September 15–29, 2019
Over 15 days, we explored the coast of rocky Maine north of Portland, and a sea dotted with islands; set foot on extreme points such as the easternmost and northernmost points of Maine and the easternmost point of the USA where it was first in the country to see the sun rise; discovered the wild beauty of the St. Lawrence River on the way to Quebec City; all without getting stuck on logging roads.
"Arlington, Massachusetts"
Home
DAY 1, first stop—lobster rolls for lunch!
Boothbay. This shady mini golf oasis has a covered bridge housing a shell museum.
"Boothbay Harbor, Maine" — Photo Credit: Monica DeSalvo
Boothbay Harbor
"Ocean Point sketching perch, East Boothbay, Maine" — Photo Credit: Monica DeSalvo
Ocean Point, East Boothbay
"Reny's, Damariscotta, Maine"
DAY 2, morning stop + shop at Reny's, Damariscotta. A no-frills REI with $10 flannel shirts.
DAY 2, morning stop + shop
The Shawshank Redemption was shot here when it was still the site of the actual prison which is now located in the next town. The shop smells like freshly cut wood, and there is a huge variety of beautifully-crafted wooden products created by prisoners.
We bought a yo-yo and an articulated trivet.
DAY 2, lunch
Lori described Mcloons as the quintessential Maine culinary experience, and it was. We got the clams with herb butter as recommended and watched lobsters being pulled out of the sparkling harbor. The location is on Sprucehead Island in South Thomaston. We stayed for a long time, and I sketched.
The first night in Rockland we saw the documentary "Maiden" at the little theater with a big personality in the center of town.
A windy 7/8-mile trek on the breakwater jetty brings you to Rockland Light.
Lunch on Main Street at this old-time diner with signs everywhere.
An afternoon delight. Works by all three generations of Wyeths. And the actual Robert Indiana LOVE sculpture. Turns out, Geoffrey Vollers knew him well.
"Rockport, Maine"
DAY 4
We stopped at the future build site of Patti Delaney and Gary Gilbert's new home in adorable Rockport.
Atop Mt. Battie, we had expansive views of Camden and the harbor dotted with islands including Mount Desert Island, our next overnight stay in Acadia.
This is a roadtrip worth repeating. All of the accommodations were perfect for us, and we learned where we would want to spend a little more time -- and perhaps retire! Next time we will make sure to get to Madawaska, and revisit Estcourt Station not in the rain. We loved Maine.
