Lakeside and sea front cabins

We are visiting from the UK in July - we are a family of five - for a couple of weeks and are looking to spend a week in a cabin by the side of a lake and a week in a cabin by the sea. As we have a young family, we need all mod cons self-catering, secure and comfortable accommodation, and in places which are ideally no more than 20-30 mins drive from a decent-sized town. We are looking for places which are nice to stay, affordable and good fun for the family. I would welcome any suggestions.

Lakeside and sea front cabins

Hi leewillett,

I can%26#39;t speak for the lake areas as I%26#39;m not very familiar with them. Hopefully those in the know will respond soon.

With regard to the coast. There are numerous locations where you could easily find cabin/cottage rentals near or in the heart of lively villages and downtown areas.

If you like sandy beaches, I would recommend either the Kennebunk area or Ogunquit. Both have lovely downtown areas, lots to do and nice beaches.

If its rocky coast, fishing and hiking you%26#39;re into, I%26#39;d recommend either Boothbay Harbor or Bar Harbor. Both areas have plenty to do, have wonderful downtown areas w/lots of shops, restaurants, etc. Plus both have alot to offer culturally. Bar Harbor has mountains. Boothbay Harbor does not.

Of course since I live in the Boothbay Harbor area, I recommend it highly :). But Bar Harbor is great too. Each has its own personality, etc.

Consequently you might want to purchase a copy of Christina Tree%26#39;s guidebook %26#39;Maine: An Explorer%26#39;s Guide%26#39;. I love this guide as she gives great information about all of Maine, accomodations, restaurants and things to do and see.

You also might want to check out www.boothbayharbor.com ie the Chamber of Commerce%26#39;s website for everything you%26#39;d ever want to know about Boothbay Harbor. Or check out www.barharborinfo.org. for info on the Bar Harbor area.

Once you decide where to stay, post again and I%26#39;m sure you%26#39;ll receive plenty of helpful responses.

Good luck with your trip planning !

cozyharbor

Lakeside and sea front cabins

The lakes in Maine are absolutely beautiful with lots of good options for cabins. It sounds like you%26#39;re looking for something nice, but with some activity nearby. Not sure what you%26#39;re expecting for a ';decent size town';. Keep in mind that Portland is the biggest city at 65,000 people. I%26#39;d suggest the Sebago Lake area - really nice lakes and you%26#39;ve got some activity nearby. Use the town of Naples as a base for searching. Naples is tucked between Brandy Pond and Long Lake, both of which are very nice and clean. Plenty of real estate agencies in the area can get you rental options. Enjoy!

You%26#39;ve had good suggestions so far. To add to the lake cottage possibilities, check out Norway Lake (real name: Pennesseewassee) and the Bridgton/Harrison areas.

We enjoyed a lovely stay at the Alamoosook Lakeside Inn last fall. It is located on a beautiful peaceful lake. It is not a cabin, it is a bed and breakfast inn. Check it out to see if it meets your requirements: http://www.alamoosooklakesideinn.com/

Hi leewillett,

Spending a week at a lake and a week at the ocean is a great way to experience Maine. Our family has been going to Sebago Lake for over 50 years now. It is a beautiful, sandy bottom, lake. It is rather low key and family oriented. Naples is the hub of the Lake Region which can be reached in 30 minutes or less from anywhere on the lake. Bridgeton is close by and has a movie Theater and Drive In Theater - really! The city of Portland is not too far away either, depending where you are staying on the lake. Try www.Jordanrentals.com. We have rented from them every year. They are a small family owned cottage rental business. As far as the ocean rental is concerned, the water is a little bit warmer in Southern Maine. I would suggest York Beach, Ogunquit, or Wells Beach. Try Riversbythesea.com for York area summer rental properties. York has an amusement park, zoo and old fashion summer village, two beaches and it%26#39;s own lighthouse, the Nubble. It is about 15 miles from Portsmouth NH a bustling, vibrant, small coastal town.

This sounds like a great vacation. The Acadia National Park area will have both lakeside and seaside options for your family. The %26#39;quietside%26#39; of Mount Desert Island has everything that you want as well as access to vast areas of pristine coast for walking, hiking, biking and kayaking. Ellsworth and Bar Harbor are close-by when you want to shop or go to the movies but Southwest Harbor has just about everything, too. I%26#39;m partial to Bass Harbor, on the water : )

Our Chamber of Commerce (acadiachamber.com) will have lots of listings in any price range. Rates can be lower mid-July and before the end of the month.

Southern Manie coastal weather May/June

I am thinking of visiting the Ogunquit/York area in late May/early June. Can anyone give me an idea of what the temperature will be? I don%26#39;t like heat and don%26#39;t want to be uncomfortably hot. Also, will insects be a problem?

Is it better to schedule my trip for the second week in May, with regard to temperature and insects? And, what will the pollen/allergy situation be like? I couldn%26#39;t find any info on that at all.

Many thanks!

Southern Manie coastal weather May/June

I don%26#39;t think you would be ';uncomfortably hot,'; however weather is unpredictable, as you know. Two days ago we had a record hot day with temps in the 90%26#39;s. The next day it was 30 degrees cooler.

There will definitely be insects, but I don%26#39;t think they%26#39;ll decrease the enjoyment of your trip. Having said that, we don%26#39;t know what you plan to do. If you%26#39;re heading into the woods or hanging out after dusk, bring or buy some bug repellent.

As to pollen, I just Googled ';Maine pollen'; and found this site, as well as others:

http://www.pollen.com/state.asp?id=me

Keep in mind that a lot of these sites are sponsored by allergy meds companies:-)

Southern Manie coastal weather May/June

We were there early June last year and the weather was very nice. Mild, 70%26#39;s, sunny and no bug problems. We always take garlic pills for a week before going to New England and it seems to help...drying your clothes with BOUNCE also helps. I don%26#39;t think that 2nd week of May is a better choice...pretty sleepy then and bugs might be more trouble.

Thanks for that helpful link, CB48!

Thanks, joesorce.

I just realized I spelled ';Maine'; and ';Manie'; in the subject line of this thread. Whoops.

accomodations needed june 23 thru 27

My husband and I are bringing our draft horses to the stables at Acadia and were going to stay at the Otterbrook Inn -- but it is closed. Looking for another place in Northeast or Seal Harbor -- reasonably priced. Suggestions??

Visit Maine

I have always heard that Maie is really pretty and I want to visit with my husband and 2 teenage children.

I will really appreciate all the information you can give me on the ';must see'; places in Maine. We will be staying there approx one week in June or July.

We like the outdoors but we love to visit cities too. WE enjoy eating in funky places. Well, we pretty much enjoy a variety of things. So any info you can give me will be great.

Thanks in advance

Visit Maine

Hi Marthaly-

Maine IS very pretty and a great place to visit. If you enjoy the outdoors, you%26#39;ve got to go to Acadia National Park! It%26#39;s beautiful and you can spend a day there hiking, whale watching from the beaches, picnicking and blueberry picking (lots of wild blueberries starting in July).

As far as funky eateries, make sure to go to Red%26#39;s Eats in Wiscasset -it%26#39;s a cool little place that boasts the best lobster roll in the state. Also, there are tons of places along the coast for fresh seafood, most of them very casual with outdoor seating right above the crashing waves of the Atlantic. Make sure to see some of the lighthouses along the coast while you%26#39;re there - all of them are really picturesque.

Here%26#39;s a link with a road trip up the coast - the last stop is Maine (of course) so you%26#39;ll need to scroll down, but it%26#39;s got some of the state highlights. planning-fun-road-trips.com/east-coast-road-鈥?/a>

Have fun!

Visit Maine

Tara, thank you for the info. I went to your blog and loved it. I live in NC too. We were thinking about driving to Maine and your East Coast road trip sounds great. How many days was it? Also, how long does it take from Cary to CT?

We don%26#39;t mind driving.

Do you have any info on places to stay? We love bed and breakfasts, but any cozy place will be fine.

The more I read about Maine the more I love it.

Again, thanks for the info.

You may want to read through Maine%26#39;s ';official'; tourism site to get ideas for your trip. Maine is a big state and offers beaches, rocky coastline, forests, rivers, lakes, mountains, etc.

http://www.visitmaine.com/

I agree with CB48. Maine is a bigger state than you might think! Since you only have a week, you don%26#39;t want to be spending it in your car (the trip from Portland to Acadia National Park, for example, takes at LEAST 3 hours and in the summer can be 4).

So if I were you I would narrow down your choices to what is most important to do, or an area to see, and focus on that. After that, you%26#39;ll find tons of help here on this forum!!!

Interesting guest books?

Has anyone visited an inn or bed %26amp; breakfast that you remember as having a particularly memorable guest book? One where you get absorbed reading the entries, because they%26#39;re more interesting than the typical ';rooms were nice, we enjoyed our stay'; variety. I am doing a research project and am interested in finding inns whose guest books contain some real history/culture buried in their entries. If anyone has any recommendations, I%26#39;d be grateful! Thanks.

Interesting guest books?

I don%26#39;t know if this will work, but you might try contacting Quantum Hospitality Group. The principals are former Maine innkeepers who now do sales and consulting for inns all over the country. They know EVERYBODY.

Interesting guest books?

Thanks, that%26#39;s a great tip! I%26#39;ll give it a try.

