Maine is located in the New England region of the US. It is the only state in the Continental US that is bordered by only one other state, New Hampshire.

Maine Trip

July 2010

Maine is known for its scenery—its jagged, mostly rocky coastline dotted with lighthouses and lobster boats, its low, rolling mountains, and its heavily forested interior (more than 90%). And, it’s well-known for its seafood cuisine, especially lobsters and clams.

The original inhabitants of Maine were Algonquian-speaking peoples The first European settlement in Maine was in 1604 by a French party that included Samuel de Champlain, the noted explorer. The French named the entire area, including the portion that later became the State of Maine, Acadia. The first English settlement in Maine was established by the Plymouth Company.

Maine is the number one exporter of blueberries and toothpicks. Tourism and outdoor recreation play a major and increasingly important role in Maine's economy. The state is a popular destination for sport hunting, ( particularly deer, moose and bear), fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, boating, camping and hiking, among other activities. Maine ports play a key role in national transportation. The state has a long standing tradition of being home to many shipbuilding companies.

Using the book…Roadfood (by Jane and Michael Stern)….given to me by Patsy Long Troxell, we selected some foodie places to eat. They are listed below with location….titlehough they are all in the same general area….not far from each other. If you have a GPS, it’s an easy find.

*Bob’s Clam Hut…..Kittery…..great lobster or clam roll

*Warren’s Lobster House….Kittery….good dinner choice….not in Roadfood book

*Maine Diner…Wells….had breakfast here

*Red’s Eats ... Wiscasset …… great lobster roll….stand in line outside but worth it

*Mabel’s Lobster Claw…Kennebunkport….lobster or crabmeat roll

Kittery

The population was 9,543 at the 2000 census. It has been called the "Gateway to Maine." It is also a popular tourist destination known for its many outlet stores and also has the oldest shipyard in the nation. The town's leading industrial employer is Portsmouth Naval Yard, which once built and now repairs submarines for the U.S. Navy. Kittery was incorporated in 1647, and the town bills itself as "The oldest incorporated town in Maine". The town is popular with tourists for its many factory outlet stores.

Kennebunkport

There's a charming little corner of Maine (about 90 miles North of Boston) where lobstermen still rule the sea, where shop owners greet their visitors and where the charm of New England's old-world fishing villages takes us back to simpler times. Population here is about 1400, titlehough it greatly increases in fair weather for this is a popular summer resort and a favorite among artists and writers.

Outside the village, Ocean Avenue follows the rocky shore of Cape Arundel to Cape Porpoise, a year-round fishing village. The scenic drive is lined with fine old mansions; many are now lodgings and restaurants. The summer home of former President George Bush is in the area near Walker’s Point.

Boothbay Harbor

Boothbay Harbor’s population was 2,334 at the 2000 census, titlehough during summer months, the entire Boothbay Harbor region is a popular yachting and tourist destination. It is a picturesque seaport and radiates with new England atmosphere. River cruises, ocean cruises, whale watches, sailing and deep-sea fishing trips leave the piers daily. There are many bed & breakfasts, inns, and hotels which offer a wide range of accommodations. We stayed at the Welch House Inn on top of the hill, and our room faced the bay. It was right in the heart of Boothbay and easy access to everything. We would highly recommend it; the breakfasts were all home-made and just great!

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor lies at the entrance to Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island. The magic of Bar Harbor… adventure, a rock-bound coast and soaring granite cliffs, the beauty of sea, mountain, lake and forest have made this region a resort. From the stonewall-lined and tree-covered road leading you into the village, to the sweeping vistas from atop Cadillac Mountain, there is a special mystique to Bar Harbor. As of the census of 2000, there were 4,820 people living here.

It had become the summer playground for America’s wetitlehy by the turn of the 20th century. However, as a result of WWI, the Great Depression and high taxes, many of the wetitlehy left. Then in 1947 a fire swept through Bar Harbor and ravaged most of the estates, destroying thousands of acres and leaving $23 million in charred ruins. Within time, it was rebuilt, never losing its charm and appeal. Today, Bar Harbor is a destination for tourists from all over the world. Cruise ships are in the harbor from May through October, or tourists are bussed from another port location; it has become a tourist haven.

Specititley shops, galleries and restaurants line the streets of Bar Harbor with everything from handcrafted Maine items, maple syrup, and the works of local artists to imports…..and, of course, Maine lobster. Ride Oli’s Trolley around for a bit of sight-seeing. Hop on the Island Explorer for a free shuttle ride to local spots; it originates in Bar Harbor Village Green.

Acadia National Park is the crown jewel of Maine. The Great Meadow Loop Trail connects downtown Bar Harbor with Acadia National Park. The geography of Acadia National Park ranges from meadows and marshes to dense evergreen forests. Everywhere the ocean makes its presence felt, whether by sight, sound or smell. The park is home to many plants and animals, and has the tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic coast. …Cadillac Mountain.

We stayed at the Bayview on Frenchman’s Bay and would highly recommend it. Again, the breakfasts were home-made and just great…..blueberries galore.

Augusta

Augusta has been the capital of Maine since 1827, seven years after Maine was admitted to the Union. It is the easternmost state capital in the United States. The city's population was 18,560 at the 2000 census, making it the third-smallest state capital after Montpelier, Vermont and Pierre, South Dakota. It is home to the University of Maine at Augusta.

It is the business and education center of a tourist-vacation area. The city lies in the Kennebec River Valley on both sides of the river's banks in a region noted for its fertile farmlands, rich timberlands, lakes, and scenic rolling hills. Augusta is considered one of Maine's fastest-growing cities. In the 1990s and into the early 2000s, the city underwent a renewal with new facades on downtown storefronts, a new bus depot, a water-front park, and a new city hall complex.

Old Fort Western on the bank of the Kennebec River is said to be America’s oldest surviving wooden fort. There are costumed interpreters available to answer questions about the fort’s military, storekeeping and residential past from the 1750s.

Maine Photo Gallery

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