Planes, Buses, and Automobiles

We took a family trip up to Maine--so Steven could see where we will be living.  It was Steven's first plane flight.  He loved it--especially the movie and the snacks (though the take-off and landing were kind of fun too).  We then rode the bus from Boston to Portland--to pick up our car.

Fort Halifax Park

After cleaning the apartment for the arrival of my family, I took some cherries and a book down to Fort Halifax Park--where the Kennebec and Sebasticook Rivers join.  Nice park, nice views, a reconstructed Fort Halifax (which was washed away in the flood of 1987), nice people--another conversation initiated by total strangers, and a nice sunset on the way home.

Hiking at Colby

Colby has a series of hiking trails on campus--some of which go through the Perkins arboretum.  I took a trail that led to the highest point on campus (perhaps the highest point in Waterville???).  In that top field there was a large vegetable garden, grown and maintained by Colby students.

You know you're not in Pittsburgh anymore when . . .

. . . you see seagulls on the front lawn of campus.

We're Goin' on a Moose Hunt . . .

My main goal in this trip was to lay eyes on a moose.  Alas, I picked probably the very worst day of the year--crazy hot with a torrential downpour at the prime evening moose-sighting time.  I think the moose were hunkered down in the woods, not ready to come out.  I did, though, see some great remote moose habitat--perfect in every way . . . except no moose.  (Correction: I guess I did see a moose by the road near Rockwood--see final photo.)

Lily Bay State Park

After leaving Greenville, I went up to Lily Bay State Park (on the eastern shore of Moosehead Lake).  There was a nice beach and a series of trails through the woods.  Midway through my hike, I heard thunder and retraced my steps, making it back to the car just in time.

Moosehead Lake

After reaching the border, I drove across to Rockwood and saw Mt. Mineo across Moosehead Lake.  It is possible to take a shuttle across the lake--something I'll have to do on another trip.

I then drove around to Greenville (town on the southern tip of Moosehead Lake) and ate a burger at The Stress Free Moose--tough choice between it and The Black Frog or Flatlanders.

South of the Border

When I got to Jackman, I just kept going--since the border was so relatively close.  How can you tell that you're close to the border?? . . .  You start seeing Canadian flags alongside American flags.  [I guess if you live near the border, you can't afford to offend anyone!]  Also, all the radio stations were in French.  I made it to the border, took some pictures, was confronted by a border guard who wanted to look at my pictures--don't be taking pictures of our border patrol!  I then turned around and went back to Jackman.

Maine Highway

On Saturday, I hit the road in the effort to (a) escape the heat [No one told me that it would get up to 90 in Maine!], and (b) look for a moose.  I traveled up U.S. Route 201 to Jackman, Maine.  The highway had a number of rest stops with scenic views and informative signage.  One could get a decent history of Maine simply by taking lots of breaks!

Top of the Tower

As part of my tour of Miller Library at Colby, the head librarian took me up to the clock tower.  The view was amazing.

Wonderland in Acadia

During my day in Acadia, I went to Wonderland--a section of coast recommended by one of the park rangers as a place where waves crash into rocks.  I arrived near low tide, so there was not much action. I did, though, take this picture--which turned out surprisingly better than I expected.

Hiking in Belgrade Lakes

Having gone "down East" to the coast on Saturday, I went west to the Belgrade Lakes region on Sunday afternoon.  I hiked up two mountains (French Mountain and Mt. Phillip).  The views were spectacular.  I then drove to the Colby-Hume Center for a lakeside scene.

Long Pond from French Mountain

Great Pond from Mt. Phillip

Lake at Colby-Hume Center

Lobster!!!

I found my way around to Thurston's Lobster Pound in Bernard.  I knew I had found it when I saw cars parked up and down the street.  It is right on the water, with lobster boats behind it.  I ordered my 1.5 pound soft-shell (apparently sweeter and more tender??) lobster.  The first few bites (claw meat) were simply delectable!  The eating got messy, but it was good.


Part of the charm of the lobster pound is the view; part of it is knowing that the lobster are as fresh as they can be; part of it is seeing the sights of the business--the lobster traps and they buoys.  Each of the buoys is color-coded for the particular lobsterman. 

First Lighthouse

On my way to dinner, I stopped by the Bass Harbor Lighthouse.  It has a red light and was built in 1858.  I had to climb around on the rocks to be able to get a view of it--as the sun was going down behind it.

It's All Downhill From Here . . .

After sitting on the rocks by the coast, I went up to Cadillac Mountain.  It is the highest point on the eastern coast--apparently the first place in the U.S. to see the sunrise.  The breeze was cool--very welcome after a warm week.