for a McMenamins hotel) like 'Dr. Pimple Popper,' 'Stand By Me' & a documentary about Tyrus Wong.  I burned my last palo santo sticks at the fogata (fire pit) & explored the town of Gearhart with a one-speed bike loaned from the hotel. 

Sunshine, breeze & salty air rejuvenate!

 

(Gearhart)

(Gearhart)

(Seaside)

(Ridge Path, Gearhart)

(Seaside)

(Golf Course at McMenamins Gearhart Hotel)

(Gearhart)