Scenes from Maine

Thought I'd share a few photos from some of our other adventures in Maine as the time draws near to leave. sniff, sniff.

In Augusta, beginning just a mile or two north of the capitol area is the Museum in the Streets. If you are a history buff, you'll enjoy this walking/driving tour. It's in three sections. This is a project of the Augusta Historic Preservation Commission. Most of the original buildings are gone as we discovered as we prowled around an area where the old railroad station was supposed to be.  A sign marks the spot. Some signs detail events rather than structures - like "looking for elephants." The one below is an overview, but look for similar signs. One place on the tour is the Old Fort Western. This structure still stands and is open from 1 to 4, according to the sign. I couldn't find anything about hours on the Old Fort Western website so I'd call ahead. And, you can pick up a brochure with a map showing where the stops are at tourist areas or attractions. We found one at the Maine State Museum. Each sign gives information - and - you can print it out on their website also. You'll probably want to drive between the areas. Parking is available on street and in some lots.

 Standing just downstream from Old Fort Western, I got this shot looking at the old waterfront across the Kennebec River. That area is the main part of the Museum of the Streets. From Augusta, we drove to Bangor, one of Maine's largest cities. We had discovered a brochure of Maine's Beer Trail and the Sea Dog Brewing Company's Bangor location was listed. It too was located on a river- the Penobscot. We sat out on the deck overlooking the river while sampling a couple of brews. I could not resist Old Gollywobbler Brown! What a name. They served food as well. We have heard of wine trails but this is the first beer trail we've been on - if you can count one stop as a trail.

Last year in Maine, I found a kayaking class put on by Midcoast Kayak and sponsored by Spectrum Generations in Damariscotta. Spectrum is the Central Maine Area Agency on Aging but serves all ages,  providing all sorts of activities and classes. I spotted the kayak class again this year and signed up. We had an introductory lesson on land, then put in and kayaked up Muscongus Bay, passing along Hog Island, and then paddling most of the way around Ram Island, a privately owned island. George's back won't take kayaking so he stayed ashore and painted, plus he took a few photos of the instruction and us coming and going.

Over Labor Day weekend, we attended the Camden Windjammer Festival. Camden is a pretty town and it's fun wandering in the shops too. Since we've gone to that the last three years, we left early and drove to Port Clyde almost due south of Camden. Port Clyde is a small fishing village and is one of three locations where boats leave for Monhegan Island daily. At the end is the Marshall Point Lighthouse and Museum- a new one for me. Marshall Point Lighthouse has two claims to fame. A scene from Forrest Gump was filmed here and is the setting for the stories about the lighthouse dogs, Nellie and Mollie .

Maine roads are mostly two-lane roads- even highways - so maneuvering big RVs takes caution but is doable. Parking spaces for an RV will be by chance. The Museum of the Streets would have room by Old Fort Western, but otherwise it's the streets. Camden has parking down by the wharfs and along the streets, but if an event is going on, it may be hard to find one. Unless you have a small RV, it's best to leave the RV in a park and drive your tow or towed/toad vehicle. There are some RV parks in the Mid-Coast area - Augusta, Camden and the Pemaquid peninsula. You could find one park and then cover this area in day trips. It would be much more enjoyable that way too. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Photos by George Bruzenak

 

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[my paris hotel]

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