Blogs from Rockland , Maine, United States, North America

I had a wonderful experience visiting Maine last week. I was invited to stay with a couple friends who have family with a house on the island of Vinalhaven, which if off the coast from a town called Rockland. Pronounced vine-el-haven, the island has a lobster industry and the island wasn't overrun with touristy stuff even though Memorial weekend is apparently when their season gets started. I had my first fresh oysters and am a huge fan! So, one fairy ride from the mainland and I was on the island with my friends! They were so kind as to take me for various hikes around island to see the beautiful views, smell the sweet air, and get a feel for the place. I'll be back - such a beautiful place.... read more

When I initially planned my advance north along the Maine coastline, the distance between stops made the Camden/Rockland area a logical stopover point. I learned that my cousin’s wife grew up in nearby Union ME and that they usually visited sometime during July and/or August. I penciled in my dates but, when I learned Rockland would be hosting “The 65th Maine Lobster Festival” during my “tentative” visit, the dates became etched in ink! It turned out the arrival of a new grandchild in Alabama altered their Maine visitation plans for 2012, but who needs to have your cousin watching as a seafarin’ neophyte learns how to disassemble a whole lobster anyway! It also turned out that the campground I selected was very close to Union and was one they knew well. The spot I was given ... read more