Maine, meaning the “mainland”, got its name from a practical nautical term which refers to the region being a mainland, separate from the many surrounding islands. These waters had been feeding the markets in Europe “Maine Cod” since the time of the Vikings, making Maine the true birthplace of the nation, built on a fishing industry.
With more coastline than California at almost 3,500 miles (5,000 if you include the islands), Maine takes 4th place after Alaska, Florida and Louisiana for longest tidal shoreline.
Maine is also the densest archipelago (a group of islands closely scattered in a body of water) in the United States, with over 3,100 islands. Scientists believe the super volcanoes that erupted in Maine 400 million years ago were the biggest in Earth’s history. The photo below taken over Mount Desert Island shows the caldera, or volcano crater, that geoscientists estimated to have been 15 miles long and 15 miles wide.
This state is what road trip dreams are made of. Cruising along the coast where land meets sea, you’ll encounter endless harbors and remote fishing villages with roadside seafood shacks serving fresh catches off a boat from that morning. Venturing inland the state is carved with over 32,000 miles of rivers and dotted with over 6,000 lakes, giving it more freshwater than any state east of the Mississippi River. Topped with mountains and blanketed by wilderness just outside of metropolitan cities, Maine is home to an abundance of activities including white water rafting or an early morning Moose safari. You’ll never feel so alive, and that is why Maine should be on every bucket list.
6 DAY ITINERARY
Day 1
Kittery
Fort McClary
Kennebunkport
Day 2
Portland
The Holy Donut
Becky’s
Lobster Cruise
Portland Headlight
Lobster Shack Restaurant
Day 3 & 4
Mount Desert Island
Bar Harbor
Acadia National Park
Day 5
Stonington
Day 6
Rockland Cafe
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
Private Sailing
Day 1
Grab your coffee, cross the border, and head up the coastal hugging Route 1 to begin your epic roadtrip. The sign entering Maine says it all.
Kittery is just over the border and is Maine’s oldest town, with a maritime history going back to 1623. Though it’s also famous for its shopping outlets that line Route 1, the town is an oasis of old-fashioned charm.
For a quick escape that can be done in under 45 minutes, head out to Fort McClary State Historic Site on Kittery Point.
You’ll have left the hoards on Route 1, and will have some quieter, more tranquil space to yourself at this historic location.
Forts at this site have protected the harbor since the 1600s. Though the original owners were loyalists to the British Crown, during the American Revolution “rebels” took over the fort.
During the 1860s, the Vice President of the United States Private Hannibal Hamlin was called to active duty by his Coast Guard Unit and he reported and served at the fort during his VP tenure. You can spend a little or as much time as you’d like wandering the small grounds. The hexagonal blockhouse on the upper level was used as the officer’s quarters.
The upper level also had a cookhouse, barracks, and a gun powder house.
Not all historic sites allow visitors to roam freely, so it’s a treat when you can, especially for kids.
Cannons were located on both the upper and lower level.
A semi-circular wall protected the lower level’s cannons.
In 1868 all work was suspended on the fort and the granite blocks still lie in their positions on the ground to this day.
This location overlooking Kittery Point is a perfect picnic spot to begin your Maine journey.
A wedding was being staged for later that afternoon during the foggy morning we arrived, but the afternoon sun that would eventually roll in would provide a glorious view.
One of Maine’s 67 lighthouses can also be seen from the fort. Just a 5 minute drive off the beaten path of Route 1 to this fort, makes for a fantastic introduction to this historic maritime state.
The next stop on your trip is a 30 minute drive north to the charming small town of Kennebunkport. This is an extremely popular escape for a classic upscale new England summer vacation, though it has a population of less than 5,000 who stay year round.
Kennebunkport is one of Maine’s oldest towns, and was incorporated prior to Maine existing as a state. It made its fortunes on shipbuilding, and the views of the harbor are superb throughout the quaint downtown.
