Friday, May 28, 2010

Day Trip...off to Freeport Maine


MAINE.......visions of lobster, moose, loons on the lake, and of course, LLBEAN.

In 1912, Leon Leonwood Bean (get it, L.L.Bean) opened a store in the basement of his brother's apparel shop at Freeport Center, selling his now famous "Bean Boot". With this innovative boot, which stitched leather uppers onto workman's rubber boots, Leon began one of the most successful, family run businesses in the country. L.L.Bean quickly established itself as a trusted source for reliable outdoor equipment and expert sporting advise. And if anything fails to operate or wear forever, they will gladly replace it for another........Now, how many places will do that! Does any one need a catalog? Sign up and you will be sure to get a new one just about once a month........ The rest of us might have 4 seasons, but LLBean has at least 12......
If you are into hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, camping, skiing, exercising, or boating, you can get anything you want in one of their specialized buildings. They even have a Home Decorating Center where your house can look just like one from Maine; complete with Adirondack chairs, dishes, tables and rugs. Although, you have to like Loons and Moose etched on everything.
We shopped until we dropped and Ada used all her coupons from having, what else, a LLBean credit card. Shoes, a sweater, and one of those famous canvas bags, all free stuff today. (Although, she knows it took a lot gas purchases and hotels stays to earn those coupons. Who's kidding who!)

The day trip is a four hour round trip drive and will cost you ten bucks for tolls. How New Hampshire can sleep at night for charging $2 for traveling 12 miles through there state is another blog, while Maine gets $3, each way. Parking is free and lunch awaits your arrival. The trip home is uneventful, except for the pretty sun setting skies. Oh...Donald did get something too, a new backpack. Not for hiking as you would think, but as an overnight bag for traveling out west. Always planning he is, for his next great escape!

3 comments:

TerriD said...

Frankie & I went to Maine hiking a few years before we got married and went to the LL Bean store. It was GREAT! I remember buying Ali a winter jacket. 4 hours is not bad. Not the next trip in July but the one after that I will take Ali there if you direct us. Yeah I have a GPS but I experienced an older one dying on me once so I always like a back-up plan. The July trip we will have 4 folks new to Salem with us. There are too many Salem treasurers alone to show them. Can't wait - that is going to be a FUN week-end. Tell Donald to get ready for 7 gals in the house!

Ada May & Donald Roberts @ Amelia Payson House B&B said...

he's already use to one, what's six more.....and with lipstick on his teacups....

TerriD said...

We should make it a no lipstick week-end for Donald :-) You are already a natural beauty!