Simply Portland...Utterly Devine

Sweetie I do understand. Trust me, I was boiling when it hit me and ready to explode. But I soon realized I allowed it to get out of control. Thanks for caring, Summer. And thanks for the comp on the camera. Second only to my passport when I travel.

Bath sure must have changed since I was there (which probably was in the mid 1990s). It was almost totally deserted when we were there - I think we were the only tourists that had been there in more than three weeks. It was basically just us, a couple of workers at the hotel and some goats. It was so beautiful back along the river - seemed so untouched and undisturbed. Don't know if I'd enjoy it now if there's so much hustling and such going on. I much prefer off the beaten path, non-tourist type things than some crowd of people.

i just want to re-confirm that bath is just as beautiful as you remember it, don't want ppl to not go . . . one just has to walk upstream from the hustle and bustle . . . unless you ask a local to show you, none of them will walk past the "hustle" of things. so, one would have this serene, beautiful place, full of birds and just nature!!! . . . just the shear beauty of it takes my breath away!!! and, as you walk that bridge and to go to the "hustle" you turn right, but if you go straight up, and follow the path, there is more beauty, you kind of look down onto the river and bath hotel.

i've stayed at the bath hotel two different times and both times found the place to be creepy . . . we were the only guests and they lock those gates within the hotel on each floor and one is stuck, real creepy! yes, the food is good in the hotel.

lot of ppl from from "town" (kingston) come down for the "bath". the jockeys from the racetrack are a regular attraction, if you hit the place when they are there, it is more than hilarious to be an observer!! . . .

i've gone there totally alone and have been ok. just a simple "no" and you're alone.

i personally find it real therapeutic to just "be" there just a little upstream. the water is not deep, up to the knee usually. wear water shoes.

Hi Rachel, unfortunately I didn’t wander outside the massaging area, but I from what I did peek, I would definitely go along with Jitterbug in that the property itself is still as serene as you remembered. It only gets crowed in the massage area, no where else.

Thanks for the great input Jitterbug.

...and the day continues...

Music played as the car was driven further away from the Bath Fountain lot. No other sound mingled with the hum of the motor and the soothing set of Lover’s Rock as we headed back to Portland.

Took out the camera to take pictures as the scenery we were passing started commanding attention. So beautiful this land. I didn't mind the many potholes. When the car swerved to the left, I would look deep into the thick, green bush trying to spot flowers or cascading waters. How could I possibly stay agitated when my time to enjoy all of this is limited? Snap out of it girl.

“You checking out the pictures from Bath?”
“No, I didn’t take many. Well, a few, maybe about eight or ten.”
“I did take pictures for you.”
“Oh really?? Okay. I guess you got a lot of the scenery??”
‘Check the camera. I got a lot of photos for you.”

It felt okay that he took pictures of the people and not me. I was glad to hear I might have a variety of shots of the streams, rocks and of course massages in action.

No sir, he didn’t lie. He took a lot of pictures. 47…ALL OF ME getting massaged from my toes to my temples. A couple were keepers. Some were mad funny. I looked ridiculously stiff covered with mud, sitting on the edge of that rock. Too many of them showed that I desperately need to loose weight. Delete. Delete. Delete.

All felt good again once we crossed back into Portland.

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I was passed ready for a cold red stripe. Thought we would have to drive a few miles before finding a store but instead he pulled up to someplace better.

Under the Rock Restaurant and Bar.

I was floored when I saw that blue and white building. Not kidding. My vision of Under the Rock Bar was nothing like what I saw. It is very attractive and inviting from the outside. I couldn’t wait to walk in.

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Located in Hector's River at the south end of Portland it’s a two-level bar/dance club at the bend in the road. It gets its name because the bar is surrounded by naturally-carved stone.

The beach recently formed in the cove below the bar and alongside the club is small but lovely. Very romantic and the perfect place to spend the entire day. Entrance is free unless there is live music or sound system going on. You can buy drinks at the bar and there are usually food vendors on the beach. Every Sunday night there is music and sometimes they have live shows with local talent.

The inside is just as lovely as the outside. Great layout and décor. Huge bar and the view of the beach from on of the stools at a window is breathtaking.

The soft lighting gives it a cozy-evening feeling even in the day. Not too dark, just dim enough to be relaxing.

The drinks are very reasonable. A shot of over-proof 100J, a red stripe 150J. The bartender is a sweetheart. She was ultra polite is letting me know ONE shot will get me to where I wanted to go. She was right!

After taking a few interior pictures it was time to see this beach!

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After coming down the steps, I found myself standing on this generously spacious concrete patio. Walked to the rail and was in awe of the view. A view I couldn’t stop taking in. One that I knew I had to see again and again. All I could say was “Amazing”!

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I didn’t make it down to the beach but plan to spend my first Sunday there during my next reach.

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That is the “bar under the rock”. I'll get better pictures of the area next time.

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I hated to leave but time was getting short. But as I promised, will go back to get my beach on proper.

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