Maine.
Is there a better state to use the name of in business, state, or any other title, pun, or word play? Of course not. This state in Mainely fantastic.
It's everywhere. Don't think you can avoid it.
Maine is a wildly stunning state with charming towns, an open minded attitude, and a very outdoorsy population. Do I need to gush about how much we loved our time here?
Acadia National Park was a fantastic two days but there's so much more to see.
We began by exploring Bar Harbor and Bar Island one evening after work. Visiting a place is more fun with people around (but not too many). Bar Harbor fit that bill. It's lovely little tourist town with all the right shops and restaurants to enjoy peering into as you stroll along, easily avoiding the other sightseers milling about so you don't feel like you're intruding into some specter's quiet afterlife.
We timed our arrival with low tide, allowing us to walk across the land bridge to Bar Island. There are so many signs on both sides warning you to not get caught on the island outside of low tide because you won't be able to return until the following low tide...unless you want to pay $50 for a water taxi ride.
The island is a nice, easy walk with well maintained trails through woods and meadows leading to a short summit with view beautiful views of Bar Harbor and the boats lazily hanging out in bay.
Pro tip: if you need a conversation starter, choose the drink labeled as a volcano. The straw is long, the fire is real, and people will stare at you while you're drinking it then comment on how unusual it is.
We've become fans of local tours, so we spent Saturday morning with the good folks at Sea Princess Cruises.
Not only did we learn a lot about the local waterways, wildlife, and population, but we also saw seals basking in the overcast sunlight.
So many seals!
Our tour took us to Little Cranberry Island with it's small fishing village of about 300 souls. It doesn't take much time to wander the small town or purchase ceramics at the local pottery store but the place is a gentle reminder that not everywhere is overrun with modern ways.
The church was, of course, a dominant structure for the area we saw. Its stained glass, leather seats, and open wood styling fit in perfectly with this tiny coastal town.
Coast to coast. From Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine. Now we've been to both.
It's not big city but there is no shortage of things to do. There is the cutest Narrow Railway tour which provides a scenic drive along the harbor where you can spot some of the sailing tours (we had ours later that day on the Wendameen, a century old sailing vessel that doesn't look a day over 50) along with a great restaurant and shopping area.
There's also the wonderful Portland Observatory where we learned how the ships coming into the harbor used to use signal flags.
If you are a fan of lighthouses, you're in luck. Again, they are everywhere. Including the one used by Red Lobster on its cover.
While you're in Maine, it's a requirement to try something they're famous for so why not treat your tastebuds to a potato doughnut. They come in so many different flavors. It's the sweetest way to start an adventuring day.
We finished one of our days at a food truck court where I tried (and loved) Korean Bulgogi Garbage Fries. It was more than Mainely delicious. It was amazing!
Come for the wilderness, stay for the food.
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