The rain in Maine stays, mainly - a trip report
Jul 6th, 2009, 08:30 AM
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The rain in Maine stays, mainly - a trip report
We are two 40somethings and two 16 year olds, and this was our first trip to Maine. We flew in and out of Portland and were delayed one hour going and four hours coming due to weather. In between, we encountered various forms of rain and humidity during our ten days in Maine. But, we enjoyed ourselves for the most part!
The coast of Maine was disappointing mainly because we didn't get to see it. Literally rained non-stop and when it did lighten to a drizzle we still had the socked in fog. Made it impossible to see the coast, see the outlying islands. No point in going to the tops of mountains for the views...there was no view. But, we did make the most of it. We went to Acadia National Park, and hiked to Great Head from Sand Beach. Actually, I'm sure the weather made the waves all the more dramatic! It was beautiful and we spent alot of time out there. Saw Otter Cliffs, Little Hunter's Beach. We had lunch at Jordan Pond House...but could not see the Bubbles. Oh, well...will have to come back some day! The rain did make all of the trees very green! We visited a couple of lighthouses (at Fort Point near Searsport and Owl's Head near Rockland); enjoyed lobster rolls, Fenway franks, and blueberry icecream at Red's in Wiscasset. The little coastal towns are pretty cool (loved Camden and Belfast) and all of the Mainers are Red Sox fans, so that made us feel like we belonged! Lots of Maine-made attitude...everything is "green", no billboards, and they seem to have a lot of pride in their state.
Our time in the Maine woods was interesting. We were in the Katahdin Region, and it was just about as remote as can be. We were in a beautiful log cabin in Mt. Chase, which is on the east side of Baxter State Park. The boys fished in one of the nearby ponds. We spent a day in Baxter SP, which is 200,000+ acres. It is as primitive a park as I'd ever seen. One way dirt road throughout...no running water...untouched, really. We kayaked on South Branch Pond (all the lakes are ponds!), hiked to a couple of waterfalls (South Branch and Little Niagra) and slid down a natural slide at Ledge Falls (lots of fun). The Appalachian Trail ends here, so we got to hike a small part of that near Daicey Pond. The bugs were FIERCE at the waterfalls...hopefully it's not like that all of the time. Really beautiful up there, but continued to rain every day, with only a few sunny breakthroughs.
While up there, we also went on a white-water rafting excursion on the Penobscot River. All day thing. Wore wet suits and helmets and big life preservers, so I was feeling pretty brave. Three class five rapids and most of the rest seemed to be 3 or 4. Quite exhilarating. Until the very last rapid of the day, when my whole family fell out of the raft. Can't wait to get the video!
Then, we were on to another cabin in Western Maine, near the New Hampshire border (in Bridgton on Moose Pond). Though the cabin was not nearly as nice, it was all worth it for the fishing, sayeth the boys. Good location, too...loved Bridgton and nearby Sebago Lake. We spent a rainy day in NH with the boys doing one of those obstacle course zipline things (Monkey Trunks in Chocorua). They thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We also did a little shopping in North Conway and ate at Horsefeathers. The very last day, we spent driving the White Mountain National Forest of NH (Conway round trip - Kancamangus and Hwy 302 loop). Lo, and behold, God parted the clouds and we had a glorious, sunny day. It was our only day of no rain. It was a beautiful drive, and we stopped along the way to see a few waterfalls (Lower Falls, Rocky Gorge, Sabbaday, Flume/Silver Cascades, Diana's Baths - the best) , see a couple of covered bridges, and rode a gondola to the top of Cannon Mountain for awesome views.
I love NH (the sun helped!) and would love to go back some day because we didn't have enough time there. Maine: I'd love to give it another shot. Maybe in the fall. Saw only one black speck of a moose across a lake, three deer, a beautiful fox and a dead skunk on the side of the road...pee-u! Saw lots of beautiful wildflowers (Lupine, Indian Paintbrushes) and ate some great fudge and "needhams"...a candy with mashed potatoes and coconut covered with chocolate.
Thanks to everyone for their insight...these forums are invaluable!
The coast of Maine was disappointing mainly because we didn't get to see it. Literally rained non-stop and when it did lighten to a drizzle we still had the socked in fog. Made it impossible to see the coast, see the outlying islands. No point in going to the tops of mountains for the views...there was no view. But, we did make the most of it. We went to Acadia National Park, and hiked to Great Head from Sand Beach. Actually, I'm sure the weather made the waves all the more dramatic! It was beautiful and we spent alot of time out there. Saw Otter Cliffs, Little Hunter's Beach. We had lunch at Jordan Pond House...but could not see the Bubbles. Oh, well...will have to come back some day! The rain did make all of the trees very green! We visited a couple of lighthouses (at Fort Point near Searsport and Owl's Head near Rockland); enjoyed lobster rolls, Fenway franks, and blueberry icecream at Red's in Wiscasset. The little coastal towns are pretty cool (loved Camden and Belfast) and all of the Mainers are Red Sox fans, so that made us feel like we belonged! Lots of Maine-made attitude...everything is "green", no billboards, and they seem to have a lot of pride in their state.
