We are in full-swing preparation for the end-of-summer vacances for which we have been pining for months and months and months. Pining, not planning, though... no time for planning, just pining. The broad strokes of the trip are this: we're renting a car on Friday and leaving directly after work on my last day (hurrah!) and battling the horrendous traffic to kick off our trip with a weekend visit avec our friends in Lebanon. Lebanon, New Hampshire, that is. It's near Hanover (which always makes me think of that Simpson's episode: "In a motel room in Delacroix / drinkin' like a Dartmouth boy / thinkin' 'bout the wrong turns that I took...).
On Monday we're driving up to visit our friends Clayton (recipient of convertible mittens and organic farming apprentice) and Kendra, who live near a wee town called, you betcha, Brooklin, on the Blue Hill Peninsula. E.B. White lived in Brooklin! <= this is basically the only thing I know about it... The only plans we have while we're there? To (1) eat lobster, (2) drive to and hike in Acadia National Park (can you recommend any specific parts to see?) and (3) visit our friend John who works in the blueberry harvest every year at this time. Other than that, Maine is our
Then we fly back to NYC on Saturday, August 13. On the 15th we're off to Fire Island for a few days, then we'll be cityfolking it up again.
This is all to say, first, that I couldn't be more stoked to get out of the city and, second, that I may not be posting regularly again until August 19. But I hope to get some knitting in while we're away, so maybe there will be a little Union Square on the menu when we return... a girl can dream, can't she?
Posted by jess at August 3, 2005 11:56 PMYou so have to go to the top of Cadillac Mountain for Sunrise. It is supposed to be the first place on the East Coast to see sunrise and is absolutely beautiful!
Posted by: Christine at August 4, 2005 6:16 AMI second the suggestion about Cadillac and sunrise -- it's amazing. And there's a nice little yarn store in Blue Hill that has some local Maine yarns -- what better souvenir?
Posted by: Leah at August 4, 2005 6:43 AMThat's so weird, my bf's parents are going to drive to Maine tomorrow and they'll be there for a few days and then go to Nova Scotia on that "cat" boat.
I lived in Maine for a while, but I was down by Rockport/Camden (on the coast, about an hour from Portland)Ill check with my friends if they have any suggestions.
Posted by: yahaira at August 4, 2005 8:45 AMlike yahaira, i lived in the rockport/camden area (yahaira, where did you live?), and if you're going to be on rte 1, you should really stop in rockport to see their harbor. it's breathtaking, and even though it's somewhat east facing, it hosts beautiful sunsets. i never made it to blue hill/castine area but i really wanted to... it's supposed to be goregous. if you're a history buff, see if you can get up to machias for the tavenr where they planned some portion of the revolutionary war and their amazing blueberry festival, as well as eat a slive of wild blueberry pie witha tiny scoop of vanilla ice cream atop it...
also, maine has great radio stations (quoi??) like weru on 89.9 (based in blue hill) and on a good day you can pick up french canadian radio.
Posted by: heatherfeather at August 4, 2005 11:50 AMIf you care for advice from a random unknown reader, everyplace in Acadia is great, but I would particularly recommend a sea kayak trip -- getting a view of the island from out on the cold inky waters is great -- usually seals to be seen. And a stop at the Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound, which you'll pass just before, duh, the Trenton Bridge on your way into Bar Harbor, is a must. I used to make regular trips up there when I was a law student and living in Brooklyn, but now I live in Cali, and I really miss it -- enjoy!
Oh, make sure to have lots of bug repellent -- preferably 100% deet -- I remember the bugs in NH and ME as particularly ravenous.
Posted by: Janet at August 4, 2005 1:43 PMThere are some awesome knit shops up there, in Damariscotta, Blue Hill, and in Camden. And then there's Halcyon Yarn. And best of all is Liz of Pocket Farm blog. She's a really great person and since she's been up there (from NJ) for a few years I'll best she'd be a good person to ask.
Enjoy!
p.s. the public radio station (Office is located on the Blue Hill peninsula) is really great and if you show up and ask nicely, they'll even give you a tour...omigod. and then there's the Blue Hill Bakery...lucky you!
have the loveliest of lovely times, including the time to knit. :)
Posted by: semaphoria at August 4, 2005 5:57 PMooo! Try & go on a puffin cruise in Maine. I went last summer for my birthday and it was so much fun. It's pretty far north in Maine though and several different places offer boats out, you can just google puffin cruise, we saw a bunch of whales and whatnot as well. Plus a lot of cruises donate the money to Audebon.. :D
Enjoy your trip!
Posted by: Amanda Woodward at August 5, 2005 6:49 PMI just got back from Maine a few weeks ago - visited my fam up there!
If you have time for a day trip, I highly reccommend driving to the Great North Woods for a hike in moose country! There are tons of trails - you could hike up part of the Appalachian Trail - it is a blast! And you might even see an enormous antlered creature while you're there! Moosehead Lake isn't called that for no reason!!!
Have fun!
Posted by: Sarah at August 7, 2005 3:10 PMJust an anonymous reader here and how surprised to read today that you're visiting Lebanon, NH! I live here...and not many people visit! Now of course, I'm wondering who your friends are.
A reader and obsessive knitter. No blog but keep considering starting one. Love your knitting, by the way - we have the same taste in projects.
Viv
Posted by: Viv at August 9, 2005 3:17 PM