Maine Coast in July

In the Boothbay region, we absolutely loved Popham Beach State Park and Pemaquid Light House. There's a fort near Popham Beach that was very interesting too. Can't recall name.

dg64 said:
In the Boothbay region, we absolutely loved Popham Beach State Park and Pemaquid Light House. There's a fort near Popham Beach that was very interesting too. Can't recall name.

Probably Fort William Henry..........I posted a photo earlier. Take a look and see if that be it.

soda- on your way to Mt Desert when you go thru Ellsworth...there's a great kitchen store called Rooster Brother.

Also on Mt Desert on July 26, if you're there then, the Garden Club is having an open garden tour. See you there :0) http://www.gardenclubofmountdesert.org/

How To Eat Your Way Through Coastal Maine http://food52.com/blog/13314-how-to-eat-your-way-through-coastal-Maine

Soda, I hope you'll report back on your trip!

https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/travel/2012/09/08/brooksville-maine-bagaduce-lunch-catch-day/qotI9XDVRDv8ZhAqBrXtKI/story.html

chalmers said:
How To Eat Your Way Through Coastal Maine http://food52.com/blog/13314-how-to-eat-your-way-through-coastal-Maine
Soda, I hope you'll report back on your trip!

Some of you newer MOLers might not assume that I'll post whatever tidbits I can from the road...

Fear not.

-s.

BTW: Here's some nostalgia from 13 years ago...

Soda

Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 7:40 pm:

Okay, so the kid & I are holed up in this completely generic "suites" place in Santa Fe. We flew into Albuquerque and drove up here, ostensibly to see an old high school buddy whom I've not seen since 1972, on the first leg of a sort of Vacation/Forced March through the Southwest and up through California (3000 miles in 13 days). We've rented this incredible car, reminiscent of The Shark in "Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas", and plan to retrace a coming-of-age trip I was taking the last time I saw this buddy of mine back 30 years ago.

We bought a cell phone to keep in touch with the folks back home. It's on Verizon, and when we bought the thing, they showed me a map of the USA, showing in blue all the terrific places where our "Nationwide Calling" plan would be covered, and some sizable pink areas (mostly here in the SW) where "roaming" fees apply. I'm not sposed to call home till after 9pm, to save $, but just couldn't wait to try and call my old buddy, who's no more than 3 miles away. So I fire up the phone, sitting here in our suite (Oh, "Southwest Colors" on the bedspread. Very authentic. Excuse me...) IN SANTA FE. And what does my new phone say? "ROAMING"!!! AAArghhhh! Does the hotel offer free local calls? NO! I'm skunked.

Anyhow, here's my request:

LibraryLady: Please call my wife (you know everybody, so I'm sure you must know her...), and tell her that we've arrived safely, rented a great car, and look forward to gettin the hell down to ShowLow for the next leg of this Graduation Present/Punishment as soon as our stay in toney, cultural, artsy Santa Fe ends.

And yeah, we'll go to the Georgia O'Keefe Museum...

I'll try to tell her how we're doin when it don't cost an arm, a leg, and a wampum vest...

Thanks, LL!

More dispatches from the road to follow, as long as the kid keeps figuring out how to bypass the hotel switchboards.

Cutter

Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 8:02 pm:

bad craziness

Librarylady

Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 8:29 pm:

Soda, I'm on the phone with the lovely Mrs. right now and she says: "Why doncha use the 1-800. At Least we'll get more frequent flyer miles. Ya can also email her except she rarely checks her mail. Write LL instead." end of quote from Mrs. Soda. Have a great time you two.

NCJ aka LL

Nohero

Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 10:56 pm:

Just remember the rules of the road (via H. S. Thompson): "Few people understand the psychology of dealing with a highway traffic cop. Your normal speeder will panic and immediately pull over to the side. This is wrong. It arouses contempt in the cop-heart. Make the bastard chase you. He will follow."

Jgh

Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 11:52 pm:

Soda: I hope you're staying at La Fonda, the neatest hotel in Santa Fe. Although I haven't been there for five years, I remember it as an older hotel with great character and charm. Go there if you get the chance.

Edmay

Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 3:05 am:

I was fond a Jane

Us2innj

Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 6:20 am:

Soda, what is your opinion of Santa Fe. That is one of the locations we are seriously considering retiring to in years to come. Is this your first visit there? Drive safely, and watch out for their highway police.

Bobk

Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 7:52 am:

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Greenetree

Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 8:45 am:

Oh, Soda-

Why didn't you tell me you were going? My Attorney would have arranged a complimentary stay, along with press passes to a law enforcement convention, at the best hotel on The Strip, had you let me know....