Our time in the Maine woods was interesting. We were in the Katahdin Region, and it was just about as remote as can be. We were in a beautiful log cabin in Mt. Chase, which is on the east side of Baxter State Park. The boys fished in one of the nearby ponds. We spent a day in Baxter SP, which is 200,000+ acres. It is as primitive a park as I'd ever seen. One way dirt road throughout...no running water...untouched, really. We kayaked on South Branch Pond (all the lakes are ponds!), hiked to a couple of waterfalls (South Branch and Little Niagra) and slid down a natural slide at Ledge Falls (lots of fun). The Appalachian Trail ends here, so we got to hike a small part of that near Daicey Pond. The bugs were FIERCE at the waterfalls...hopefully it's not like that all of the time. Really beautiful up there, but continued to rain every day, with only a few sunny breakthroughs.
While up there, we also went on a white-water rafting excursion on the Penobscot River. All day thing. Wore wet suits and helmets and big life preservers, so I was feeling pretty brave. Three class five rapids and most of the rest seemed to be 3 or 4. Quite exhilarating. Until the very last rapid of the day, when my whole family fell out of the raft. Can't wait to get the video!
Then, we were on to another cabin in Western Maine, near the New Hampshire border (in Bridgton on Moose Pond). Though the cabin was not nearly as nice, it was all worth it for the fishing, sayeth the boys. Good location, too...loved Bridgton and nearby Sebago Lake. We spent a rainy day in NH with the boys doing one of those obstacle course zipline things (Monkey Trunks in Chocorua). They thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We also did a little shopping in North Conway and ate at Horsefeathers. The very last day, we spent driving the White Mountain National Forest of NH (Conway round trip - Kancamangus and Hwy 302 loop). Lo, and behold, God parted the clouds and we had a glorious, sunny day. It was our only day of no rain. It was a beautiful drive, and we stopped along the way to see a few waterfalls (Lower Falls, Rocky Gorge, Sabbaday, Flume/Silver Cascades, Diana's Baths - the best) , see a couple of covered bridges, and rode a gondola to the top of Cannon Mountain for awesome views.
I love NH (the sun helped!) and would love to go back some day because we didn't have enough time there. Maine: I'd love to give it another shot. Maybe in the fall. Saw only one black speck of a moose across a lake, three deer, a beautiful fox and a dead skunk on the side of the road...pee-u! Saw lots of beautiful wildflowers (Lupine, Indian Paintbrushes) and ate some great fudge and "needhams"...a candy with mashed potatoes and coconut covered with chocolate.
Thanks to everyone for their insight...these forums are invaluable!
Jul 6th, 2009, 03:47 PM
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Thanks for your trip report! It sounds like you made the most of your trip up here. I live here and love it, but the 35 days of rain even got on my nerves. We have had sunshine the past couple of days and it is glorious!
Jul 6th, 2009, 05:04 PM
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what a wonderful trip report. as a mainer i'd like to apologize for all the rain. this is not our normal weather. the kanc is a great drive and i love the covered bridges in the area. aren't needhams wonderful, and i hope you had some lobster.
horsefeathers is a fav of mine.
horsefeathers is a fav of mine.
Jul 7th, 2009, 01:57 AM
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You've got great attitude to enjoy yourselves during our miserable weather. Maybe it made the fishing better and cut down on the crowds. I hope you have better weather for your next visit. Great trip report.
Jul 7th, 2009, 05:06 AM
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Hope you come back to Maine when it is sunny. "What is so rare as a day in June...." unless it rains. Glad you made the most of it. The bugs in June are terrible but there will be mosquitoes in the rest of summer. The coast is fantastic so give it a shot. September will be ok .....if there is no rain.
Jul 7th, 2009, 03:36 PM
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As someone who lives here, I also appreciate your patience. Our Junes can be wet, but this is ridiculous!! Only one comment: mashed potatoes in Needhams??? I don't think so! Just a sugary cream and coconut. The best is when you find an ice cream stand where they make their own Needham ice cream, like Kettle Cove Ice Cream in Cape Elizabeth. It is to die for! (I know since I had a cone last week after picking 35 lbs of strawberries!)
Jul 13th, 2009, 05:13 PM
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cindyj, the Needhams I had are indeed made with mashed potatoes and I even found a recipe for them! I am definitely jealous of the strawberries you have in Maine...we bought a quart from a roadside stand and they were de-lish!
Jul 14th, 2009, 02:24 AM
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Well I'll be! I knew as soon as I posted that message someone would correct me. I just couldn't believe there were potatoes in my favorite candy! They sure don't taste like it but I guess the potatoes give them that creamy texture in combination with all the coconut and sugar.
I don't know about needham's ice cream around Bangor, but Len Libby's on Route 1 in Scarborough has it, along with the place I mentioned earlier. Can't be beat!
Thanks for the correction
I don't know about needham's ice cream around Bangor, but Len Libby's on Route 1 in Scarborough has it, along with the place I mentioned earlier. Can't be beat!
Thanks for the correction
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