York weather in May/June

I am thinking of visiting the Ogunquit/York area in late May/early June. Can anyone give me an idea of what the temperature will be? I don%26#39;t like heat and don%26#39;t want to be uncomfortably hot. Also, will insects be a problem?

Is it better to schedule my trip for the second week in May, with regard to temperature and insects? And, what will the pollen/allergy situation be like? I couldn%26#39;t find any info on that at all.

Many thanks!

York weather in May/June

I actually prefer June as schools are still in so not over run by kids yet, but places are open for business. I am in York Harbor right now and lots is still closed in York, but readying for Memorial Day Weekend. Some places open 5/1, some 5/15, all by then! I have found the June weather to be quite pleasant and not hot. Yes, we had a puff of 92 degrees at 6pm one night last week. Very odd! Low 60%26#39;s right now.

York weather in May/June

Thanks!

chin blackheads

Sunday River in August

Can anyone offer advice on 1 br condo at Sunday River during August for my husband and myself? How does it compare to a rental elsewhere in Bethel? Activities? Dining? How serious is it about Summer? Or is it mostly dormant, waiting for snow?

Sunday River in August

There is lots to do in Newry/Bethel in the summer if you enjoy outdoor activities. Horeseback riding, mountain biking (take the lift up, and bike down), golf (rated one of the top 100 new courses in the world by Golf Digest), white water rafting (1/2 hr away), boating, fishing, water park, swimming in one of the many cool water holes, etc. If you want a 1 bedroom condo, but also want a pool, you%26#39;ll need to stay at one of Sunday River%26#39;s condos. A condo unit at the Jordan Grand Hotel would be nice. There are 30 restaurants in town, so although not all of them are open in the summer, most are, and there are plenty to choose from.

silly lobster-eating question

So glad these forums are anonymous! :)

I have only attempted to eat a whole lobster once, and it wasn%26#39;t a pleasant experience! Breaking off legs, and squishing bodies is just not my thing! When in Cape Cod, we ordered ';lazy man%26#39;s lobsters';, which was wonderful! As I am looking at online menues, I do not see these offered in Maine.......are they available in most places? Will the lobster pounds offer them? Thanks! :)

silly lobster-eating question

I doubt that most lobster pounds offer that option, although some places have a lobster roll which would be the meat of the lobster, cold on a hot dog bun.

The restaurants definitely offer the lazyman%26#39;s option and even have things like lobster over linguine or lobster crepes or lobster omeletes and other creative uses of lobster meat.

For example, here are the lobster menu options at a popular Bar Harbor restaurant,Poor Boy%26#39;s Gourmet:

http://www.poorboysgourmet.com/lobster.html

silly lobster-eating question

Check:

www.dimillos.com/restaurant/menus/dinner.html

in the Portland area and

http://www.lobstermanswharf.com/menu.html

in the Boothbay area, just as examples

As already stated, most restaurants will offer that option.

Thank you! DiMillos is on our list! :)

Help with Fall colors

Is the last week of Oct.- first week in Nov. too late to see the Fall colors in Acadia National Park and coast of Maine? My other alternative is the first 2 weeks in Oct. Which would be better as far as colors, crowds, motel prices, weather, etc?

Many thanks.

Help with Fall colors

Fall foliage is usually at peak color around October 12 in Acadia National Park and also along the coast of Maine. The Columbus Day/Canadian Thanksgiving weekend is big here. That will be October 10, 11, and 12 this year. The best time to come would probably be on October 13. Most everything will still be open. The weather will be pleasant days and cool nights. There should be plenty of color left. Some lodging places drop their prices a bit after Columbus Day and the leaf-peeping crowds thin a bit. You might still be alright during the last week of October but that%26#39;s the week it often turns cold and rainy. The first week of November would be too late on all counts.

Help with Fall colors

I go to Acadia every year. I have been there for Fall Colors. Everything closes down right after Columbus Day. While you may get a deal after that - it%26#39;s because no one is around, shops are closed etc...

The first two weeks of October are great. Don%26#39;t go after that...

Well, they won%26#39;t exactly roll up the sidewalks on 13 October. It is true that the Columbus Day weekend is the last big weekend of the year. However, the fall color lasts for a couple of weeks longer. Some restaurants and shops may close that earlier (or go to shorter hours),the Island Explorer shuttle system closes for the season, the boat tours shut down or go to a weekend schedule, and the lobster pounds close.

Most lodging establishments remain open as do most restaurants and shops.

Check http://www.sleepbarharbor.com and look at the availability pages--that will give you a clue as to how much stays open, as well as room prices at B%26amp;Bs.

Hi Seattle!

You will definitely be happier with the fall colors in the first two weeks of October. By the last week of the month, all the best leaves will have fallen. Most hardwood trees will by bare by November 1.

In eastern coastal Maine, the leaves start to significantly change in the last week of September. In the first two weeks of October, you%26#39;ll find a pleasing medley of reds, oranges and trees that are still green.

At the beginning of the third week of October the reds have reached their peak. They%26#39;ll start falling now, and if there%26#39;s a wind storm the leaf drop will accelerate.

Oranges and yellows are at their best at the start of the fourth week. By that time, most reds are gone and the last of the greens have changed over. The oranges and yellows win by default because the branches where reds once stood are bare.

By November 1, most all deciduous foliage has fallen, with two exceptions: oaks usually wait until the first week of November, and indeed some keep their brown, shrivelled leaves all winter.

The other is the tamarack, a conifer, but one that sheds its needles. They turn a dull yellow in the first week of November before falling in the second week of the month. Yellow tamaracks lend a haunting quality to the bare woodlands of early November, a memory of the glory so recently past.

Happy travels, and let me know if I can help further!

David

capetien10@gmail.com

This will be a toss-up based on your priorities. Columbus Day (October 12) is the last hurrah of the season = higher rates, more visitors. Others have reported the color accurately. Rates will drop after Columbus Day week, if not immediately after Columbus Day. The weather should be gorgeous through-out October - cool, crisp, brilliant days, perfect for outdoor activities including a visit to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse - or Thurston%26#39;s Lobster Pound in Bernard on Bass Harbor, if you are here during Columbus Day week. Mid-October will offer the best of everything. Have a nice vacation.

Thanks guys for the great info. I%26#39;ve got my vacation locked in for the first 2 weeks in Oct. Really looking forward to the great food and scenery!

I have about 8 days vacation time and trying to decide how to spend my days between Fall color sight seeing, shopping and eating.

My tentative itinerary is to fly in and out of Boston on Jet Blue. Drive up on day 1 to Ogunquit for one night. Day 2 drive to Freeport (distance?) for 2 days of shopping. Day 3 drive to Camden for one night (skip this stop?) or drive to Bar Harbor for next 3 nights.

Drive down to Portland for one night then to Boston for one to 2 nights?

Any thoughts.

Thanks to all for your advice.

You won%26#39;t see much fall color until you get near Camden. But that%26#39;s only because you need hills for good viewing. Just to the north of Camden, be sure to drive the road to the top of Mount Battie. Great view. I think Camden could be just a lunch stop on your way up to Bar Harbor, rather than an overnight.

Not sure you need to spend two nights in Freeport. Ogunquit is just two hours from Freeport. Remember LLBean is open 24-hours a day. Azure Cafe is a great place for lunch or dinner in Freeport.

Reviews about Schoonic Road/Sea-Kayaking &

Hello,

We are visiting Acadia this coming weekend (May 9th) and I have a few queries I would greatly appreciate all your opinions on

a) We are exploring the option of doing sea-kayaking for 3 hrs near the Porcupine Islands. How does that experience rate as into the Acadia geography? We shall do one where we can see the sunset from the water but it so happens that Saturday will at least be cloudy if not rainy - does that change choosing the kayaking experience?

b) Like everyone else to Acadia, we will be driving the Park Loop Road and visit Somes Sound. Considering we would do these, does visiting the Schoodic peninsula and the Schoodic road make sense? It might not be on the top features of the park due to maybe not many people doing it, but are they not doing it due to the distance or also because its not very different that Park Loop for an incremental 2 hrs of driving? Its an even more important decision for us as we can either do sea-kayaking or the Schoodic Loop. Which should we choose?

c) Some websites mention Precipice trail will be closed now due to the nesting Peregrines while others say it %26#39;might%26#39; be. Is it closed? And if it is closed, is there a replacement trail will similar views which is not too harsh on the climbers?

We had plans of camping at the Blackwoods ground but the rain and subsequent temperature drop will probably make us stay @ Bar Harbor instead.

We will be @ Acadia for a day and a half only. Are there any other things we should include in the itinerary?

Thanks a ton!

Ravi

Reviews about Schoonic Road/Sea-Kayaking %26amp;

If you are going to be in the area for only a day and a half, definitely skip Schoodic. It isn%26#39;t that much different than Otter Point on the Loop Road. It is mostly popular for viewing during a storm because it takes the full impact of the crashing waves on its bare granite shore.

Kayaking is definitely worth it, even if you don%26#39;t see the sunset. There are good guides who will make your trip safe, easy, and enjoyable.

The Precipice Trail is definitely closed because the peregrine falcons are defening their nests. The Beehive trail, very nearby, gives you the same views. Both those trails are not for anyone who fears heights or drop-offs. You get a similar view with much less danger or effort on the Great Head trail. One walks across Sand Beach and then climbs the little headland on the other side. It%26#39;s about an hour%26#39;s loop trail. Very nice. A detailed map or hiking guide is always a good thing, as is a stop at the Visitor Center just north of Bar Harbor. They have a large relief model of all of Acadia.

