To the easternmost piece of U.S.
August 20-September 22, 2008 — Into Maine. Stopped for 94 gallons of diesel @ $4.279/gallon. Happy to see the price of fuel going down just a bit. Thank goodness I had a coupon to save another $2.00, which made the total purchase only $399! Boondocked at Walmart in Biddeford after a bike ride in Kittery.
Parked it at the Hemlock Grove Campground near Kennebunk, ME for a couple of nights. We “visited” George and Barbara Bush’s summer home in Kinnebunkport, ME one evening. They were having a lawn party. We spied on them with our binoculars from a nearby cliff.
Maine: It feels different here. Laid back, slower pace, friendly locals. The angle of the sun makes the colors and shadows take on an ephemeral light that is what inspires great artists. Lush hydrangeas, pines, and aspens too. Sat on a rock on the beach for a picnic dinner not far from George & Barbara’s. The rocks looked like they have a heavy wax job. The ocean was playing gentle waves. All men and most women wear polo shirts and khaki shorts here. EVERY restaurant boasts of having THE best, world famous lobster and clams. Except the Italians. 
Numerous classic cars and Volvos in New England.
08/25/08 After a two-nighter at the Brunswick, ME Walmart, visiting Orr’s Island & Lands End, we move into the Saltwater Farm Campground on the St. George River in Thomaston, ME. The area is enchanting and quiet. We are enamored with this area’s personality and beauty. Fun fact: Maine is the largest blueberry producer in the world, and we are here for the wild blueberry harvests.
Andrew Wyeth’s “Christina’s World”…the Olsen farm house, was just 4 miles down the road from us. After touring the Olsen house, we walked down to the point; met some young lobster men unloading their catch of the day. Bought a couple of freshly caught lobstah (Lou & Nellie) out of the pot for $4.50 /lb. That is a GREAT value compared to $20/lb. and up at local lobsteries. We hand carried them (no sack) back to the car, which felt very strange. I was carrying Lou. He would surprise me by flipping his tail violently. I could only imagine what we must have looked like: a couple of Okies walking up a rural gravel lane, each with a live lobster in one hand. Luckily we had an empty ice chest for them to ride in on their way home. Stuck them in a kettle and left them in the fridge until boiling time! While in the fridge I’d look in on them from time-to-time and Nellie was blowing bubbles. When you listen to them, they make an interesting sound, sort of a gurgling/clicking. Freaky. Can you tell I was fascinated? I successfully cooked each of them to perfection. A huge improvement over the lobster pounder restaurant!
We visited the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, ME. We devoured with our eyes numerous N. C., Andrew, and James Wyeth’s originals. So breathtaking, so inspiring. Incredible talent running in that Wyeth family! Louise Nevelson is another notable that was exhibited. We finished the day with a sunset picnic (bottle of viño verde, pretzels and hummus) next to the Marshall Point Lighthouse at Port Clyde.
Camden, Maine. More enchantment, more beauty! Overnight at Camden Hills State Park. Perfect spot for big rigs. Had lunch in town at the harbor; lots of big, gorgeous boats. Post card views everywhere you looked. The temperature could not be more agreeable. Warm, with cool breeze during the day, cool, clear evenings. We are so fortunate to be here during a dry spell.
Jim’s 61st birthday week. Stayed at Timberland Acres RV Park south of Ellsworth, ME. Very close proximity to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. We hiked, biked and picnicked in Acadia, enjoying a very “pretty” sunset at Pretty Marsh on a mussel covered beach. I found several starfish, including an itsy-bitsy baby one.
For Jim’s birthday this year, we went to the easternmost point of land in the continental U.S. In Quoddy State Park, Lubec, ME, we hiked for 3 1/2 hours over difficult rocky coastal paths and muddy interior paths that led us to a fantasy world; a glacial bog. It harbors unusual plant life, like the pitcher plant, a carnivorous plant. Pretty cool.
Dry camped one night at Walmart in Waterville, ME before settling into Wild Duck Adult RV Park. No, it’s not a nudist park. Nice park, except for the sappy pine trees that left a huge mess to clean off of the bus.
While I was in Tulsa for a week, Jim moved the bus to Bayley’s RV Park in Pine Point, ME, just about a mile and a half from the Wild Duck. It’s 1/2 a mile or so from the beach. They have a fantastic big rig area. After a week of work related isolation we ventured out to Portland for a cold September Saturday evening. Visited Gritty’s, one of Maine’s original brew pubs, for some brown ale and sweet potato fries covered with pulled pork and maple syrup sour cream on the side. QUITE original. Walked several blocks to discover the Brian Boru Public House for outstanding, laid back ambiance, barley tabouli and the best bowl of Mac & Cheese this side of the Rio Grande.
Overall, Maine has a very calm energy, where everyone is happily friendly. Only one complaint: the roads suck. Reminded me of Oklahoma’s bumpity-bumps!
October 10th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Hi,
I enjoyed reading your post about Maine. My mother grew up in Lubec. And I’m a Wyeth fan, too. I’m an artist and my studio is just up the road from the Farnsworth Museum. That’s how I found your blog.
Believe it or not, Andrew Wyeth likes my work! I grew up on his things and to think that he’s been exclaiming over mine is a little overwhelimng. But I’ll take it! It’s pretty cool. Maybe you visited the Mars Hall Gallery in Port Clyde. You passed it anyway. That’s where Mr. Wyeth found my work.
As for what you looked like carrying lobsters by hand… I would say, tourists. LOL And the roads are miserable…sorry about that.
Glad you had a good time here anyway.
Brian