Maine Travel Resources: Summer 2013 Vacation Planning

Happy Spring Everyone!

After such a long, cold, snowy winter, it's nice to see some springtime signals arriving. Crocuses are coming up in some sheltered spots. I have heard some of the warmer weather bird songs in the mornings. The best sign is that I don't find it necessary to layer on so much protective gear before leaving the house.

At this time of year, many people have already begun planning their summer vacations, whether as a mood altering exercise of cabin fever, or because their experiences have taught them that it really does behoove them to plan and reserve ahead. Though I am a fan of the spontaneous departure (in theory anyway) working in the tourism industry has taught me a few things. So, whether you'd like to begin dreaming about your summer vacation in Maine or you're in the deep planning stages, you might find some of these resources helpful.

My top 10 Maine vacation planning resources:

• Visit Maine: www.visitmaine.com - this is the site of the Maine Office of Tourism, a state agency tasked with gathering and providing tourism related information for all eight tourism regions of the state. This is a great starting point to begin planning your Maine vacation. With lodging, events, maps, dining and things to do all in one place, you can see that we've got a lot going on here. From the site, you can delve much further and find exactly what's the best route for you and your family. 

• Maine Arts Commission: Live music, dance, galleries, lectures, classes, performing arts, and just about everything that can fall under the classification of an art form is here. This events calendar is a handy one to bookmark and return to. 
• Maine Agricultural Fairs: I love going to the fair. Fresh squeezed lemonade, fried dough, sizzling sausages, cotton candy - can you tell I like to go for the food? Oh yeah, and the animals and the 4H contests. Rides, shows, and the midway - no matter which fair you choose to check out, you'll surely find what you expect in a fair, but will also be surprised. The Bangor State Fair is the one I am most familiar with and one of the biggest in the state. It takes place in late July - early August each year. The Fryeburg Fair is another biggie in Maine, slated for a bit later in the season, it often showcases some of the agricultural freaks of the summer growing season like the state's largest pumpkin. Both always have live music, spectacular events and not to harp on the food, but THE FOOD.
• The Maine Camping Guide at http://www.campmaine.com is the place to go to find out about camping in Maine. Whether you're the tenting type of folk or want to bring the RV this site can link you to all the campgrounds, RV resorts, and other camping resources.

• Maine Camps & Cottages - a sister site to the Maine Camping Guide, this is the place to go if you're looking to rent a cottage or go "upta camp" in Maine. Lake front, beach front, or into the woods it's got info about all types of places you can start your family traditions.
• The Maine Innkeepers Association is a fabulous resource for hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, and inns throughout the state. Traveling on a budget or in high style, you may be surprised at the range of offerings here. Really a great site.

• Part of the Maine Restaurant Association, Feast on Maine is the ultimate Maine dining guide. Last year they introduced the app you can use while in state and on the hunt for great food. Maine is earning quite a reputation as a foodie destination, with a strong farm to table movement and the state's allure to creative and industrious types of people, it's not a surprise to me that its getting more and more recognition.
• Up for some sports? The Maine Sports Commission is a relatively new arrival on the tourism scene in Maine. Not only focused on traditional sports, this site will provide you all you need to know and where you can find out more about what's going on in sports in Maine this summer. 
• I'm a huge fan of North Woods Law, the Discovery Channel show that's on the lives and work of Maine Game Wardens. Just thought I'd throw that one in there as a plug for the really good guys who do their best out there. When you visit Maine, if you're coming for the fishing, hunting, and other outdoor wildlife, the website for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will provide you with the laws, seasons, and whatever else you need to know about enjoying Maine's abundant outdoor resources.
• Last on this list, but only the beginning the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands will give you locations, hours, amenities, and various programs offered at Maine's State Parks. 

So, if that's not enough to get you started, stay tuned. I will be posting more in the coming weeks as we approach the summer. If this is all too overwhelming and you don't know where to turn, simply email me at celesteATcelestecotaphotography.com. I would be happy to help you with some itinerary suggestions, personal recommendations, and additional resources to help you plan your vacation in Maine.

Maine Destinations: Romantic places

Not to get all sappy and sweet on you here, but it’s Valentine’s Day and being the romantic I am . . . I thought I’d share some romantic places in Maine to visit with your favorite other in your life. Or your other and the kids . . . romance is all in how you spin it. I certainly love chocolates, a bouquet of flowers, a bubble bath, and the other stuff the merchandisers want you to think women want as gifts for Valentine’s Day, but I’m on a diet, flowers are ridiculously expensive, and our huge tub takes hours to fill. 