Sadly the Jordan Pond House with their famous tea and popovers on the lawn will not yet be open when you are here. They open May 15th.

Reviews about Schoonic Road/Sea-Kayaking %26amp;

I agree with bonniemaev, pass on Schoodic Point as you won%26#39;t be maximizing your time in the park. If your choice is between Schoodic Point and kayaking, I would go kayaking. If kayaking is out due to weather and you want to see a good view of the park from the water, you can always walk across the bar to Bar Island. Not quite the same but still a very nice view of the town of Bar Harbor with Cadillac Mtn in the background.

As for the Precipice trail, again I agree with bonniemaev. The Beehive is a worthy substitute. However, I am puzzled by your ';not too harsh on the climbers'; comment. You do know both trails have exposed ledges and use iron rungs right? ';Harsh'; can be slightly subjective depending on your experience but these trails are two of the more difficult rated trails in the park.

If you want to see the exact same view as you would at the top of the Precipice Trail, look at the Bear Brook Trail. Both trails meet at the top of Champlain Mtn. The Bear Brook Trail is short (1 mile) up and has a nice steady slope.

As for other things to do, I would consider making the day out of driving the Park Loop road and doing some hikes that are accessed from it: The Bear Brook Trail, Gorham Mtn, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, Jordan Pond house and nature trail, Bubble Rock, and then up to Cadillac Mtn. Sounds like a lot but you could enjoy these at a leisurely pace. If you leave after an early breakfast and pack a lunch, you could be back by dinner.

Boston to Bar Harbor

We%26#39;ll be traveling the middle of Aug. 5 days total from Boston to Bar Harbor and back. We love good food, history, and beautiful scenery. We%26#39;d like to spend 1 night near Quincy Market then take off from there up the coast. Any suggestions for along the way and once we%26#39;re in Bar Harbor where to stay?

thanks!

Boston to Bar Harbor

Hi Ohio!

While I don%26#39;t want to make specific recommendations (I%26#39;m not a shill for anyone), you should decide where, in a general way, you%26#39;d like to stay near Acadia National Park:

- downtown Bar Harbor had a wide selection of places, ranging from the swank to the less so. Mostly, they%26#39;re a bit more expensive than elsewhere on Mount Desert Island. If you want to be in the center of evening activities, within walking distance of everything, this would likely be your first choice;

- Route 3 from Ellsworth to Bar Harbor is lined with slightly less expensive places. Outside of town it will be quieter, but you%26#39;ll have a short drive into town. This is where we prefer to stay;

- You could stay elsewhere on Mount Desert Island, not in Bar Harbor and not on Route 3. You%26#39;ll find charming little towns, off the beaten track and a world away from the busy tourist scene. Places like Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor come to mind, and there are others. You%26#39;ll find fewer choices, but this means that those you do find will appear all the more cosy and scrumptious!

Happy travels, and let me know if I can help further!

David

capetien10@gmail.com

Boston to Bar Harbor

There are a large variety of places to stay near or in Bar Harbor. I very nice, high-end, waterfront hotel is either the Bar Harbor Inn or The Harborside. A nice, clean inexpensive, family run motel that is popular with families is the Bar Harbor Motel, just to north of the village. There are many Bed and Breakfast places, in all price ranges. You can see a good listing of them, along with their amenities and availability at sleepbarharbor.com.

Acadia to Boston

We will be leaving Acadia first thing Sunday 12th July and need to be back in Boston early afternoon the following day 13th to fly home.Do we need to book a motel for the Sunday night beforehand. We have limited time to do this last part of our tour of New England and want to see the highlights. If we need to book,we only need a basic motel somewhere. Have any of you done this trip and if so where do you suggest we head for on the Sunday evening. An itinary would be great. We would particularly want to see the coast. Many thanks Chris and Ken

Acadia to Boston

Acadia (Bar Harbor/Mount Desert Island) is approximately a 5.5 to 6 hour drive via the interstate highways to Boston. I think a reasonable strategy would be to drive to Portland (about a 3-hour drive via the interstate roads), enjoy a great dinner there, and then continue on the next morning.

I see what you said about a basic motel, but you might consider staying in the Old Port area of Portland, where you can walk around amongst the shops and restaurants.

The problem with ';seeing the coast'; is that even the so-called coastal route (Rte 1) really doesn%26#39;t hug the coast, although some of the views are very good. Route 1 in Maine in July is very slow, especially as you go farther south and west from this area.

An alternative is to take Rtes 1%26amp;3 along the coast from Bar Harbor and Ellsworth as far as Belfast, then take Rte 3 to the interstate (I-95), then I-295 into Portland. That would provide you with some good coastal views while avoiding the worst of the congestion.

Acadia to Boston

I think you probably should book a motel for the Sunday night. The middle of July can be very busy in Maine. You don%26#39;t want to spend a lot of time driving from place to place looking for availability.

If you did want to drive along the coast on Sunday, a nice stop would be the Penobscot Narrows Bridge where you can take a 22-story elevator to the top of one of the supports for the view. There is also an old fort there to tour.

Another stop would be Camden, although that can be a parking and traffic nightmare in mid-July. Mount Battie just north of the village has a great view of the coast and surrounding area. Rockland, Maine has a nice art museum featuring the work of Andrew and Jamie Wyeth.

Freeport, Maine could be a place to spend the night, if you didn%26#39;t want to go to Portland. Freeport has some nice outlet shopping including the flagship store of L.L.Bean which is open 24 hours a day. There are some basic chain motels in Freeport. Azure Cafe is a good place to have dinner.

Freeport has easy access to Interstate 95 which will take you to the Boston airport in about two hours, or maybe three given that it is July and there are some toll boths between Portland and Boston.

chin blackheads

i would like to hear from my classmates in the 1967 to 1972

my name is gilles quirion i was living in holeb maine in the year 1966 to 1976, i went to school to forest hill high school and i would like to have news about my classmates, names such as Alan Turner, Steve MCallester, Robert Sands, Quirion, Lesley TALPEYN , Elvin Talpey, Linda Crawford, Michelle Duquette and all this gang if anybody got something where i can reach some of them i will really appreciate it, i would like to know if it,s possible for a class reunion, I speak english and french and i live in Canada right now but i sincerely miss the states. Thanks you very much and god bless you. Gill Quirion from Canada

i would like to hear from my classmates in the 1967 to 1972

Hey Gill,I am a jackman-ite also, though younger. I saw your posting and thought it was cool.... any luckgetting in touch with your classmates? I gohome often,and next year when I retire from the Air Force I will live there part time (summers). I know that Michelle Lumbert (Duquette) is still around and so is Buck Wheat.. but, somehow I can%26#39;t visualize Buck wheat going online... ha ha....

cheers,

Gary Hall

i would like to hear from my classmates in the 1967 to 1972

Hi Gill,

I think my Dad Carroll Hughey drove the Holeb bus when you were up there. I do know that Leslie Talpey has an e-mail address. It is cgrover@prexar.com. If you can%26#39;t get through that way, you can email me at nervyshadowcat@verizon.net. My sister Carolyn is married to Leslie.

You may not get this as you posted 2 years ago but if you do I hope this helps some.

Cindy Hughey Lacasse

Hello Gille, My name is Ron Morrison i lived in Holeb from 1947 to 1958, My father worked for CPR, in 1958, we moved to Lac Megantic,Im looking for photos of Holeb, I went to School in Holeb, I know this is an Post from 2004, im hopeing you will answer me, im liveing North of Montreal now. I had a friend in Jackman his name is Glendon Bustard, Dont know if anyone knows him? My e mail add is highceltic@hotmail.com I retired from CPR in 2005 after 35 years there. hope to hear from you or anyone out there

Thanks

Ron

I know that some of these are old posts, but a suggestion: if you are going to give your private e-mail, use the message feature here. That way, you won%26#39;t expose your personal info to people you don%26#39;t want to hear from.

yea your right about that... i should have

Jonesport area-Need help

Husband and I are thinking of planning a trip end of July from Illinois to Maine. Looking at Jonesport area. Can anyone tell me what are the attractions nearby to this area? Restaurants? Places to get our fill of Lobster? Looking for romantic getaway.

Jonesport area-Need help

You aren%26#39;t getting an answer on this because there isn%26#39;t much in Jonesport. The attraction seems to be getting away from it all or just standing on shore hoping for a whale to pass by. Don%26#39;t know of any restaurants, but there must one or two.

Jonesport area-Need help

If by romantic you mean time alone to walk beaches, than Jonesport might work. Its a very small hardworking fishing/lobster port. I can%26#39;t think of the name, but there is a family restaurant that serves seafood. Finding lobster is not a problem either, but to the best of my knowledge there are not any ';fine dining'; places in the city. I also remember a pizza place.

Pretty much the same things you%26#39;ll find in most of the coastal towns in Washington County.

I used to joke that the excitement ends at Bar Harbor when coming up the coast, but so do the majority of the tourists.

If you are looking for a quiet time to wander around than it might work. If you are looking for lots of ';attractions'; you might want to consider Bar Harbor or Acadia.

If Jonesport does interest you, you might want to do research on Machias/Roques Bluffs, Lubec/Campobello or Eastport as well. They are all somewhat comparable towns as far as scenery and each offers their own attractions and things to see/do.

Baxter State Park

Next month I%26#39;m making my 2nd trip to Maine. My boyfriend grew up there and has been to Baxter and climbed Katahdin many times. This will be my 1st time though!

