Travel Notes - Massachusetts New Hampshire Maine: I flew to Boston on Delta for $11 and 30,000 points because prices were double last year and I am finally going to drain these stupid accounts while prices remain high. I just did that for the next trip too. And I turned my useless AA points into a gift card before they could try and take them away again. They finally rerouted the TSA lines on the Delta side. Now it works normally. I rented a car from Budget for $350. They gave me a Chevy Trax (I booked a Corolla) with only 2k miles. I drove A to 60 to 1N to Hampton Beach NH. I intended on staying in Glouster, but, the hotel rates were absurd. I stayed at the Breakers by the Sea (Expedia 8.0) for $97. I grabbed wine and things at Hannaford's and drank to the sunset.
The next day I drove south a few miles on 1A to Seabrook. Had mussels and two Ipswich oysters (ordered one) for $16 and $2 at Markey's. I then went across the street and had a lobster bisque from Brown's Lobster Pound for $8 because they only took cash. I believe I saw these on Best Thing I Ever Ate. It is a Pat's and Geno's situation. Markey's was way better in my opinion. I drove back the way I came and stopped in Rye Harbor. I had the deal of the century at Rye Harbor Lobster (a shack outpost). $9 a pound (with 9% cooking charge) for STEAMED lobster. I had a Chik for $11 all in. I then drove up a few miles to 1 and went back south to Hampton and west on 101W to Manchester NH. I stayed at a pretty acceptable Econolodge DT (Expedia 6.6) for $87. I stayed there because I thought I could walk to an event. I could not. Just down the street happened to be a place on Man v Food. I had 1/4lb of very good brisket and a sausage for $15 at KC's Rib Shack Barbecue. I saw the New Hampshire Fisher Cats play the Altoona Curve for $23 and $10 parking at Delta Dental Stadium. I drove aside the river after the game and watched the NBA finals.
The next day I drove back to Rye Harbor Lobster. I did the same thing as the day before. Let me reiterate, I believe the cheapest lobster I have ever scored in NE was one for $16 years ago. Most wanted around triple their price. A shack aside them (Rye Seafood Company) was training an employee on oyster shucking and gave me two free Pemaquids. I continued on 1N to Ogunquit. I was still hungry, so, I stopped at Omelette Factory and had an ok benny with bad home fries for $21. Further on to South Portland. I stayed at the Casco Bay Hotel (Expedia 8.4) near the Mall/Airport for $107. This area had many hotels. Can't believe I never knew it existed. It makes Portland doable. I drove to the ballpark only to learn the game was not a night game as I thought I had read. So, back to the hotel. I had a lame cb with better tots and beer and Sebago Brewing Co for $41. I then had a beer at Sea Dog Brewing Co for $10.
The next day I went back near the stadium and had an ok chocolate coconut potato donut at The Holy Donut for $5 (Man v Food). I drove down to the harbor where I performed a miracle. I found a free spot in front of of my restaurant! You couldn't even find a metered by 11am. I had a medium bucket of steamers (37) at J Oyster (Anthony Bourdain) for $26. I then drove 295N to 1N to 127 at Bath to Georgetown. I just grabbed a haddock chowder for $7 at Five Islands Lobster Co (Chow Down Countdown) because they were being stupid about the lobster. A $16 per pound 1.3lber somehow became $28. There was some bs about a deposit on the cracker. Also, they weighed the lobster in a heavy plastic crate full of water. The area was very nice though. Back to 1N to Rockland. I finally had a $4 hot dog at Wasses. Bought some wine and snacks at Shaw's. Drove to Rockport. Stayed at the cute Glen Cove Inn (Booking 8.5) for $114. Grabbed a margarita pinsa for $20 at Ports of Italy. They said this is how they term it in Rome. I've never come across that. It was good. Football shaped. Pizza btw. I watched the NBA Finals.
