A Beacon of Learning

The windows of Miller Library at Colby reflect the morning sun.

Skies over Winslow

This is what I saw during my evening walk.
















This was what I saw during my morning walk.

My car is now a Mainer!

I successfully insured and registered my car in Maine.  Everyone was friendly and helpful, but I'm not fond of the annual excise tax.  I hope that it helps to keep the roads cleared in the winter.  I successfully fought the temptation to get a Lobster plate.  The Chickadee with Vacationland looks good on my car.

Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me . . .

Thanks to a friend who is one of the producers, I was able to go to Portland for the live taping of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me--an NPR news quiz.  It was even funnier in person than on the radio.  Panelists were Tom Bodette, Roy Blount, Jr., and Amy Dickensen.  Went with one co-worker--and ran into another.

Back to Camden for Bread Pudding

In honor of my dad, I went back to Cappy's Chowder House for some chocolate bread pudding.  There is a neat waterfall behind one of the shops.  Sadly, they were out of raspberry sauce, so I had to have my bread pudding with hot fudge instead--life is hard!  (Sorry, Dad, the picture of the bread pudding didn't work.)

 

Breakwater and Lighthouse

Rockland is protected by a very long (at least 1 mile) breakwater with a lighthouse at the end.

Lobster Crate Races

One of the feature events was the lobster crate race.  They string 50 lobster crates (filled with seaweed) in a line (like a bridge) from the pier to a floating dock.  Competitors then attempt to run across the lobster crates, and they count how many crates are traversed before one falls into the drink.  There were contestants of all ages (from about 7 to mid-50s) from many different places.  The adults did not fare well (about a 5-crate average).  Young, light, and quick seemed to be the key.  When I arrived, the day's record was 120 crates, and I saw a young girl make it to 300.  The all-time record was 4501 (set about 4 years ago).  The previous record had been 3008--set by a woman who had run the 10K earlier in the day--she was told to stop because it was getting dark, so she took a ceremonial dive off the 3008th crate.  I saw history be make as a 12-year-old boy smashed the record and set the new record at 6000!!!!  He stopped at that point.  (Another finalist--a 10-year-old boy--made it to 2000 before his father intervened to have him stop.)

The runner-up after the race.  The two finalists were the only ones who did not get wet!

Lobster Festival in Rockland

Rockland celebrated the 65th annual Lobster Festival.  It felt like a county fair--without the livestock.  I had a wonderful conversation with April Knight--one of the organizers who has been to every single Lobster Festival (for 65 years)!!!  Lobster dinner (including corn and roll) was $11.00.

Old-time Gas Pump

I haven't seen spinning numbers on a gas pump for a long time.  It's available in Fairfield at Gene's Market--along with the lowest gas price.

A Tale of Two Beaches--Reid State Park

After having gone to Popham Beach, I took the next weekend to go to Reid State Park.  I thought I would be seeing the tale of Popham v. Reid (a local debate).  Instead, I saw Half-mile Beach v. Mile Beach . . .

Rocky coast v. sandy beach v. lagoon v. sand dune. . .

High tide (complete with Seaweed Alley) and Low tide (complete with shallow pools) . . .

Also, there were shiny rocks, lots of driftwood, and battling currents between the ocean and bay--none of which translated well in pictures.  Bottom line: low tide is the best bet, and Half-mile beach is more promising.

Belgrade Lakes

We drove around the Belgrade Lakes region, stopping at the Colby-Hume Center (on Snow Pond) the Outing Club cabin (on Great Pond).  We then traipsed around the town of Belgrade Lakes--having ice cream by the lake and some nice conversations with the merchants.

LL Bean

After Popham Beach, we drove over to Freeport.  The LL Bean store is open 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.

Popham Beach--Way Cool!!!

Deciding between conflicting recommendations (Popham v. Reid), we decided to go to Popham Beach State Park.  It was great!!!!!  The sand was smooth, and there was plenty of space.  We arrived at low tide, which meant that we could trek across the sandbar over to an island for climbing around.  The interesting topography created mini-rivers of warm (almost hot) water leading into the cold water.  There were waves as well as still water areas--something for everyone.  As the tide turned, the sandbar covered up and we had to keep moving our chairs back.  Note the difference in the photos.

Lincolnville for Lobster

We then went to Lincolnville to the Lobster Pound take-out facility to get lobster for Steven.  The atmosphere was great--right on the water; and Steven loved the lobster.

Camden

On Friday we went out to Camden--a lovely town on the coast.  There were great shops for browsing.  We went to Cappy's Chowda House; the chowder was amazing.  We tried Moxie (a Maine specialty soda); Steven liked it; I was not convinced.  Next time, we want to try out the chocolate bread pudding with raspberry sauce.  We passed on the lobster this time but may try it there next time.

Gifford's Ice Cream

After pizza in Winslow, we stopped at Gifford's Ice Cream.  Steven loved Lobster Tracks--and began a streak of having ice cream every day.

It's a Small World . . . or a Large Globe

After lunch at Duckfat in Portland (great fries!!), we stopped at Delorme in Yarmouth, Maine.  Delorme makes maps and atlases--including the indispensable Maine Gazetteer.  Their building also includes Eartha, the world's largest rotating, articulating globe.  The globe was amazing!!