The Maine Coast is a tempting alternative tomore local beaches and a good way to get far awayfrom the Yard. Kennebunkport is a touristy villagefeaturing the summer home of George Bush. Whiletouriests aren't regularly invited to the Yalie'splace for supper sans broccoli, the towndoes have several quaint seafood shacks where thebrave can pick up a lobster while it still crawls.
The town of York is more down-to-earth, and thewater at its four public beaches truly sparkles.the More upscale Ogunquit beach is the place to beif you enjoy long, clean stretches of white sandand the company of thousands of vacationingstrangers. You'll even get practice conjugatingFrench verbs--Ogunquit is a favorite among theQuebecois. Beyond the beach, a path lets you enjoya seashore walk along the rocky coast.
Can't shake that scholarly feeling? That urgeto intellectualize? Don't worry; this isHah-vahd! Of course there's a spot nearbyfor brainy water enthusiasts. As a matter of fact,the place was the hangout of a famous Harvardgrad, Henry David Thoreau.
Nearby Walden Pond is not just a philosophyreading assignment; it actually exists as a realbody of water. okay, it's freshwater, and there'sno surf, but no one can wax philosophical with thesound of crashing waves in the background. This isnot Pointbreak. Here, the idea is to muse,ponder, and reflect. Here, the only talking is inwhispers.
At Walden, a leisurely walk around Americanliteratures most celebrated getaway is a must.This transcendentally tranquil pond is closed inby trees--lots of them--leaving little room forfrisbee or laying out. Yet the narrow path thatlazily winds around Walden is sufficient forreflective strolls and discussions about civildisobedience.
Harvard is not known for its fun in the sun.Summer School offers few opportunities to spreadon neon pink sunscreen and fewer chances to playan intense game of sand volleyball. But thesituation isn't hopeless. There are escapes whenthe Charles River just isn't enough.