The next day the weather started to change. I drove 1S to Newcastle and Split Rock Distilling. I had a sample of the vodka and single barrel bourbon. Very good. They take their shit seriously. Down to Woolwich to some idiotic restaurant with a blow up lobster on the roof that I had to finally stop at - Taste of Maine. Home of the three foot lobster roll. I just grabbed a bowl of mussels (22) for $25. Back to Portland. I had a very good double smash cb with Caesar salad at Nosh (Man v Food) for $22. Saw Maine College or Art and Design across the street. I had a great Big Ole Biscuit Ice Cream Sandwich at The Highroller Lobster Co (Man v Food) for $7. Not sure if they make it. I only had fifteen minutes grace on parking and they couldn't guarantee I'd make it for The $19 2oz lobster roll I was considering. Remember the math. A lb ($9 at Rye) is 16oz. So, around $1 for 2oz at Rye versus their $19. Saw Cross Insurance Arena. I drove closer to the stadium and wasted more time at Margarita's (Man v Food). I had a terrible taco for $9. It was raining by now. I parked near the stadium in a spot whose sign stated one hour free. I spoke with a lady who said that was bs on game day. So, I waited and the weather cleared up. I bought a general admission ticket to the Portland Sea Dogs v Hartford Yard Goats for $15 at Hadlock Field. The GA section is pretty large. I sat about twenty rows up behind the plate. It was Pride Night. BTW - Driving around Portland I saw MANY interesting restaurants that looked way better than the ones I went to. I drove down 1S to Saco. Hotel prices were ridiculous anywhere else. I stayed at the terrible (sewer/mold odor) Wagon Wheel Hotel (Expedia 8.8) for $123. Grabbed some wine and snacks at Hannaford's.
The next day I drove 1S to 9A to Kennebunkport. I had a terrible clam cake burger at The Clam Shack for $12 because I was waiting for my lunch place to open. One, eraser piece of clam. Used their 30 minute parking area in front. I had a very good salmon with vegetables (snow peas, asparagus, tiny cherry tomatoes, green beans) and mashed potatoes (so much butter) at the White Barn Inn (Food Paradise/Unique Eats) for $45. I then drove to Ogunquit. I stayed at the Milestone Inn (Booking 7.9) for $79. I bought a $6 roast chicken, etc at Hannaford's. I found this new area (to me) called Perkin's Cove. I was going to eat at a place called MC. However, there is no free parking (or much of any) there. They did have boat tours. Even a lobstering one. Find Shore Rd as you enter Ogunquit. Also find beach Rd next to it. It was raining, so, I stayed in.
The next day I had a lame egg and sausage sandwich at The Greenery Cafe for $12. 1S to Kittery. I had decent (except for the one with a rock that could have/may have cracked a tooth) bowl of mussels (33) with sourdough at When Pigs Fly Bakery for $25. Down to Danvers MA for a terrible Knight's Inn do over called the Northshore Hotel (Booking 7.2) for $127. Prices anywhere in MA were ridiculous. This was the cheapest non-Motel 6-ish option. On a Monday! Nothing much around. Had to settle on McD.
The next day I drove to the airport. Had an ok rb sandwich at Jimmy John's at the airport for $10. Terminal A at Logan is really two terminals. I had to walk a mile to get to my gate. No issues. I saw Running Man going up and Wicked 2 and Hamnet coming back. Nothing much. I forget to opine on Marty Supreme which I saw in Michigan. Also not great.
I spent $86 on gas. $146 on parking. $475 on food and beverages. $38 on tickets. $733 on hotels. Total = $1839. I lucked out on the weather. Pretty hot. Didn't ever need a sweatshirt. I suspect that hotels are employing the strategy of trying to squeeze more money out of fewer customers. Probably because they don't have enough staff to clean those rooms or expected guests to sell out anyway. You have to find the desperate ones. Usually newly remodeled ones. I have a suspicion that Expedia and Booking are using AI against our advantage as well. I knocked out all the MILB parks and most of the restaurants on the list. Still have Primo by Melissa, Street & Co and Kennebunk Inn to go. I tried pb&J M&Ms. Gas was around $4.25.
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