Give them an experience.

Give them a memory.

A string of bleeding hearts

A weekend getaway in Maine? Great Idea. For me, just going somewhere new is an experience I truly enjoy. Making memories in that somewhere new just comes with the package.  Going back to a familiar and memorable place is wonderful too. Shared memories bind us as couples and as families. Reinforce the bindings by continuously striving to create new memories and keeping the pleasurable memories of the past alive.  

These places are not just for Valentine's Day. In fact, some are best visited at other times of the year. I consider them romantic because a.) they are places to go with your spouse, partner, other half, friend with benefits . . b.) they are places to go with your family, the result of the romantic interlude.

Cape Porpoise Harbor

Cape Porpoise – just north of Kennebunkport, Cape Porpoise is a working harbor. The seafood is unbelievably fresh. You can watch the boats come in with the catch of the morning. Have a picnic on the dock. Just stay out of the way of the lobstermen. Have lunch at Pier 77.  For an authentic Maine experience, romantic and real, this is a great little village.      

the beach at Biddeford Pool

Biddeford Pool – I’ll write more about this place when I’m ready to expose it to the world. This was the beach of my teen years, on a blanket with my friends, rubbing baby oil on our skin for the deepest tan possible. Ah the days before we learned about skin cancer or worried about wrinkles! Why it’s romantic: it’s kind of hard to find. You have to have a pass to get to the beach. There’s a bathhouse with an outdoor shower. It’s a huge, long, wide beautiful beach. Like beaches in summer, people are hardly dressed, indulging in such carnal pleasures as taking a nap under an umbrella, basking in the hot sun reading a book (my personal favorite), the air is salty and hot and smells of the mix of sunscreens and sandwiches, and you can walk far away from the crowd and just be the two of you, or as many as you want, and swim and frolic all day. Bring your own snacks and drinks, but the ice cream truck does come by every once in a while. Rentals can be found here: Maine Seaside Rentals

Old Orchard Beach's famous pier

Old Orchard Beach – in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, the weather is mild, the sun shines brightly, and the summertime crowds are nonexistent. The beach here is seven miles long and so wide at low tide you’ve got plenty of space to stroll in the sand. Skip stones, jump the waves with your pants on (or off!), and breathe in that salty air. Do like the summertime high school teens and sneak under the pier to make out. Do like grownups do and get a room (great discounts in the low seasons!). visitor info can be found here: Old Orchard Beach Info

Biking on the carriage trails at Acadia National Park

Bar Harbor – a coastal town that’s arguably the most requested destination in the state. There’s a good reason. This little town’s got a lot to offer. From awesome shopping and dining downtown, to whale watches and schooner day trips out on the sea, to bike rentals and canoe and kayak outfitters to take you out of town, there’s really something for just about everyone. Folks go to walk around the town dock and see the boats and birds. Poke your head into some of the shops, have an ice cream cone, and a lobster roll. Get yourself over to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor’s neighbor on the island, and enjoy Sand Beach, drive up Cadillac Mountain and drink in the view of the islands, or bike on the Carriage Trails. You can find yourselves alone for remarkably long periods of time.  On your way off the island, stop at Mainely Meat BBQ for sticky, finger licking barbeque. Or cross over into Trenton and pull into Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound , one of the restaurants just off the road whose gigantic steaming pots are perfectly primed to cook you a lobster while you wait. 

Visitor info can be found here: http://www.barharborinfo.com/

Portland's Old Port

Portland –  with a foodie reputation that’s growing by the moment, Portland is a city to visit if you’re into trying anything. Gelato Fiasco on Fore Street. East End Cupcakes right across the street. TwoFat Cats bakery up on Munjoy hill. More restaurants per capita than any other city in the nation. Beyond the belly, you can check out the Old Port and Commercial Street, for shopping experiences you won’t find any where else. If your blood really gets pumping when you shop, you’ve got to go to Freeport, just north of Portland. Freeport is the home of L.L. Bean and loads of outlets, as well as quite a few uniquely Maine stores like Mexicali Blues.   

