Discovering Maine's Rocky Coast with Kids: Golden Moment

Discovering Maine's Rocky Coast with Kids
By Jennifer Ellen Parker

Week 8-We were seated on the porch by a window.  The charming wood interior has always reminded me of being at my Grandparents home and made me smile.  The girls looked at me wide eyed and asked if they could order Shirley Temples.  I nodded yes.  This was to be our last adventure of the Summer before they started school the following week.  The menu was reminiscent of a day long gong, sandwiches served with chips and sweet pickles and drinks brought to the table in metal soda shop holders.  The dining room was filled with late afternoon guests hoping to spread out the last moments of the season as long as they possibly could.  We watched out the wooden pane windows as people walked past with dogs, shopping bags, beach chairs, and taffy.  Lunch at the Goldenrod in York, Maine is always much more of an experience than just a place to grab something to eat.  The wait staff is always dressed in fashion similar to what I imagined they would have worn when my Mom was a teenager.  A simple step back in time is accompanied by the quintessential soda fountain and bar that greets you when you walk into the charming establishment from the street, makes this one of our favorite Summer adventures.

After the girls finished their lunches, they proudly told the manager it was the best cheeseburger and grilled cheese they had ever had.  He was very happy with their words and asked if they were going to be having dessert.  Of course they ordered some of the Goldenrod's infamous rich and delightful ice cream and giggled with each and every bite.  If by chance you make it to York before they close this season, be prepared to stand and watch a while as they make salt water taffy from scratch!  The girls were captivated as they watched the huge metal arms stretch the taffy and wring it into strips to be cut into the recognizable shapes we all know and love.  A friend had asked us to pick them up a box while we were there and we couldn't help but get one for ourselves as well.  Sometimes the greatest adventures in life come from the simplest moments spent with the ones you love.  The rocky coast of Maine has offered up some of our favorite nooks and crannies to explore this Summer and helped make this one of the best Summers of our lives!