Start at Walker’s Point for a spectacular view of former president H.W. Bush’s estate. It’s a 3 minute drive from the center of the calm harbor town, whereas here, almighty waves crash into the jagged shore. Park along the road and wander down the pathways that make for easy access to the shoreline.
The house on the Bush Family compound has almost been destroyed twice by the force of this rolling, battering sea, and yet the serenity is undeniable. With an empty vastness expanding to the horizon amidst crashing waves, it feels as if time stands still.
The Memorial at Walker’s Point anchor is where visitors can pay their respects to the late President who spent numerous summers here with his extended family and many leaders and heads of state. Every note, memory and trinket left behind is collected and given to the family, and some will be displayed at the Bush Museum in Houston.
For those feeling more adventurous, there’s a higher calorie burning route back to the road.
Head back into town and explore the downtown village, which gives a sense of a former era.
There’s a simplicity to life here.
The main town can be walked end to end in 5 minutes, with Dock Square in the center. It was surprisingly quiet for Memorial Day Weekend, though we find most places are quiet early in the morning.
Dock Square is packed with small art galleries, museums, and souvenir shops.
I suspect locals feel the pain of a $20 price tag for a lobster roll.
Producing handcrafted sweets for over 35 years, there’s something for all ages.
It feels as if you could get a cavity just from the sweet smell inside. I’m only just noticing the chicken & waffles flavor now, and feel like I have to go back.
Don’t forget to pick up a lobster roll before you leave Kennebunkport. This cute pantry serves up a quick, delicious roll!
Nothing overly complicated, as the lobster is the star of the show. Have a seat on the bench outside and enjoy.
There’s other goodies inside as well like sweet dense muffins served right out of hot cast iron pans.
It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. Every single time.
Kennebunkport’s charming buildings are authentically New England in this picturesque fishing port, so spend a couple of hours here before heading to Portland.
Day 2
Portland is a city shaped by the sea and forged by fire. It was set ablaze and burned to the ground again and again and again, but this city refused to lie down.
The city extends into the waters of beautiful Casco Bay, and its harbor is closer to Europe than any other transatlantic port in the United States.
Portland’s buildings and stately homes reflect its wealth through history with brick Victorians along the treelined streets.
Your first stop of the day is The Holy Donut, which is quickly becoming a Maine legend. With a craving for healthy comfort food, the founder began making donuts from scratch using as many local ingredients as possible, and The Holy Donut was born.
The line is 50 people deep in the Old Port location before they open, and they typically sell out, so head to their two other locations to avoid the wait.
Made from fresh Maine potatoes, every donut, including the famous Maine blueberry donut, is hand cut and made of wholesome ingredients, including only fruit or vegetable dyes instead of artificial color. Since our son was born with a rare genetic condition called Fragile X Syndrome, we avoid artificial color, which causes neuro hyperactivity, so this is a treat we can enjoy.
The not so secret ingredient, adding mashed potatoes, gives the donuts a super moist texture that makes them melt in your mouth. Make sure you try the maple bacon donut.
After securing your donut supply, drive over to a Portland institution called Becky’s Diner for breakfast on Hobson’s Wharf where the locals flock to.
Becky’s Diner was featured on “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” and was opened by a mother of six who serves the dock workers when the doors open at 4 a.m.
There’s both indoor and outdoor seating, and I recommend sitting outside in the salty air amidst the working waterfront in the Old Port.
The lobster benedict is out of this world, and the huge fluffy pancakes were a hit with the kids.
Walk off your breakfast exploring the Old Port’s cobbled stone streets, which look the same as they did in the late 1800s.
Though Portland is a small metro, it has a small town feel, with little traffic or crowds.
The Old Port is where the city began and was the engine of growth for centuries.
This city has withstood the test of time. Native Americans burned the first English settlement to the ground in 1676, and torched it again 14 years later. In 1775 British warships set the city ablaze again. And in 1866, a Fourth of July firework set off an inferno. It rebuilt itself every single time.
The picturesque red brick and ivy streetscapes dominate the Old Port from every angle.
