How To Eat a Lobster - Learn How To Eat a Lobster With This Visual Photo Guide

For people from away, the mechanics of eating a lobster can be daunting. Kim Knox Beckius, at about.com does a great job here of making it simple. So get ready for summer, make your Maine accomodation reservations now (January is the busiest month for Maine summer bookings), ad start salivating for your Maine Lobster next summer!

How To Eat a Lobster - Learn How To Eat a Lobster With This Visual Photo Guide

Five Islands Maine pictures from maine photos on webshots

The internet sure makes this a small world. I don't know the poster of the photos on this site, but I do recognize the dock! Looks like a few over from ours in Five Islands on the Little Sheepscot River.

Love Maine photos? Take a look:Five Islands Maine pictures from maine photos on webshots

Midcoast Maine Primer

Rather than reinvent the wheel, I'll refer you to the following article if you are in need of a "midcoast Maine Primer" - or an introduction the the where and why of the area known as midcoast Maine. Enjoy.Midcoast Maine: "The midcoast area of Maine has long been a favorite vacation spot for tourists up and down the East Coast of the United States, across the country, and even from around the world. Maine is known, affectionately, as Vacationland, and the midcoast area is partly why."

Global ambitions start in Maine

If this ambitious sailor, Schwab, succeeds, Maine will soon get some more press and attention for it's long traditon as a builder of quality boats - be it sloop - racer - or battleship.

Follow the story of a round the world racer who recently put in at our local and favorite of sailors: Robinhood Marina and his quest for a Maine built boat for the 2008 race.
Global ambitions start in Maine: "BOOST FOR MAINE BOAT-BUILDING
The Maine boat-building industry is not only Maine's tradition, it is a big part of its future."

Maine Lobster at Five Islands

Just in case you don't want to take my word for it here is another blog (no I'm not related) which gives you a view of our great lobster hang out: Five Islands Wharf, in Georgetown, Maine.Libby and Jared: Mary's Maine Lobster at Five Islands

A Year of Poetry from a Wealth of Maine Poets: Entering a poet’s world of perception - Arts & Entertainment - VillageSoup

November is not a busy month for travel to Maine's midcoast or woods. It doesn't mean that there are not a lot of armchair visitors out there like myself.

If you find yourself in that back to the earth or nesting mood, take a look here:
(Belfast) A Year of Poetry from a Wealth of Maine Poets: Entering a poet’s world of perception - Arts & Entertainment - VillageSoup: "I can’t imagine better medicine for holding steady as we sink into the dark damp month of November than reading these words. Take this book, climb under the covers, and remember the joy in words. Walk slowly among trees, rediscovering your wonder. Wormser’s memoir is a good companion, a tender guide, and a wise teacher taking us into presence to greet each moment.

You may just want to cuddle up with Wormser's: The Road Washes Out in Spring: A Poet's Memoir of Living Off the Gridor go to a signing at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at Gulf of Maine books in Brunswick (729-5083)."

Traditional Maine Recipes: Maine Apple Brown Betty Recipe

Our Maine cottage is closed up tight for the coming winter, but I can't resist dreaming about future falls there. Crisp air, blue skies, and mmm...apple crisp.

Even here in CA I'm growing apples (gala and anna).
Bon appetite!
Traditional Maine Recipes: Maine Apple Brown Betty Recipe

October in Bath and the Midcoast area of Maine

Bath Maine is a "City of Ships" and it is "Historic Bath." When I first started exploring Maine and the coast from Portland to Bar Harbor in the mid 1980's I never gave Bath much thought. It was the place I passed on Rte. 1 where I'd ogle a ship being built and marvel at the Kennebec River moving so swiftly under the old bridge. It wasn't until I started to look for my "summer cottage" and "retirement place" that I paid much attention to all the towns along the rivers before I'd turn onto the islands and peninsulas that seemed to call me like a siren's song.

It was in 1999 that I began to make friends with Bath. Each year when I visit, I find myself appreciating Bath more and more not only for what she can become, but for what the city has been.

If you find yourself in need of some good old fashioned New England culture this month and a little more than eating a lobster and enjoying the fall colors, make a stop in Bath and enjoy one of the following or just a stroll down Front Street.

