MeInMaine Blog

Tag: mini vacations in maine

  • Mid Coast Maine Mini Vacation

    Mid Coast Maine Mini Vacation

    Mid Coast Maine mini vacation.

    Living in Maine, it’s easy to explore different areas of Vacationland. This blog post about a trip to Mid Coast Maine, for a wedding bridal shower in Lincolnville Beach area. Spending the night in Lincolnville. Going on to Camden Maine harbor sights and more dining on seafood.

    camden maine harbor
    Camden Maine Harbor Full Of Weekend Boats.

    Waking up Sunday to wander into Camden for breakfast and some photos in the walk around the harbor in mid coast Maine.

    Traveling down from Aroostook County, it’s I-95 easy to get off below Bangor. Then it’s side roads Interesting twists and turns through little towns like Frankfort, Monroe, Swanville and many others. As we got closer to mid coast Maine beaches and salt sea air.

    lincolnville maine whale tooth restaurant
    Seafood, Lobsters Are Great. But Mussells, Clams, Other Seafood Needs Sampling Too!

    Secondary state highway travel really exposes you to rural Maine that does not get the glossy brochure tourism coverage.

    You get the feel each small town is unique and interesting and would like to come back to really get to know them better. Living in Maine is like that. A lifetime of exploring, discovering and so much to experience.

    The bridal shower included steamed lobster, corn on the cob, potato salad and baked beans from “The County”.

    outdoor party dining in maine
    Lincolnville Maine, Time For Outdoor Dining Of Lobster, Corner On The Cob, Aroostook County Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Homemade Whoopie Pies.

    Many hands with a role in the Maine family outdoor dining on locally sourced fabulous food enhances the taste.

    lincolnville maine
    Have A Seat, You Are Always Welcome In Maine.

    No big catering truck backing in and lots of employees in white tunics involved when Maine family gatherings happen.

    Just 50 individuals stepping up to all contribute in some way to the outdoor family event. Outdoor dining and sunny skies on the Lincolnville Maine waterfront made the Saturday afternoon memorable.

    lincolnville maine map
    Finding Your Way Around Maine. GPS Is Helpful But Maps, Locals Give You More Details!

    After the event, we opted to stay in Lincolnville at the Mount Battie Inn.

    Neat place with the goal “to make you feel like you are staying at grandmother’s home”. Neat conversation with the Maine inn keeper who had lots of vintage airplanes surrounding the check in counter. My Dad was a B24 tail gunner and we had a great conversation about WWII era air power.

    mount battie inn lincolnville maine
    Places To Stay In Lincolnville Maine, Mount Battie Motel Inn.

    We walked into the Whale Tooth Restaurant in Lincolnville Maine and Sky was our waitress doing a superb service job.

    lincolnville maine beach
    Coastline, Beach At Lincolnville Maine At Sunset. Filled To The Gills With Maine Seasfood Mussel.

    A walk along the Lincolnville Beach afterward before Meg and I walk the uphill return to our motel.

    Where awaiting us were homemade banana bread, a home made muffin companion for a wake up treat.

    More sunshine and a trip into Camden about four miles away for a sit down breakfast at Marriner’s Buttermilk Kitchen.

    Amazing dark blue and white clean diner with a counter and booths.

    Marriners Restaurant Camden Maine
    Starting The Maine Day On The Coast With Biscuits, Blueberry Compote And A Country Omelet At Marriners Restaurant, Camden ME.

    Also you have the option to sit out on the rear deck overlooking Camden Maine Harbor.

    To go with the delicious food you get a bonus pond and a small waterfall. Neat sights and sounds to go along with all the artwork and Maine harbor town memorabilia.

    the smiling cow
    The Smiling Cow For Something To Remember The Stay In Camden Maine.

    Walked around Camden Harbor and snapped some shots and video of boats of all kinds. Some schooners, old cabin cruisers and everything in between in mid coast Maine harbor boating inventory.

