Tuesday, September 29 – Portland, Maine

This is how we got our coffee – and sometimes Danish – in our room each morning about 6 AM.

Our schedule said that we would be arriving in Portland about 8:00 AM – and we were.

The wording showed up a bit better during a hazy morning than yesterday when there was bright sunshine.

I went up to Deck 14 – where the miniature golf course was located – for a better view of Portland.

We drive by Portland at least two or three times a year when we go to visit Mark and Diane’s family (our daughter), but have never seen it from this point of view.

These two were painting the ship when we got off at 9:45 AM.

Security is routine when disembarking or embarking a cruise ship.

Eduard Klassen had the same idea as I did – in getting to the eastern side of the ship where the morning sun was on it.

We asked a few Portland people why there were wolves (or coyotes) on these deteriorating dock posts. Nobody seemed to know why. They thought it was a display of art. (It did not appear to be taxidermy.)

One man thought they were being taken down within the next few days or weeks.

It was so much fun to have our daughter, Diane, meet us here and take us away for the day. She and Mark live about 30-40 minutes away from Portland.

She gave us a short tour of the area, and it looks like others were getting a fire engine tour.

Many on our cruise were going on a variety of tours for the day. By evening we heard about them seeing lighthouses and Bush’s compound at Kennebunkport. Since Mark and Diane have lived here for many years, we have seen most of the places on the guided tours.

Leaves were beginning to change, but were far from their peak.

Our first stop was in Freeport where there are a few of our favorite shops – including L. L. Bean.

Cerwin looking for a deal in the L.L. Bean outlet store.

We enjoyed lunch in Johnny Rockets.

Cerwin and I shared a sandwich and sweet potato fries.

Cute Catsup designs.

It was so much fun to spend the day with Diane.

Pretty hydrangeas.

Back on the ship and going up a glass elevator to our stateroom on Deck 7.

Preparing to go out to sea again.

My appetizer for supper was cold cucumber soup. It was delicious.

The waiters and waitresses entertained us with singing and clapping as they stood on very stable serving tables.

Moving out to sea by a lighthouse.

After supper the ladies went to a session by Sarah Coblentz: “Finding the God of the Mountain During the Valley.”

The men were in The Board Room with Steve Stutzman: “Man Up – Being A Man After God’s Own Heart.”

I appreciated Sarah’s challenging thoughts on dealing with and growing through painful situations.

The Cool Lounge was filled with ladies.

We were greeted by a cute towel elephant when we went to bed.

I loved our day in Portland.