Soda

Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 4:52 pm:

Back @ the suite after first 1/2 day's activities: Parked The Shark in cheapo Public Lot, enjoyed touristy Breakfast on The Plaza, snapped pix of Miraculous Circular Staircase @ Loretto Chapel, ogled art @ Georgia O'Keefe Museum, bought obligatory shotglass & coffecup, then unparked & headed North outa town to see actual New Mexicans in Pueblos. Must be their day off, 'cause the Pueblo we checked out was deserted, except for nearby supermarket & pizzeria... Snapped pix of Rock which looks just like a camel, & assorted spectacular cloud formations.

LL: Advice duly noted. Roaming sucks. Miles Rule!

US2: This is first visit to SF. Impressions so far: SF is an upscale, culture-packed artsy community proud of its diverse populace. Lots of Good Eateries (note to self: next time, stay in SOMA). Should you retire here? How good's yer Spanish?

Major differences between SF&SOMA: 1) SF is Capital of 2nd poorest state in Union. 2) last evening it rained 2" in 1 hour, a regular local summer occurrence referred to by Willard Scott as a Frog-Strangler". 3) Most of the architecture looks as if it will melt in such a storm. 4) One runs over lizards instead of squirrels here. 5) In SOMA, one never needs to request a mole'-free meal when dining at Blue Moon or Maple Leaf. 6) Higher per-person ratio of Galleries & Museums in SF.

Must vacate room now, as small army of Zuni Cleaning Ladies is banging angrily on door, claiming not to recognize validity of "Do Not Disturb" sign.

The kitchen is now closed. More later...

Sac

Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 9:22 pm:

If you decide to explore the countryside, check out Chimayo. I don't remember exactly where it is, but I think it is an hour or so drive away from Santa Fe up in the hills. There is a store called Ortega's there (or at least somewhere in that vicinity) full of native rugs and other crafts that is highly recommended.

It has been quite a few years since we were there, but I do recall enjoying that drive.

Soda

Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 12:23 am:

Quickie before beddibye:

Splendid dining at the central court dining room @ La Fonda (Thanx 4 the tip!). The kid thought his filet only "good" (note to self: nuthin but Mickey D's for duration of this trek unless sonnyboy wises up...). Concierge @ La Fonda very helpful, directing us to location of MIB2, which made me giggle numerous times. Gotta go -- this is the kid's machine, & he's got people to IM.

Tomorrow we shoot over to Pinetop/Lakeside, AZ. Intended hosts back from evacuation, and we shopped hard trying to find correct house present. Voted against large bag o' marshmallows...

Stay tuned. Yeehah!!! Fiesta!!!

Mgl

Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 1:41 am:

Watch out for the bats.

P.S. I once had the pleasure of riding in "The Shark" with Mr. HST at the wheel.

Couldn't resist bragging.

Jamie

Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 1:54 am:

Here are a few shots I took out that way a little while back: http://www.maplewoodonline.com/newmexico/

Soda

Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 11:42 pm:

Well, here I am again, this time mooching Internet time offa our too-nice-to-say-no hosts. Did you know that Arizona doesn't observe Daylight Savings Time? Consequently, I have no idea how tired I am. It's only 8:25PM here in Lakeside, but I'm feeling like nightey-night. Maybe it was all that hiking around in the Painted Desert Badlands this afternoon before the two 99cent BigMacs in Holbrook? Anyhow, tomorrow we clear outa here early, to make tracks for The Big Ditch, where we shall slumber in relative splendor tomorrow night at Yavapai Lodge, no doubt after watching sunset at Mather Point.

Did I mention that our current host and hostess met due to the semi-divine intervention of The Oracle lo these many years ago? Yup. At the behest of The Oracle, we placed want ads in the Deseret News, resulting in the importation of our dear (now ex) nanny, and her subsequent chance meeting with The Lucky Guy as cast members of The Baird Theater. So you see, God don't play dice with the Universe, but The Oracle knows a sucker when he sees one.

More, from The South Rim, in tomorrow's installment. Keep those cards and letters.

Soda

Posted on Friday, July 19, 2002 - 5:11 pm:

So (duh) it turns out that there aren't any "local" access #'s near the Grand Canyon, hence radio silence till our current arrival in beautiful downtown Williams,AZ.

About the Big Ditch: words fail, of course. We did enjoy dinner @ El Tovar. Also sunset at Mather Point, replete with outstanding rainbow appearance. Sonnyboy has yet to pick lower jaw up off his chest...