A quick fun stop for all a short walk from the Old Port in the Arts District is Coast City Comics.
It’s a busy little shop full of treasures reminiscent of popular shops in the 1980s.
It’s also complete with a bunch of old school arcade games in the back.
Late morning wander over to the wharf for your lobster cruise. More than 80% of the lobster caught in the US comes from Maine’s waters. The state has relied on this industry for its economy and its identity. A lobster cruise will help you better appreciate this economic engine and family tradition for generations.
A lobster cruise is an unforgettable experience on the waters of Casco Bay where you participate in the daily routines of a Maine Lobsterman. If you do nothing else in Portland, do this. Of the dozens of countries we’ve traveled to, this is one of our top experiences.
Enjoy the sights of the busy waterfront as you wait to set sail.
There’s numerous food stands along the wharf to fuel up from before hauling lobster traps from the ocean floor.
For over 25 years, Lucky Catch Cruises has been taking passengers out to their traps. The cruise leaves from from Long Wharf in the Old Port and the cruises last an hour and a half. It’s an interactive experience allowing passengers to haul up the traps or sit back and relax.
Pulling out of the harbor, you’ll have excellent views of the working port.
Gear up if you plan to work aboard the boat.
During your time aboard, you’ll learn about these fascinating creatures. For example, did you know lobsters grow forever?! The record weight for an American lobster discovered is 45 lbs. Lobsters are also cannibalistic, and so it can be difficult to be profitable if they’ve been left inside the trap together for too long.
Often crabs wander into the traps, and need to be removed. If you don’t mind the risk of a crab’s painful pinch, you’re welcomed to remove the crabs from the trap and toss them back into the ocean.
I passed on the offer, but there was no shortage of volunteers undeterred by the crab claw warning.
You’ll pass a number of lighthouses, including the world famous Portland Head Light.
Spring Point Ledge Light is another lighthouse you’ll pass by. One of the smaller and more unusual lighthouses, it was built in 1897 to warn mariners of a dangerous ledge in Portland Harbor. The light resembles a giant spark plug, sitting at the end of a granite breakwater in South Portland.
The cruise also sails by Fort Scammel, a granite fort designed to protect Portland Harbor. The Army engineer who oversaw construction worked on many famous fortifications, including Fort Knox and the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.
You’re shown how to safely handle a live lobster at the end of the trip.
And offered an opportunity to pose with it.
Let the crew know if you’d like to purchase a lobster caught on the boat, and the restaurant at the dock will cook it for you, along with some sides to go with it.
Mouthwatering seafood restaurants line the busy port. The Old Port Tavern, opened almost 50 years ago in 1973, is the oldest establishment in the Old Port. The restaurant is located in the Mariners Church Building, constructed in 1828. It was a building for the moral and religious instruction of seamen, and declared a National Landmark by the Smithsonian Institute.
The rustic, cozy stone interior offers diners a classic tavern menu. Seated at worn chunky wooden tables, start with the warm lobster bisque, which is exceptional with sweet sherry cream and lobster meat topped with oyster crackers.
You won’t go wrong with the New England fish & chips. Fresh Atlantic haddock served with crispy fries and tangy cole slaw is New England comfort food at its best.
After lunch drive over to East Promenade, a park with green hills sweeping down to Casco Bay. Locals have enjoyed the expansive views since 1836.
Fort Allen Park is located here as well, which is the resting place of the USS Portland, a former naval heavy cruiser ship. This was the only US ship in all 3 major WWII battles (Coral Sea, Midway, Leyte Gulf), and it had returned to Pearl Harbor from a training mission just days after the attack. With many of the biggest gunner ships destroyed, it was entering the battle outnumbered and outgunned.
In 1942 a torpedo nearly rips off her stern, killing 18, but while steaming in circles, her gunners still sink a destroyer from 6 miles out.
The main mast of this cruiser named after the city of Portland rises 80 feet above Fort Allen Park.
