Visitin’ Maine

So, you wanna vacay in Maine, eh? I’ve compiled a few thoughts to share with you interjected with what I like to think of as my sparklin’ personality. In your eyes, I guess that remains to be seen.

Well, I’m sure you’re thinkin’ rocky coastlines, lighthouses, lobsters, blueberries and not too many peeps around. And you’d be right about most a that. It’s the not too many peeps part that’s not as accurate as it mighta been in years past. But, even so, you’re gonna come for a visit. Sweet!

And whatcha gonna do while you’re here? Hike? If that’s what blows yah skirt up, we got lotsa trails with some pretty amazing views. There’s Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, home to Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the U.S. seaboard. Just know, you won’t be alone. I live on the island of Isle au Haut, home to the most remote sector (way less crowded) of Acadia National Park. Don’t forget to stop by and say hi! We’ll have a lobster roll waiting for you! (Visit the Maine Restuarant page for details.)

We’ve got 18 miles of the most rugged trails you might wanna venture out on. But you can’t show up in a pair a flip-flops! You need to stop off at Beans (as in LL if yah just crawled out from under a rock) and getcha a proper pair of hiking shoes. You gotta pretty much go right by it on the way up the coast or you can order online here.

So, you gotcha some good shoes. Now, let’s talk bugs.

It’s ok, they’re just little annoyances, but knowledge is power and in that spirit, I thought I’d warn you so you can be armed.

You comin’ in June? That’d be black fly season. Little tiny black bugs that bite you behind the ears, the back of the neck, eyelids…all the tender, sweet spots. They pretty much suck. Literally.

Perhaps, you’re thinkin’ July? Maybe you wanna see fireworks over the water. And that’s entirely possible dependin’ on the fog………..but, we’re talkin bugs here. July is a combination of the end a black fly season overlappin’ with deerfly season. Deerflies are triangle shaped bugs that do what I call a hit and run. They land, bite and leave in a nanosecond. They too, suck.

August, you say? That’d be full on mosquito season. No explanation needed. Bring deet.

So as to letcha know I’m not tryin’ to discourage you, let’s talk September. The month that has (typically) no bugs, no fog, warm days, cool nights and less peeps. My absolute fave month in Maine. The only way it could be better is if it was longer. And if the Fourth of July was in September. On account of the fireworks. And no fog. But, no matter the month, any summer month in Maine is better than a month somewhere else. You just have to be prepared for it. And, the hiking here in Maine truly is spectacular. You can pick your difficulty level and have at it.

Maybe you’re thinkin it’d be fun to go on a Lobster Boat Tour? And it would. C’ept most lobster fishermen are workin’ their asses off and don’t wanna deal with tourists so you’re gonna have to find a fisherman that does. (We call yahs strap-hangers…more on that in our Maine-isms page.)

Well, I just happen to know know a famous one and she loves takin’ folks out to haul for a day. Perhaps you’ve heard of her. Linda Greenlaw, the famous swordfish boat captain (and lobster fisherman) portrayed in Sebastian Junger’s “The Perfect Storm” and one of the Captains in the Discovery series, Swords: Life on the Line. Not only is Linda a great fisherman, she’s a wicked smart and amazing individual. Her laugh is infectious and you’ll leave believin’ you’ve known her all your life. Trust me. She’s the best! Visit her website to get in touch with her.

How bout a Puffin Tour? These elusive little sea birds with colorful beaks inhabit Seal Island during their breeding season in the summer months and a tour from Isle au Haut Boat Services can take you there! The tour is about 4-5 hours long (bring snacks!) and the boat ride from Stonington to Seal Island offers the opportunity to see porpoises, eagles, lighthouses, many sea birds, lotsa seals frolickin’ in the rough areas around the island and perhaps even a whale. Just so you know, there’s no getting off to trudge around the island. It’s protected from human interference exceptin’ a small handful a biologists. I took this tour with the kids from the Isle au Haut School and it was a blast.

If Maine Lighthouses are your thing and you’ll be here the weekend of Maine’s “Open Lighthouse Day” (usually in September), Isle au Haut Boat Services does a Lighthouse cruise as well.  See their website for the current schedule.

How bout a whale watch? If you find yourself in the southern part of the state, the folks over at First Chance Whale Watch are who you wanna talk to. “Nick’s Chance” (the boat) will cruise from Kennebunkport to the summer feeding grounds of Finbacks, Humpbacks, Minkes and the rare Blue Whale. The boat has ample space at the rails on both decks for excellent viewing and “photo ops”.

Then there’s the Downeast Scenic Railroad for train enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.  While on this 10 mile round trip tour, you have the chance at seein’ many forms of wildlife, including osprey, blue herons, bald eagles, moose, deer, snapping turtles, foxes, beavers, and even bears.  Regularly scheduled and special event rides typically last 1 hour and 45 minutes so it’s a great break in the middle of a busy day.

I’d also recommend stopping by Visit Maine’s website for tons more info on things to do.

There’s a plethora a things you can do in our beautiful state and I’ve only touched on a few. We got lakes and ponds for swimmin’, awesome campgrounds, tons a flea markets and antique shops, and a squillion restaurants. But, nothin’ surpasses this state’s amazin’ natural beauty!