Friday, August 31, 2012

In Maine this weekend: Summer’s Last Hurrah


 It’s Friday afternoon and you’ve got the whole long holiday weekend ahead of you.  Got any plans?  It IS kind of the end of summer.  Kids have or are soon going back to school.  The weather forecast actually used the word “crisp” to describe the weather a couple of days earlier in the week.  And there’s absolutely no chance of being able to shop for cargo shorts or air conditioners, even if it’s supposed to reach ninety degrees tomorrow.  Nope.  The “seasonal” aisle at the supermarket is chock full of Halloween candy.  I know, I was there yesterday looking for a bag of freeze pops (not yet frozen) and had to traverse multiple aisles with a laden shopping cart, only to find one bag – ONE bag sitting alone on a sad low shelf near the juices and baby formula. 

But I digress.



What I’m getting at it that with so many obvious signals, it’s clear that we’re at summer’s end.  So what are you going to do about it?  I say cling to the last vestiges of summer while you can! 

Baseball games.  Campfires.  Watermelon.  It’s your last chance to do it all! 

So with this post – my first after a few weeks vacation that will lead to many, many more posts – I’m going to tell you about a few places to go if you’re in or near Maine and want to do what my daughter claims is the BEST of all summertime activities:  SWIM!

For her it’s about the swimming – for hours – for me its about the leisure and relaxation of having my toes in the sand, a good book in my lap, some Coppertone sunscreen wafting through the air, and a cooler packed with a selection of goodies to last the whole day. 

Here are some of my favorite spots for all of that:

1.                  I’ve told you about Old Orchard Beach in the past but want to remind you that the ocean water has finally warmed up and you can actually swim in it and despite its carnival atmosphere really is a beautiful beach.  I recommend going to the left or east of the downtown area.  The sand is powdery soft and the beach is wide.  The crowds of the pier area are disbursed and you can find some space.  Plus, when you need a walk, you can walk downtown and get you and your kids some idea cream or deep fried something.  


East of the pier in Old Orchard Beach
2.                  Here’s a place that I’m really hesitating to expose to the world.  I’m not sure how many Long Ponds there are in Maine.  It seems to be a common descriptive name for a pond.  The one I’m talking about is in Parsonsfield, which is in the western part of Maine, near the New Hampshire border.  Find Route 5 that goes through Dayton, Waterboro, and heads into Cornish.  Tell your GPS to search for “The Road between the Ponds” (really is the name) in Parsonsfield/North Parsonsfield.  There’s West Pond and there’s Long Pond.  I grew up going to Long Pond.  Somewhere back in my family history there was a camp there, on the eastern shore, but that’s long gone.  We had family reunions there and lots of great times.  What you’re looking for is a section of the pine enshrouded road where there’s a stone wall, a blocked entryway, and lots of cars parked for no good reason.  Go through the entryway and follow the path that leads to the water.  Note the signs that tell you you’re on the property of the West End Camp.  They’re cool with visitors.   

It's about the water at Long Pond.

 The beach there maxes out at about 5 feet at its widest.  You’re not there for the beach.  What you’re there for is the water.  They say it’s a spring fed pond which would account for the clarity but the best part is that it’s so shallow and for a lonnngggg way out it remains so.  You can plunk your chairs in the ankle deep water and watch the kids play ball or Frisbee in the knee deep water.  You can wade out – out – out and still only be up to your waist.  Being so shallow allows for it to warm up relatively fast in the summer sun.  It’s like bathwater sometimes.  So now that I’ve let you in on this one, do me one favor:  don’t trash the place.  Don’t make the property owners have to close access to the beach.  Go and spend the day and make great memories with your family and enjoy it, but let’s keep it our little secret.  

Clear, shallow water at Long Pond Parsonsfield, ME


3.                  Ok, one last one before I wrap it up for today.  This is a new thing in Brewer.  A while back, a place opened in Bangor called The Maine Jump, filled with bounce houses and other bouncy things for little kids to go and jump their little buns off.  Seeing its success, Playland Adventures opened in Brewer on Wilson Street.  It’s across from Dairy Queen (which comes in handy) and is housed in a former soda distributor’s warehouse space.  This is a bounce and activity place that can handle the older kids and adults.  If you’ve got tweens or teens just itchin to get out of the house and play rough, this is the place for you.  The cost for the Bounce Zone is $15.00 for the day or whatever amount of hours you choose.  Giant inflated boxing ring and boxing gloves so the kids and bop each other around, human bowling, some air filled knock each other over with a wrecking ball kind of thing, it’s great fun for everyone.  They also have teen night.  Ages 12 – 18  can go from 8 – midnight every Saturday night for $10.00.  Why am I telling you this in a post about summer water fun?   
In Brewer, Playland Adventure's Splash Zone


Because outside Playland Adventures they’ve set up other inflated things for kids to play on that are either spraying with water, plunk you in water, or slide you through water.  It’s called the Splash Zone and is an extra $4.00 on the day pass and is a ton of fun on a hot day.  Slide, slips, splashes.  Here’s their website for more photos and details:  Playland Adventures

So enough out of me for today.  All this writing about summer fun, I’ve got to get outside!  Enjoy your summer folks!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Flea Market Fun: Searsport Maine



 Traveling along Route 1, through the midcoast region of Maine, just north of Belfast (a very cool little coastal town worth a stop, but that’s another post . . ) there’s the town of Searsport.  They have an island (Sears Island) and a funky little downtown with one of the Grasshopper Shop locations (a really great FUN store).  Further on, you’ll find a peppering of antique shops and a craft consignment store.  It’s a nice part of the drive.





