The Phoenix Traveler Travels: New England Pt. 2
If you’re thinking of taking a New England vacation along the coast, here are a few overall recommendations stemming from my recent trip:
_Sign up for the signature facial at the Cliff House in Ogunquit–a resort and spa located on Maine’s south coast, atop Bald Head Cliff. This unique restorative facial incorporates products from both land and sea. It includes a seashell massage, a seaweed cleansing, and a blueberry mask. Blueberries grow wild in Maine and are a staple in various products, including skin care, pancakes and ice cream. I definitely tried the blueberry-spiked facial and thought it was sea-sational. Plus, at the Cliff House, you get to take home a free gift–the Blueberry Signature Mask, made exclusively for the spa by Spa Technologies. If you have time, take a walk on the labyrinth. It’s outside and overlooks the sea.
_Pay the $30 for the ocean view from the seat of an historic schooner as it makes it way along the Penobscot Bay. We got on Surprise out of the Camden Public Landing. (Note: Above photo was taken while ON Surprise.) It was recommended to us by our hosts at the Windward House B&B, also in Camden; it was a perfect suggestion. Our morning two-hour ride aboard this 57-foot Windjammer, launched originally in 1918, was smooth sailing all the way. We, of course, were lucky to have missed the rain that blew in later that day. A special treat aboard the Surprise: fresh fruit and gingersnap cookies.
_Plan a few nights’ stay at the Windward House or the Orland House in Orland, two miles east of Bucksport. Both of the owners will help you navigate the coast to make your stay as interesting and enjoyable as possible. Just ask for recommendations. And the breakfasts alone will make you feel like royalty because the service is so all about you. Don’t mind the creaks, cracks and crevices you’ll see inside these historic Victorian mansions–these century-old houses have earned them. For us Southwesterners, we can only marvel that a building can last that long!
_If you happen to be coming from Camden, planning to visit the observatory at the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, I suggest driving across the bridge, turning left, and visiting the little town of Bucksport. Head straight to Andy Lacher’s BookStacks bookstore for some small town charm, and a hot cup of coffee. He’s adding a used book section, has comfy seating areas, and it’s just a nice place to hang out and chat with the locals who seem to congregate there all day.
_A tour through the small town of Castine also is worth the off-the-beaten path drive to get there. Pick up a “walking tour” guide and hit the roads. Historic markers fill you in on the details of this town that is one of the oldest communities in North America–occupied continuously, according to the brochure, since the early 1600s. Um, we’re talking Pilgrim days. The French, the British, the Dutch–they all arrived here at some point and tried to take over the region, as well as try to oust the Native Americans. You’ll see some spectacular homes in Castine, as well as a lighthouse and Maritime Academy. Even if you get caught in the rain, as we did, it’s a beautiful walk through a quiet and historic seacoast village.
_If you can manage a week or two, plan on picking a spot and hanging out there. Because there’s so much to see and do, no matter where you wind up, it might be wise to ease up on the driving and plan your travel plans around that one area. You know, take it easy.
_Or, do as we did and pack as much fun in as you can. It’ll be, as they say in Maine, a “wicked good” time.
(Photos by Jackie Dishner and used with her permission. Hold your curser over the photo itself to see what they represent.)
10 Comments
You hit a few of my favorite places on the coast. Castine, especially, is an off-the-beaten-path gem and a real find for history buffs. As for the Bucksport Bridge Observatory, if you have even an inkling of a fear of heights, don’t even consider it (floor-to-ceiling glass windows at that height can produce panic attacks!).
As we head into Columbus Day Weekend, the coast is near peak foliage. Should be gorgeous, as the weather is expected to cooperate.
Camden is one of my favorite places. So much so that it is our daughter’s middle name. We went there on a vacation a few years ago and took photos of her posing by the town signs (in the rain unfortunately!). Maine is one of the most perfect places on earth.
Hilary, I hit your faves because I pretty much used your Moon Coastal Maine guidebook to lead the way! :0)
Aside from the referrals I got in person, your guidebook was a lifesaver, as there are about a billion things to do. And it’s hard to decide! But I was able to visit nearly everything I circled in it. Hint: I recommend her book, folks.
About the bridge observatory…They do warn you about the panic that might set in, but I didn’t feel it at all. I was just grateful for the elevator that gets you up to the top. After climbing those nearly 300 steps to the top of the monument at Bunker Hill in Boston earlier in the week, the elevator was a God-send. And fear or panic was the last thing on my mind. I just wanted those views! They were amazing.
Thanks for visiting, Hilary.
Jackie
Brette,
I agree. It’s so different from Arizona–and I adore my home state. I can clearly see myself living with the sea in Camden while also having a home still here in the desert. What a perfect balance that would be!
Thanks for commenting.
Jackie
Thanks for the recommendation. I keep my Maine books updated between editions via my blog: http://hilarynangle.wordpress.com/
Great ideas for some local points of interest. Your 2-part narrative gave me the feeling that I had almost been back there myself. I just love to take the historic schooner tours. There’s so much to see and it’s such a vantage point!
Next time I’m up that far North, I’ll check into some of your suggestions that I haven’t seen in my own travels.
Jackie,
I love the photos and the fun story of your trip back East. I have great memories of walking the Freedom Trail and climbing those steps to the monument at Bunker Hill. What great history they have on the whole East Coast, and I think you saw the best parts. I have not been to Maine, although I have taken a drive through Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York State. There are so many wonderful places. You have described your travels very nicely! Thanks for sharing,
Bonnie
Hilary,
Thanks for leaving that link; it’s also buried in my narrative so maybe others traveling to New England can find you.
Bonnie and Bonnie,
Thanks for stopping in. The photos were fun to pick; I have tons as you can imagine!
Bonnie M., those Bunker Hill steps were a bear to climb. Made me think of the steps that miners once had to climb daily to get to work in Globe and Bisbee here in Arizona. You could get in great shape that way!
But then, when we got to Camden and were given a suggestion on what trail to hike, and were told to try the 1/2 mile Summit Trail to the top of Mt. Battie, we thought it would be easy. Wasn’t. We quickly compared it to the Phoenix hike up Camelback Mountain, the north side. We got some serious exercise in on this trip. It was great.
Glad to be back home now, though. We just hiked Trail 100 this morning. After two hours on that, I was beat!
Resting now,
Jackie
Will be traveling to the Coast next year so appreciate the informative article and links!
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts.
You have a great Blog!!! I just added you to my Google News Reader.
Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Next month I will go to Rome on Vacations, can you tell me a good hotel for my vacations?
Keep up the good work.