Portland Head Light

As Maine’s largest city, Portland is chock full of culture, teaming with museums, live music, and theater. Nearby Cape Elizabeth is home to Portland Head Light, one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country and located on the grounds of Fort Williams Park. Info about the lighthouse and the park are here: Portland Head Light

baskets of cherry tomatoes

Farmer’s Markets – With a very strong farm to table movement in the state, Maine has a lot of farmer’s markets, both in summer and in winter. For a listing, click here: Maine Farmer’s Markets

 Why it’s romantic: earth and seed and sun came together to produce gorgeous fruit and vegetables. The visual displays at Farmer’s Markets, as rustic as they can be, can’t help but stimulate you . . . somewhere. The passion of the people who live to grow and share their produce is palpable. If you and yours are shopping for items that result in a great dinner, well, all the better.

Here’s where you can find tons of info on getaways in Maine. 

If you find that your getaway has led to further romantic entanglements and want to plan your wedding in Maine, Real Maine Weddings is loaded with ideas for receptions, food, and guest lodging. 

Thinking about summer plans? Everything you need to get you started is here: Visit Maine

Come and fall in love in (and with) Maine.

Relax, you're in Maine.

 

 

 

What’s Happening in Maine this weekend: Sept 15th & 16th 2012

There are so many times that I wish I actually was super woman, capable of being in many places at one time or able to handle some serious multitasking. Most of the time that crosses my mind it’s because I’m spinning too many plates and in danger of crashing.

This time it’s due to my desire to be able to attend more than one of the fun things going on in Maine this weekend. Our state is incredibly vast in size and offerings, so choose wisely!

Portland Head Light

One of the coolest things going on is happening all over Maine. It’s Maine Lighthouse Day, this Saturday September 15^th. This is the day that some of our famous and some of our little known lighthouses are open for the day and you can visit and tour them. The U.S. Coast Guard, the State of Maine and the American Lighthouse Foundation come together to sponsor and orchestrate this event each year. If you’re into lighthouses or visiting along the coast and want to check one out, here’s where you can find information.Maine Lighthouse Day

Mt Katahdin from Sandy Stream Pond

In one of my favorite parts of the state – the Katahdin area – is a fabulous festival that starts today.  It’s the Trails End Festival.  All trails lead to Millinocket this weekend.  Mt Katahdin is the northern end of the US Appalachian Trail, or the AT.  For those who’ve hiked any portion of this trail, you know how demanding it can be and certainly could see the desire for celebration upon completion.  The Trails End Festival will offer live music, food, a parade, a chili cookoff, and also the opportunity to do some gold star earning work on the trail.  Check out the whole schedule at their website www.trailsendfestival.org

Stephen King's house in Bangor

Stephen King Fans!  This tour only takes place a few times each year and Sunday September 16^th is one of those times.  Author Stephen King lives in Bangor and over the years has set many of his novels in Maine.  This tour is a gotta-go for you if you’ve ever wondered “where in Maine is that?”  

Get on the Tommyknockers and More Bus Tour and find out. Join your guide on an air conditioned motorcoach for a tour of Bangor as seen through the books and movies of Stephen King. You'll see where Ellie saw the "Skinny Santa". You'll see the "Sematary" where Stephen King presided over the funeral of Missy Dandridge. Do you dare stop in "the Barrens"?Tickets are $20 per person. Tour is on an air conditioned motorcoach bus. All reservations must be pre-paid prior to space being confirmed. www.VisitBangorMaine.com 207.947.5205

 

Bring on the pink!  Sunday is the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Bangor

The Bangor Race for the Cure is the largest 5K run/walk in the State of

Maine, drawing about 5,000 participants and raising over $250,000 for

the Komen Maine Affiliate each year.  Preregistration and t shirt pick up is at a new location this year: Broadway shopping center.  Race day registration and the race itself is on the Bangor waterfront, Broad Street and Front Street in Bangor.  Registration opens at 7:30 with the race warm up at 9:45am.  Here are the complete details:  Komen Race for the Cure Bangor

Maine Coon kittens

 Another good feeling kind of happening this weekend is the Whisker Walk to raise money for the Human Society of Knox County.  Saturday, September 15 in Harbor Park, Rockland from 9:30-2:00.  Beyond the walk and the view there will be food, fun pet contests, raffles, an agility demo, kids crafts, a bounce house, and live music.  More info here:  www.hskcme.org

 

Yet another pet related event is taking place this weekend in Biddeford.  Friday, September 14 to Sunday, September 16; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m at PetSmart in Biddeford.  National Adoption Weekend will be held in Biddeford Sept. 14-16 (Fri, Sat & Sun). The Mobile Adoption Team will visit with adoptable dogs from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday. Adoptable cats will also be at the store. Adoption counselors will be available in the store on Thursday: 5-7 p.m., Friday: 9 a.m.-Noon, Saturday: Noon-5 p.m., and Sunday: Noon-5 p.m. For more information, call Animal Welfare Society at (207) 985-3244 or PetSmart at 283-6546.  Website:animalwelfaresociety.org

Ok --- is that a ton of great stuff to do or what?  Now Go!!

