We had the best ever walking tour of Portland. Our guide, Ross, was terrific. He was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the history of Portland. Darn, the city burned four times, and, like the Phoenix, now the city’s patron, the city kept rising from the ashes. Ross told us about the history of Portland and the economic factors fueling its growth. The city, at 67,000 residents, is still small, but is the largest city in Maine. The city has been experiencing a renaissance, with many new and interesting restaurants attracting a following, and lots of great breweries producing really good beers. Ross had lots of fun stories to share, from the markers commemorating the Underground Railroad to how Maine helped the North win the Civil War. I didn’t realize that Mainers harbored bad feelings toward Massachusetts, from whom they seceded at one point. The walking tour is a wonderful way to get to know Portland, its history and what it’s like today.