Drive over to Cape Elizabeth to spend the remainder of the day. Maine’s oldest operating lighthouse, built during the presidency of George Washington and lit by 16 whale oil lamps, Portland Head Light is among the most photographed lighthouses in all of America.
This is the state’s oldest lighthouse dating to 1791, and soldiers were posted here to warn citizens of coming British attacks during the American Revolution. Today, the US Coast Guard maintains the light and fog signal, with the rest of the property managed by the town of Cape Elizabeth.
The adjacent 90 acre Fort Williams Park offers picnic facilities and a recreation area with some of the most stunning ocean views in all of New England.
The oceanfront picnic tables are a great place to enjoy your donuts overlooking the foggy cliff.
President George Washington appointed Capt. Joseph Greenleaf, a veteran of the American Revolution, as the first keeper. Initially Greenleaf received no salary and instead his payment was the right to fish, farm and live in the keeper’s house. He eventually did ask for a raise.
A cliffside paved walking path loop winds along the coast with unforgettable views.
A pet parrot named Billy lived at the lighthouse for many years. When bad weather approached, Billy would tell the keeper “Let’s start the horn. It’s foggy!”
Electricity came to Portland Head Light in 1929, though the light was dark for three years during World War II.
This is a great place to fly a kite or a drone.
The shots are fantastic if you have a chance to fly here.
Walking the paved path you’ll have various views of the lighthouse.
We ate our donuts at the picnic table, but saved room for dinner on the way home.
The iconic award-winning Lobster Shack at Two Lights on Cape Elizabeth is spectacular. It’s oceanside location and fresh seafood food are hard to beat.
Tip: It can get busy during the summer, so order ahead on the app to avoid the wait and your food will be ready by the time you arrive.
A local landmark since the 1920s, it’s currently being run by the original owner’s great grandchildren, and is open 7 days a week during the summer season.
The food is simple, but outstanding, with a decades-long winning streak for Maine’s Best Lobster Roll.
Make the drive out for this unforgettable meal on the rocky coast of Cape Elizabeth.
Day 3
It’s a 3 hour drive up the coast to the beautiful Mount Desert Island which is home to Bar Harbor, Maine and Acadia National Park, the nation’s easternmost national park. After starting life as a colonial fishing village, Bar Harbor gradually evolved into a Victorian-era getaway for the affluent trying to get back to nature.
Mount Desert island is a big volcano and glacier carved bulb dangling into Penobscot Bay that’s nearly sliced up its center by Maine’s only true fjord, as shown below. Scientists believe the super volcanoes that occurred here 400 million years ago were the biggest in the planet’s history.
If location is your priority, look no further than the Bar Harbor Inn, slung along the water’s edge. The sweeping lawns with inviting Adirondack chairs lends its grandeur to a bygone era.
The Inn sits on 8 beautifully manicured acres with two on-site restaurants, a luxury spa, an outdoor infinity pool, a fitness center, an oceanside walking and jogging path, and a 1 minute walk into the center of town, making it’s location just perfect. Complimentary amenities include a continental breakfast, afternoon coffee and homemade cookies, and parking.
Located harborside in the heart of Bar Harbor overlooking Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands, this Inn is a historic vacation destination with superior service and timeless charm that has been the center of social activities during the summers since before World War I.
The beautifully manicured grounds bursting with color makes walking anywhere on the property an absolute delight.
The historic Reading Room Restaurant overlooking Frenchman Bay has served a long list of guests from around the world, including US President Howard Taft who was provided a grand reception there in 1910. In 1921, ladies were given equal status to men at the club.
After checking in, spend the the afternoon exploring Bar Harbor, and we find exploring is always better with treats in hand.
The town is so small, you’re never really more than a stone’s throw from the water.
Shops and restaurants blanket the town spilling onto the harbor.
The tiny waterfront town is picture perfect from any angle.
A street over from the harbor, shop and restaurants climb the hill and line the town’s central green.
Tucked away in alleys are fun dining spots.
