I guess it is my duty to mostly write about the Harpswell area but this time I am going to tell you about a little overnight trip I made that you could do in a day from here or before or after you leave. DownEast Maine is actual North of Harpswell on Rt 1. The phrase DownEast refers to the way the Sailors from Western Ports sailed downwind toward the East to reach this area. When I think of DownEast I think of the area from Rockland up towards Acadia. Our first stop was the well known Maine State Prison Store where the inmates, turned wood workers have carved out some great furniture and knick knacks. We then ventured on to the Owls Head Transportation Museum, just outside Rockland. My sons favorite part of this stop was his ride in the 1914 Rolls Royce. It was great fun. After a stop for ice cream and stroll down Main Street in Camden we headed to Belfast which was our overnight stop. Belfast has a spectacular Harbor with a neat Main St full of shops and restaurants. The next day we went to a Car Show in Searsport followed by a trip to the Penobscot Bay Maritime Museum ( as you recall Terrence is the Museum nut). The next stop was the main thing on my Bucket List, The Penobscot Bridge Observatory. It is 420 ft up in the Air. We took the Elevator up which took only about a minute. I was a little nervous at first looking out those windows but it was such a great sight that I was thrilled that we took the trip. Next to the Bridge is Fort Knox. The American Revolution and the War of 1812 brought British Ships to the Penobscot River. It took until 1844 for Construction on the Fort to begin and continued for 20 years. The Granite used to build the fort was from a quarry in nearby Waldo. The tunnels and two batteries that were built were quite dark and scary. They actually have ghost tours and overnight camp outs at the Fort.
Next we ventured on to Blue Hill for Lunch. We were also very close to Castine where Maine Maritime Academy is. If we had just a little bit more time I would have loved to gone further North to Acadia National Park which is Celebrating it's 100 th Anniversary this year. We had to get back to Bailey Island to see the Funk Band Motor Booty playing at Cooks and to watch the Fire Works. It was an exhausting 24hrs but so great to see other parts of Maine.
The Inn has been very busy this week. The weather for the Holiday Weekend was picture perfect. The pool is getting lots of use and it is old home week here. All the guests have met over the years from staying and they have made some great friendships. It is so nice to see. We have cut down 2 Evergreen Trees near the front entrance that were blocking the sunlight and growth of some of the flowers. It frees up so much more space for Sue to buy flowers, which may not be a good thing. I have enjoyed watching the Casco Bay Ferry go by on their 2hr cruises every day. I would like to do that this Summer. I will pretend I am a tourist. I am also going to launch my new kayak at Stover's Cove and row to Cooks for Lunch, stay tuned for that.
There is still time to book a room this Summer and Fall so give a call !!
Regards, Alicia