We%26#39;ve been looking at all the different trails and camp grounds. We%26#39;re planning on camping the night before in a lean-to, then climbing the next day.

Just wanted to see what others recomend in terms of trails and sites.

Thanks so much!

Photos from The Penobscot Narrows Observatory

Is there any space between the glass to take photos?

Photos from The Penobscot Narrows Observatory

Yes, photos are easy as the glass is floor to ceiling.

Photos from The Penobscot Narrows Observatory

It is a good venue for photography. As you would suspect, depending on the light and the direction that you are shooting, you might have to work around some reflection, but it really isn%26#39;t much of a problem.

A series that I took, including several from the observatory, is at:

http://tinyurl.com/ckwvvh

Saco Drive-In

Does anyone know if the Saco Drive-In is still around? I%26#39;ll be in the area in early June. Also, if anyone has information on whether they let you bring dogs that would help. I%26#39;ve looked for a website but can%26#39;t find anything.

Saco Drive-In

The drive in is still there right now and was open last summer. It%26#39;s just down the road from me and when we go we take both our dogs with us, even getting them out and walking around between movies. We try to park towards the back so we can walk them around where there%26#39;s fewer cars and some woods to sniff around in behind the parking.

Based on some signage posted at the end of last season I think the owner may be having financial problems so no guarantee he%26#39;s reopening this year.

As I recall, it usually opens up early-mid June for weekends only before going to 7 days a week around the end of June/first of July. They post the opening date on their sign a few weeks prior so you might check back and bump your post around mid-May to see if anyone has seen signs of opening up yet.

Saco Drive-In

An update on the Saco Drive-In - driving by yesterday I saw their signage that they%26#39;re opening May 15th. I would expect them to be open weekends only until at least mid-June.

Southwest Harbor - Dockside inn - is it still there?

I%26#39;ve read a rave review of the views from rooms at the Dockside Inn Southwest Harbor, but can%26#39;t get it up when I google it. There%26#39;s a ling but it will never open.

Does anyone know this Inn? Any other recommendations for ocean view but still in waling distance of harbor/shops etc.

Southwest Harbor - Dockside inn - is it still there?

There is no telephone listing for Dockside Inn or for Dockside Motel %26amp; Restaurant. I%26#39;m pretty sure that the place you are asking about is at 48 Shore Rd. It basically is motel rooms above a restaurant; the restaurant has gone through several incarnations in the past few years---from Mexican (XYZ) to Italian to Brazilian and now back to Italian.

I%26#39;m not all that familiar with lodging alternatives in SW Harbor. In terms of water views, you might check Lindenwood Inn and Clark Point Inn. The Claremont--a classic summer hotel---is on the water.

Southwest Harbor - Dockside inn - is it still there?

There is a Dockside Guest Quarters in York Harbor in southern Maine. Here is the link: http://www.docksidegq.com/

We are staying here in August 08; it is our first visit.

Umm, Kilgore---

York Harbor is about 4.5 hours by interstate away from SW Harbor.

The Dockside www.southwestharborme.com/pictures5.htm is above the Belle Mare Restaurant and not really within walking distance of Southwest Harbor Village - it is technically in Manset, opposite the Manset Town Pier and perhaps a mile from the village. cw has listed some waterview options and the Harbor View Motel is on the water as well. The Southwest Harbor Tremont Chamber (acadiachamber.com) will list other waterfront choices. Have a great vacation.

Are you sure your not thinking of Cafe Dry Dock and Inn in Southwest Harbor, right on Main Street???

I was there a few years ago when it was Brazilian. I have a menu still and the Havainas Hot dog which was a portuguese Lunduice sausage with kale...omg, it was soo good.And all the food was absolutely marvelous.

The rooms were lovely. Not a regular hotel room. I think there were only six there. Everything was clean and the rooms we were in appeared to be recently restored.

I%26#39;m sorry to hear it has changed hands again because the people who had it then were very wonderful./

www.southwestharborme.com/pictures5.htm

This is the one I was at that I describe in a previous post. Very lovely, and I feel much better than a big hotel.

The free bus stops here I think.

chin blackheads

Stay near town or off island???

We are planning a family trip to the Bar Harbor area and Mt. Desert Island this August (2009). Having never been there before, we can%26#39;t decide if we should stay in the more expensive town area on the trolley route on the island. OR stay either off-island or away from the crowds. If we stay away, we could go a bit cheaper and thus spend a whole week instead of a few days, BUT is the parking hassles I hear about and the traffic issues worth it?

Any suggestions?

Stay near town or off island???

I don%26#39;t think there are ever crowds, parking issues or traffic that should sway anyone from coming to Bar Harbor or staying on the island (except maybe the 4th of July, but that%26#39;s probably true of most locations).

The in-town area features so many B%26amp;B%26#39;s, hotels, and cottages in such a variety of price ranges that I can%26#39;t believe you can%26#39;t find something in your price range. That being said, if you stay farther away than Trenton or Ellsworth, you%26#39;re going to spend half your time in the car going back and forth.

Read the response from Bonniemaev to the post earlier this morning. She sums up the crowds and the traffic.

My advice is to stay somewhere on the island. Since you are probably looking at a place with a kitchen, proximity to restaurants doesn%26#39;t matter and you are close to various entrances to Acadia National Park no matter where you stay.

Stay near town or off island???

There are so many choices on Mount Desert other than Bar Harbor and you shouldn%26#39;t have to go off-inland. The %26#39;quietside%26#39; (Southwest, Bass Harbor, Bernard, Manset, West Tremont, etc - acadiachamber.com) will offer all sorts of options in all price ranges and the Island Explorer routes cover most parts of MDI so you can take the shuttle into Bar Harbor. The %26#39;quietside%26#39; is close to the less-travelled parts of Acadia and great trails like Ship Harbor and Wonderland.

Americana Motel - thoughts?

I%26#39;m staying at this place in July, no reviews on it on TripAdvisor. Has anyone stayed there and have any thoughts?

How is the location? I know it%26#39;s not right on the beach but anyone in the area know anything about this place?

Thanks

Americana Motel - thoughts?

I%26#39;m guessing you%26#39;ve seen this, but will post it in case you haven%26#39;t:

www.americanaoldorchard.com/aboutus.htm

Sorry I can%26#39;t help you any further. We live too close to stay there.

Americana Motel - thoughts?

Thanks. I%26#39;m a troll.

July crowds?

I have been reading all about the ';crowds in July';....we will be arriving on Monday, July 6th, and leaving on Friday, July 10th. (Will be in Portland the 4th and 5th). Will be staying ';in town';, but close to Acadia, where we hope to spend a lot of time. What can I expect in terms of ';crowds';? Are we talking Mytrle Beach packed like sardines on the beaches and roads??? Not how I picture Maine! :) (This will be our first visit). Thanks!

July crowds?

No, not nearly that bad. The Fourth does get pretty crowded, as everyone comes into the village for the breakfast, the parade, the lobster feed, and the fireworks. Traffic patterns are changed to handle the horde and it can get to be a zoo.

That being said, July and August are our busiest months in terms of visitors, so yes, there will be a lot of people here. That effect will be more visible in the village than in the park. The more popular places such as Cadillac summit, Thunder Hole, and Jordan Pond House will be busy but there still is a lot of the park that will be quiet. As one of our frequent visitors and contributors to this forum has remarked: ';It%26#39;s not like you have to take a number at the trail head.';

So get into the park and enjoy it. If you know where you want to eat dinner, make reservations. If you are staying in the village, leave your car and stroll to the shops and restaurants.

July crowds?

Well, we can%26#39;t be like Myrtle Beach because there is no long stretch of sandy beach. Most of Acadia is rocky shore line. Nor do we have condos and high rise hotels. Nor do we have a four-lane highway feeding people into the area.

So, no, it isn%26#39;t like Myrtle Beach. And it isn%26#39;t like Gatlinburg in the Smokey Mountains because we don%26#39;t have a long stretch of go-karts and outlet malls.

It%26#39;s only crowded in July and August as compared to March and December when you can make a U-turn in the middle of the village without inconveniencing anyone. Some of us who live here think the world is coming to an end when, in August, we have to wait five minutes to make a left turn at the corner of Mt. Desert and Main Streets. The rest of the country should be so lucky!! We don%26#39;t even have a stop light in the village of Bar Harbor. Or Southwest Harbor. Or Northeast Harbor. Maine: life the way it should be. Even in July and August.

Great response Bonniemaev! And very true.

Thank you for your reassurances!

Since you will be arriving after July 4th itself, you really will not have any problems...those few days after the 4th are generally a little slower, but as everyone else said, it really isn%26#39;t even a problem at any time...you can always find a hiking or walking trail in the park where you won%26#39;t see anyone else....no sardines here!

best restaraunt

I will be in Portland Maine in June with my mom and sister. Looking for the best places to get good seafood. Thanks!

best restaraunt

You undoubtedly will get several answers, all of which will identify good places (the real challenge in Portland is to find a bad meal). For seafood, we like Street %26amp; Company, which specializes in seafood. Fore Street also has a wide variety of seafood dishes. DeMillo%26#39;s is the classic lobster place.

best restaraunt

If you%26#39;re lookling for just plain casual -- places where the emphasis is on the food rather than the atmosphere, The Chowder House (near the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal) and Becky%26#39;s Diner are the place many of the ';locals'; go. Not a thing fancy or pretentious about either of them -- you%26#39;ll see everyone from the working-class fishermen from the waterfront to the attorney%26#39;s from the US Customs House....but the food is good and prices reasonable.