What's Happening in Maine this weekend . . . Pirates, Wheels, Seaplanes, Dark Skies and Ducks

Wheels on the Waterfront in Bangor this weekend!

Listen up people!  This is a great weekend to be in Maine, especially in my neck of the woods (channeling Al Roker here). 

So, let’s start here, in the Greater Bangor, Maine area:

 

1                    Wheels on the Waterfront – the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau is again hosting the Bangor Car Show.  Having more than doubled last year’s entrants at this point, this show is gearing up to be a spectacular event.  It’s not too late to get in on the action either.  The weather’s looking good with plenty of blue sky and sunshine to showcase this collection of chrome and attitude.  Visit the CVB’s website for details:   Bangor Car Show

    

2                    15^th Annual Bangor Rubber Duck Race - The Rubber Duck Race is an exciting family and community event. The rubber ducks will dive off the footbridge behind the Pickering Square Garage and float to the finish line at the Central St. Bridge. Sponsors of the winning ducks will win one of several great prizes and there will also be a special prize for the last duck to cross the finish line. Come join the fun and cheer on your duck! You can participate by sponsoring one or more ducks. The sponsors of the winning ducks do not need to be present to receive a prize. Sponsorship forms are available at Good Samaritan Agency, and several greater Bangor area locations, or by calling Duck Central at 942-7211, you can also get your tickets at the race on Saturday. Proceeds from the 15th Annual Bangor Rubber Duck Race will support Good Samaritan Agency’s services for single parents, our childcare center and adoption program.  More info here: Bangor Runner Duck Race

 

3                    39^th Annual International Seaplane Fly In – in Greenville on and around Moosehead Lake, the Seaplane Fly In brings thousands of flying enthusiasts and spectators to the region.  Raising funds to sponsor aviation education, the event is also a feel good opportunity to help carry on the traditions.  Bring your chairs, binoculars, cameras, good spirit and love of flying to this little town on the south shore of Moosehead Lake.  You can find more info here:  Seaplanefly-in.org

Tall ships

 4                    Argh!  The Eastport Pirate Festival  is also happening this weekend in Maine.  Come in costume.  Come ready to have fun.  Just come.  This three day weekend event begins today.  Tall ships, Thieves Market with specials, parades, kids games, an Old Sow Pig Roast dinner, Cannon lessons, and Pirate and Wench parties all over town, this is a well organized good humored good time.  Bonus is the visit to the Lubec and Eastport area!  

5                    The MaineStarlight Festival .  It’s easy to take the dark skies for granted here in Maine.  We tend to forget that in many places in the world, light pollution obscures the stars.  There’s a small stillness that you feel when you see that huge expanse of deep dark night sky.  This event is a coordinated effort all over the state and goes on from today, September 7^th until September 16^th.  Check out the website for details, schedule and inspiration.

   

6                    Harvest Hoot 2012 in Camden - A full day of fun for the whole family on the mountainside at the Camden Snow Bowl. Four live bands......Kelly Parker Band, Jerks of Grass, Three Button Deluxe, Everard Dodge...Grammy-nominated children's entertainer, Judy Pancoast and tons of children's activities.  Local food vendors, chair lifts open all day.  Barefoot on the grass, great music and food - a blast for adults and kids!  

Garlic & Press

 

7                    MDI Garlic Festival -  More than 800 people attend the Mt. DesertIsland Garlic Festival. Held at the Smugglers Den Campground, in Southwest Harbor, the 14th annual event will feature local restaurants, musicians, brewers and garlic growers.

If you can’t find something to do in Maine this weekend . . . you’re clearly not looking hard enough!  Late summer is clear, cool, and dry here and perfect time to visit.  Check out a festival, try something new, explore this fabulous state, and keep coming back.  If you live here, all the better!  Get out and support your communities.  Meet some new people.  Encourage visitors!  All boats rise with the tide so when we share our state with others, we all benefit.  Come and spend the day, spend the weekend, enjoy Maine. 

“Everything is so superb and breathtaking. I am creeping forward on my belly like they do in war movies.”
-Diane Arbus

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!

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.