Summer Trip Tik Day #7

Daytime in Owls Head

Our 4th of July was the perfect attribute to the term lazy days of summer. We were enjoying the incredible weather by sitting around the front yard table and just relaxing with coffee, a magazine or book. By 1 pm we had pulled ourselves together enough to mosy over to the general store, as Martha promised the best haddock melt around for lunch today. (She told me an employee of the Samoset Resort claimed it was better than theirs.) We wove through some streets on our way to see other homes on the water. We later discussed our surprise at an oceanfront home selling for $325,000, and reasoned that the lack of four seasons was the reason it was so inexpensive (They say in Maine there are 2 seasons - winter and the 4th of July). When we arrived, the family was at the store, with Tom and his daughter Caroline manning the ice cream stand and Martha and son Josh in the kitchen. I didn't notice where the oldest was.

We chatted, ordered, chatted some more with other patrons, then took our picnic to the Owl's Head State Park, home of the Owl's Head Lighthouse. The scenery along the walk and at the top were incredible. After some time skipping rocks into the Atlantic at the beach at the bottom, we headed back to the cottage, where we spread out among the Adirondack chairs and lawn. All but I caught a cat nap. I was determined to finish my second book.

Evening in Thomaston

By 7 pm, we were at Athens, a Greek pizza place in the town of Thomaston, adjacent to the festival, live music and location of the 9 pm fireworks. We ate Greek salads and calzones, then walked around the parking lot of the high school, before finding a spot for our blankets on the school lawn. Thomaston was oddly eclectic to me, with historic houses and a beautiful school academy lined up along what seemed to be some low income apartments above store fronts; and a teen hall where dozens of teens were gathered on the street and hanging from second story windows. From my people watching, I saw everything ranging from townies to Kennedy's, body piercings to yacht club emblems. True Americana in every sense of the word. While we joked throughout the seemingly slow going fireworks, we were pleased with the great "finale." Pretty impressive for such a small town. It was our first July 4th fireworks in 60 degrees - it felt good, although Taryn was shivering. 

Hope you all had a patriotic 4th. Tomorrow, we hike Mount Battie in Camden. P.S. Martha, it was the best fish sandwich I've ever had.

Wicked Good

We discovered what that local term means first hand last night, with individual one-and-a-half pound Maine lobstas. A seafood stand in Rockland, Jesse’s, even steams them for you. Hannah, a New England native, taught Taryn the fine art of disassembling and eating the yummy crustaceans. Along with the lobsta, we had organic salad and broccoli purchased at the weekly Farmer’s Market. Before dinner, we enjoyed organic sheep’s brie and a loaf of crusty Italian bread with a crisp chilled glass of Chardonnay. Does life get much better than this?

Happy Hour

After a day shopping in Rockland, a very quaint Main Street filled with restaurants, shops and art galleries, we wound down at our boat house for a glass of vino. In Rockland, we met the daughter of a kayak guy at the Audubon Puffin Project store, who hooked us up for some kayak rentals for the weekend. I think the pictures of our “happy hour” say it all. How awesome!

The Ride To Town

As planned, we rode our bikes to the village of Owls Head for breakfast yesterday. I say village lightly, as it consists of 2 buildings – the post office and the general store – and an island containing a flag, plants and a war memorial. Martha was cookin at the general store and said a big hi to us. The people here are extremely friendly and seem to be happy to see tourists (even the residents), what a concept. Gene and Hannah went light for breakfast with a single chocolate chip pancake… not! (see the picture below)

Summer Trip Tik Day #6

It's 6 am on Thursday and we are finally in Maine. I am sitting at the iron table in the rocky garden in the front of the boat shaped house we rented. Across the pebbly lane, I am watching the sunrise over the private beach while Cheyenne sits on my lap. The property is charming yet unusual at the same time. When we arrived last evening, we descended the sloping path to the water and wondered why this house wasn't built on the water's edge like the abutting neighbors. It didn't take but a minute for North, the 130 pound bear (a Bernese Mountain dog), to test the water up to his knees - which, by the by, are almost the same distance off the ground as mine. The boat house is a mini camp-like studio, with bed, kitchenette, some books and a tv, about 10 steps from the water. We joked that each person would have to sleep alone in the boat house during our stay to see who would last the longest without being spooked. We decided it would be Gene because he would fall asleep in the first 5 minutes.

Inside, the cottage is very New England. Lots of bead board, white paint, rocks, shells and sea items. You know how I like details, and the built in compartments, ship lantern light fixtures, real port holes, and even the lobster butter warmers have occupied my interest. The owner must share my love of symmetry, as there are lots of things lined up, like rocks, shells, dishes, and stacks of magazines. A surprise detail, the bedrooms have no doors like loft living.

This morning, our first item of business is to ride bikes to the Owl's Head General Store for breakfast with owners and Maine natives, Tom and Martha, and their 3 children. According to Tom when we stopped by, it's the best in Owl's Head (the only, arrrh arrrh). Anne Marie heard they have awesome pumpkin whoopie pies, which Taryn keeps confusing with whoopie cushions. Of course, this may be fitting considering our last name.

We each stated our wishes for this vacation over dinner at a diner on Main Street in Rockland last night. There were some common desires to sleep in (which I have failed at thus far), read, ride bikes, kayak, and go to art galleries, museums and state parks. We'll see where the tide takes us.

P.S. I promise to catch up on Days 3 - 5 soon.