Wow, what a question!!!! There are probably a thousand answers.

If you could narrow down what you are looking for, we can give you better advice. One could eat seafood here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Lobster, eaten at a picnic table with the surf crashing around you? The Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth (bring your own beer or wine).

Upscale seafood in a bistro atmosphere? Street %26amp; Company on Wharf Street (note: while this is a great, fine-dining restaurant, it is small and can thus be a bit loud).

Seafood with one of the best views in Portland? DiMillos Floating Restaurant. (the place is a true institution, and does a fine job on the basics---don%26#39;t expect/order anything esoteric).

There are chowder houses, there are holes-in-the-wall (the Friday fried-fish all-you-can-eat special at the Porthole is a local favourite).

We promise, you will not go hungry!

Lunch - DiMmillo%26#39;s as much for the view.

Dinner - Street and Company

Street and Co. No questions asked on that one!

Proud to be a Maine-ah

This afternoon, our legislature passed, and the Governor signed, the same sex marriage bill into law. To become effective in the fall. I respect that there are polarizing opinions, but I%26#39;m very proud and happy today.

Proud to be a Maine-ah

Indeed.

vegetarian restaurants portland area

we are flying into portland in last week of june not sure where we are staying yet, any suggestions for good vegetarian fare?

vegetarian restaurants portland area

Yes! The Green Elephant on Congress St. (near the Art Museum) has fantastic vegetarian and vegan meals! $10-20, usually.

Also, we%26#39;ve got tons of Thai restaurants with vegetarian dishes, my favorite being Bangkok Thai, also on Congress St. (Congress is a very long street!)

vegetarian restaurants portland area

thanks, I luv thai too we will check out both! r bluberries in season then?

Blueberries aren%26#39;t in season until late July/early August:-(

The Pepperclub on Middle St is not 100% veg but offers quite a few good options.

Check the New England board at chowhound.com for more info on Portland dining scene.

I really love the Green Elephant... it%26#39;s very creative and will certainly satisfy!

There%26#39;s a new raw/vegan place on Congress St... I%26#39;m not sure about it, haven%26#39;t tried it myself, but it%26#39;s right downtown! Pepperclub is okay, I%26#39;ve only had marginal meals there.

good luck!

thanks we will definitely try elephant and see if we can locate new place downtown!

chin blackheads

black flies & Memorial Day weekend

We%26#39;ve made many fall trips to Bar Harbor %26amp; Acadia, but never in May. We%26#39;re planning to come on Memorial Day weekend. I%26#39;ve read through the numerous postings regarding black flies and just want to be sure we don%26#39;t regret coming this time of year instead of the fall. Why I completely understand we can no longer stand shirtless and sweaty near Aunt Betty%26#39;s Pond (kidding), how much will we need to change our normal activities? We do plan to limit our hikes to open areas near the water, but we would like to rent bikes and ride the carriage roads one day. Are the black flies much of a problem if you%26#39;re moving on bikes? Any idea if the black fly ';season'; is coming early or late this year? It sounds like using common sense and some bug spray will solve the problem, but just wanted to be sure.

black flies %26amp; Memorial Day weekend

Looks like the black fly season will be a little bit early. The first ones have already been seen. In fact, Spring itself seems about a week earlier than usual. You might get to see lupine and lilac!

Not standing shirtless and sweaty at Aunt Betty%26#39;s Pond is exactly what you shouldn%26#39;t do. In fact, I wouldn%26#39;t even bike there. I have a friend who was chased by the black flies over the seven bridges on the carriage road loop while biking. The most important thing is to keep moving because it%26#39;s hard to not sweat.

We hike here year %26#39;round and don%26#39;t really have much of a problem. I think you have a good grasp of things. Bug spray on your shirt and hat will do the trick, if that%26#39;s even needed. The problem is mostly when gardening, which I doubt you%26#39;ll be doing!

black flies %26amp; Memorial Day weekend

We hiked and biked in Acadia last Memorial Day and didn%26#39;t have a problem. It was wonderful being in Maine at that time because I got to re-experience the spring that had already passed in New York. The rhodora were lovely. If you want to ponder the black fly issue a little more, you might check out:

mainenature.org/blackfly/blackflyinfo.html

wanting to stay on the ocean

we are wanting to stay on the ocean and drive around the coast of maine ...starting next weekend...16th of May for a week....any good suggestions...nothing too pricey, wondering about renting somewhere for a week mid coast and traveling around doing day trips...

wanting to stay on the ocean

This is a pretty wide open question. It%26#39;s easier to answer something more specific. For example, what it is that you like to do on vacation? Simply drive around to see scenery? What is ';too pricey';? More than $100 or more than $200 a night.

But I%26#39;ll attempt an answer. I see you posted this to the Camden forum. But if you want to stay for a whole week in one spot, you might enjoy staying in the Acadia National Park area, about 90 minutes north of Camden. There is lots and lots to do around Acadia and Bar Harbor. Camden could be a day trip for you.

The middle of May is considered pre-season here. Things are just opening up. The trees are just getting their leaves. Lodging will be a little less expensive than in July. There is a wide choice of motels, cottages, hotels, and Bed and Breakfast inns in all price ranges. You could also rent a home for a week%26#39;s stay.

For example, this three bedroom, two bath house, right in the village of Bar Harbor, within walking distance of everything could be rented for that entire week in April for $1000:

valuevacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/…

wanting to stay on the ocean

Nice place, friendly, quiet, not walking distance to anything but about a mile from town, right on the ocean, I think they%26#39;ve opened for the season.....

www.hightideinn.com

Watercrest cottages wells maine

Has anyone stayed here lately? We just made reservations and I was wondering how it was. Thanks.

Watercrest cottages wells maine

This will be our second year at Watercrest. It%26#39;s very pleasant, attractive and centrally located. Irene, the manager, is very helpful. I will be there the week of July 13th. Hope you have a great vacation. Peggy

Watercrest cottages wells maine

This will be our second year at Watercrest. It%26#39;s very pleasant, attractive and centrally located. Irene, the manager, is very helpful. I will be there the week of July 13th. Hope you have a great vacation.

We have been renting unit#146 for one week at Watercrest for the past 6 summers. Each cottage is different in one way or another and they are all very nice. We like that 146 has the wide open ceiling with sky lights!

We stayed there for 2 weeks in 2006 and 2007. We had them supply the linens for small fee. The cottage was quite large with a deck as well as a good sized screened in porch where I ate breakfast every morning. They have a nice pool, laundry, playground, as well as shuffleboard, volleyball, basketball and a room full of books and movies etc you can borrow. Our cottage had a DVD/VHS player and lots of board games as well. The kids loved it.

nice to finally see a post about this place from a real person

Is June Practical

I%26#39;d like to visit Maine and will read all of the posts. Is June a practical time to visit to enjoy beauty, foods, and less tourism? I don%26#39;t want a winter coat - but heavy sweaters are ok.

Is June Practical

We will be visiting Maine for the eighth time in the past 10 years. We will be visiting Bar Harbor/Acadia for about two weeks beginning 6/6. It can be cool but not too worry. Bring a jacket or a sweater or two as well as some lighter weight clothes for warmer days and you%26#39;ll be set.

Everything should be open so don%26#39;t worry about the foods part.

Maine is beautiful. June will be wildflower season, and migrating birds. There are lovely vistas and landscapes and seascapes. Just recognized that much of the coast line is rocky and beaches tend to toward the southern end of the state.

Less tourism. Sure there will be less of you in June than in July or August. But remember, if you show up in June that means one more tourist for me to deal with! My point: We are all tourists! So don%26#39;t get hung up in that!

Is June Practical

Most days in June you won%26#39;t even need a heavy sweater, unless you take a boat tour. It is cold out on the North Atlantic. June is great for lilacs and fields of lupine. Maine really isn%26#39;t above the Arctic Circle, you know!!

By now, you have seen the other replies, and I support their arguments.

With Memorial Day, virtually everything---shops, lodging, restaurants---will be open.

Tonight after dinner, I sat on our deck in my shirtsleeves, enjoying the cool, fresh air. Be assured, if I was going to the top of Cadillac for sunset (or tomorrow morning for sunrise) I would be a bit more bundled up. As the others have suggested, June can be a time of extremes. The days can be warm, but once the sun goes down, it cools off rapidly; no danger of hypothermia, but yes, you do need to provide for layering---sweaters or fleece, and a windbreaker.

We love Maine in June. The lupines are blooming everywhere (and if you haven%26#39;t seen fields of lupines in bloom you are missing a spectacular sight!). If you are up in the Bar Harbor area the Asticou Gardens are blooming (amazing). There are no crowds but everything is open. No lines at the lobster pounds. We were up there last year mid-June and just needed a light jacket in the evening.

first trip

Mu husband and I along with our 1 year old son would like to go to Maine for a long weekend in July. Can anyone suggest a hotel or cottage that we can stay at that would have a balcony or patio that we could use after he goes to bed. We are driving from Ct. Any suggestions on area%26#39;s or thigs to do would be helpfull also.

TIA!!

first trip

There are hundreds of places with a balcony or patio or a small cottage with two bedrooms in Maine. Do you have any idea at all where in Maine you would like to be? On the coast? In the mountains? South of Portland? Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park? Price range? Driving time from Connecticut? Give us something to work with here.

first trip

Sorry about that I did leave out the important information.