A Ghostly Tour of Bath's Historic District

As night descends and fog creeps in off the river, join the Friends of The Patten Free Library for a ghostly tour of Bath’s historic district. Meet at the gazebo and follow our docent along the walkways to hear supernatural legends about the city and surrounding towns.

To benefit the Patten Free Library, this event is scheduled for Thursday, October 5 from 8-9:30 p.m. (Rain date is October 12). Reservations are required. For more information, please call Bronda Niese at 443-8613

Architecture Scavenger Hunt

When: Sat Oct 14 time 10:00 to 1:30.
How: Tickets $5.00 singles $10.00 for teams.
Where: Meet at Winter Street Center 880 Washington Street
Who: Families and teams encouraged!
What: Participants will start at Winter Street. Stay there as long as needed to study exhibits and learn what to look for.

Go out with a list of 9 architectural elements and addresses where those details may be found and match them up .

Why: When finished, return to WSC and turn it in for a ticket.

That ticket is eligible to win one of our wonderful prizes. One ticket for each correct answer. You choose which prize they want to try for by placing the ticket in a box next to the item.

There are optional extra questions to earn more tickets!

Prizes:
100 gallons of fuel oil from M.W. Sewall
10 free skates at The Park
A lovely loom kit for age 7+ from Halcyon Yarn
Landscaping consult with Greg Moyer
Other prizes from local merchants as well!
Best prize of all: knowing that you have learned something, participated in your community and had fun!

Why do leaves turn colors in the fall?

Why do leaves turn color in the fall?"New England enjoys some of the most intense fall colors thanks to its almost pure stands of a few types of trees that all turn color at the same time. Trees are not the only thing that contribute to a colorful autumn, though. Shrubs like burning bush and sumac, and even weeds like poison ivy can paint the roadsides brilliant colors in fall. In Maine, the blueberry barrens turn a phenomenal fiery red. "

My favorite about.com author, Deborah Fowles, explains it all in simple terms. Despite growing up in New Hampshire, where the boasts of brilliant colors are actually being modest, I always forget just why the leaves change color...

Enjoy learning, and do me a favor? Press one of those red sugar maple leafs for me! I miss fall in New England.

Camden film festival begins Sept. 28

Business in MaineToday.com | Camden film festival begins Sept. 28: "Camden film festival begins Sept. 28
The 2nd Camden International Film Festival (CIFF) will take place from September 28-October 1, 2006 at various venues throughout Midcoast Maine. Dedicated to examining our world, our global family and ourselves through the lenses and minds of the finest non-fiction visual storytellers, CIFF honors the independent documentary by providing audiences with the very best in documentary film in an environment that allows participants direct access to the filmmakers. "

Puffins - in Maine

Photo of Puffin at Machias is used with permission of Lucian Niemeyer. Visit his website to see more or own some of his work.


The Atlantic Puffin is the smallest of the Puffins and can be found in Canada and Maine. To learn more visit this article: THERECORD.COM INSIDER Puffin project draws crowds in Maine

If you've ever seen a puffin at an aquarium, zoo, or even in their natural habitat, chances are you've fallen in love with their duck and penquin like antics and adorable behaviors. Here in CA, I'm lucky enough to live close to a Trader Joe's market which carries Barbara's Brand Cereals, including their peanut butter puffins. My kids are vegetarians and we try to limit our intake of hydrogenated oils - these cereals fit the bill.

If you find yourself in Midcoast Maine, you will want to take time to visit the Audubon Visitor's Center in Rockland and a boat tour to see puffins on Midcoast Maine's Eastern Egg Island from either Boothbay Harbor's Captain Fish Cruises (closest to our midcoast Maine cottage) or further up the coast from New Harbor's Hardy Boat Cruises(near Pemaquid which is also lovely).