The reason I’m writing about this today is that I was recently looking through my photo archive for some images from a couple of years ago.  I came across some that I took one day that I went to Searsport’s flea markets.  Fun, quirky, nostalgic – if you have time to look around you’ve got to check it out.  Go with friends who like a good laugh or have an eye for value. 






Here are some of the photos from one of the trips I took:

Not exactly sure what these are but I liked the light.


There’s some true creativity living here!



Enlarge these to read the detail.  It's hilarious!


I had these as a child!!  Brought back memories! I also remember a farm with barnyard animals and a barn door that mooed. 

Ah the Fisher Price house . . . doorbell rang and everything!

I think we had this .  . but didn't play with it much.  Telling isn't it?




I’m not sure what it takes to collect all of these bottles (other than a permanent spot at the flea market!) but they did look pretty cool in the sunlight.





I loved the signs.  I’ve got a thing for signs.

I liked "my cow or your cow" in the top sign.




Do you see these things on Antiques Roadhouse?




Other neat stuff . .





Thought you might enjoy this little trip to Searsport and the flea markets.



Friday, August 3, 2012

This weekend in Maine: What's Happening


There are times of the year that it’s difficult to get any work done.  The holidays are one of those times.  Another time is now.  Mid summer . . . July & August.  The weather is beautiful, rarely a day that’s too hot.  Days stretch out well into prime time.  It’s hard to stay inside.  You almost wish for a rainy day so you can have a few productive hours.  But with so many people on vacation, I find that I’m leaving voice mails for people who won’t return for days and sending emails that are lobbed back as out of office replies.  So what do you do?

Go out and have fun.

Whether you’ve been at work or on vacation this week, I bet you’re still looking for something to do this weekend.  There’s plenty going on in Maine in the next few days.  Find your way to one or more of these happenings. 


Bangor State Fair – Having started July 27th, this year’s Bangor State Fair is in full swing.  Located on the grounds of the Bangor Auditorium and Bangor Raceway, this is one of the largest and longest running agricultural fairs in the nation.  The midway and games, rides and concessions are pure carnival.  Attendees come from everywhere and people watching (if you’re into that kind of thing) is part of the fun.  One thing that makes this a true Maine show is the lobster roll eating contest, taking place August 3.  Some of the live shows have come to Bangor before and some are new experiences for visitors.  One repeat performer is the Disc-Connected K9s show.  I’d go back and see this one again and again.  The show team trains rescue dogs from all over the world to catch flying discs and jump on their shoulders and show off their agility.  You can even get a mini disc “autographed” with bite marks by one of the dogs.  More food than should be allowed, a great agricultural set up in the Bangor Raceway barns, a photo contest, all kinds of 4H contests, and a live BMX bike show.  Admission is $12.00 for all ages and it allows access to all shows and unlimited amusement rides.  More info here:  www.bangorstatefair.com.

Maine Fairy House Festival – at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay is an event that I attended two years ago.  Such a fun time for kids and grownups.  Lose yourself in imagining a world where fairies giggle and hide in the woodlands and garden.  Build Fairy Houses with your kids.  The Botanical Gardens prepares areas for doing just that, and somehow there’s just enough decorating material to build a great house.  

The gardens themselves are spectacular.  I especially loved the Burpee kitchen garden full of fresh herbs and the Alfond children’s garden.  The children’s garden has a vegetable garden and a keeper’s cottage.  Live performances, crafts, the oh so fun bubble machine, and food make for a fun time.  All I have to say on this one – if you’re in the area – GO – here’s more info and directions and some beautiful photos of the gardens http://www.mainegardens.org/calendar/maine-fairy-house-festival



Maine Lobster Festival – In Rockland, this festival’s claim as “the original lobster festival” can’t be disputed by many.  A tradition for 65 years, it has grown into an event that its creators might not have imagined.  It has gone well beyond the expected lobster related food and fun.  Arts & crafts, maritime displays and demonstrations, and live entertainment.  www.mainelobsterfestival.com


Maine Comedy Festival – being held at the Bethel Inn Resort, funny people and a golf tournament to boot.  www.mainecomedyfest.com.  They’ve got some big names and expect big laughs.  If you’re visiting or live in western Maine, you might want to check this out. 


WLBZ Sidewalk Art Festival – Between the Bangor Fair and this event, my little part of the state is really hopping this weekend.  This art festival grows every year.  It’s great to get out and get inspired by other artists and perhaps get your hands on something really cool.  Check it out at www.wlbz2.com. 


84th annual Kennebunk Antiques Show and Sale -  Held on Saturday and Sunday, August 4 & 5, at the Kennebunk High School gymnasium. Sponsored by the Animal Welfare Society, Inc, this year's show will again have 30 exhibitors from several states selling antiques in every area of the antiques market. Known for its tremendous selection of fine antique glass, fine antique china and antique and estate jewelry, this year’s show will also include Period and country furniture, Folk Art, primitives, Americana, Silver, historical Staffordshire, hand-painted china, pottery, decoys, paintings, prints, Fine Art, linens, postcards & ephemera, and Oriental porcelains. Come early, have lunch & enjoy.  For more info, directions and schedule www.goosefareantiques.com/

Okay so if none of this inspired you to get off your couch and go play, you’re really missing out on some great stuff.

Head’s up for next weekend (11th & 12th) – start making plans for

Downtown Bangor’s Artwalk  – August 10th


Kahbang Music and Arts Festival begins