South West Maine Coast

Technorati Tags: USA,MAINE,2009,COAST

The West Coast of Maine is totally different from the the rest of the coast,it is more a Touristic area and as some people here call it “a tourist trap”, but I must say it is beautiful in its own way,full of beautiful large houses built on a cliff facing the ocean ,many large beaches and very few parking places (as apposed to the rest of the coast).

But before I take you down the road I just wanted to show you where we camped for few days using the truck for the side trips, this place has a in and out swimming pool,WiFi (very important at lest to me) and very few campers-can’t ask for more.

We started our West Coast trip from S.Lebanon (our Campground location) to beautiful York Village through Ogunquit,Wells,Kennebunkport and Old Orchard Beach.

We also had a luck seeing Mr.Bush Senior riding his boat to his house located on cliff, the greatest spot in the area, he even waved to us-this is called TIMMING…

All this Coast stretch has a HOLIDAY atmosphere,its like no one works there,people just strolling the streets towards the beach or from the beach and this is very catchy, I must say.

Small shops are full with tourist and all this in a beautiful surroundings.

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This actually ends our trip along the Maine Coast and our next stop will be in the White Mountain area NH.

Bath & Bailey Island

The South Coast of Maine looks like a big hand with many long thin fingers reaching into the sea,this combination of nature with some creativity make this part of the world just wonderful.

Houses built on water front lots,boats anchoring in magnificent natural harbours,lighthouses with nostalgic &romantic atmosphere, restaurants facing the waters and spacious nature and fresh air that hurts the lungs-It makes one wonder if the locals feel and know how lucky they are??

The distance from Wiscasset (our C.G) to the tip of Bailey Island can be made in 45 minutes if you drive slow,we did it in 3 hours…stopping on the way at every opportunity we had to inhale it all in.

We have found a great stop with a perfect view to a natural harbour with a wooden picnic table and a sign that said “what is brought in must be taken out”-it was the place to have our picnic lunch and I am sure the atmosphere just made it more tasty.

After the grand Island tour we headed to Bath ,had a great meal in one of many restaurants on the water and enjoyed Friday night free concert on the city lawn.

If the weather would hold all year round it was the place to through an anchor.

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Technorati Tags: USA,MAINE,2009,BATH,BAILEY ISLAND

Damariscotta,Boothbay Harbor-Maine

As planned we have moved the trailer West to a central location so we can do side trips with our truck,coming back every evening to the 5W.

Wiscasset was chosen for its close location to the South Coast of Maine just West from our previous location around 100 Miles.

The weather was so wet that we had to chose the right spot in the C.G to avoid sinking in the mud,the rain never stopped for the last 4 days and it really was bad news,but did not stop us from visiting the area.

After unhooking the trailer from the truck we took off to the small beautiful town of Wiscasset,many beautiful small shops,seafood restaurants,small harbour and a huge bridge.

The next day still in rain we found a place to shop for presents to bring home to the grand kids and later on we took a ride to Damariscotta,nice community with a colourful main street.

Ice cream in an old fashion place was just a thing to lift our spirits and hope for a total change of the weather….aren't all our activities depend on the weather???

It seems that nature felt bad for the poor tourists traveling through Maine in the rain (it even rimes) so what a relief it was to wake to BLUE skies and warm weather,it is 9th of July crying out loud it is about time for good weather before Spring kicks in soon.

We grabbed the opportunity with both arms and headed South on HWY 27 towards Boothbay Harbor and the connecting Islands West Southport and East Boothbay.

This area is loaded with fantastic houses on the waterfront,great vegetation ,countless lakes ,boats and seafood all over the place,every turn brought new colors,smells and views that made us stop and inhale every few minutes.

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Try to stretch it ,try to embrace it and don’t let go but as the sun weakens and cold air starts to creep into the body –you have to surrender and hope for more many days like this…

Technorati Tags: USA,MAINE,BOOTHBAY HARBOR,2009

4&5 July Maine

The 4th of July was a rainy wet day but it did not stop us from having a great time with friends and good food.

The food preparations started around noon,Gary had the best racks of ribs smoked on his brand new smoker.

Coal was inserted into the small compartment on the left and the ribs after been marinated where put on the right side of the smoker and species were added on the upper side.

The led was closed and it smoked for 6 hours during when Gary was inspecting the process ,smelling poking and checking the heat from time to time till a fork was easily inserted between the ribs .

The smells from that smoker made it difficult to hold and wait till the guests were ready to eat–what a suffer….

I have a confession-I have never eat such ribs,it was soft and delicious even Jack (the Dog) enjoyed the left over's.

It was difficult but we got up the next day to a beautiful morning ,the sky was blue ,a color that was not seen for many days in Maine ,people say that such a wet summer they can not remember for many years.

