Maine and Vermont, June 2014 - My plan as it stands
May 4th, 2014, 01:40 PM
#22
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I agree with that. I guess it depends on when the husband is planning to do his birding in the area...Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning? There will be little time in Bar Harbor on Monday due to the drive from Scarborough and stops along the way. So that leaves Tuesday. The way I read the itinerary is that they plan to do birding in Bangor on Wednesday, but it's a little unclear to me. Plus it doesn't seem like enough time in Bar Harbor.
May 4th, 2014, 07:43 PM
#24
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Thank you for the addl notes. Have been out all day (my bday) and so will be looking at all your suggestions this coming week. Didn't want you to think I was ignoring or had just disappeared.
May 5th, 2014, 03:26 AM
#25
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Agree with VT, have some clams and scallops, too!
If you go to Rockland, Waterman's Beach lobster is only a short drive. This is very basic steamed lobster at picnic tables kind of place. Wear a hat and sunglasses so you can get a table in the open by the water. Check the calendar. They are re-opening June 14 but only 5 days a week, Wed-Sun.
http://www.watermansbeachlobster.com/
But I would get rhubarb pie, not blueberry.
South of Portland, Fort Williams Park has a wonderful food truck Bite Into ME which offers 5 kinds of lobster rolls. This is very unusual. Great place for picnic with a wonderful view of Casco Bay.
The trouble with lobster shacks is they tend to be out on some point way off from Rt 1. We have never had a lobster roll at Red's in Wiscasset because the line is always too long! Several years ago we stopped at Just Barb's on Rt 1 in Stockton Springs on way toward BH. I read that it is up for sale but still see mention of it on chowhound. Dysart's is a recommended diner/dive in Bangor.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/845469#7295139
Friend recently had a lobster roll at Allison's in Kport but she said she didn't think it was fresh. That's key for a lobster roll. The best were freshly picked that morning. If you get a steamed lobster, of course, it's going to be fresh. While we enjoy supermarket steamed lobster, there is a question of how long they have been in the tank (starved). If you can eat at a shack where the lobster has only been in the tank a short while, those would be best. A 1 pound might be an ok start but if you like lobster and can eat 1 1/2 lbs, you can suck the meat out of the legs on the bigger lobster.
If you go to Rockland, Waterman's Beach lobster is only a short drive. This is very basic steamed lobster at picnic tables kind of place. Wear a hat and sunglasses so you can get a table in the open by the water. Check the calendar. They are re-opening June 14 but only 5 days a week, Wed-Sun.
http://www.watermansbeachlobster.com/
But I would get rhubarb pie, not blueberry.
South of Portland, Fort Williams Park has a wonderful food truck Bite Into ME which offers 5 kinds of lobster rolls. This is very unusual. Great place for picnic with a wonderful view of Casco Bay.
The trouble with lobster shacks is they tend to be out on some point way off from Rt 1. We have never had a lobster roll at Red's in Wiscasset because the line is always too long! Several years ago we stopped at Just Barb's on Rt 1 in Stockton Springs on way toward BH. I read that it is up for sale but still see mention of it on chowhound. Dysart's is a recommended diner/dive in Bangor.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/845469#7295139
Friend recently had a lobster roll at Allison's in Kport but she said she didn't think it was fresh. That's key for a lobster roll. The best were freshly picked that morning. If you get a steamed lobster, of course, it's going to be fresh. While we enjoy supermarket steamed lobster, there is a question of how long they have been in the tank (starved). If you can eat at a shack where the lobster has only been in the tank a short while, those would be best. A 1 pound might be an ok start but if you like lobster and can eat 1 1/2 lbs, you can suck the meat out of the legs on the bigger lobster.
May 5th, 2014, 06:04 AM
#26
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I'm still concerned about the Enterprise rental car. ClarkGriswold summed it up well. There are no 24-hour offices in the Boston area. I'd keep looking or try to stay at an inexpensive airport hotel that has a shuttle and leave early the next morning. The down side of that is that there will be traffic going North on a Saturday morning but in June it shouldn't be too bad.
May 5th, 2014, 10:06 AM
#27
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Yes, I think I am going to go back to the plan of a hotel at the airport and getting a car in the morning. As I think I mentioned, I was worried initially, but the Enterprise guy reassured me, and Clark got me worried again. And I can't find that notebook with my notes. I will try to work on that this week.