    I think a row of john boats lined up in a Maine Harbor is a pretty photo.

    camden maine harbor view
    Overlooking Camden Harbor.. The Back Of The Souvenir Shops And Local Diners Have Amazing Photo Opts.

    The Camden Harbor Master told us you can rent them, the small john boats for a short close to shore outing.

    Most used to get boat owners back and forth to where they anchor moored offshore with the smaller vessels. Mid coast Maine mini vacations happen to weekend warriors that live close by.

    House designs and pride of ownership lawns, yards all more eye candy in Camden Maine.

    camden maine houses
    The Queen Anne On The Left Undergoing Major Rehab, The Right Hand Neighbor Keeps Their Property Condition High.

    The gardens, landscaping, rock walls are just as beautiful as the well-preserved Maine mid coast housing stock.

    Here are some photos snapped as Meg and I explored Camden neighborhoods.

    classic white maine house
    Clean, Simple, Timeless. Maine White Clapboards, Black Window Trim. See The hydrangeas not just white and most blue, pink thanks to the salty sea air and mid coast Maine soil profile.

    Back into downtown Camden to stroll the Main Street and walk into The Smiling Cow.

    The owner told me the business is 84 years old, started by his wife’s grandmother. Everything, anything Maine is in the aisles of The Smiling Cow. Lots of other shopping outlets to explore too. There are lots of places along the long Maine coast to vacation and sample. Mid coast Maine has it’s share of fun mini vacation options.

    Had to announce at Demolition Derby back in Houlton so were on the road out of Camden at 10:30.

    Did get a lot of walking in and photos of the Coastal Castle Inn, The Norumbega before leaving town.

    places to stay in camden maine
    Places To Stay In Camden Maine. Like To Spend A Night Or Two At A Coastal Castle?

    “Quiet place between the rapids” from the Algonquian language word. Google it and more about the 16th century map of America. Blog post for another day with all the Katahdin, other hard to spell and not so easy to say native words dotting the map of Maine.

    demolition derby houlton maine
    Demo Derby, Demolition Derby In Houlton Maine Is A Crowd Pleaser.

    After the wrap up of the mid coast Maine mini vacation, a stop in Bangor to pick up a few things at the new Reny’s store.

    To gas up, buy a small house jack for a sagging deck Maine lake camp project. Then zipping back in “The County”, You know you are there when the “Benedicta with only one northbound exit” sign shows up on I-95 travels to Aroostook County. Thank you for following, sharing, liking Me In Maine blog posts.

    I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

    207.532.6573  |  info@mooersrealty.com   | 

    MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA

     

  • Mini Vacations In Maine

    Mini Vacations In Maine

    Mini vacations in Maine.

    During COVID, the ability to venture up into Maine has been tougher on some states than others. I always remind anyone planning to cross the big green southern bridge to check with www.me.gov . To know for sure who’s on the naughty or nice list and gets a travel pass depending on your state’s high or low coronavirus numbers .

    When you live in Maine, vacations closer to where you live in the state happen a lot.

    family snowmobiling maine trails
    Hearty Lunch, All Fueled Snowmobilers Ready To Hit The Trails! Riding And  Exploring Hidden Communities In Maine.

    You are already here. Being socially distant and practicing safety pandemic protocols is not so hard due to our small Maine population. No traffic or grid lock slowing travel down in Maine. Outdoors any season is the reason we hang our hat in Maine over any other location.

    This past Martin Luther King weekend, a quick trip mini instate vacation to Millinocket Lake happened.

    The New England Outdoor Center is a hidden facility ideal for couples, families, small groups to tap into some Maine recreation.

    My first experience with NEOC was white water rafting the Penobscot River.

    The flow of water out of hydro electric dam controls the speed of the watery ride through Exterminator and other creatively named river locations.

