but not frosty… yet. Last night the temperature dropped to 33°F in the hoophouse, (which has the north end open). I had covered my remaining peppers in the main garden, but nothing else. I didn’t see signs of a frost when let the chooks out, but time will tell if anything got nipped.
Yesterday I did some weeding in the garden, then pulled beets, picked some yellow crookneck squash and a couple of purple bell peppers. Then Dan and I did some errands, including a visit to Freeport Knife Company to get my knives sharpened (boy did they need it!). 
While my knives were being sharpened, we went on to Portland for a trip to Micucci’s Italian Grocer to pick up some Parmigiano-Reggiano and other treats. As we drove down the Franklin Arterial, we were AMAZED to see an absolutely ginormous cruise ship in port, the Explorer of the Seas. I knew Portland had lots of cruise ships visiting these days, but I had never seen one docked. WOW. It was amazing huge, in a way that just makes me feel like taking a cruise would be like spending your vacation in the middle of NYC, but with lots of Sysco food and swimming pools. Fortunately, Dan had his camera so we could document this event. Notice the jet flying over the ship in the second photo. It is a bit hard to tell the sheer size of this massive ship, but the plane helps put it in perspective. The Explorer carries 3114 passengers, weighs 138,000 tons, is 157 feet wide it its widest point, draws 29 feet of water, and is 1020 feet long. P.S., that is the stern end of the ship; i.e. the Captain had to back that sucker in! (OK, really the pilot had to maneuver it into position with tugboats, but still….)
After ogling the giant boat, and a trip to a very busy Micucci’s, and some eye-rolling directed at the cruise ship visitors trying to negotiate Portland’s cobblestone streets in their evening dresses and high-heeled shoes, we picked up my knives and ended the day with dinner at the Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster for some delicious fried seafood and a lovely view. Life in Maine never ceases to delight.
September 20, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Hi Ali,
Mark & I went on this ship’s ‘sister’ ship…’Navigator of the Seas’ this past January. Yes, certainly a floating city and yes, sysco like food in some places…BUT this ship has Portofino restaurant and Chops Grill which book up long before the cruise begins. The food at these specialty restaurtants is cooked to order and DEVINE. The best meal we’ve EVER had. This was our 4th cruise and I look forward to more. It’s a complete departure from our life here in this little quiet town and when on the cruise, Mark isn’t sound asleep(and snoring) on the couch at 9:00pm….we’re at shows or dinner or walking the decks enjoying the warm breezes. When we left Maine this past January it was -17F and the Carribean was sunny & warm!! Soooo nice! You would be surprised at how on such a huge ship you can find places that are quiet and relaxing. It’s a wonderful escape.
September 22, 2009 at 10:00 am
Hi Lyn,
Hmmm. something to think about. Dan and I are trying to find a warm escape locale for February vacation. Maybe I should look into one…. It would eliminate having to rent a car somewhere….
Ali