We headed South to Stonington ,hour and half drive through beautiful landscape to have lunch in a restaurant on the beach.

This restaurant was “waiting” for Gary and Terri,on her last birthday they took a ride down there just to find it closed and now on the 5 of July we made it there together and had a blast.

View from the restaurant.

Technorati Tags: USA,MAINE,STANINGTON,4 JULY

HWY 1 from Winterport-Rockport

It seems like Maine have never experienced a wet season like this one,the grass and crops are all like the rice fields in China-MUDY..if you do not have a 4x4 you better watch it,I myself was pulled several times from what looks like just wet grass.

Regardless the weather we took off for a day drive heading South along HWY 1 towards Rockport,stopping in the small communities along the rout like Belfast with its beautiful small center and seaport,Lincolnville with its nice beach and lobster restaurants on the water front and of course the top rating village Camden.

Camden is a jewel place in this area,beautiful large houses,large lots,great Main street full with shops,waterfall running under some houses and bridge in the center of the town and fantastic marina with lots of different boats in it.

As we pulled in the village the sun came out and the whole

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atmosphere changed from gloomy to

fresh ,crispy and reminded us all that accordingly to the calendar it is SUMMER .

We strolled along Camden interesting points enjoying a fresh Ice cream scoop sitting on the bridge above the river that is running from the hills feeding the water fall.

It was a great day,hoping the rest of the South Coast of Maine is beautiful as this part.

In a few days we will heading South West to central location to explore the further West part of Maine and the Coast line.

Technorati Tags: USA,MAINE,CAMDEN,2009

Winterport Maine-Gary,Terri and Jack.

Each winter I research,read and learn about the coming summer trip we will be doing, I mark the map with all the interesting points I wish to visit and then combine them with scenic byways.

I also mark the interesting hikes,scenic routs,special events and C.G.

After having “The plan” I post the route on the RV forum asking Rver’s to comment on it after getting their responses do the corrections accordingly.

It happened that we have actually meet with people that we “talked ” on the forum and it was always a special experience.

This winter as before I have posted my route and asked a few questions hoping to receive first hand answers from locals or people that have RVed in these parts of the country.

One answer was from Gary advising me NOT to take the trailer on certain roads in North Maine ,since then we have exchanged a few e-mails during the winter and finally he invited us to “park” our trailer on his huge property while touring the area….and all this without meeting face to face…well it was hard to turn such an offer down ,and a “mark on the map was underlined as Gary’s place.

Finally in June we started our summer trip and while camping in Baxter S.P Maine,I called Gary and invited him and Terry to visit us ,and we had the pleasure meeting him and his wife after a long time of just meeting on the air,we meet a warm and great couple that live and do what they both love and we found a lot in common.

Another 2 weeks passed and we made it to their place ,as it rained cats and dogs the grounds were wet and difficult to park on ,here you can see the spot for our RV before and after,woow what a job and effort to make us feel welcome-Thanks Gary&Terri for your hospitality ,meeting you and Jack (The dog a part of the family) makes our trip special.

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Forks Maine & Maxie Falls

Technorati Tags: 2009,USA,MAINE,FORKS,MAXIE FALLS

Yes it was time to say good bye Greenville after 4 great days full of activity.

Rain stopped bothering us and we just went forward with our plans no matter what ,the changes in the weather are so rapid that it is hard to believe and sometimes from rain to sunny skies can take few minutes.

The general plan was to drive North along Moose Lake to Rockwood and from there to Jackman,leave the trailer in a campground and drive with the truck to the trail head of Maxie Falls.

The scenery from the road was fantastic, we stopped several time to see the view ,smell the wet woods ,get a bite and stretch the legs.

           

The C.G in Jackman gave us the creeps and we decided on the spot to continue South till Forks (two rivers join at Forks) closer to Maxie Falls  Trailhead hoping to find a C.G where we can leave the trailer.

At Forks we pulled into a outfitter center for rafting and other outdoor recreation to ask about the existence of any C.G in the area and they were kind enough to point us to a small C.G just 6 miles down the road.

The C.G belongs to another outfitter and has only 5 RV spots ,all on grass and along the river,no water and no sewer,so we filled water in the center and happily parked the trailer in the C.G just 5 minutes from the center.

As it was only 2PM, we quickly unhooked the truck and set off for the Maxie Falls and what a beautiful hike it was, the falls were very impressive and besides the regular mosquito attacks we had a great time.

I  like when it all comes together,the unfitted C.G in Jackman lead to a great spot on the river,it was so nice we decided to stay 2 nights-that is called FREEDOM,do what you like,when you like.

After the hike we had dinner,rested and head to the center that has a pub,brewery ,hot tub,swimming pool restaurant,pool table and  a live music-can’t beat that..

The band was to noisy,but the whole atmosphere was nice and relaxing.

What a day….