Grab some coffee in town, and head up to Cadillac Mountain by car to watch the sunset.
Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard with sweeping views of the harbor. There are numerous walking trails, including a couple of short half-milers with stunning summit views. However, you can also pull right up in your car to this view.
There are plenty of parking spaces in this lot overlooking Bar Harbor as pictured below.
Stairs stretch down in all directions into the mountain for views with a little more solitude.
Enjoy the panorama on the drive back down as nature prepares to settle in for the evening. No hiking was required for these glorious views, just pull over and take your time absorbing it all.
We usually enjoy dinner in the comforts of our room, which is especially helpful for those with Fragile X Syndrome. The Inn’s crab cakes are outstanding.
Equally outstanding are its views from your private balcony, as we watched Schooner sunset sailings depart regularly from the Inn.
At low tide it’s possible to walk across a sand bank called the Bar Island Land Bridge to Bar Island, shown in the distance beyond the ship below.
Day 4
Rise and shine, it’s time to explore Acadia National Park! Purchase your pass at the park office when they open, and head out to drive the Park Loop Road, which traces the park’s circumference and provides access to the major sites.
The Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast, Acadia National Park, specifically its Park Loop Road, was built and gifted by John D. Rockefeller Jr., to make more accessible to visitors what he regarded “as one of the greatest views in the world.”
The first national park east of the Mississippi River sprawls across half of Mount Desert Island, and is also the nation’s easternmost national park. Acadia National Park was named after the French settlers who were expelled by Canada by the British.
Your first stop is Sand Beach, a wide yellow sand beach with crystal-clear (cold) water.
The lifeguards estimate only ~10% of visitors of the thousands who visit the beach, actually go into the icy water.
Sand Beach is what’s called a natural pocket beach, and is located in an inlet between the granite shores of Mount Desert Island.
The sand is comprised of about 50% sand, and the other 50% made up of mussel, crab shell, and sea urchin fragments created by the pounding surf.
If you get there when the park opens, you likely won’t have to share the beach with anyone.
Thunder Hole is 2 miles down the road and your 2nd stop. It is also handicap accessible.
Timing is essential, and we did not get to witness those famous 40 foot sprays and booms of thunder created by crashing waves into this small deep cavern. The peak time to experience this is 2 hours before high tide.
Less than a mile from Thunder Hole is Otter Cliff, another classic stop along the Park Loop Road.
With far less crowds than some of the other sites, a stop at Otter Cliff is a must for the views alone.
Use caution and stay low while near the edge, since the rocks are often very slippery when wet.
A short path from the parking lot through the spruce trees lands you onto the granite shores of Otter Cliff.
Despite the name, there are no sea otters here, and in fact, there are no sea otters anywhere on the east coast of the United States. Scenes from the Martin Scorsese 2010 film “Shutter Island” were filmed here.
The next stop is Jordan Pond. Glaciers carved this landscape, leaving an exceptionally clear pristine lake, which today is the drinking water supply for Seal Harbor.
The only full service restaurant in the park is the Jordan Pond House, and its specialties are tea and popovers continuing in the late 1800’s tradition of enjoying these while enjoying the views.
The North and South Bubble Mountains are an iconic shot of Acadia National Park and the glacial activity that created this valley landscape.
Because this is a public water supply, no swimming is allowed.
After your stroll around Jordan Pond, head back into Bar Harbor for lunch. It is no wonder that all internet research roads led to this establishment, Side Street Cafe. There will be a line, so get here early for lunch. The lobster mac and cheese was dynamite, and my son’s new favorite dish.
The clam chowder and crab dip are phenomenal starters, and utterly Maine.
A lobster roll’s the order here, and they’re generous with the tender claw and body meat.
After lunch, stop by CJ’s down the street for ice cream, which is made on the premises.
After a busy morning, unwind at the hotel soaking in the views.
Bar Harbor was originally incorporated as the Town of Eden by Samuel Adams in 1796 when he was still governor of Massachusetts.