More Fun in Store in and Around Bath, Maine this Summer

Do you enjoy lighthouses? Marine Mammals? Boat Tours?
Why not try this one: Kennebec Historic Lights and Seal Watching. Join the Maine Maritime Museum for a scenic cruise past 6 lighthouses along the "Kennebec Historic Waterway" from Bath to Seguin Island & Light. Passengers will see Doubling Point Light, the Kennebec Range Lights, Squirrel Point Light, Perkins Island & Light, Pond Island Light, and Seguin Island Light - and maybe see seals and bald eagles, too! 207-442-1316, ext 0. $29.95/non-member; $24.95/ member; $12.95/ child (4 -12); $1/infant

Interested in Bath Iron Works and the Present and Historical Building of our Military Ships? Try the :BIW Trolley Tours
BIW Trolley Tours May 30 through September 5th. Tuesdays at 1:00 pm, and Saturdays at 10:30am Go behind the gates at Bath Iron Works during the upcoming summer season. The first tour is scheduled to begin Tuesday May 30th at 1:00pm with boat cruise option beginning June 20th. Bath Iron Works has a long and proud history which began in 1884 and has continued to the present. Today BIW builds the Arleigh Burke class Aegis destroyer. Go behind the gates of BIW on this one hour tour and learn about the history of the last active shipyard on the Kennebec. During the tour, participants will be able to view the old launching ways and BIW’s new state-of-the-art Land Level Transfer Facility where large vessels are constructed on a flat surface and moved into the dry-dock for launching. Participants will also learn facts about the process of Cost: BIW Tour and MMM Admission: $25 /Adult, $15 /Child, $15 /Member. BIW Tour/ Boat Cruise and MMM Admission: $37.95 /Adult, $20.95 /Child, $27.95/ Member.


While you are in Bath try new tinytypes at the very end of Front Street, run by the former owners of the Grey Havens Inn in Georgetown. Eat dinner at Mae's - their wild blueberry pie with vanilla ice cream is worth every calorie, and pick up some Maine novelties at Renys.

Summer Eating in Maine

This Washington Post article gives an excellent overview of what to expect for summer food during your Maine vacation or to cook when you're away: Summer Can Be a Maine Event, and this one from Fodors: Summer Eating, will stear you to some of the best summer eats in Massachusetts and Maine.
Having just returned from a trip to our coastal cottage I feel justified in adding to these article.
Corn on the cob: buy it at any local farm stand. My favorite: Five Islands Farm, Georgetown, Maine - though not a local farm, the owner gets the best of the best each day she's open.

Wild Maine blueberries: sold on roadsides and at farm stands. If you are lucky like us, you may find ripe berries on the property of your vacation rental. In good years you can make a simple cobbler, but we rarely get past eating them fresh. Pick up some blueberry jam while in Maine as well.
Raspberries: ditto above!
Maine Lobster: get this delicacy on the water! Follow signs to local co-ops or to old faithful establishments. We prefer our lobsters at home, purchased off the boat from friends and neigbors. You can pick them up at most restaurants that steam them for you, or at any local grocery or fish mart.

As for the best places to eat in Massachusetts and Maine, besides in my beloved Georgetown...Fodors gets it just right.

I waited 40 minutes happily for clam stips at the Clam Box in Ipswich (I know that's not really clams...); made a road trip every summer of my youth to Woodman's in Essex for fried scallops and a trip to Crane's or Good Harbor beaches; and started my love affair with Maine by taking trips over the bridge from NH with my future husband in the 80's to Chauncy's Creek in Kittery for his favorite lobster in the rough. The best whoopie pies however, come from by own kitchen at the hands of my daughters! Maybe some day you'll get lucky and they'll sell them...
Enjoy!

Portland and Southern Maine 4th of July Fireworks

My favorite place to watch fireworks in the United States on the 4th of July has to be on the eastern bank of the Kennebec River in Woolwich, ME. There is a kind man who owns a little lot with a perfect rock, that lets people treck across his freshly mown path to enjoy this view. It's a family atmosphere, and pretty much a locals only kind of place. We were fortunate enought to be invited to this place by a local in 1999.

For the rest of folks, make your way to the Kennebec River and find a spot in Bath. While you are there make a day of it and enjoy a good old fashioned celebration at Bath Heritage Days. If you don't want to make your way that far north, access some other southern Maine options here: Portland and Southern Maine 4th of July Fireworks: "Bath Heritage Days is a four day celebration in Bath that includes fireworks over the waterfront on Tuesday, July 4th, 2006, the final day of Bath Heritage Days, at 9:15 pm. 207-443-9751. "

Southern Maine Day Trips - The Island of Georgetown

My favorite Maine guide at "About" has done it again with this great driving guide of Georgetown Maine: Southern Maine Day Trips - The Island of Georgetown: "When you cross the second bridge on Route 127 (about five miles from Woolwich), you'll be on the island of Georgetown, Maine. The island has over 82 miles of shoreline, with sandy beaches, sheltered coves, harbors, rocky headlands, and marshes. Abundant wildlife, including osprey, harbor seals, bald eagles, deer, and moose, share Georgetown Island with its 1,000 human inhabitants. "

Whether you are taking a day trip in Maine in search of the perfect lobster, or spending a week at my favorite town in Maine, make this driving trip part of your time. You won't find it in the touristy books or online most online sources, but you won't go wrong, and you won't be stuck in traffic in Georgetown.

