I needed a vacation. Like get away and discover something new- relax, sleep, and unplug kind of vacation.  I found myself driving to Portland Oregon to hop a plane east to Boston, Massachusetts.

I’ve been to Boston a few times over the last few years. It is the home of the tea party, the Red Sox, Paul Revere, and of course my best friend.  Knowing that she was a worker bee during the week, I opted for adventure and took a train to Portland, Maine.

I am so glad that I did- I found the town to be charming, friendly, and diverse.

Amtrak made it almost too easy to get there via the Downeaster. On my walk into town from the train, I found the Inn at St. James which provided lovely accommodations last minute for a heck of a deal.

I wandered through town, finding little gems around town, and more specifically in Old Port including places like Motifs,  Portland Dry Goods, and Toko Indo.

I snacked at the Salt Exchange for a watermelon & feta salad, Bam Bam Bakery, for a latte and the world’s gooiest macaroon,  and indulged in many beers and an authentic Lobster Roll at Boone’s on the 2nd floor deck. Evening indulgence was furthered with a cup of chowder at  Eventide and the most decadent scoop of hazelnut chocolate gelato at the Gelato Fiasco. Needless to say, it was a food lover’s paradise.

I walked every calorie off going up and down THE hill several times back to the inn and walking the Eastern Promenade.

Even with so much time walking, I certainly didn’t take a lot of photos. I think that was the point for me- I wanted some time to just unwind. Here are the few I managed to capture.