The infinity swimming pool sits on the water’s edge overlooking the sailboats and schooners as they pass by.
The shore along the Inn is fun to explore as the tide changes.
As the tide goes out, the world beneath the surface is revealed.
It’s slippery, but worth exploring. Though you can’t tell from the photo, there’s plenty of room to walk on rocks that are not covered in plant life.
Since the Inn is situated in the center of Bar Harbor, it’s a 1 minute walk to grab some sweet treats for later in the evening. Even this small slice on the left is decadent enough for the 4 of us to share.
On the walk back, I stopped to admire a sight I don’t see everyday, traps sitting on the side of the road.
Though it was a productive day, retire early enough to enjoy the spectacular sunrise in the morning.
Day 5
This is the first place the sun rises in the US everyday.
Once the sun comes up, get an early start on the day to see Bar Harbor at its best, quiet and empty.
The Shore Path is a beautiful place to walk or jog along the ocean’s edge during sunrise.
Small Bar Harbor is very quiet early in the morning, and an entirely different experience from the tourist bustle later in the day.
You only have to share the town with the birds.
And maybe a lone jogger here and there.
I imagine this serenity is common in the cooler months when the locals are the only ones in town.
But if you’re willing to get up a little early, you’ll have it all to yourselves.
It’s time to discover even quieter shores, an hour and a half drive south to Stonington.
In route to Stonington, we passed a picnic spot with panoramic views, which was an ideal spot to fly the drone.
All of the water we saw in Maine was clear, with great visibility even from the skies.
After the brief stop, we continued south. After passing these signs frequently throughout the road trip, we were disappointed that we never spotted a moose.
Stonington is a small town located on a remote peninsula, well off the beaten tourist path of route 1 shown below, and will only be discovered by those who did their homework in advance of arriving and decided to seek it out.
This coastal village is linked to the mainland by bridges, and for generations both the fishing and quarry industries have flourished here, such that Stonington has caught more lobster than any other Maine port, in terms of pounds.
It was a rainy, foggy New England morning made complete with cups of hot coffee and hot chocolate from this small establishment that was thoughtful enough to erect a tent to keep customers dry while waiting for our hot beverages for the ride out to the island.
This quintessential coastal village was named “Stonington” for its granite quarries carved by a 2 mile thick glacier 20,000 yrs ago.
The 360 million yr old rose granite from these quarries supplied stone to President John F. Kennedy’s memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.
You can park at the wharf and walk to everything, which is just a few feet in each direction along the harbor.
This village, hours off the tourist trail, has roughly 1,000 residents, and 1 in 5 holds a lobster boat license.
There are over 300 lobster boats in the tiny, busy working harbor.
We wasted no time in ordering our first course, fish and chips, while we waited the rain out from inside the car parked along the wharf.
The area was settled by Native Americans 5,000 years ago and Europeans in the 1600s. The town was incorporated in 1897, and today, picturesque buildings still line the narrow downtown streets, transporting you back in time.
The streets rise steeply from the harbor to houses high on the hill.
Stonington is still a working harbor town, which was evident as we observed the morning activity form the wharf.
We weren’t the only observers hungry for our next course.
The lobster boats passed back and forth during their morning runs, and lobster traps can be seen everywhere.
This is the Maine of legend, see it while it lasts.
Do not miss the lobster shack. The fact that they focus on serving only 2 items for the day, as noted on the chalkboard menu, should tell you everything you need to know about how good they are.
The lobster roll is dynamite. Fresh from the ocean, simple with minimal ingredients, and light, leaving room to try more of this shack’s goodness.
The other menu item of the day, the smoked haddock sandwich, was the best, fish sandwich I have ever had. Fresh, flaky, smokiness coupled with sweet mayo and cool tomato and crisp lettuce on a soft bun is worth every hour it took to journey here.
The sun came out just in time for desert, and the town took on a whole new look in sunny skies.
We only spent a couple of hours here, but we bumped into some folks who vacation here regularly, and they were very curious as to how we had found their secret vacation spot, worried word was out.