The Holiday Inn here is practically empty (no doubt it'll fill right up with Canyoneers later in the day), has a lovely indoor pool & Jacuzzi.

On the way to the Grand Canyon we hit the Meteor Crater (NASA circa 1977), and ten miles out of Flagstaff encountered the most violent desert thunderstorm I've ever seen. Visibility dropped to 50 feet, the temperature dropped from 85 to 55, and our speed dropped from 75 to 0 mph. Oddly, the big rigs just kept truckin on through, along with a lone biker (no leathers: he was on a Honda), who seemed impervious to either moisture or common sense.

I intend to capitalize on the empty (heated!) pool by immediately hopping over there and performing several canopeners, followed by a high-altitude soak in said Jacuzzi. It won't be pretty, but my blood pressure oughta take a hit, so things will even out... Early tomorrow we head for Hoover Dam, by way of Rtes 66, 40, and 93, then ON TO LAS VEGAS! Come seven!

Soda

Posted on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 8:21 pm:

Well, now we're in Santa Monica. The pool water at the Holiday Inn in Williams would have left me dirtier than when I jumped in, so I gave up on that idea. Even The Kid was grossed out.

On to Lost Wages! Stayed at the Casino Royale, but did NOT gamble (I wussed out). Instead, Sonnyboy & Daddy took in The Amazing Jonathan (Front Row!) at the Golden Nugget, and later the Fremont Experience on street of the same name. 112 Degrees at 1AM when we got back to home base. Left this morning without breakfast (I got The Fear), trukked through the desert, and now lounge poolside on Ocean Ave., a block North of The Pier. Dinner tonight overlooking a Pacific sunset, and tomorrow we head for Cambria, about 20 miles South of San Simeon. I Luv L.A....

Wendy

Posted on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 8:46 pm:

How did you ever hear of Cambria, Soda? Boy that brings back memories which I'll fill you in on when I have more energy, probably tomorrow morning. I also should tell you a funny story about the hot sulfur baths at Esalon Institute in Big Sur. I'm so back in the 70s now.

Soda

Posted on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 12:49 am:

In 1972, (I think I might have written about this before under some thread dealing with meteor showers, but...) I was traveling practically the same route my son & I are now embarked on, and was visiting buddies in Mendocino, Little River, and Comptche. We got together one crazed evening to drive down to "The Geezers" (that's Geysers, a hot sulfur spring compound on the Sulfur River) to watch a meteor shower. Short tale to make, the hot sulfur baths completely fogged up my glasses and I missed not only the celestial show but, I'm told, also a large number of heavenly (coed) bodies skinny-dipping at the Geezers that night. My loss...

My wife (whom I did NOT meet at the Geezers) and I stayed at the Cambria Shores Motel on Moonstone Beach some few years ago when we retraced my '72 trip, and now my son & I will be guests of the same place, tomorrow night, as we wend our way up the coast towards Redwood country. I miss the 70's too!

On another subject, I've solved the recently discussed "roaming" fiasco. Seems that Verizon's "Roaming Unit", no doubt an itinerant band of geeky wireless gurus, has discovered that the dreaded "ROAMING" message has been showing up on all the Nokia phones west of Denver for the past two weeks. I'm hooked up again. Yay.

Great sunset over Santa Monica Beach this evening, and now a full moon! Cool.

Kathy

Posted on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 2:45 pm:

How come you have a full moon in California, and it won't be full here until Wednesday?? Are you sure you haven't trekked right into some alternate universe?

Mem

Posted on Wednesday, July 24, 2002 - 5:08 pm:

I hoped you soaked the rugs with ether?

Soda

Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 6:20 pm:

Since last post:

Endured fleabag w/o A.C., hoping for nighttime SOS (SoundOfSurf). No dice. Fitful dreams of thousands of mutant streetpeople staggering droolingly towards an unsuspecting Silver Shark parked in an unlocked lot around the corner in the night. Awoke to garbage truck backup-beeping, just like NYC...

Breakfast @ Rose Cafe In Venice.

Left town. Never used pool.

Made it up the coast towards Cambria.

Lunch at Santa Blondia McDonald's. Yummy Food & Folks.

Cambria used to be two restaurants & a bar, plus 5 motels overlooking the coast. Now it's Mplwd Village. Cambria Shores Inn, thank God, is run by a stuck-in-the-70's couple who believe in niceness & dog-friendliness. Hence, full house, replete with lovely canines of all descriptions. No run. All happy. Just like here... Highly recommend these accommodations.