We are looking to stay along the coast and I would like to keep it about a 4 hour drive from Ct. Price range is open but since we will be with a one year old we do not need anything fancy. Just clean.

Where to see wildlife (moose, fox, etc)

My (adult) daughter and I are planning a mom/daughter trip to Maine in late June. (First trip to Maine for both of us). We%26#39;ll be there 12 days. We plan on spending most of the time on the coast--midcoast, Acadia, Lubec. We would also like to plan a few days to see a little of the Maine woods and possibly get a glimpse of some of the wildlife. Any suggestions where to go for that? I%26#39;ve seen some posts about Baxter State Park and Rangely--but am not sure which area would be better. Also, any suggestions about where to stay in these areas would be wonderful. We don%26#39;t need fancy, but would like accomodations with 2 beds. We%26#39;ll be flying in/out of Bangor.

Where to see wildlife (moose, fox, etc)

We go to the Rangeley Lakes area at least once a summer. Besides Rangeley, there are several interesting little towns around. You can check the area out at:

http://www.rangeleymaine.com/index2.shtml

Baxter State Park is also beautiful and largely untouched by man%26#39;s influence.

You can%26#39;t lose with either choice.

Where to see wildlife (moose, fox, etc)

Thanks so much! Do you know if the ';Golden Road'; near Baxter is open to the public?

Yes, it%26#39;s sort of open to the public. It%26#39;s a dirt road and the lumber trucks have the right-of-way. You need to listen for them or see the plume of dust and get of their way!

Another option would be to go to Jackman, Maine. It%26#39;s an odd little town in the middle of nowhere with only one decent place to stay and a few rustic places to eat. But if you get up before dawn and drive north toward the Canada border as the sun is rising, you will almost surely see moose. I did.

The drive between Bangor and Jackman is pretty also -- along a nice stream once you leave highway two.

Thanks for the Jackman suggestion. What is the ';one decent place to stay';?

chin blackheads

First Trip to Maine

We will be spending a week in Maine in September (week of 13th) with my Husband%26#39;s brother and wife - ages 50-64. We are planning on visiting the Maine coast.

We will probably be flying into Boston and driving up the coast (assuming cheapest airfare). After spending much time visiting the postings here we are thinking of visiting Portland, Bootbay, Rockland,and Bar Harbor. Not sure which of these areas are best for lodging but we definitely want it to be waterfront.

We love the ocean, beaches, fishing, boating, and most importantly, we want to get our fill of lobster!! We also want to visit Acadia National Park and the Portland(?) lighthouse and the bridge tower (not sure where it is).

We do enjoy some nightlife but won%26#39;t be upset if there is none. Mostly just a small pub or bar to hang out in for an hour or so where we can talk with some of the locals.

We don%26#39;t have much of an itinerary at this point. Hpoing I can get some help here.

Help with questions:

1) Have we picked the right areas for what we are looking for?

2) Any recommendations for lodging?

3) Fun boating/fishing experience?

4) Best places to get our fill of Maine lobster?

5) Any small pubs/bars open at that time of year?

6) Unique shops/antique stores?

Appreciate your help.

First Trip to Maine

First of all, a week isn%26#39;t really a very long time to see and experience all of the areas you mention. You may need to settle on fewer venues.

1. They all look good to me. I%26#39;m biased in that I chose to retire here on MDI (Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park); I really enjoy Portland; and I love the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland. I will leave it to others having more knowledge to speak to the Boothbay area.

2. That depends on the type of lodging that interests you. Most every place you mention has a mix of hotels, motels, and B%26amp;Bs---can you be more specific in terms of your needs and expectations?

3. This area (Bar Harbor, et al.) isn%26#39;t noted for its fishing opportunities, but does have a variety of boating and kayaking opportunities. See, e.g.,

http://www.acadiamagic.com

4. In most of the areas you mention, the two places that you cannot get lobster are the Post Office and the Police Station. The rest depends on what amenities you like.

5. Everything should still be open. This area has a couple of local breweries, one World-Class medal winning, that produce excellent beers. (I grew up in Wisconsin and this place beats them when it comes to beers.)

6. I don%26#39;t know what unique means in this context. There are artisanal arts/crafts shops throughout the area. Searsport, along the coast between Rockland and Bar Harbor, has several antique shops.

Happy planning.

First Trip to Maine

cwvoight: Thank you so much for your response. Sounds like we should plan on spending more time in the Bar Harbor area.

1) The areas we have chosen are just the areas we would like to spend a day wandering around. As to which ones we spend the nights at, depends on what the areas have to offer.

2) As I said, we would like waterfront, we like the idea of driving down through some of the ';fingers'; and even possibly spending an evening or two, if accommodations are available. This could be, as you said, hotel/motel, b%26amp;b, or cabins. Whatever would be available. We are planning on making reservations, so we would want this information prior to our trip.

3) I know we can get a boat over to Vinalhaven Island from Rockland. That is something we may want to do. Fishing is something the guys would like to do more than the women. That would be when we split up - girls shop, guys fish. I have also read that we might even be able to go out on a lobster fishing boat for a day.

4) I have read on the forums some places are better than others for lobster. We would like to have it cooked for us, as we could not do a Maine lobster the justice it deserves.

5) You mentioned a couple brew pubs in the area. That is basically what we are talking about when I mentions ';nightlife.'; Do you know where these are located?

6) Unique shops just means not visiting shopping malls or large shopping centers. More the ';one of a kind'; type shops for gifts, antiques, etc.

I hope this helps clarify what we are looking for. Guess you could say we are looking for the Maine we read about in novels . . . fishing and lobster boats coming ashore, locals picking fresh seafood to cook up in their establishments. Sitting around, eating, and talking with the locals to hear some of the stories that I%26#39;m sure we would enjoy. Nothing big and adventuress, just want to try to enjoy the Maine Coast as the locals might if they were just hanging out on a free weekend, or maybe there are other areas along the Maine Coast that would fit our purposes better. Is this possible? Do these things still happen or has the Maine Coast become too commercialized and ';touristy?';

1%26amp;2:

Check out: http://www.travelinmaine.com

This web site has sections on eight regions of Maine---click on the Where to Visit link on the left side of the page to get started.

3: You are right, there are all sorts of boat tours and ferries to islands. One of our favorites is the boat from Port Clyde to Monhegan Island. (There also are ferries to Monhegan from Boothbay Harbor and New Harbor.

4: To me, the two major differences regarding lobster are (1) how simply or elaborately it is prepared and (2) what other things accompany the lobster. The basic boiled lobster is readily available in everything from restaurants to lobster pounds---the differences are in the amenities of the place and what is included in the meal. There also are restaurants that serve lobster in a variety of ways (Poor Boy%26#39;s Gourmet, here, is one such) including baked/stuffed, over linguini, etc. Lots of people have their own favorite place--the Bar Harbor forum has many threads dealing with this issue.

5: Our local beers are served at most places. Atlantic Brewing has a brew pub in Town Hill, not far from Bar Harbor. Bar Harbor Brewing has a small brew pub in Bar Harbor (and a store as well).

6: Once you get away from the larger towns and cities, you won%26#39;t see very many malls or large shopping centers. If you drive the coastal route (Rte 1), most of what you will find are individual shops. Camden has many, as well as a picture-postcard harbor. Bar Harbor also has many shops.

You mentioned Rockland. I don%26#39;t know if you would be interested, but Rockland is home to the Farnsworth Musuem, which specializes in art works dealing with Maine. Included in the Farnsworth is the Wyeth Center, devoted to the works of N.C., Andrew, and James Wyeth.

Happy planning.

I sent my sister-in-law the information you sent me and we both agree - this is where we want to be. We also sent it to our husbands (who really don%26#39;t have a choice ;~))

We are really excited about the Acadia/Bar Harbor area. Guess we will just have to plan another trip to see the rest of what we where hoping to do, but we both think we want the whole week in your area -- good sell!! Thanks

Any suggestions on the best airport. At this point, we don%26#39;t think flying into Boston is the best idea, maybe Portland or further up. We are coming from the Baltimore, MD area.

You might take a look at flying Southwest Airlines from Baltimore to Manchester NH. We like SW as it is reliable and reasonable. Driving in and out of Manchester is far easier than the Boston effort. You can catch such neat towns as Exeter NH on your way. We stayed on what they call the quiet side of Mt Desert Island in Southwest Harbor in an attractive historic hotel called Claremont, which personifies the quirkiness of old Maine. (Croquet courts, rowboats, bicycles and chess sets replace tv%26#39;s, pools, and business centers). It was a short commute to hiking trails and kayaking trips. You are lucky to miss the August rush. Maine is great.

If you%26#39;re flying up from Baltimore, you should also look into Air Tran, which has excellent rates up to Portland, Maine. It would be about a six hour drive to Acadia from there, but it is a very pretty one. That way you can stop at the outlets and at Red%26#39;s in Wiscasset.

I was under the impresstion that the drive from Portland to Bar Harbor/Acadia was approx. a 4 hour drive...........is it really 6 hrs? (along Rt 1, not the interstate). Thanks!

RE: juleecat:

Portland to Bar Harbor via Rte.1 is much closer to 4 hours than 6---depending, of course, on how many stops you make and for how long.

This is really helpful.