There is no shortage of photogenic angles.
With the sun out, the fishing village was waking up, but this is still as crowded as it got.
The next stop is the “Lobster Capital of the World”. Welcome to Rockland, Maine, named one of the “20 Best Small Towns to Visit” by the Smithsonian.
Rockland is home to the most windjammers in the United States so I can see why National Geographic named Rockland the “Top Adventure Town in Maine”.
Rockland has an authentic, working waterfront, and is far less touristy than other small Maine coastal towns.
It’s not easy to narrow down coastal Maine destinations, but Rockland easily makes the cut based on 3 epic experiences.
Day 6
Select a hotel with a view of the harbor, and not only will you enjoy painted sky sunrises, but you will also be only a 5 min walk to your unforgettable breakfast, which is epic experience #1 in Rockland, Maine.
An established local favorite is usually always your best bet, and these owners have been serving their locally caught seafood for 30 years.
Complete with massive pained crab claws as wall decor, there’s also plenty of history on the walls to view from your table.
Baked beans have been a staple of Maine’s food culture for the past 150 years. They’re nutritious, economical, and delicious, and are to be enjoyed with breakfast, lunch or dinner.
The haddock fish cake is what they’re famous for, drawing hungry customers from hundreds of miles. Before you dismiss a fishcake for breakfast, just know it skyrocketed to my favorite breakfast of all time. It’s crispy on the outside, but soft, fluffy, and well seasoned on the inside. Looks can be deceiving, because this is to die for.
The second epic experience of the morning is walking the famous Rockland Breakwater that stretches 1.5km into Rockland Harbor with a lighthouse that sits at the end.
Made up of large uneven granite blocks riddled with 0.5m gaps that are dangerously slippery when wet, the view is worth every painful step, but wear proper footwear to minimize risk of a fall.
No matter how long we walked, we never seemed to reach the end.
Fisherman are anchored along the breakwater, along with a few locals who were fishing off of the breakwater.
The waves come right up to the rocks, often leaving puddle as shown below, which has gotten slimy overtime, so you really do have to be careful.
The 1 mile long granite seawall took 18 years to construct and was completed in 1900 after several storms caused serious damage to waterfront structures and ships in the harbor. If you packed a drone, send it up at the end of the breakwater.
The last epic experience is a private sail on Penobscot Bay. We sailed with Captain Linda Hanson, a retired teacher who has spent the last 30 years sailing the world during the summers.
You leave right out of the Public Landing, which is conveniently located in the center of town.
The harbor contained boats of all sizes, including King Baby, the 144 ft. luxury yacht influenced by rock and roll and the jewelry line King Baby.
The Captain was less impressed than we were with King Baby, preferring her gorgeous 1974 Swedish sloop.
It was easy to see why once we pulled out of the harbor, as Captain Linda became one with the boat. Sometimes we helped out with the sails.
She has extensively restored her mahogany and teak topsides.
We passed by the Rockland Breakwater where we had spent ths morning.
We enjoyed snacks as we sailed past busy lobster boats and leisurely sailboats.
Linda has raced and sailed boats all over the world, and just watching her sail was as impressive as the scenery.
It’s an entirely different perspective on the sea, so it’s no wonder humans have been drawn to it through the centuries.
The views from the ocean are a photographer’s dream.
What’s nice about being out on a boat is that it’s a serene place for someone with Fragile X Syndrome, with the busyness of the shore back in the distance.
This section of Maine’s coast is a dramatically beautiful region of the state, with a mix of undeveloped shores and quaint towns.
We thoroughly enjoyed our private sail on the Blue Vayu.
My advice is if you come across a random roadside seafood stand on Maine’s coast, stop.
Knowing our road trip was coming to an end, we may have over ordered.
A little bit of everything on my lap for the journey home, including a lobster roll, fried claims, and fish tacos.
The food can be simple here because it’s that good, and that is one reason you need to visit Maine.
