Potluck Surprise

The food was set upon some tables in the middle of a park. We thankfully found some shade, set up the tables, and set up the food. There it was, looking at me, taunting me. You see, this was a vegan potluck in Kittery, Maine. It was a gathering of friends to share food and fellowship and to say goodbye to Nat, Sarah's brother who was to move to Tempe, Arizona. Nat is vegan, and this was a vegan potluck.

I don't think people at this potluck were aware of how opportunistic I am with my eating habits. That was probably just as well. The food looked great. There was a dish of mac and cheese, a three layer bean dip, some type of skewered "chicken", and, to top it off, my favorite dessert- whoopie pies. My skepticism was warranted, I tried to tell myself. All sorts of questions kept leaping through my mind, not the least of which was "What the hell is in this?". How can they do this one without eggs? Are they sure there isn't some type of chicken in here? I swear I just tasted some milk! And yet, at the end of the gathering, there was not one dish I could refuse. They were all decadent and it was a wonderful way to meet some of Nat's friends and say goodbye with some great food.

Sarah's parents, Kevin and Diane, were able to go to the pot luck as well. They left around 2:30 to head towards their best friends' house on Newcastle, an island town next to Portsmouth. They invited us to tag along and about an hour later, we too made the short drive down the coast to Newcastle. Along the way, we received a phone call from Diane- their friend's Michael and Chris (short for Christine) were planning on taking their boat out at 4 PM, so we should get there soon.

Michael and Chris's home is wonderful. Set upon the river that flows through Portsmouth and out into the open ocean, their home is on the salt water river and has spectacular frontage. Kevin, Sarah's dad, spends a lot of time with Michael and I have heard the story of "the Chauncy Creek Lobster Pier" often times. Now, coming from a vegan potluck where my culinary comfort zone was stretched to near capacity, I was on my way to crack, snap, and pull my way into my favorite food- lobster.

I helped Kevin load the cooler. Sarah and Diane were on their way to the boat. Michael and Chris's two daughters and one of their son-in-laws were able to join us. And so, the nine of us set off down the river towards Chancy Creek. Michael and Chris's boat is amazing. It's a 36 foot SeaRay with a cabin complete with a bathroom and shower, refrigerator, stove and sleeping for four. There were nine of us lounging on the deck and I still felt like there was only 5 of us. The layout was perfect. I had never been on a boat like this and it was truly a great experience- one I will never forget.

We pulled up to the Chauncy Creek Lobster Pier and met a high school aged guy who helped us tie off the boat. We brought our cooler (it is BYOB as long as they don't sell it), and met with Michael and Chris's other son in law. At two tables, one for the adults and one for the "kids", we began dining on what I consider my staple- lobster, steamers, and shrimp. It was such a great experience to spend time with these great people and eat great food in a beautiful setting. We were at pick-nic tables that were on a pier over looking the creek that opened up to the bay. The place was packed and we were lucky to find tables. I had met Michael and Chris before along with their children when one of their daughters was married last summer. Great folks. Extremely generous and willing to share their life with others. The return trip was just as beautiful as the trip to the pier. As I sipped on a Magic Hat #9, which Kevin bought for me, I soon lost all sense of worry. Sitting on this incredible boat with lobster in my belly sharing the sights with wonderful people made everything right in the world.