Blogs from Maine, United States, North America - page 8

Advertisement

North America » United States » Maine » York October 15th 2016

Geo: 43.2206, -70.5778Another great presentation from a naturalist this morning, followed by a pretty drive to Canterbury Village, NH - one of 16 "Shaker" locations in the US. Temperature was a chilly -6 deg which put the icing on the foliage colours.Along the way we disembarked to walk a short hiking trail to "The Basin", an unusual rock feature in a stream bed. And went past the "Old Man of the Mountain" a New Hampshire treasure, until he met his demise.Then on to The Cliff House, our final hotel at Ogunquit on the coast of Maine. They've saved the best for last, including farewell cocktails and a sumptuous lobster dinner.The tour has been terrific and I was very pleased with the fall colours. Off now to Waterford CT to stay with a couple we met briefly ... read more
Old Man of the Mountain
The Basin
Canterbury Village

North America » United States » Maine September 28th 2016

Geo: 44.6111, -69.335 This past weekend (September 23 - 25) we spent both Saturday and Sunday volunteering at the Common Ground Fair in appropriately named Unity, Maine. The fair is one of the events offered by MOFGA, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, and has been running since 1977, although it's moved to three different locations over the years, mainly to accommodate the increasing numbers of people who attend. In this tiny rural community, over 60,000 people can be expected to come over the Fair weekend. I love the Common Ground Fair! Its focus is to celebrate organic living, farming, and gardening; it appeals to alternative type people, people who basically buck many typical American approaches to life, people who use herbs and homeopathy instead of allopathic medicine, people who homeschool their children, people who ... read more

North America » United States » Maine » Boothbay Harbor September 19th 2016

Geo: 43.8514, -69.6283Headed off to Boothbay harbour. Strangely lots of traffic out this way, not sure why. Beautifullittle harbour side town though. Found the Maine popcorn company andafter trying many decided to purchase the Salt and Vinegar andBuffalo Wings popcorn flavours. Also tried taffy and chocolatecoated Oreos. (Haven't tried the fried Oreos yet, but yet they frythem also). Stopped off at Wiscasset for lunch which we topped off with hot fudge icecream. I think we're eating our way through Maine.Came back through Freeport which has shopping outlets, but we had fun buying at North Facewith their 'sample' sale. Had a look through L L Bean which is huge and well themed. A bigger version of the store out of Tim Allen's 'Last Man Standing' show. Kirsten ran out of time to buy inNike store but runners ... read more
Unusual place to stay and eat - Boothbay Harbour
Even the streets and shops are cute
Boothbay - Ella trying 'gravel'

North America » United States » Maine » Portland September 18th 2016

Geo: 43.6591, -70.2566Set off for Walmart first for a GPS. Its an awesome store, so much of everything and large 'party' bags ofeverything. Tons of precut fruit and its like the old Super K (Kmartand Coles combined but on steroids) Debated Twinkies but bought theingredients for smore's !!!Anyway onto Port William State Park andthe Portland Head Light. Great old buildings, set up to protect themining in the area. The Lighthouse was lovely. Driving through CapeElizabeth was beautiful. The houses are amazing. All weatherboard,beautiful big balconies and verandahs and lots of grass, very fewfences ans strangely, lots of wooded forests surrounding many of thehouses. Just gorgeous.Headed into Portland and walked the OldPort District, and had lunch at one of the restaurants along the pierand Graham got to try the Lobster Rolls, which is what Maine is knownfo ... read more
Ella's free
Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse
Ruins at Fort Williams State Park

