- Maine? Is that in America?
- Oh, I've always wanted to go to Maine.
- Oh really, what part of Maine?
To the first one, I typically describe where Maine is in the U.S. and that it's beautiful here - and yes, we do have indoor plumbing and electricity.
The second question is usually followed by discussions about lighthouses and lobster bakes.
I have a standard answer for the third one: "Do you know Maine?" The answer is usually, but not always, no, so I don't bother with the town or general area. For those who know Maine, I'm in Leeds, just north of Lewiston/Auburn. For those who don't know Maine, I am a little over an hour from the coast and an less than an hour to the mountains.
Many first timers to the state want to see the coast, as they should. The coast of Maine is like no other with it's jagged rocks, pink granite, hundreds of peninulas (fingers) and islands. The small fishing towns and windjammer filled bays provide days of sightseeing enjoyment. From the City of Portland with all of it's shopping, dining and art venues to Bar Harbor (three plus hours northeast of Portland) with Acadia National Park and all of the towns and villages in between, midcoast Maine offers a vacation experience like no other in the world!
My picks: Snowsquall Inn in Wiscassett has great hosts and atmosphere and allows for day trips to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, Boothbay Harbor and Monhegan Island. The Blue Hill Inn in Blue Hill (also with great hosts) offers a great location for visiting Belfast, Deer Isle and Stonington (my favorite place), and Acadia National Park which is a must-see for first time visitors to Maine. Stonington is the town at the end of Deer Isle. Dozens of islands surrounded by pink granite lie off the coast. I highly recommend taking a kayak or renting one from Old Quarry Ocean Adventures (www.oldquarry.com). We've camped there, too, and it's a perfect spot!
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