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.

Portland Maine Jetport Getting JetBlue

Watch for lower fares going into and out of Portland Maine after JetBlue arrives on May 23! I can't wait and am hoping this means nonstop service from Long Beach for us!USATODAY.com - Portland airport fares to drop once JetBlue arrives No longer will we be forced to fly into Boston and drive 2 hours, or even into Manchester NH, for reasonable airfares if JetBlue has their way.

Rainy Autumn and Warm Winter Enhance Spring Rafting in Maine

though I've never gone river rafting in Maine, white water rafting is one of my newer favorite activities while on vacation. My first time was in Costa Rica, and next favorite in Dinosaur National Monument with Adrift Adventures. Apparently, the Maine rafting season is about to begin: Rainy Autumn and Warm Winter Enhance Spring Rafting in Maine. My suggestion: book your whitewater rafting trip now on the Kennebec or Penobscot, then come to the midcoast to relax at our cottage.

Fun in New England and Maine in the Summer

This recent article from USA Today reviewing Fun in New England helps to confirm many of the things I've enjoyed there, and helped to make my wish list of things to explore. The article is actually based on Yankee Magazine's top 300

My favorites that are mentioned include:
Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour in Waterbury, VT
The Flume in Franconia Notch NH
A Ferry Ride in Casco Bay in Portland ME (the mail boat is the best)
Sunsets in Provincetown MA
Seafood at Woodman's in Essex MA

Spend a week, a month, the summer, or a lifetime - New England is full of fun!

Top Ten Picks: Movies filmed in Maine

Well with the Oscar buzz over here in CA, why not turn to one of the best places to set books and movies: Maine! I personally like to read novels by Tess Gerritsen's The Surgeon, and an occasional Stephen King like The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon.

This fun list gives you a fun list of movies to watch before you visit. My favorites from this list is In the Bedroom. See the list at:Top Ten Picks: Movies filmed in Maine

Science at Mussel Cove

I named our cottage "Mussel Cove" last spring in an effort to give it identity. The place sits on a cove (known as White's Cove on the nautical charts, but no one calls it this locally. I even ordered the book Murder at Mussel Cove, a new mystery, from Amazon figuring it will make a fun read for me and my guests. To keep a handle on online mentions of my place I have a Google Alert for "mussel cove" - basically Google sends me an email with links to anything that shows up with those words in it. Pretty simple compared to my old days in marketing when only the biggest companies could afford to keep track of the news through much slower, but similar industry alerts.

Low and behold, but this one appears in my inbox tonight: Purdue chemist 'mussels' in on secrets of natural adhesives. I just couldn't resist clicking through, because in a former life I was, well, a chemist, and clearly, I love the ocean and am fascinated by marine life (with better guidance in high school and college, I would have been a marine biologist or chemical oceanographer...but that's another blog).

If you're interested in the amazing potential of those pesky, and to many, delicious little guys hanging all over my dock and rocks do take a few minute to read article in the link - it is in language we can all understand.

Webshots - Images of Five Islands Maine

What a small world we have become with the internet. This link:Webshots - Images of Five Islands Maine showed up in my Google alerts tonight. Looks like these photos were taken from the home next to my cottage, "Mussel Cove." Our properties sit on an idyllic cove on the Little Sheepscot River in Five Islands, which is basically a very short split in the Sheepscot River, on the inland side of Macmahan Island. I especially like the morning fog shots, as watching it come and go like the tide is one of my favorite past times.

Moose Facts and Photos

I couldn't resist adding this to my Midcoast Maine blog! My husband is fascinated with moose, yet he seems to be the permanent winner of "the least likely to see a moose in Maine" award. He still doesn't believe me that I saw an amazing one two summers ago while driving on a friend's property in Robinhood Cove. Fortunately this friend's dad called him and asked if he'd seen it - independent confirmation for me! I'm going to make sure my husband reads the first article from this link before he heads back to open up our cottage in Georgetown: Interesting Facts About Moose, Plus Photos

Robinhood Free Meeting House Freezes!

Imagine my surprise this morning when my Google Alerts showed up in my inbox with something about Robinhood Free Meetinghouse restaurant in Georgetown Maine. For anyone who has never been to midcoast Maine, never mind Georgetown ME, this little restaurant in a historic meeting house, on a little island (connected by bridges), is a bit obscure - but highly praised by food critics and guests alike. Apparently, they have started selling a "famous" item - frozen. Check it out at boston.com . Want to taste these pastries in person and experience traditional Maine? Plan your stay for this summer now at Mussel Cove vacation rental in Georgetown.

Down East - The Magazine of Maine

Finally, the traditional Maine essential magazineDown East - The Magazine of Maine read by Maniacs, exiles, and folks from away, catches up with the times! Be sure to take a look at their new and improved web site, as well as new and improved vacation rentals look coming this spring. Finally, it will be easy to use off line, and now even available online! After many years of urging from advertisers like myself, Down East Magazine is finally adding Vacation Rentals to their web site. Now we all know where to look for our next special spot - but don't delay, I know I'm booking fast for June - August already. Summer will be here before we know it.

Southern Maine Summer Vacation Rentals: Cottages, Homes, and Condos

Southern Maine Summer Vacation Rentals: Cottages, Homes, and Condos

Looking for information on southern or midcoast Maine Vacation Rentals? Check out the link above from About Portland guide Deborah Fowles. There are some good basic tips in this article on what to ask rental owners, as well as some solid links to rental agencies for Southern Maine, and online vacation rental listing services. Personally, I wouldn't include 10k in this list as they are really not a leader in vacation rental listings. I would however definitely add Visit Maine, Great Family Rentals, and Vacation Rentals to her list.

I'd also add that the "high season" is about 8 weeks in Maine. If you want to rent a cottage in July or August on the water (beach, rocky shore, or lake) book NOW. The best places often fill up 6 months to 1 year in advance. If your first choice is booked, ask for referrals; most owners are willing to help.

Welcome to Maine Midcoast Vacation Information

You have arrived at the spot to find out more about travel and vacationing in the midcoast Maine region. This blog is courtesy of Vacation Mamma - the owner of aMidcoast Maine Vacation Rental in the Five Islands section of Georgetown Maine. However, the purpose of this blog is not to tell you more about my rental, it is to tell you more about midcoast Maine.

Come back often and mark this as a favorite!