Sunday – Oaks Bluff

It has been a beautiful day here – as long as you have enough layers on if exposed to the wind – very sunny. I went for a walk along the waterfront before breakfast, enjoyed freshly cooked waffles, strawberries and real maple syrup , then set off to explore the historic sights of Oaks Bluff.

Some history – Oaks Bluff started in 1835 with a handful of tents pitched amid a grove of oak trees for a week of spiritual rejuvenation. By 1870, thousands were coming to the most famous Methodist camp meeting in the US and to holiday in the town that grew up around the original meeting site. Because OB did not start with whaling or shipping, like other towns, it has a lighthearted air. Whimsical, multicoloured gingerbread cottages were erected to replace the tents. Then bigger houses in similar styles

Today I saw :

Fancy houses along the waterfront. Huge – all different and mostly in a style that if I had one I would call it ‘Susie’s Folly’ . The book says Queen Ann or Gothic Revival .

Narrow streets lined with colourful gingerbread cottages. Mostly vacant for the winter

the Tabernacle- originally a huge tent, now has a roof , open sides and seating for 3000

Oaks Bluff Harbour – holds 500 boats in the height of summer, only a few now. The tourists are only just starting to arrive. I asked the waitress last night – she said there were only 1 or 2 tourists in the crowded restaurant, none today ( see later)

Flying Horses – built in 1876 the oldest operating platform carousel in the country with 22 horses with real horsehair tails.

An octagonal chapel with a funny 3 tiered roof

A so-called ‘arts district’ with about 10 arty places – all closed

Several museums – closed ( I am not heart broken)

Today I ate / drank at :

A coffee shop – but not an espresso machine – just a type of ‘put the pod in and press the button’ machine. Lots of different coffees to choose. About 5 machines. The place was crowded. I sat and read the Boston Globe

A sort of beach shack ( exposed to the wind) with beer signs, locals, 60’s music and lobster specials. I ate a steamed small lobster and a grilled corn cob. People , as they arrived, would greet other locals, nod at me, sometimes ask where I was from, smile when bits of my lobster claw went flying. No other tourists

A beer house – lots of wood, canoes in the ceiling, locals, peanut shells on the floor, adverts for varying community events ( many businesses are doing something on mothers day to aid breast cancer research. ). I had a big bowl of clam chowder – total $9 incl tip. No other tourists.