The Portland Parks and Recreation brochure offers “62+ Senior” programs. In my happy experience, most of us are definitely on the “plus” side of 60, or even “north of 70,” as a medical provider labeled me on one visit.

There are many activities to choose from, but I like to sign up for the day trips. While many of us still drive, we enjoy leaving the driving to someone else so we can enjoy the scenery.

Some of us have walking aids — as I did when I had to wear a boot and use a cane temporarily after an ankle sprain — but we all manage to get around.

There are married couples and singles. There are people who know each other due to living in the same building or going on frequent trips. Some have been doing activities with Portland Rec for years. And then there are those of us who are hoping to have new experiences and meet new acquaintances.

Visiting the Newport mansions at Christmastime was the first excursion I took, joined by my friend Sally. Although during my time as a teacher I never wanted to get up to teach 8 o’clock classes, I willingly set my alarm for 4:30 a.m. to go on this trip. I had always wanted to see the Newport mansions, and they certainly lived up to my expectations — and beyond. Such grandeur! We toured four. A few years later, I’m still marveling at the memories.

Another Christmas season, we went to see the Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. Such a pretty holiday display.

Then came COVID-19, when everything stopped.

But after a couple of years, my friend Lisa, who lives in Standish, found some activities through Standish’s recreation program. Besides Foster’s Clambake twice, we took a ferry ride to the Isle of Shoals, a boat ride around Bath and a tour of the Bath Maritime Museum. Since we both like the ocean, these trips were especially memorable.

Most of the trips I’ve taken with Portland Rec were in Maine, but a few have been in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, among them Pickity Place, the Turkey Train and Canterbury Shaker Village, all in New Hampshire. And Salem, Massachusetts, for the Christmas Carol Trolley, was a fun interactive experience.

We got to tour the grounds of Canterbury Shaker Village. There were a few select buildings open, and although a very hot summer day, the place was so fascinating that none of us complained.

Naturally, most of our outings involve a restaurant, so I’ve gotten to try many new places. One of the unique places was a train where we ate a turkey dinner while having a foliage tour of Lake Winnipesaukee. Because peak foliage was late last fall, we didn’t see full color, but that turkey dinner tasted good.

For people who like the theater, we have been treated to some delightful performances at Biddeford City Theater and the Waterville Opera House, both beautiful venues.

In the heat of summer, we attended “Into the Woods” at the Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick. A lovely trip with a nice dinner out at the Outlook Tavern.

These aren’t all the trips I’ve taken, and there will be more. I have two fun trips planned for this summer with new friend Nancy, who moved here from Massachusetts.

While these excursions may be for us older folks, I’ve found that getting out to new places can make you young at heart.