Hearst Castle Tour #1 more than enough info for Sonnyboy, who openly ogled coed tour-members when he shoulda been paying attention to crinkly docent explaining Hearst's elaborate seating plans in The Refectory.

Headed North & Inland to Healdsburg, in wine country, to visit richer-than-God distant cousin at his own version of San Simeon 3 miles up a dirt road above it all...

Did Avenue of Giants.

Stayed last night at Gualala (pronounced "Wah-Lala") Hotel, a landmark 1903 wreck now being upscaled & cutesyfied, resulting in loss of all character, empty onsite saloon, and menu catering to SeaRanchers & Friscoites on holiday. No locals in evidence. Shoulda tried the Motel6 in Anchor Bay...

Now we're at our final inn: the Holiday variety in San Mateo, 5 miles from SF Intl Airport, where we'll depart for home (sweet home) on Sunday. We plan to buy scalper tkts to SF/LA game tonite, brunch with another cousin in the Mission District tomorrow, and continue whiplash-speed tour of City By The Bay. Then do another laundry, pack, & vamoose.

Final wrap-up & 1st Edition of "Cautionary Tales From The Road" when I'm safely back in S.O....

The Kid sez "hi". Has he had a great time?

"It didn't suck."

My cup runneth over.

sac said:
Are lisat and kismet on this thread? (We need that '@' capability jamie!!!)

I am reading and making a list of things to do here too. I am from Maine, and am sitting here right now looking at the water, and plotting how to have my ocean breezes, and my Maplewood too!!

You might stop in for a Sea Dogs baseball game in Portland. It is great family fun. Also brew pubs (which I've never been to) specializing in Maine Beers. Ferries to different islands from Portland.

snowmom said:

PS no LBI this summer?

Never fear.

-s.

MAINE!

-s.

Thanks for that travelogue, soda! I look forward to similar escapades notated on MOL.

So funny. I'm going to Maine for two weeks in August and intend to do nothing but sit on the edge of the lawn by ocean and read. And nap. And eat. And sit by the fire at night. And then repeat the same thing day after day.

It always turns me into a completely happy slug.

A friend and I will be having dinner at Primo (Rockland) in mid-July, after we come off of Monhegan Island and our week of painting there. It's been almost 10 years since my last trip to Maine...can't wait! Looking forward to seeing the town of New Harbor, which will be a first (and the spot from which we'll catch the Hardy Boat to Monhegan).

We won't be going up to Acadia this trip, but we always enjoyed a break for the late afternoon tea served at Jordan Pond...and then a nice walk around the pond. Damariscotta used to be a favorite stopping point on the drive north, as well as Pemaquid. Not so fond of Camden, for the ridiculous crowds. Not sure if it's still open, but I purchased some a couple of great cutting boards at a small shop on Route 1, where all the goods are made at the State Penitentiary.

I can also recommend a guide book that was wonderful and grounded and reliable, called Maine: An Explorer's Guide. It had at bunch of editions, last I checked, and started with the authors' concern that shopping had eclipsed hiking as the most popular activity for tourists in the state...my kind of book.

michelezembow said:
A friend and I will be having dinner at Primo (Rockland) in mid-July, after we come off of Monhegan Island and our week of painting there. It's been almost 10 years since my last trip to Maine...can't wait! Looking forward to seeing the town of New Harbor, which will be a first (and the spot from which we'll catch the Hardy Boat to Monhegan).
We won't be going up to Acadia this trip, but we always enjoyed a break for the late afternoon tea served at Jordan Pond...and then a nice walk around the pond. Damariscotta used to be a favorite stopping point on the drive north, as well as Pemaquid. Not so fond of Camden, for the ridiculous crowds. Not sure if it's still open, but I purchased some a couple of great cutting boards at a small shop on Route 1, where all the goods are made at the State Penitentiary.
I can also recommend a guide book that was wonderful and grounded and reliable, called Maine: An Explorer's Guide. It had at bunch of editions, last I checked, and started with the authors' concern that shopping had eclipsed hiking as the most popular activity for tourists in the state...my kind of book.

Nice!

I have very fond memories of our 3-day sojourn to Monhegan a decade or so ago (via Hardy Boat from New a harbor, followed afterward by a yummy supper at Shaw's.)

Not sure we'll get to check out Shaw's--we'll be happily heading for Primo--but there's always the southbound part of the drive! Thanks, sac!

Shaw's is right above the slip where the boats come in and out. I think it was a section of their parking lot (or one right next to it) where we parked our car for the duration while we went to the island.

The State Penitentiary store in Thomaston on Rte 1 was still open 2 years ago.

