Forced Comparison of Resort Towns: Kennebunk Maine

Last week I went on a field trip, so to speak, off to Kennebunk Maine for a family wedding.  During my trip back east, I couldn't help but try to compare resort towns and what they feel like as compared to Telluride, my long-time home.

First of all, Maine was awesome, it was just so nice to get back to the beach and eat lobster and oysters over and over, but a few notes.....

Where did I go exactly?  Kennebunk and Kennebunkport for three days and a day on Peaks Island and a day in Portland.  Rarely do I leave Telluride in the heart of summer, and in hindsight I should have spent more time there.  (I was there 4 full days)

Prices:  Just like Telluride, restaurant prices and lodging prices seemed very high.  Nothing you can do about that.

Food Scene:  Just like Telluride, these spots were all foodie towns and my meals were fantastic.

Affordable Housing:  Although each place in Maine specifically seemed to have a higher cost of living, it was not outrageous.  And for budget minding Locals?  You could travel inland, maybe 15 miles and the prices seemed to drop.  Its not a crisis like Telluride and Rocky Mountain Resorts.

Crowds:  It was busy.  Waits for almost everything if you did not plan ahead.  

Coolness:  Each Maien spot ranked high for coolness.  Gooch's Beach and golf in Wells at Old Marsh Country Club were two great experiences and the lack of fast food and nonsense style chains in Kennebunkport was refreshing.  Peaks Island was great!  A reggae fest on a Sunday afternoon was what I needed.  And Lasty, the food scene was outrageous in Portland.  Side note:  The Oyster steamed bun at EvenTide was the best thing I've eaten since I was in New Orleans in April.

But the best part?  It made me appreciate Telluride even more.  Especially thinking how cold and dark it can get in Maine.  And it made me realize that I need to get back to Maine more than every 20 years.

And maybe some day?  I won't be such a critic