Bangor hotel can be easily cancelled. I will talk to DH about it and tell him your input. I don't really know the birding plans, that's his deal He just told me where he wanted to be that night. If you know birders at all (and my husband in particular) they will often want to BE somewhere at dawn, and will stay out until night falls. Those make for long days and even an hour can make a big difference. So I have to see what was in his head when he said to make the res for Bangor.
Will check more later, but lunch is over so back to work for now!
Bangor hotel can be easily cancelled. I will talk to DH about it and tell him your input. I don't really know the birding plans, that's his deal He just told me where he wanted to be that night. If you know birders at all (and my husband in particular) they will often want to BE somewhere at dawn, and will stay out until night falls. Those make for long days and even an hour can make a big difference. So I have to see what was in his head when he said to make the res for Bangor.
Will check more later, but lunch is over so back to work for now!
May 5th, 2014, 10:18 AM
#28
Mid-june might be a little buggy still, don't forget the DEET if you're going out early mornings. Lucerne Inn would be a nice place to stay if the birding is in Orono...but then again it's not really too far from Bar Harbor and Orono is a simple trip from Bar Harbor.
If you can find a reasonable place to stay near Logan airport that arrival night, picking up a car at a local Hertz or Avis or Enterprise office will probably save you about $150 on the weekly car rental due to high taxes/fees at the airport. And you can usually still return the car to the airport center. For instance, Alamo by the Aquarium is open Saturday mornings and you can get a compact car for 8 days, with return at Logan airport, for around $200. Will be able to advise you better once you find your overnight accomodations/location.
If you can find a reasonable place to stay near Logan airport that arrival night, picking up a car at a local Hertz or Avis or Enterprise office will probably save you about $150 on the weekly car rental due to high taxes/fees at the airport. And you can usually still return the car to the airport center. For instance, Alamo by the Aquarium is open Saturday mornings and you can get a compact car for 8 days, with return at Logan airport, for around $200. Will be able to advise you better once you find your overnight accomodations/location.
May 5th, 2014, 06:42 PM
#30
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Okay, I made reservations at the Marriott Courtyard at the airport (free shuttle) and cancelled the Portsmouth hotel and the Enterprise car rental reservation.
No more time tonight, so will have to return to the car rental tomorrow night.
No more time tonight, so will have to return to the car rental tomorrow night.
May 5th, 2014, 07:49 PM
#31
National/Alamo by the aquarium seems to have the best rates for pickup Boston downtown and return Boston airport. $230 for the 7 1/2 days with contract ID 5027112 and coupon code ND3265FFC (for Visa cardholders). You can book on nationalcar.com and click "additional fields" to add your coupons. I assume you have your own car insurance.
The address is 270 Atlantic Avenue, the office is on the 7th floor of the Aquarium Parking Garage. They are a short cab ride or a 25 min metro ride from your hotel, but well worth it since Enterprise and Hertz nearby seem to be closer to $400. Freeway access from this station is easy, just ask when you pick up the car.
The address is 270 Atlantic Avenue, the office is on the 7th floor of the Aquarium Parking Garage. They are a short cab ride or a 25 min metro ride from your hotel, but well worth it since Enterprise and Hertz nearby seem to be closer to $400. Freeway access from this station is easy, just ask when you pick up the car.
May 6th, 2014, 02:26 AM
#32
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If you aren't rushing off late at night to Portsmouth, perhaps you can make an early morning visit to the Plum Island area which I have read is great for birding. Maybe not a warbler area though.
May 6th, 2014, 05:56 AM
#33
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Norwich Vt is a very charming little town - don't miss a stop at Dan and Whit's right next door to the Inn. As someone else mentioned, Hanover NH has some very good places to eat - our favorite is Yama (asian). Many of the back roads just outside of Norwich are some of the most scenic in New England - ask someone for driving directions past the Jenny Farm, one of the most photographed spots in the USA. Also the Cornish-Windsor covered bridge (en route to St. Gaudens) is seen on many calendars. If you can get to St. Gaudens (very beautiful) on a Sunday, there are usually free lawn concerts at 2:00.