LL_ said:

author said:
I maybe should mention the Outlets an exit or two after you cross over from New Hampshire.
I am not a shopper but the boss told me that there was some really good values in clothing.
Bought the only Jean Jacket that ever fit me there.

I am sure Mrs. Soda will be thrilled to go to the outlets and maybe even bring back an item or two for her cat sitter

The outlets just over the NH border are in Kittery.

I'm here too! Well, so many great suggestions here..."my" area is what I can speak about...Damariscotta/Pemaquid/Boothbay etc (my blog- Kismet's life in Maine has some photos, etc). So, Boothbay is lovely but very crowded -if you go please visit the Botanical Gardens (and if it is a Wed, Thurs or Fri please ask for me -I manage the gift shop and would love to meet you) and make sure to try the fish fry at Bett's. Reid State park is gorgeous. Pemaquid Light is a must . I would put Monhegan on the must list too (with at least a crab roll on the deck at Shaws). Damariscotta (my town!!) is a great town with good restaurants and art galleries, etc. Old Port in Portland is fun. Camden is a beautiful town. Of course Acadia is spectacular. I could go on and on (If you read my blog you'll know I am a Maine-iac ). Honestly, there are so many lovely spots you can't go wrong. BTW, I hear Primo is fantastic...just haven't gotten there yet

My family and I owe such a large debt to the man who was principal of my wife's school back in 1981.

He told us of the cabins that were rentals called Heron Cove on Pemaquid. What a delightful stay for so many years. Previous to that we had stayed at the Inn at Poland Springs and made day trips from there.

Poland Springs was fine but we needed a bit more room to stretch..........and Heron Cove provided that and a water view.

If John Denver had stayed with us a bit longer he would be singing the praises of Maine.

OK. We're here in Greenport, after being rammed from behind by a rampaging BMW'er on the Cross-Bronx Distress way... half of our rear end was flapping in the breeze all the way out here yesterday on the LIE. Pulled into the Subaru dealer in Riverhead, who sent us around the corner to (I swear) HITMAN COLLISION, where, by the grace of Chubb, it'll be made all better...

We're both OK, BTW...

Dined sumptuously at North Fork Inn & Table last night, slept at The Greenporter Hotel, & will attend the Tall Ships Fest here today, dine with pals tonight, & tmrw split in our rented Caravan for the ferry, thence for Portland...Stay tuned...

-s.

Pix to follow when we're back in SOMA...

-s.

If you happen to do a stop in Portland, as a shameless plug, daughter in law and husband opened Central Provisions, a small plates place, last year. It was Bon Appetit's top 10 new restaurants across the US, and one of top 7 for the James Beard foundation award...and we are learning to love Maine.

Anyone used cape air to fly in to bar harbor from beantown. Godd, bad, what

OK, so we're back from vacation, and Nobody Got Hurt.

Pix, etc. to follow.

-s.

BTW: Stops for assorted reasons in: Da Bronx, Riverhead, Greenport, Southold, Portland, Buxton, Harpswell's Pott's Harbor, Long Island (in Casco Bay), Rockland, West Barnstable, Dennis, Race Point, Provincetown, and The Secret Field... and if a guy who looks like me waves to you from a rented black Caravan, that'll be me, for the next few weeks.

truegrid said:
If you happen to do a stop in Portland, as a shameless plug, daughter in law and husband opened Central Provisions, a small plates place, last year. It was Bon Appetit's top 10 new restaurants across the US, and one of top 7 for the James Beard foundation award...and we are learning to love Maine.

We did enjoy one big splurge meal, at Primo in Rockland, another Beard award winner touted everywhere as Farm to Table all the way, & we weren't surprised to learn that they have branch eateries in two other prime resort areas. They have beautiful gardens, a wonderful black locust tree, and amazing veal...

Here's a grab shot of Primo's entry.

-a.

Lobstah overlooking Maine Ledges... Definitely the Smile Of The Day last Thursday...

-s.

The amazing number of Outbacks we saw everywhere on the East End of L.I. & in New England made pining for my own bashed-in Subie (hopefully to be returned fully-restored to me after three weeks & $7600) all the more painful.

Here's the Caravan we rented from Enterprise in Riverhead. It was either this or one of two big black pickups, all they had on hand...

-s.

soda said:
Lobstah overlooking Maine Ledges... Definitely the Smile Of The Day last Thursday...
-s.

The angle of that photo kinda makes it seem that that lobster is going to eat you.

We did eat our share of 'em... Guess what we ordered at Demillo's after an afternoon on Casco Bay!

-s.