    Paddling hard, digging into the rushing cold river water for right, left or lift directions hollered out by the guy or gal sitting on the back of your bright yellow colored raft. Sometimes it’s “HOLD!” shouted out which means one arm raised high holding your paddle. While other reaches for the short rope secured to the raft floor as a wall of water enters your boat and hits whoever sat up front the hardest of river ride companions.

    My youngest son Elliot was a river guide on the Penobscot River for Northern Outdoors during college summers.

    Working in the River’s Edge Restaurant nights, helping tourists with wet suits and water vests work up an appetite and to stay in the boat days.

    new england outdoor center food
    River Driver’s Restaurant To Fill Your Stomach After Spending A Winter Day Outside.
    maine mini vacations
    Heading To Eat After Tramping Outside On A Maine Winter Day. The River Driver’s NEOC Lodge.

    This weekend no climbing into a raft or holding a paddle. It’s winter which means snowmobiling, cross country skiing. To hike up and down twisting groomed woods trails wearing a pair of snow shoes. Everyone well distanced on the trail. Being a ways up I-95 into the belly of real Maine means less campers, more Maine all to yourself.

    Sections of Millinocket Lake cleared of snow and flooded with water from a couple ice fishing size holes to make it smooth and polished.

    milliinocket lake neoc
    Ice Fishing, Snowmobiling, Pond Hockey, Snowshoeing And Cross Country Skiing. The Frozen Lakes Get The Winter Traffic.

    No Zamboni used to erase the cracks from the outdoor ice surface between spirited pond hockey periods. But I could hear the “he shoots, he scores” from across the lake as my party snow shoed out across it.

    The crunch of snow mixed with the sound of a light wind as fresh clean air fills your lungs. While admiring the Maine’s highest mountain and the supporting cast of foot hills around Mt Katahdin. That rise up and populate Baxter State Park’s forever wild legacy created by one smart, unselfish Maine governor.

    mt katahdin maine
    Any Season, Any Angle, Mount Katahdin Captivates A Person Any Age.

    It was Percival Baxter who knew best the perfect gift to leave behind for the many generations to come to enjoy.

    Outdoor enthusiasts who would make the yearly pilgrimage to the Baxter State Park area via the quickest route available. And for as many times possible to sneak up into Vacationland to unplug and recharge in Maine.

    New England Outdoor Center has other Maine sporting locations too.

    Have stayed in The Forks to paddle down the Dead and Kennebec Rivers. Those trips white water rafting are a change of scenery. But those boat rides don’t begin to compare with the thrill of the maneuvering around rocks and water pockets. Hang on for a fast ride excitement no matter how many times you float fast down the Penobscot River. Check out the New England Outdoor Center (NEOC) website for lodging, meal plans, vacation packages.

    maine white water rafting
    Hang On, Get Sprayed, Rushing Through Maine’s Penobscot River Rapids.

    Here’s a quick video of New England Outdoor Center lodging, the setting in Millinocket Maine run and gun collected to share from last weekend’s visit.

    Needing a mini vacation in Maine and way over due?

    Are you getting a little stir crazy and developing cabin fever from the weight and length of the pandemic?

    moose loon lodge neoc
    Moose And Loon Lodge At The New England Outdoor Center, Millinocket ME. One Option To Run Away To Vacationland For A Maine Mini Vacation.

    Need to fill your lungs with fresh clean Maine air?

    Your eyes and ears and nose with the sights and sounds and smells of outdoor all natural Maine?

    There are plenty of options to rent a cabin or stay in a lodge trail side for whatever your favorite outdoor recreation up here in Maine. Maine sure is the way life should be. Pick an area and see the options in your Internet search.

    moose lodge millinocket lake me
    Space Inside, Outside For Your Mini Vacation In Maine. Moose Lodge, Millinocket Lake At New England Outdoor Center.

    Mini vacations in Maine.