So, if we try to do som

e sightseeing along the way and stop for lunch and hit an outlet we%26#39;re probably talking closer to 6 hours versus 4?

We are staying in southwest Harbor on MDI. While there we would really like to do the fishing/lobster pull boat trip. Has anyone done this?

Yes, three and a half to four hours in September along Route 1 from Portland to Southwest Harbor, if you make no stops. Six hours if you have a nice lunch some place and do a bit of shopping.

Three hours if you forgo the coastal route and just shoot right up the Interstate to Bangor and then 1A and 3 to Southwest Harbor.

Embassy Suites

We are planning to visiting Portland for 2 days at the end of our New England holiday. I am very impressed by reviews of Embassy Suites - is it really that good and reasonable?? we have a party of 4.

I like the idea of a 2 room suite plus comp breakfast and parking. Is it very far away from the heart of things though???

Embassy Suites

Embassy Suites is OK. The rooms are good and the comp breakfast is a nice perk. However, it is near the airport and the Maine Mall, not right in town. (It%26#39;s not hard to drive into the heart of Portland; it%26#39;s just not going to be a short stroll from the hotel.)

Embassy Suites

I agree with the poster above. There are many other lodging options in the area that will have you either more in the middle of Portland OR give you more of a taste of the southern coast of Maine. If this is a once in a lifetime type of trip for you I%26#39;d look at other options not because of the quality of the hotel but simply because of the location.

It is very nice, but it is an airport hotel. So there is NOTHING else around it, and I do mean nothing! (It is next door to the General Aviation terminal that I fly out of).

That being said, if you have a car, downtown Portland is only 10 or 15 minutes away. So if you really like the idea of being in the suite, the place may suit you, so long as you understand that your dinners and sightseeing will involve a car-trip.

Rainy day activities with small children

My husband have been to Bar Harbor in the past and loved it. This is the first time we will be bringing our kids with us (3 and 7). We will be there for 7 nights. I am trying to preplan for rainy days. I noticed there is a Children%26#39;s Museum in Bangor, Maine. Has anyone been there? Is it worth the hour+ drive? My kids love childrens museums and we do not have one near our hometown.

Rainy day activities with small children

The children%26#39;s museum in Bangor is nice and lots of fun, especially for the younger kids. Your 7 year old might not like it as much as the 3 year old, but if they don%26#39;t get to go very often, it should be fun for both. There%26#39;s also a movie theater (in the mall) and a skating rink in Bangor.

The Jesup Library in Bar Harbor has a really nice children%26#39;s room that your kids might enjoy for an hour or so. There%26#39;s an Oceanarium and the Whale Museum. Ellsworth (about 30 minutes from the Bar Harbor) has a duck pin bowling alley that the kids really enjoy.

Bar Harbor also has the YMCA with a basketball court and swimming pool. Your family can get a day pass. The pool is great for all ages. They have ';bubbles'; for inexperienced swimmers so your daughter will be able to swim on her own.

Rainy day activities with small children

Thank you! My 3 year old does not have the best patience in a restaurant. Can you recommend a couple restaurants that are toddler friendly?

In addition to the sites mentioned in previous posts, our kids liked the Dorr Museum on the campus of the College of The Atlantic in town:

http://www.coa.edu/html/museum.htm

It has a touch-tank where you can see starfish, sea cucumbers and various other sealife first hand. I think Diver Ed stocks the sea-life for the tank. Diver Ed is another activity your kids will enjoy, maybe not while raining though.

Also check out the Junior Ranger Program put on by the NPS. You can buy the booklets at the Acadia NP visitors center. Buy the booklets early in your stay as it may take some time to finish. After your kids accomlish the necessary activities they get announced as Junior Rangers in the visitor center. Our kids really liked this.

Gay Friendly Accommodations on Mount Desert Island

My boyfriend and I are planning a vacation to Acadia National Park, and are looking for gay friendly places to stay on Mount Desert Island. Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Gay Friendly Accommodations on Mount Desert Island

Haven%26#39;t you heard? The whole state is gay-friendly! If you wait 90 days to come, you can even get married here.

Are you interested in a hotel or a Bed and Breakfast? Bar Harbor or one of the other villages on the island?

I really don%26#39;t think you%26#39;ll encounter much of a problem in the Acadia region.

Two B%26amp;Bs in Bar Harbor that I would recommend are Saltair Inn, right on the water, right in the village of Bar Harbor and Hearthside Inn, on a quiet side street in the village of Bar Harbor. But there are many other places. You could check out sleepbarharbor.com

Gay Friendly Accommodations on Mount Desert Island

Bar Harbor (and Maine in general) are pretty gay-friendly overall - did you here our Gov. just signed a same-sex mariiage law yesterday? A proud moment for this state, in my opinion.

Suggestions for accomodations in Bar Harbor will depend more on your preferences for the type of lodging you prefer (large hotel, small b%26amp;b, etc.), your budget and the time of year you%26#39;ll be traveling. Also consider if you want to be within walking distance to downtown shops/restaurants or a little further away from the crowds.

With a little more info, I%26#39;m sure you%26#39;ll get some suggestions.

Thank you both for your quick replies. Yes, I have heard about all the progress that has been made with moving forward on same-sex marriage in Maine. Very exciting news!

To answer a few of your questions, we%26#39;re hoping to visit in June (I know! Very last minute!) and are quite flexible about a place to stay. We would prefer either a cabin/cottage setting or a B%26amp;B (Saltair Inn looks stunning! Thanks for the suggestion). We%26#39;ve done a little research into places to stay in Bar Harbor and Southwest Harbor. Also, we would prefer to stay within walking distance of town and ideally be near the water as well. Thanks again for your advice.

Now, if I can only convince my boyfriend to marry me . . . but I guess that%26#39;s for another forum! :)

Given your preference for walking distance and being near the water, then Saltair is a good choice. It is a short stroll from the village center (and actually, the whole village isn%26#39;t all that large). Saltair %26lt;is%26gt; on the water; there is a pair of Adirondack chairs down near the shore.

Deluxe Oceanfront Motel & Cottages

Has anyone stayed here at Old Orchard Beach?? Would love to hear opinions looks nice but there is not much written about it anywhere!!! THanks!

Deluxe Oceanfront Motel %26amp; Cottages

Sorry - no first-hand knowledge, but I found these comments online:

http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3715966048

Deluxe Oceanfront Motel %26amp; Cottages

I have google earth downloaded ,and I checked it out and it is quite a ways up on east ave.If your looking for something closer to the pier then you might want to look elsewhere.It has to be aleast a mile or more from the pier.Just wasnt sure if you knew where it was.It looks like its on the beach side though.

Hi, my family has stayed there many years. It is exactly 1 mile from the pier. It is quite expensive. we are paying 1926.00 with tax for a 2 bedroom right on the beach for 1 week this summer. Thats a lot. The room is large enough but the furniture is old and doesn%26#39;t match, but all the hotels there seem to be the same. They might be cheaper, but furniture will be old and not match. If you have small children, it is quite a walk to the pier. Good restaurants in the area are The Clam Bake which is past Deluxe and take a left. The Captains Galley is good for breakfast and dinner. that is on the main road when you get in to town off the highway. The motel is quiet. Mostly families. If you are looking for luxury this is not the place. But if you want a quiet place right on the beach with no trouble, its good.

thanks for the info! I loved the location (right on the beach) we had stayed at waves last year and I did not like the fact that you had to walk to far to get the little ones to the sand. I was concerned about the fact that they barely advertise I was afraid it might be a dump....... I am definitely not looking for luxury, just easy for kids and clean.....

Hi we stayed at the waves also,and the waves isnt as far as this other place.You can try a1vacations.com they have listings for rentals.

I am interested in anything else you may hear, I am staying there this summer for the first time. To the person who has stayed there many times- do you rent a motel room, or one of the cottages? I am renting one of the apartments on the 2nd floor supposed to be nice. I don%26#39;t mind if it%26#39;s old, just so long as it%26#39;s clean. I chose the place because I wanted ';right on the beach';, and they accept well behaved dogs.

thanks

G

Camden or Stockton Springs?

Renting a waterfront house with 2 kids ages 10 and 7 for a week on the coast prior to going to MDI/SW Harbor for 4 nights. I was leaning toward Camden area due to location and proximity of towns, activities, hiking, gallery hoping, ice cream, restaurants.

Someone told me Camden is now all t-shirt shops and recomended a house north of Searsport right on the water in Stockton Springs. They said Belfast proximity was great for restaurants etc and could get out on Blue Hill penninsula easy. It is 15 miles or so to Belfast and 7 to Searsport.

Any recomendations on which is better as we want enough to do but don%26#39;t want to be overrun with tourists?

Camden or Stockton Springs?

Well, Camden is hardly all t-shirt shops...but it can feel overwhelmingly crowded in height of season.

Belfast should offer enough dining options if not looking for real fine dining (that Camden would offer).

I agree that proximity to Blue Hill is a plus from Stockton Springs.

You may want to consider somewhere farther south (e.g. Boothbay Harbor area, Pemaquid/New Harbor/Owl%26#39;s Head, etc)also.

Camden or Stockton Springs?

Guess I%26#39;d sum up the choices this way:

Accessible harbor with lots of sailboats, commercial windjammer schooners, and a few ';working boats'; coming and going.....Downtown area with a mix of T-shirt shops, nicer commercial establishments and fine variety of restaurants.....Camden would be your choice.