May 7th, 2014, 02:11 PM
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If your husband is into birding you should visit the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS). Lots of great birding related things there. It is located in nearby Quechee.
http://www.vinsweb.org/
http://www.vinsweb.org/
May 7th, 2014, 02:36 PM
#35
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Thank you. I've been tied up and DH has had three tennis tournaments in as many days as it is the end of the HS season, so we haven't had a chance to connect on this at all. Probably will get back to this weekend.
Thank you for the additional tips.
zootsi, we will be back at the airport by that time on Sunday, unfortunately.
Thank you for the additional tips.
zootsi, we will be back at the airport by that time on Sunday, unfortunately.
May 7th, 2014, 04:51 PM
#36
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Toucan2,
You are doing one of my dream trips - Maine! We spend time every year in VT, but other than a fast business trip in pouring rain 2 years back I've not gotten that far north. Some tips for you:
If you can lay your hands on the May/June issue of Yankee magazine, there is an article about the "Lure of the Lobster Shack" which lists 6 from Kennebunkport up the coast. My goal for next year is to eat my way through them. You may find the whole issue helpful as it's their summer travel issue. I've never really been a fan of White River Junction, but if you go a little west to Woodstock, it is a charming town with a great main street. Between there and WRJ is Queechee, where there is the famous glassblower Simon Pearce, which also has a restaurant that is exquisite. We've spent several anniversaries there. Another rec for a trip across the line to NH and St. Gaudens - a wonderful property. And if you drive south and cross the bridge into Windsor (VT)you can see the Windsor Diner - one of the last great relics of decor and diner food. A last note, I have rented from the National car rental on Atlantic Ave. - no problems, easy return even when they were closed, and super easy access to the freeway, or the Mass. Pike, which is certainly not free.
Have a great time, and please write a trip report!!!
You are doing one of my dream trips - Maine! We spend time every year in VT, but other than a fast business trip in pouring rain 2 years back I've not gotten that far north. Some tips for you:
If you can lay your hands on the May/June issue of Yankee magazine, there is an article about the "Lure of the Lobster Shack" which lists 6 from Kennebunkport up the coast. My goal for next year is to eat my way through them. You may find the whole issue helpful as it's their summer travel issue. I've never really been a fan of White River Junction, but if you go a little west to Woodstock, it is a charming town with a great main street. Between there and WRJ is Queechee, where there is the famous glassblower Simon Pearce, which also has a restaurant that is exquisite. We've spent several anniversaries there. Another rec for a trip across the line to NH and St. Gaudens - a wonderful property. And if you drive south and cross the bridge into Windsor (VT)you can see the Windsor Diner - one of the last great relics of decor and diner food. A last note, I have rented from the National car rental on Atlantic Ave. - no problems, easy return even when they were closed, and super easy access to the freeway, or the Mass. Pike, which is certainly not free.
Have a great time, and please write a trip report!!!
May 9th, 2014, 04:00 AM
#37
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My birding friend is back in VT and I have sent him the question about where to go to see warblers in the Norwich area in June. This has prompted me to get his book and look through it. I always think that birdwatching would be a good hobby to start, but never seem to follow through.
May 11th, 2014, 04:34 PM
#38
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Thank you vttraveler. If you ever do get interested there is a great book by Pete Dunne called Pete Dunne on Birdwatching. It's not so much about ID'ing birds as about the whole culture, how to set up your binoculars, what and why certain binoculars are best, and so on. It is a little sub-culture of its own that is often hard to describe to people who aren't birdwatchers. There are a lot of mostly unwritten rules of etiquette as well, and the book does well to describe them.
Oliverandharry, I will see if the library has that issue and look it up.
I will be sure to write a book (ooooh, Freudian slip!) trip report, and let you all know which tips we were able to take advantage of!
Oliverandharry, I will see if the library has that issue and look it up.
I will be sure to write a book (ooooh, Freudian slip!) trip report, and let you all know which tips we were able to take advantage of!
May 12th, 2014, 01:50 AM
#39
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I have known some avid birdwatchers over the years and I have gone out birding with some of them. There are times during our travels when I have felt guilty about being only mildly interested in the birds we saw--at Tikal in Guatemala, for example.
This friend in VT is someone who makes very little money as a naturalist but gets to travel a lot and truly loves what he does.
This friend in VT is someone who makes very little money as a naturalist but gets to travel a lot and truly loves what he does.