The Seven Natural Wonders of Coastal Maine - MSN Travel Articles

Always wanted to go to Maine, but have no idea where to start? Try this Frommer's article to point you in the right direction: The Seven Natural Wonders of Coastal Maine - MSN Travel Articles.

The one NOT to miss of their wonders is in #2 - take the mailboat our of Portland Harbor to sigtsee around the plentiful Calendar Islands. This is the most original and interesting "harbor tour" I've been on anywhere in the United States.

Reid State Park and Beach in Georgetown Maine

Even The Globe knows a good thing when they see it:Your Perfect Beach - The Boston Globe: "More experienced paddlers should head for Reid State Park in Georgetown, Maine, on the shores of Sheepscot Bay. At Mile Beach, the sand gives way to a boulder-strewn coastline where the Atlantic pounds the rocks, spewing foam high into the air. You'll likely be joined by seals and the ubiquitous lobstermen, zipping from buoy to buoy to pull up their catch. Lot parking is available."

Reid State Park and its beaches are among the finest in Maine. Don't just take my word for it. It doesn't matter if you are a toddler or an experienced kayaker or a bird watcher; there is something for everyone here.

I've never kayaked at Reid. I do that from my waterfront cottage in Five Islands. I have however enjoyed many, but not all of the things there are to do at Reid including:
-clamming at the Little River at low tide
-riding a kickboard at the bridge as the tide changes
-collecting shells, periwinkles, and other treasures at low tide on near any of the rocks
-looking for pieces of garnet at Griffiths Head
-basking in the sun at mile beach
-picnics by the bridge and at the lagoon
-building sandcastles and watching little ones play at the lagoon
-smelling the roses hips and rosa rugosa along the paths
-sliding down the banks to the Little River
-braving the cold waves on the beach
-collecting driftwood and building odd structures
-watching the piping plovers and other birds
-taking shelter from a thunderstorm and watching nature's show
-eating icecream from the snack bar
-strolling the beach in the off season

Can it get any better than Reid?

In my day, we thought calculators were neat

Although this has nothing to do with vacationing in Maine, I am jealous! I have an exiting middle schooler and an entering one. Oh how I wish CA were equipping and education their students in this manner. My kids have had a great education here, but their technology education at school consists of little more than "Type to Learn". Read up on Official Google Blog: In my day, we thought calculators were neat: "The Maine Learning Technology Initiative is an innovative program that equips every one of the state's public middle-school students with a laptop computer. This fall, more than 36,000 students will receive brand-new Apple iBooks pre-installed with great software."

Main Street Bath Gets Ready for Your Next Maine Vacation

OK, you've made it out of the office early on Friday to beat the traffic up to the coast of Maine. You want to do something fun, stop and have dinner, and feel like you are on vacation! Starting at the end of June Main Street Bath is sponsoring Gazebo Concerts beginning at 7:00 and the third Friday of each month there will be an Art Walk happening. Merchants are planning on staying open on Friday nights, and giving you a place to spend your time. Haven't been to Historic Bath? It's a renaissance city. City of ships, full of maritime history, great antiques, and a lovely waterfront on the Kennebec River.

Southern Maine Day Trips - The Island of Georgetown, Maine

Deborah Fowles at about.com is one of my favorite writers for everything Maine. It isn't just because she mentions my cottage in this article on Georgetown: Southern Maine Day Trips - The Island of Georgetown, Maine. It's because she knows her stuff. She even lives in Georgetown! Lucky woman! Her recommendations are right on. From Deena's Lobster (formerly Lisa's now known as Mama D's), to Georgetown Pottery, to the Josephine Newman Wildlife Sanctuary, Ms. Fowles shows you Georgetown for real. I couldn't have done a better job myself, but if you want to see some more recommendations with links check out my Midcoast Maine Fun page.