Maine In Review

Everyone asks, "What's your favorite state so far?"...and we all fumble for an answer, listing one thing after another that we've loved about multiple states.  That is, until now.  We found Maine to be extra-spectacular, with its miles of stunning shoreline containing sandy beaches, light houses & rocky cliffs.  Harbor after harbor filled with quaint shops, fishing boats & lobster pounds.  The sounds of seagulls, loons & the constant smell of sea water.  Campgrounds with ocean views & shorelines filled with seashells, crabs & mussels to hunt.  And did I mention the lobster...or as they would say, lobstah?!?  Plentiful, fresh & cheap... we couldn't get enough of the stuff (or of the clam chowdah)!  With nearly 1,000 photos taken here, this entry will mostly be told in pictures (though not even 1,000 can capture the beauty here!)

We began our visit in Old Orchard Beach where it actually rained a lot:(  We spent a few of our first days inside working on the business & schoolwork.  Of course, we made it out for lobster... our first three nights here!  

Lobster night #1

Lobster night #2

Lobster night #3

Lobster night #3 was situated by our first Maine lighthouse sighting.

East Light at Two Lights, Cape Elizabeth

We even got out to our first KOA pancake breakfast & later to see Courageous in theaters with a seafood break to stop for mom's Taco Bell craving... our first fast food since June!!!  

The one nice day here we spent at Old Orchard Beach and though it was chilly we searched for shells, watercolored, played ladder ball & enjoyed the crashing waves.

And though we were anxious for ocean front views, Alayna had fun collecting the first falling colors of Maine at our treed campsite.

Our next local was to York, Maine where long-time friends (Martin & Deb) would be coming to meet us!  After days of rain (and still drizzling) we approached our breathtaking ocean front view.  The campsite owner directed Jim in backing in to our site, where we ended up spinning tires & flinging mud just trying to make it in.  Unfortunately, we had to settle with a view a bit further back, but a view nonetheless!

Our damage:(

We loved our location... right by the water and just steps from Long Sands Beach, we were able to explore the area a couple of days before our friends arrived.

The Nubble Lighthouse is where Jim & I were 2 years ago when we found out I had cancer.  What a sweet reminder it was to be back and reflect together on God's power & presence for our family during that time.

There just happened to be a lobster shack right by the Nubble, so more lobster & chowder for us!

While waiting for Martin & Deb's evening flight to arrive, we checked out the town of Ogunquit, walking the beach as the sun set.

When they arrived, the seafood restaurant we wanted to take them to closed minutes before we got there... so plan B was pizza!  So, so nice having friends visit!

Our time with Martin & Deb in York included rainy day shopping & lunch at Perkins Cove,

strolling through the shops in Kennebunkport,

a drive by Barbara & George Bush Sr.'s summer compound,

"For our Friend and 41st President George H.W. Bush
An 'Anchor to Winward'
As he was for our nation and world during four years of tumultuous and historic change, so, too, has Kennebunkport served, in the words of St. Paul, 'as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast' to him.
-presented by those who love him as much as he loves this special place"

dinner at a cozy harbor seafood restaurant,

and a return visit with them to Long Sands Beach & the Nubble Light.

Next, we all traveled up to the mid-coast area and stayed in the town of Boothbay Harbor where we shopped the area (& the town of Wiscasset), delighted in more seafood & visited Pemaquid Lighthouse.

Lunch & Maine Blueberry Pie at the Lobster Dock

Dinner with a sunset view at the Fishermen's Wharf

Pemaquid Light

Our final destination in Maine was to Bar Harbor.  Our campsite was just dreamy.  And I could have just been content there for days had we not had so many adventures to experience!  We were right on the water, but instead of crashing waves, it was quite calm and perfect for oyster & crab hunting, enjoying amazing sunsets... even watching seals swim by!

Almost better than the view was a pie lady who drove through the campground with a van full of fresh (still warm!), baked goods to sell.  We ended up choosing bumbleberry pie... blackberries, blueberries, raspberries & strawberries baked together for a heavenly combination.

By now, the girls had decided it was much too sad to eat lobster they knew were swimming just hours before we ate them.  They especially hated that here they're served whole... little beady eyes and all.  But Jim, Martin, Deb & I were still on a roll!  Our favorite restaurant of the trip was Trenton's Lobster Pound.  No frills, but packed with diners (always a good sign!)  We first took our pick from the tank of fresh, live lobster,

then watched the little suckers get weighed.

Our lobsters were then bagged, numbered & brought outside to the kettles to be steamed to perfection in salt water.

We spent time exploring the breathtaking Acadia National Park.

Hiking Gorham Mountain

Shell finding

So here begins the real adventure... our next 24 hours would turn out to be filled with more excitement than we can remember crammed in to one day.  It started with dinner.  With the most beautiful view & sunset right in our front yard, we had to take advantage of  a dinner night in.  So we surprised Martin & Deb with a home-cooked lobster dinner right on the beach!  We found a place selling fresh seafood right down the road.

Minutes after we arrived, fishermen brought in a fresh shipment... right off the boat!

We took our pick, had them weighed (can you believe just $5 per pound!),

and brought them home (alive!) in a plastic bag.

Jim & Alayna gathered the salt water (yep, straight from the ocean!)

...and that was the last we saw of the girls for the night.  They wanted nothing more to do with cooking live lobsters, so they had a sister movie night inside:)

Once the water came to a boil, Jim dropped the poor things in (no, they don't scream!)

and 20 minutes later we were enjoying the most delicious dinner we've ever eaten with a stunning sunset to boot!

So remember... that was just the beginning of our 24-hour adventure!  The next morning we woke at 5am to drive up Cadillac Mountain to watch America's very first sunrise.  As we approached the mountain we couldn't believe the line of cars ahead & behind us!  

Too early!!!

Notice the crowds of silhouettes on the mountain

Barely 7:30, we had a whole day ahead of us. Though some wanted to head back for a nap (the girls), we instead went hiking!

Bubble Rock on South Bubble Mountain

We then took a 2 1/2 hr. lighthouse cruise, viewing 5 lighthouses, bald eagles, seals & amazing coastline.

With all our fun, beginning with the home-cooked lobster dinner, the real climax of the day was a flight over the beautiful state of Maine.  We found a company that gave tours in open-cockpit biplanes.  Since only two planes were available (and a bit of fear involved!), Natalie & Alayna rode in one and Martin & Deb in the other.  

Seriously.  Sunrise, sunset, flying, hiking, and boating all in one day!  It took a while to wipe the smiles off our faces:)

What better way to top off our most adventurous day & our last night in Maine other than with (you guessed it) lobster!

Do you see the size of that claw?!?  Jim picked out his biggest yet... a 4 pounder!

Leaving Maine was tough, but leaving friends was harder.  So many blessings in taking this trip, but time with friends & family is much missed!

Thanks Martin & Deb for sharing in our adventure!!!

A) York, ME

B) Old Orchard Beach, ME

C) Boothbay Harbor, ME

D) Bar Harbor/ Acadia National Park

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