U Jerks

The "banging spoon" comment was not good-natured ribbing. I agree that there are some people who "tune in" to every thread for the sole purpose of putting someone down. These immature, attention-craving people have made posting here like walking through a mine-field. The gratuitous mean-spiritedness and the wise-ass nastiness is the hallmark of people who somehow never got past their 12th birthday, but it's really trashed the experience of exchanging travel info here.

You know who you are, esp. the ones who post as "xxx" and with smart-ass phrases instead of names. If we left the world, or this forum, entirely to you and people like you, you'd choke on the poisonous atmosphere.

You are an idiot!

"esp. the ones that post as xxx with smart-ass phrases instead of names"???

Like "Ujerk" and "xx" in your own response. Hmm.

Liz

I'm one of those who used to participate often (responding whenever I had good first-hand knowledge to offer) and found that the predominance of trolls was just too tiresome to make it enjoyable or worthwhile. So, I've been a lurker. Just visiting to accumulate information and tips, but rarely responding to any inquiries. That's what the anonymous jerks, who enjoy disrupting this forum and have twisted ideas of "jokes" and "fun" do to this forum.

Me2

Way too far...
The DownEaster goes as far as Portland. That might be fun for an overnighter. It's also a pretty easy drive up Rt. 95 to many lovely closer places: Ogunquit, Kennebunkport. Book accommodations asap, however, since foliage season makes it tight.

JBX

I don't know if this article is available online. I read about the 'Down Easter' in the Sun Sentinel newspaper (story was in Sunday's Travel section). The DownEaster is a train that runs out of Boston, MA (North Station) up through NH and ends/starts in Portland, Maine. Trip takes 3 hours and sounds like an excellent way to experience the fall foliage in New England. The train also stops in Saco, ME, however doesn't go to Bar Harbor. They advise it's best to make advance reservations. In the article, it sounded like a comfortable train and especially designed with large windows so you can experience the sights.

http://www.thedowneaster.com/

JBX

Yes, the story is available in the Sun Sentinel's online version. Here's the overview, per Dale Koppel:

--- Tracking the foliage ---
Be the first on your block to see spectacular New England fall foliage from the comfort of The Downeaster, a passenger train with service from Portland, Maine, to downtown Boston.

Train service from Portland to Boston started in 1842, but this is the first time in 30 years that Mainiacs have had access to Beantown by rail. And vice versa. The Downeaster made its maiden voyage out of Portland in December 2001. Covering 116 miles, it makes two stops in Maine: Saco (say, Socko)/Biddeford (say, Bid a fud) and Wells, and three stops in New Hampshire: Dover, Durham and Exeter, before making two stops in Massachusetts: Haverhill (say, Hay vrill) and Saugus before reaching its final destination (Boston's North Station). The 65 miles (130 miles, really, if you think of it as looking out the west-side window when you're heading south and the east-side window heading back north) of New Hampshire and Maine vistas are the most breathtaking, from an autumnal eye candy point of view. You can do the trip in a day, but a week is the ideal amount of time to spend.

dennis

Bar Harbor is well worth the trip up there (try 8 realistic hours from the cape)....go for it if you want, but I suggest to you that there is plenty to do in the cape for 2 weeks. and plenty to do in Bar Harbor/Acadia for 2 weeks. I suggest them separately, maybe do a day trip to kennebunk/ogunquit (about 1.5 hours from boston).

Andy

Falmouth to Bar Harbor is at LEAST 6-7 hrs. driving. I would pick one or the other, but not both if you are only staying one week.