The Maine Part

  [Wednesday 9 July]

Today was our Big Day of Reliving the Past in Maine. In 2007, just after we returned from France, Susie took her first pastry chef job at a small cafe in winter Harbor. Located on the side of Frenchman's Bay from the vastly more recognizable Bar Harbor, Winter Harbor was a quiet backwater of summer tourism. But it made a perfect location for us as we eased back into living in the US and trying to figure out what to do with the rest of our lives.

The cafe, J. M. Gerrish's Provisions, was owned by Maine conservationist Roxanne Quimby. She also owned the nearby restaurant Mama's Boy which had an apartment on the top floor. That's where we stayed for the summer. (The restaurant was no long operating.)

Anyway, you can find out more about that summer of 2007 beginning right here.

So, after a wonderful night's sleep we enjoyed a leisurely morning of coffee and toasted bagels in our room. Joyce and Avery picked us up at 10:00 am and off we went on our day's adventure in Maine.

The first stop was at Reny's in Ellsworth. Located about midway between Bangor and Bar Harbor, we had fond memories of many a trip to Ellsworth in 2007 for staples etc. And a quick stop at Reny's, a store that specializes in what one used to call "general merchandise" was a necessity for us since we had to pick up a couple of small items we forgot to pack. From Ellsworth we turned off the main tourist thoroughfare that would eventually lead to Bar Harbor and headed east with Winter Harbor our next destination.

the (only) Main street in Winter Harbor - Gerrish's is at left rear in the photo

We had hoped to check out the interior of  Gerrish's and possibly pick up some sandwiches for picnicking out at Schoodic, but they were closed on Wednesdays. No matter - we grabbed some food from the Downeaster located just across the street.

Gerrish's

Downeaster

From the center of the village it was a short 10-minute drive to Frazer Point for our picnic. Located just before the entrance to the national park, it's a wonderful location with great views of Winter Harbor and Cadillac Mountain. It's also the place several of us spent our last dinner together in 2007:

Frazer Point was hopping today! It appeared there was a large family reunion going on nearby, and it was a gorgeous day to be outside in Maine!

For lunch I had the breakfast BLT on English muffin, Susie had a breakfast sandwich and Joyce and Avery each had toasted bagels.

it may not look like it but this was DELICIOUS

parking was at a premium -- we got the last available space

After lunch we cruised through the park entrance (Joyce had a senior park pass) and drove to Schoodic Point at the very tip. Part of Acadia National Park, for my money this is as good as it's big sister across the bay. There's hiking here, incredible water, fantastic rocks, and the waves, WOW! It's a wonderful place to lose yourself for at least a few moments and enjoy the stunning beauty around you.

Cadillac Mountain and Acadia Park in the distance

Susie

sisters

the waves can be fickle

From the Point we drove along the eastern side of the park overlooking the Gulf of Maine and parked at the Blueberry Hill Trail pullover. 

note the sign -- the rocks along the shore here were so cool!

Susie's memorial cairn for her mom

Susie and Joyce playing with rocks (but not removing them!)

On our way out of town we passed the old Mama's Boy restaurant. It was not being used in 2007 when we worked in Winter Harbor and we lived in the manager's apartment on the top floor.

the old Mama's Boy where we lived in 2007 - today the Treehouse restaurant

Below is the view across the cove from the restaurant. If you're interested, you can check out the same views from back in 2007 along with interior shots of the empty restaurant and our apartment right here.

We had a lovely drive home. Joyce opted to take a short cut around the traffic snarls in Ellsworth, which was a good idea. They dropped us off at our hotel for a little down time before dinner.

J and A returned for us at 5:30 and off we went into downtown Bangor for supper at the Lazy Hound.

Interesting couple at work (no signage for this unique piece)

The service was spot on, the beer - a Lone Pine from Portland I believe -- cold and tasty. And the food was superb! Susie had a Caesar salad with chicken, Joyce a chicken wrap and Avery and I each had smashburgers; he had the classic and mine came with cheddar cheese and diced pickles. The fries and onion rings were well received.

will ya look at the size of that wrap!

From downtown we headed back in the direction of our hotel, stopping briefly at Stephen King's (old) house. He no longer lives in Bangor we're told, having moved to Florida.some time ago. But the house is apparently is slated to be used by a literary club for writers' retreats.

 

note the bats on the top of the gate sides

a wooden sculpture of many of the characters King created over the years

Next door to our hotel is the Fielder's Choice Homemade Ice Cream Stand and Mini Golf, our final adventure for the day. The course was gorgeously landscaped and the four of us had plenty of time to consider our golfing strategies as we moved from challenge to challenge. Susie won with a final score of 58, Joyce second with 65, while Avery and I brought up the tail end with 69 and 68 respectively.

After golf we tucked into some delicious ice cream, having generous "single" scoops. Deelish! 

lots of families out when we arrived

a gorgeous sunset to cap a truly wonderful day

lining up for ice cream and only ice cream - cash only

We said our goodbyes in the parking lot. We enjoyed a very brief but fun filled time with the Caldwells in Maine. And we'll be seeing them in Michigan next week!

We waved as they pulled out and walked the couple hundred meters to our hotel.

Tomorrow it's Route 2 to Vermont!