North America » United States » Maine » Old Orchard Beach September 18th 2016

Geo: 43.5172, -70.3781Up bright and early for the plane. i think they scam tourists everywhere. Price starts at $50 for a car but ends up costing $110US. Anyway turns out tp be a beautiful rig and really wide and comfy with more electronic equipment than anyone person needs, but i don't think he can speak English well.We depart at 10.30am from Newark, on time for a 1.5 hour flight which took 1 hr !!Arrive in Portland and collect car which is scary but we're upgraded to an SUV Hyundai Santa Fe.Off we head and lost 10 mins later but fortunately end up back on the right street. They don't give you any decent maps, so going to have to buy GPS. Make it to Old Orchard Beach which is so much more quieter than NYC. Arrive ... read more
Old Orchard Beach (Pier in background)
Old Orchard Beach Pier

North America » United States » Maine » Augusta September 14th 2016

Geo: 44.316, -69.8049The hotel yesterday recommended we go down the Maine Coast and visit some of the smaller towns.On the way we crossed a very interesting bridge which had replaced another interesting bridge. The previous bridge was renowned as being the prettiest steel bridge of its time. The current bridge is also an interesting design.Our first stop was Belfast which is very quaint with many older buildings.We also met a couple from Indianapolis who were part of a car rally consisting of older vehicles. We had seen several of the older cars earlier in the morning.By the time we were ready to leave the number of tourists had increased.Our next destination was Camden. Again a very pretty New England town. By now the tourists were numerous so a trip to the pub was in order.Final stop ... read more
Bridge Plaque
Original Bridge
New Bridge

North America » United States » Maine » Ellsworth September 13th 2016

Geo: 44.5292, -68.4032Today's destination is Bar Harbour - one of those not to miss tourist places which one can manage for a couple of hours only. The area is well known as a vacation destination.Our route there was interesting. We had originally planned on taking the highway but our host last night suggested an alternate route.We drove to a ferry dock at Back Bay and boarded the NB ferry to Deer Island. The inter-island ferries in NB are free. We crossed the island to catch another ferry to Campobello Island. That was an interesting experience. It is a privately owned barge which is attached to a small tug like boat. When the ferry launches, the barge is adrift until the tug switched sides.It is the first time I have driven aboard a ferry directly from the ... read more
Back Bay Ferry
Back Bay Ferry (Deer Island 2)
Ferry - Close to Waterline

North America » United States » Maine » Bar Harbor August 25th 2016

Geo: 44.3875, -68.2044We met our taxi at 6:15 am and headed to the Bar Harbor Airport.We had a fantastic time with our great friends and river neighbors, Jeff and Malia Joy. They were incredible hosts and did a wonderful job of exposing us to the many faces of the Maine coast. We are forever thankful.... read more

North America » United States » Maine August 24th 2016

Geo: 44.24, -68.3444This morning, we raised anchor in very calm winds (5-8 knots) and motor sailed the 6 miles from Mackerel Cove to Bass Harbor. Bass Harbor is a "working" harbor, with lobster boats, marine service yards, etc. There was a fun restaurant, Thurston Lobster Pound, right near our mooring where we grabbed lunch. But, there was not much else there.So we hopped on the Island Express bus and rode around Acadia and back to Bar Harbor. We had our last stroll through Bar Harbor and dinner on the waterfront piers. We caught the 8:00 pm bus back to Bass Harbor and hit the bunks pretty early.... read more
Videographer
Lobster pot lookout
Athena deck

North America » United States » Maine August 23rd 2016

Geo: 44.1792, -68.4393The wind was blowing between 18-22 knots in the morning when we left the mooring pendant, heading to Mackerel Cove on Swan Island. We had a fantastic sail that involved more tacks than we can count. Between dodging lobster pots and rocky shoals, it definitely keeps you on your toes.We arrived in Mackerel Cove in the early afternoon and dropped anchor. By the time everything we secured, Malia had a burrito lunch all prepared...awesome.At the end of the evening, I realized that I had not even stepped foot off of Athena the entire day. I did not need to, we had another visit from a seal and porpoises to entertain me.... read more
Bass Harbor Lighthouse
Dodging lobster pots
Ship at sail




Tot: 0.127s; Tpl: 0.007s; cc: 12; qc: 80; dbt: 0.061s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.3mb