More rural, small-town feel with fewer in-town restaurant choices but perhaps a better chance for the kids to just ';run around and be kids'; -- Stockton Springs (so long as you%26#39;re not right on US Rt 1!).

Belfast%26#39;s downtown has been growing rapidly recently...lots of new shops, restaurants, and a great place for kids called The Game Stop....more games in stock than you can imagine....

Wherever you stay, as you head from the mid-coast to Mt Desert Island, allow an hour or so for a stop at Fort Knox State Park and the Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory. The observatory is built into one of the towers of the bridge and offers a spectacular 360 degree view of the surrounding area -- with the mountains of Mt Desert Island visible in the distance. And Fort Knox is a fantastic place for 7-to-10 year olds to mix imagination and history! Google Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Fort Knox State Park for more info.

Thanks for the insights. All good but still feeling stuck.

Without knowing a lot more about you, it%26#39;s tough to make a definitive recommendation... One persons ';over-run with tourists'; is another%26#39;s average summer group of folks on the sidewalk...

You also don%26#39;t say ';when'; you%26#39;re coming, which might make a slight difference. In general, tourist season in Camden begins the week of Memorial Day and lasts at least through Labor Day, and now even later into the Fall. Does that mean you won%26#39;t be able to find a parking space downtown or get to the town pier on the harbor? No. But it also means you won%26#39;t necessarily find a parking space right in front of the restaurant or shop you%26#39;re going to and that you won%26#39;t be the only one standing on the wharf looking at the boats in the harbor....

If it%26#39;s any consolation, whichever one you choose, you%26#39;re still close enough to some of the other things you want to do without driving great distances... From Stockon Springs, it%26#39;s not that far to Camden to walk the streets and see the harbor. From Camden, you%26#39;re equally close to Camden Hills State Park, with some great hiking trails and a wonderful view of the mid-coast (and Camden Harbor in particular)from the top of Mt Battie (you can climb it or drive it...).

I wouldn%26#39;t lose sleep over making your choice...both should give you a fine visit to Maine.

Thanks. Good thoughts and suggestions. We are coming mid-August. You are right that it is all relative when gauging crowds. I work in NY so everything may seem less crowded. Net/net, we want enough to do within good proximity but don%26#39;t mind lazy mornings either.

Stay in Camden. Stockton Springs will seem like the middle of nowhere with nothing at all to do. Camden is definitely NOT all t-shirts.

Agree with Bonniemaev - Camden.

Having travelled around New England last month having booked all accomodation in the UK I can fully understand your dilema. We stayed in Camden and thought it was lovely. I didn%26#39;t notice that many T - shirt shops but I did enjoy spending money in many beautiful and interesting shops that we found on Main street. We also did a trip up to Bar Harbour from there and thoroughly enjoyed it. I would say that you will good access to many other areas from Camden although I do accept it may be somewhat busier than when we went.

chin blackheads

Suggested stops between Boston and Bar Harbor?

We have 5 nights to meander up the coast of Maine, ending at Bar Harbor, before we return to Boston and fly home. Thought we%26#39;d start in Kennebunkport, and end with 2-3 nights in Bar Harbor. Any suggestions for the extra night or two along the way? And will we be able to find lodging during August (11-15) or are things filling already? Any advice on motels/hotels in any must-see stops would be appreciated.

Suggested stops between Boston and Bar Harbor?

Do you have 5 nights total? It takes a good long day to drive from Bar Harbor back to Boston (take the highways, not the coastal route back, Rte 1 is SLOW)

Of course, you could easily spend a week or more on the Maine Coast just getting to Bar Harbor and never see it all. What are you interested in - history, museums, shopping, eating lobster? That would help in figuring out where to stop along the way. Do you want to see and/or do the popular attractions or do you want to visit out of the way, less busy spots? Maybe a little of everything ';Maine';? What does your budget for hotels look like?

Suggested stops between Boston and Bar Harbor?

Camden is a nice town to spend a night in. So is Portland. You will be able to find lodging if you start looking now. I certainly wouldn%26#39;t wander up the coast in mid-August without any reservations anywhere. Maine is not like some other states with five chain motels at every interstate exit. Almost all of the lodging along the coast after Portland and Freeport is NOT chain.

Thanks for your responses. We want scenery and seafood primarily. We live in the Chicago area and can live without shopping, etc. Right now we plan to spend three nights in Boston, and another two nights on the way to Bar Harbor. In Bar Harbor, we%26#39;ll spend another 3 nights, and we have a full day to drive back to Boston (6 p.m. flight).

Right now we%26#39;re thinking of a night in the Kennebunk area and a night in Camden area. I will make reservations in advance but just want to plan our time carefully. Or should we plan a night in Portland and then Camden?

Were it me, I%26#39;d go for the Portland-Camden option. Portland, especially the Old Port area is delightful and Portland abounds in excellent restaurants. It also has a number of walking trails if you have the time and are so inclined:

www.trails.org/map_files/existingtrails.html

If art interests you, on the way to Camden is the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland. The Farnsworth largely is dedicated to works about Maine or by artists with strong Maine connections. It also is the home of the Wyeth Center, dedicated to the works of N.C., Andrew, and James Wyeth.

On your way here from Camden, stop at the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory (you can%26#39;t miss it, and the Observatory is worth it).

I agree with the Portland - Camden overnights. Kennebunkport is sn easy drive from Boston and is very scenic with lots of nice places to stay and eat. No chains hotels or restaurants here so you need to book ahead now. Lots of B %26amp; B%26#39;s and small Inns and one large historic hotel, The Colony. It is on the way to Walker%26#39;s Point which is a beautiful loop drive out to see the Bush summer home. Resist the temptation to stop at every harbor town along the way or you%26#39;ll never get to enjoy where you are in any degree of depth. The Farmsworth Museum in Rockland is a wonderful small Maine museum. I also recommend a stop there. You will love Camden, a wonderful village and sailing town. There are several schooners that you can sail on for an hour or two if you want to get out on the water. You should drive up (or hikeup) Mount Battie at the Camden Hills State Park. The view is breath taking and you will understand why Edna St. Vincent Millay so inspired to write her famous poem, Renascence. Camden has loads of B %26amp; B%26#39;s, but again no chains. Lodging will be less expensive just before or after Camden and there are many places to choose from. Book now if possible.

If you have suggestions for lodging around Camden, I%26#39;ll all ars. I did see a post a few days ago mentioning the Lodge at Camden? Something like that. . . I%26#39;ll have to go searching. Good to know that a night in Kennebunk isn%26#39;t worth it. Maybe we can make it from Boston to Portland Monday night, then we%26#39;ll have Tuesday and Wednesday for Portland/Camden area before arriving in Bar Harbor Wednesday night.

You will easily make it from Boston to Portland. I wouldn%26#39;t say that a night in Kennebunkport isn%26#39;t worth it; I think the suggestions to do Portland and Camden are attempts to equal out your distances.

Actually, there is a ';chain'; hotel in Camden. It%26#39;s part of the Best Western chain:

http://www.camdenmaine.com/

We have stayed at the Lodge at Camden Hills in their stand-alone cabin. It was a very nice spot, complete with gas fireplace and jacuzzi. We often stay at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, which has a beautiful golf course and inside/outside pools. They have recently renovated their rooms.

WE did this journey last month and stayed the first night at the Hotel Regency in Portland which was very nice even though we didn%26#39;t really fall for Portland and then stayed at the Lord Camden Inn, Camden which we loved. The inn was fabulous, try to get a view of the harbour and the town was lovely.

Driving from Maryland to Bar harbor ME

I am planning a road trip to Bar Harbor ME at the end of June and looking for ideas for a place to stay over night on the way up. I would like it to be around the half way point. I am spending two nights in Boston on the way home but am stumped about where to go on the way up. I am leaving Sat morning and checking in is evening Sun.

Driving from Maryland to Bar harbor ME

CT is about the 1/2 way point. You could always swing over to Mystic or Old Saybrook and stay along the CT shoreline. If you like gambling there are 2 casinos in CT and I%26#39;m told the accomodations there are great. At the top of Rt 84 is Old Sturbridge Village on the CT/MA border. There are a number of hotels and it%26#39;s an interesting place. From Sturbridge it%26#39;s about 6 hours up to BH depending on traffic.

Driving from Maryland to Bar harbor ME

I second Sturbridge. We drive from Salisbury every year to Maine and have stayed in Sturbridge before. It%26#39;s a good point because it doesn%26#39;t take too long to get through Massachusetts. If you want to spend any time exploring the Maine coast on the way to Bar Harbor, you%26#39;re able to get to the Maine border within about 2 hours. Also, Route 84 to Route 90, then 495 in Mass is the quickest way to go (vs. 95). If you do choose 95, Coventry, RI, is also a good stopping point.

Hi Baltimore!

Sturbridge also has the benefit of being on the most direct and quickest route between Baltimore and Maine.

I-95 is neither the fastest nor the most direct route north. It%26#39;s congested and it passes through the Boston area.

Northeast of New York City, my favorite route is the Hutchinson River Parkway out of the New York area followed by the Merritt Parkway in Connecticut. These parkways have the advantage that big trucks have difficulty using them because some of the bridges are too low. It%26#39;s a more pleasant ride, with the trucks all down on I-95.

As you%26#39;ve seen on your atlas, going north your object is to reach I-495, which by-passes the Boston area completely, saving both time and congestion driving.

David