After three relaxing, secluded, seaside days at the wonderful Cliff House Resort and Spa in Oguinquit, Maine. John and I checked out on Wednesday then drove three miles to Perkins Cove to walk around, browse, shop and watch the boats and folk. We sauntered over to Barnacle Billy's for ice cream when suddenly John said, "There's Mrs. Barbara Bush." She walked down the three red brick steps next to our table (we were tucked into a corner table in the front patio). Mrs. Bush paused and said, "Hello, that looks very good." I said," yes, it is, why don't you order one?" I was eating two scoops of ice cream: pistachio on top of vanilla in a cone.

Mrs. Bush sauntered by then stopped briefly; she was trailed by a Secret Service guy in shorts, a flowered tee, an ear piece. A minute later, John jumped up and said,

"Hi, Mr. President," as President George H.W. Bush walked down the three steps. "Which one do you mean?" he quipped to John and they shook hands. "You, how are you?" I just stood up, and said hello. No hand shaking for me, and besides, I was stuck in the corner while John was on the front side of our table.

Pres. G.W. Bush walked by, headeing for the back patio where his two granddaughters were already seated along with their grandmother.

Next, more "casually" clad secret service guys walked by, then Pres. George W. Bush Jr. walked down the steps. John got up, said hello and shook the president's hand and chatted for about two seconds. I just said hello and then tried to take some photos, only to discover that my battery pack had gone dead.

John did get two photos of the back of the presidents' as they shook hands with others on the patio, most eating ice cream. One couple I spoke to said they often see the elder Pres. and Mrs. Bush at Barnacle Billy but had never seen President George W. Bush there.

Now it was my turn to take a photo...but my the battery pack was dead. Memories remain. But I can't post those.

The ex-presidents had soon walked past a front patio, to the back and sat at a corner table overlooking the river. Security surrounded them but they didn't bother the diners. At first, a small flurry of a crowd came to gawk and take photos, then the situation settled down. John and I continued eating our melting ice cream.

The Bushes had motored up to the dock in their three engine motor boat; secutiy boat was tied up next to theirs. After they'd docked, they'd walked up the wooden ramp to the sidewalk then a few steps over Barnacle Billy's.

All in all, it was a good ice cream escapade at Perkins Cove. Back to the Cliff House, I couldn't wait to tell about my encounter. I had a good rest and a good story, too.

And about the spa, one of my favorites (this was my fourth visit; I live about one and a half hours away by car.) Incidentally, Mrs. Barbara Bush and other family members use the spa I was told.

Try the fabulous facialist Tracy, and my hero masseuse, Dan. The Spa is in a separate four-story building (separate from the main house, where we stayed), overlooking the rocks and Atlantic Ocean. The spa building includes a full-size swimming pool, jacuzzi, lift and a ramp for handicapped folk and also for wheelchairs; the outside jacuzzi also has a ramp and a lift for handicapped folk. This resort is fully handicapped-accessible.

The food is divine; a five-star menu, cooked to perfection. I had lobster one day, lobster with pasta another, to die for! blueberry pie (fresh cooked with Maine in-season blueberries) with ice cream. A four-day package this summer includes two full dinners, breakfast daily for two and a blueberry pedicure.

For reservations and more information, contact The Cliff House Resort and Spa, Bald Head Cliff, Shore Road, Ogunquit, York, ME 03909, (207) 361-1000.