    The sheer size of Maine makes the statement sound like an oxymoron. Because travel tiime to get to and from Maine can eat up a big chunk of your small window of time that you wished you could spend in Vacationland.

    mt katahdin maine photo
    Just Shy Of A Mile High, Mt Katahdin In Winter Fly Over.

    It’s like a flight to the moon or a distance planet and so much of the resources of fuel and time are eaten up in the Maine vacation travel mode element.

    I see it when say a real estate buyer from Rhode Island is eight hours away. When they are up to their small camp on forty acres up in Maine and it’s Sunday morning. They are well aware if we don’t get on the road to start the trek back to their home state, it’s going to be a hard week ahead. You can hear the clock ticking as soon as you wake up and have to think about breaking camp up in Maine.

    where to stay in maine vacation
    Where To Stay On Your Maine Vacation? Google It, Lots Of Choices Like The New England Outdoor Center in Millinocket Or The West Forks In Maine.

    The older you get the more difficult it becomes to make long road trips.

    Mini vacations in Maine don’t allow enough time and involve a lot of prep work. Gearing up, staying awake, getting all packed up and leaving before the crack of dawn. To race up to Maine arriving very late on a Friday night and trying to jam in as much fun as possible while road weary. Then tearing home, arriving dog tired and exhausted. Trying to rise and shine to get up Monday morning to begin another work week where you lost the weekend to properly prepare for the nine to five. To function on all cylinders in following days back in the dog and pony grind. Trying  to get stretched back into their routine. The one all shook up by how long it takes to get up in, around and down hill back out of Maine.

    snowmobiles rentals maine
    Bring Your Snowsleds, Rent A Snowmobile Up In Maine. Hit The Groomed Trails Either Way!

    Living in Maine full time still means travel to access all her goodness.

    But when you can shave off four, five or more hours of travel time it means an extra refreshing mini vacation. Out of the car and not pinned behind the wheel plying the trails. Seeing the sights, sampling the local food and traditions. Tickling all the senses. The folks that appreciate Maine most often have something very different to compare it to where crime is high. Just like the cost of living. The price you pay in populated centers where folks are not the friendliest and just too many in number on all four sides.

    snow shoeing in maine
    Winter Fun On The Groomed Wood Trails. Do You Own A Pair Of Snowshoes?

    What’s your favorite spot in Maine to return to through out your life?

    What do you hope to do in Maine that is on your bucket list to cross off that you dream about doing? I long for the Canadian US border to open up for free traffic to resume. As a Maine border town on the boundary line, the locals miss how easy it is to leave the country for a day. Winter is a season like all the rest, we are outdoors and not stuck inside. Ever taken a mini vacation in Maine over the winter months?

    maine moose on wall
    Just Hanging Around At Home? Needing A Mini Vacation In Maine?

    Maine, our lower population and big supply of open space awaits to create safe pandemic sensitive vacation options.

    Itching to head north to switch into mini vacation in Maine mode? Quick trips up into Maine. The further you go, the more space and lower the Maine vacation costs you enjoy. Not everyone gets to all four corners of Maine to discover the special places that don’t get the ink. The Maine coastal tourist traps get most of the press and winter recreational fun is lost on snowbirds that beeline out of state to warm climate locations. But for those of us who hang around, that are nestled in the cozy corners of Maine small town living have a blast. You have the trails pretty much to yourself.

    cross country skiing in maine
    Even The Puppy Comes Along On The Cross Country Ski Trails. Winter Fun Outdoors On A Maine Mini Vacation.

    Mini vacations in Maine, is that part of your New Year’s 2021 resolution in the months ahead?

    This past weekend saw lots of folks with the same idea to hole up up in Maine at a sporting retreat. Mini vacations in Maine to cure the suffering of cabin fever. Don’t waste a Maine winter and take advantage of the lodging and meal deals. Exercise outdoors on your mini vacation up in Maine. Lots of options, does not have to cost an arm, leg or duplicate organ. Maine, the way life should be.

    I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

    207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com | 

    MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA