Oh yeah! Maine! I had almost forgotten. 
We really did have a nice trip. The traffic wasn’t kind on Friday and it took about 7 hours from the time HWJF left work until we arrived in West Hartford, CT. We stopped to have dinner with one of HWJF’s college friends and his new fiance, and then headed north. When it became obvious that it was going to be *very* late before we arrived, we looked for hotels with no luck and ended up stopping at the L.L. Bean parking lot for a nap before finishing off the trip and getting in at 2am. Not to worry though because the next day HWJF’s Mom needed some help shopping for a new computer and didn’t mind making a couple of stops, so we headed off to Portland.
We tried to visit the new Tess Yarns shop there, but they were closed. I have a feeling that may have had something to do with Stitches Midwest being the same weekend. So off to a great lunch we went and then did our computer shopping. HWJF’s Mom ended up with a beautiful new laptop (which really makes me want to turn in my giant 17″ one, but that just isn’t going to happen right now) and we made a stop at L.L.Bean on the way back north, because, well, you just can’t be in Maine and not get to shop at L.L.Bean!
HWJF found a backpack big enough to hold a thing or two.
I ended up with this pair of shoes and we got some Ben and Jerry’s before we went home.
Sunday was all about HWJF reconnecting with old friends while we went to the final concert at NEMC. When we first started dating, he was working there for the summer and I went to visit a couple of times. It’s a beautiful place and it really amazes me what they are able to get out of these kids musically, in the midst of also having all sorts of more “summer camp” type activities besides rehearsals and practicing. We definitely enjoyed the concert and also got to see one of HWJF’s current students play, which made for a great afternoon. The evening wound up with blueberry picking (we came home with about 14 pounds, yes pounds, this year) and HWJF’s parents were nice enough to make me a lobster dinner! Yum!!!
Monday we decided to strike out on our own and hit some favorite local places. The new yarn store in town was closed, but one in another area that we had been to previously was open and I managed some damage:
Details on my Ravelry account if you want them.
I really didn’t need more variegated sock yarn, but I just couldn’t resist the colors on some of these. The Aussie Sock yarn is actually for gift socks and there are two skeins.
After yarn shopping it was off to another good lunch and then we went to the fair!
I hadn’t been to one in ages and it was fun to look at the animals and play some games. Little did I know, HWJF is a bingo WIZ and won himself some new travel mugs and won me a fluffy cow:
I won the puppy in a water shooting game. Look like anyone you remember?
On the way home, we saw an awesome rainbow.
A beautiful end to a beautiful day.
We left for home on Tuesday and made a couple of stops along the way. Another stop in Freeport had me going home with this:
The new Kaffe Fasset sock yarn. Two balls and totally for me. I just love the colors. I also picked up the new IK (can you say drool?!).
We had to make a quick run into this place:
Because I remember hearing my Dad talk about it. It’s like L.L.Bean south. Wish we’d had more time to look around. We had lunch with some other college friends of HWJF’s in Boston and had plans to meet up with Stacey, but unfortunately they didn’t work out. Hopefully next time! In the end, it was probably just as well, since, well, you know what happened that day.
So a trip framed by not so good things, but a great trip nonetheless. I did manage to knit in between all that shopping and have two finished objects to show you next time. 
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Love the dog and the cow! And what is it about sock yarns that, even though you need more like you need a hole in the head, the colors grab you by the wallet and lead you to the register?
I love LL Bean! I went to UNH and we visited the Trading Post often with my parents as my mother is from Portsmouth….a little more rustic, but cool too.
I laughed a good laugh at HWJF and the backpack photo. What an adorable face he’s got! As for travel from Hartford to Maine on a summer Friday night – well. Just don’t. LOL
oh dear. i know exactly what e’s going to rip me on when we get to freeport next week. i’m nervous about our travel plans. we want to leave friday afternoon. hmm…
Looks like tons of fun! We went to LL Bean, too – had to get Dobby a new back pack for school ;o)
Yay, LL Bean! There’s one in Maryland (close to MDS&W, BTW), so I got used to being able to go whenever I wanted. It’s too bad Tess’ store was closed! But at least you got to pick up some other yarn
Kittery is so much fun! Love the KF Regia yarn, glad you had a fun jaunt.
LL Bean is the sort of place I could spend a lot of money.
what a great time!!!! There is so much to stop and see up there….
Looks like you made some great sock stash enhancements – perfect ending for the summer of socks!!
You’ve certainly taken the Summer of Socks to heart!
Welcome home!
Nice trip! Look at all the sock yarnie goodness:) LOVE the Treking yarns:)
Whew! I’m tired just reading all that you did! Looks like you make a good stashing haul!
That would be a great backpack to take to Rhinebeck.
A shame Tess wasn’t open, but it looks like you had a great time and still made out with nice yarn.
Those shoes are awesome. They are great for those handknit socks. I may have to look into some of those. I also like the Kaffe Fasset yarn. I have one of the varigated ones in my stash and I am drooling over all the Trekking. I don’t have any of that.
the acronym NEMC is also short for New England Medical Center. when i read it, i thought “they have a medical center musical ensemble?”
also those shoes are awesome.
Nice haul of new yarn! The Kaffe Fassett colors are so amazing. Last night, I had to finally throw away my trusty LL Bean big travel back pack. boo hoo. Had it for about 17 years and the rubberized interior was flaking away and leaving “rubber dandruff” on my clothes.
Is HWJF carrying all your yarn purchases in that backpack??? Sounds like lots of fun.