From Ralph Lauren's Polo Shop to Nevada Bob's Golf and Tennis, from Dansk Kitchenware to Hanes Underwear, every store that has a factory unleashes its slightly-defective merchandise on Kittery.

And, of course, every store that has an outlet in Kittery has a companion in Freeport, home of L.L. Bean.

Bean's has moved far from its roots when it just sold boots, tents, canoes and Dickies. The store has undergone several renovations making it larger and more department store-esque with each new coat of paint. But behind the neon and the New York tourists, Bean's still stocks canoes, tents and fishing tackle.

There's another problem with Bean's, however. Everyone knows where it is, and everyone goes there. All the time.

Freeport is jammed every day of the year. There are no parking spaces to be found, but, luckily, not at night--and L.L. Bean is open 24 hours a day. At 1 a.m. or, even better, 3 a.m., the store is very empty.

In Maine, spring--like everything else in the state--comes a little later and a little bit slower. Spring breaks often end up as late winter breaks, but the empty beaches are all the more peaceful, and even when the outlet stores are empty, the bargains are just as good