Beaches, Lighthouses, and a hike in the Atlantic Woods

I'm getting to know my way around the Westbrook and Saco areas. I found my way to class today without problem. In class, we studied SSH, .rhosts, and a lot more fun stuff.

After I finished class, I went geocaching. First, I went to find one hidden next to a school near the Dana Warp Mill building. Unfortunately there were a bunch of kids running around the area practicing their various sports. I decided it would be best for a lone man such as myself to not be suspiciously lurking around the schoolyard.

Instead, I headed toward the beach and stopped to search for another cache along the way. The cache was hidden along the "Atlantic Way Trail" in the Rachel Carlson National Wildlife Refuge. On the path to the cache, I met a man who had just found the cache himself. That's the first time I have ever met a fellow geocacher out on the hunt. Our GPSs gave us away to each other - we knew we weren't just hikers. The cache, titled "Atlantic Woods" was an easy find.

After that, I cruised down the road to the Old Orchard Beach area. I expected to see piers, amusement parks, a lighthouse, and endless beaches. I was somewhat let down, though I did walk around on an almost endless beach. I saw the lighthouse from a distance and I passed an amusement park, which was closed. I missed the pier and wasn't sure where to look.

Somewhere near Ocean Park, I waded into the cold Atlantic waters. Some people on horseback enjoyed the beach, as did a few others. It's fall here, and everyone has retreated from the shore. The amusement parks are closing. People are putting on their sweaters and jackets, preparing for the cold winter to come.

On my way back to the Saco Industrial Park (where my motel is located) I cruised around downtown Saco and Biddeford. Downtown Saco is beautiful, in some areas. Obviously once home to a lot of industry. The large, brick warehouses and factories have been converted to clean offices and apartments.

Tomorrow I hope to visit the Portland Museum of Art and the Portland Head Light, and then on Saturday morning I hop on a plane for home.