An impromptu invitation from my impulsive friend led to a day on the scenic by-ways from Mid-Coast Maine to the Western Mountains. The day couldn’t have been more beautiful and we were met at the end – Sugarloaf ski resort – with a lovely arts and crafts fair AND these delicious mini-donuts glazed with apple cider!!
We went, for the first time, to a concert at Darling’s pavilion in Bangor. A hot and steamy affair on a very calm and close August evening – trying to pick up some breezes along with 15,000 or so others.
Anyway – the show was terrific. Keith Urban wowed us all with his guitar playing, tweaking unimaginable and incredible sounds from the instrument; switching to acoustical guitar for more tender songs. He and his fabulous band played for more than two hours straight!
The crowd at the back of the arena went wild when he traipsed his way, singing, to jump onto a small stage and entertain from there.
Maine has some terrific state parks – many of them on the water – so we decided on a little two-night jaunt to Lamoine State Park which is in Downeast, Maine.
The term “down east” is such a typical juxtaposition for Maine! Especially when one considers that the area called Downeast (Washington and Hancock counties) are north! However, dating back to the 1820’s, the term referred to the direction in which the ships sailed from Boston. During the summer the prevailing winds on the Maine coast are from the southwest, so ships headed DOWNwind as they sailed EAST (north). Hence the term. Another anomaly – as ships sailed UPwind to Boston, Mainers refer to going “up to Boston” even though it is south of Maine!
Beautiful sunsets and nice long walks with the water always in sight.
We’ve missed having a camper for short excursions around our beautiful state – a couple of weeks ago I found this cutie of a vintage camper on Craigslist and we snapped her up!
We just returned from an overnight at Springy Pond – friends’ lakeside, wooded property. So beautiful – warm pond water and the scent of pine in the air.
The stars were aligned ** and an impromptu decision to buy tickets on a clear and not too cold day in December to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, in Boothbay, for their Gardens Aglow worked out perfectly.
The stringing of the millions of LED lights is quite a feat, and the outcome is spectacular! We arrived at dusk and the setting sun created some dramatic effects.
..and as the skies darkened, the lights became more and more vivid. Just beautiful!
The greatest gift one can give is thanksgiving. In giving gifts, we give what we can spare, but in giving thanks we give ourselves. BR. DAVID STEINDL-RAST
I give thanks consistently for our family and for the times we get to spend together; for the craziness that ensues; and for our camp where there is space for it all to play out!
A week sped by spending as much time as possible with our Dutch family and their friends Bert and Jantina. They all stayed out in Liberty experiencing “that camp life” and we got together either there or here in Belfast.
Luckily the beautiful Autumn colors were prolonged due to warm, dry weather and they were able to see Stevens Pond and the surrounding countryside in a full blaze of oranges, reds, purples, and yellows. Some canoe paddling was achieved – even a dunking!!! Wood was cut and split and Agnita and I took a lovely hike on Haystack Mountain.
We picked delicious Empire and Macoun apples at Hope Apple Orchard and several pies ensued.
Views from Mount Battie and visit to the Farnsworth in Rockland.
We joined Bert and Jantina for lobster at Young’s on a raining Wednesday evening, but even indoors the ambiance and lobster was great! Likewise at 3Tides. Pizza in the pergola was a perfect evening!
And then the week was over …… much too quickly!
Living in this beautiful rural environment, in the far north-eastern reaches of this vast country has many advantages. One of the many things to be thankful for is the ability to drive 25 minutes along a picturesque rural road to the village of Freedom and cross a footbridge to an old, renovated mill – entering the magical space that is home to The Lost Kitchen.
A little over three years ago, on July 4th, we went to the opening of Erin French’s restaurant in the old Freedom Mill. We have been since, but not since reservations became much sought after. However, last evening we were lucky enough to have been passed down a reservation from friends unable to go.
A fabulous evening with good friends and a total of seven courses (even though only four appear on the menu!) This is probably my favorite restaurant EVER!
Wine selected from the wine cellar on site.
Four happy faces!
First (non-menu) course – delicious cheeses, bread, pickled beets, radishes, almonds, olives.
Ooops! where are they! Second (non-menu) course – Pemaquid oysters with apple, onion, dill vinaigrette.
Third (non-menu course) – juicy pork burgers with blue cheese – oh! my!
Refreshing sorbet in Erin’s signature dishes!
Now to the menu!