Newbies go to Maine, long trip report

First of all thanks to all of you for the information for traveling in Maine. It made our first trip east special. Many of the things we did were because of research from this board.

We drove from Indiana spending one night along the way. The only time I did not do any research for places to stay and it ended up being the only negative thing of trip.

We drove highway 1 through Brunswick, Bath, and Wiscasset to Boothbay. We drove out to ocean point and stopped to enjoy the fresh sea air. We went back to Wiscasset to eat at Reds. It was the last day before they closed for the season. We waited in line about 40 min for a lobster roll, crab roll, and French fries. It was worth every minute. It would end up living up to all the hype and being the best lobster roll we had all week. Hint if you need to use the public bathroom it was a long walk down Water Street past Sarah’s on the left across from the tracks. We continued on Route 1 through the entire picturesque towns to Bar Harbor. We stayed in Coach House Inn a B%26amp;amp;B in the tavern suite. We loved the location close to Acadia Park and not far from town. Lots of little extra touches, good linen sheets, scented towels, free water and pop in fridge, wonderful after noon treats of apple pie, brownies, cookies. We looked forward to 3 course breakfast each morning. We freshened up and went into Bar Harbor ate at Poor Boys. We both had the lobster feast; mine was sautéed in butter over crackers my DH stuffed with crab. We both enjoyed our first meal of lobster.

Monday October 13

We started off going to Acadia visitor center and watched the 15 min movie and bought a map of the trails. We headed to south tip and did wonderland trail and ship harbor. Nice easy trails. We went to Bass harbor and ate at Seafood Ketch, good chowder and good stop for a light lunch. We went to Bass harbor light house. Headed back into town and did Compass trail. We enjoyed this trail but found it hard to find. It is not marked well. If you come to a laboratory you have went to far. It is before the Y in the road. We then did shore path road trail. Enjoyed the walk and looking at cruise ships in port. We went to Thurston’s lobster pound. My husband had a 3lb and I had a 1 ½ pound. I was glad we did this once but would probably not do again. For the price of $60 dollars for two I would rather eat at a restaurant.

Tuesday October 14

Left at 0600 for sunrise on Cadillac Mountain. What a sight to be seen. The clouds quickly rolled in and we were engulfed in clouds. After breakfast off to Otther cliff and Point trail .We then went to Jordan Pond, hiked around pond took us about 1 ½ hours going at a pretty quick pace. The right side or west side is easier than the left side. The left side is not hard but more rocks to climb and slippery. We went in they were no longer serving food on lawn. We ate the famous popovers with homemade jelly. Yum, Yum, just the thing we needed after hiking around pond. For supper we had reservations at Galyn’s for our 29th anniversary. We had a window seat looking out over the water. My DH had chowder and crab cakes, I had the fishermen’s plate. We both thought it was the best food we had all week. Oh and the blueberry Martini’s were to die for.

Wednesday October 15

As usual headed to park and did sands beach and great head trail. We really liked the great head trail. Well up to now we had did all easy trails, I decided we were up to a ladder trail, the beehive, Well I was wrong, I am not quite sure when I became scared of steep inclines with sharp drop offs but it was not long until I decided this was not for me. I admired the others climbing up with nothing below them. We did the bowl trail which I did not like it bothered my ankles too much. A lot of up and down on stones. We finished and headed into town to satisfy my craving for onion right. I had read they were good at Chowders. They put a smile on my face and satisfied my craving. That night ate at seafood Ketch in Bass harbor after watching sunset at lighthouse. Tip the sunset was beautiful at the restaurant!

Thursday October 16

We headed to Portland. We planed on doing a trail in Camden but it was raining so we shopped instead. Also stopped at outlets in Franklin. Arrived at Morrill Mansion a B%26amp;amp;B in Portland. Walked around Portland and ate at J’s Oyster Bar. I had excellent seafood bouillabaisse.

Friday October 17

Our trip in Maine if finished and we are heading to Niagara on the lake. The colors of leaves were superb and first time to Maine more than we expected. We will be back!

Newbies go to Maine, long trip report

Glad you had a good time! Two small corrections. the Bed and Breakfast is named Coach Stop Inn. And the trail that was hard to find (it is, indeed) is the Compass Harbor Trail.