Mr.Monk investigates Samoset Resort. Day 1

[Mr.Monk]

Cast of Characters:

Mr.Monk -> 40 something, enjoys outdoor vacations with scenic road trips with regional historical context.
Mrs.Monk -> 40 something, also enjoys the above, but needs a yearly Disney fix to keep her happy.
"Jill" - GPS navigator

Vacation Destination:
Samoset Resort in Rockport Maine. A reservation exchange through our other timeshare company. Tenative plans include visiting Acadia National Park, A tour of coastal lighthouses, and a road trip to the northern most tip of Maine. (And to keep Mrs.Monk happy.... outlet malls, quilt shops and craft stores as required)

We pull out of the driveway at 10 am. This is going to be a 457 mile road trip to Samoset, Maine. We're right on schedule. Jill is under the impression she's taking us over the George Washington Bridge and up I-95...:innocent:

We ignore her sarcastic "re-calculating" remarks and head north towards upstate New York. We relent and take her suggestion for a scenic route and cross the Tap and head north via the Merritt Parkway. Traffic is a little hectic but the parkway is beautiful and amazingly colorful despite being November.

We're making good time and according to Jill..... we' could make it to Rockport by 7:30 pm. Mrs.Monk doesn't seem to enthusiastic with that idea. Jill points out a restaraunt with a gluten free menu along the designated route. We opt for a late lunch early dinner because we're on vacation!

The restaraunt was satisfactory! We were seated by "the loud family". Normally we'd suck it up and drive on. But we're on vacation! We get up and move to a quiet location before our waitress comes back with our drinks. The waitress just smiles at us before we can get our our full apology.....

Mrs.Monk is much happier after her glass of Merlot.

We get back on the road. Jill is pointing out the best route to Portland ME. Mr.Monk has plans to get to the other side of Portland and then stop. Mrs.Monk has plans to stop at the Kittery Outlets.......

Stay tuned for tommorrows' trip report........Portland or Kittery.... which will it be?

[administrator]

Kittery. Without a doubt.

[Muushka]

I am looking forward to your next installment. As a former New Englander with a love of Maine, I can't wait!

[bababear]

I say that being the gentleman that you are Mr Monk that Mrs Monk wins this round???? Enjoying the post,,
Hugs Mel

[Mr.Monk]

:thumbsup: We left off last time with my dilemma...... Will I make my goal of Portland or be sidelined?

Mr.Monk, Mrs.Monk and "jill" were happily driving north towards Maine.:coolcar: We were well on target for making my goal of Portland by early evening. All of sudden, Mrs.Monk and "Jill" figured out that the Kittery Outlets were only five miles from our location. Mrs.Monk points out that we'd planned on outlet shopping during this vacation.... and making a trek BACK down here didn't make sense. ...

That's fine with me! I'm stopping. I've got three words.... Colts, Patriots, Sunday.... marriage is all about compromise.

I gallantly swerved through three lanes of traffic to make the exit. :drive: We pulled into the Holiday Inn and checked in for the night. I also provided Mrs.Monk a Kittery brochure. She speedily researched which retail establishments that we'd most enjoy. After careful research it turns out that we really only needed to stop at two of the six mini outlet locations.:thumbsup: The stores opened at 0900, and Mrs.Monk made plans to be there bright eyed and bushy tailed.:bunny:

The Kittery brochure provided "gps" directions. These directions were still confusing to "Jill" she took us round and round. Jilly didn't realize that the road she wanted us to turn onto was actually 10 feet below us? We don't have too many mishaps with the GPS, but this was one of those days. We decided to do it the old fashioned way and followed the outlet signage. Despite the 15 minutes of detours we were at the shops by 0900. Bargains were had by all. We were on our way to Portland by 10:30.:thumbsup:

Jill estimated that we'd arrive at Samoset by early afternoon! Hmmmm. Have any of you heard about this L.L.Bean flagship store....... :innocent:

Oh and apparently "Noel" was tracking us to Maine!:umbrella:

[Muushka]

LL Bean Rocks! Can't wait for next installment.......:reporter:

[7swans]

It's funny you have two women telling you what to do!

[Mr.Monk]

It's funny you have two women telling you what to do!
:yes:

[greenban]

Eagerly awaiting day 2!!!!

-Tony

[Mr.Monk]

That's right my MO buddies....the Flagship store for L.L. Bean is in direct line of travel for our trip.... is this coincidence or has this always been Mrs.Monk's devious plan? I may never know and Sunday is fastly approaching. All together now: "Colts, Patriots, Sunday"

A quick estimation based on Mrs.Monk's shopping style..... we'd probably still make it to Samoset by 3 pm at the earliest. Check in is at 4 pm. The Monk is detouring to Freeport! :slyasafox

Freeport is a nice mall.... I mean town. The L.L. Bean store appears to be new construction it is A- MAY- ZING! Hunting, Fishing, Sporting,....... :hypnotict The downtown Freeport buildings are occupied by the usual outlet establishments. Me thinks this is a great ploy, er I mean design plan. Excuse me, I need to find Mrs.Monk :jleave:

(Having technical difficulty.... just lost half the post. Sorry will be back later with the review on the Samoset room.....)

[administrator]

LOL at your reports!