Down East


 First I want you to know what Down East means. in New England you have to sail downwind to go east.  So it doesn't sound like how you would describe Maine if you're like me, a land lubber.  

Now let's get to the review

Tourist towns are everywhere.  That's not a bad thing, but they do kind of run together.  Cute shops full of stuff I shouldn't buy, restaurants, coffee shops, candy shops, bars.  Are they any better than what you have at home?  Actually, sometimes yeah.  

Portsmouth NH sticks in my mind.  They had a lot of cute, interesting shops, good and bad coffee, and bakeries.  Two very important things to me, coffee and bread.  Now you don't travel to find coffee and bread but while you're there for the history and natural beauty that permeates New England, why not?  I also love that vegetarian options are becoming more available.  For a seafood town, it was surprising.  Plus they have this awesome state motto printed on everything, Live Free or Die!  And how could I fail to mention cute cops (with porn 'staches) who are happy to give site seeing advice as well as coffee and cake reviews.  

Moving on to Vermont.  They are known for cheese!  And flannel.  and it turns out, cider!  Big fan.  In this case we have both cheese and cider in my town, the same and better.  Still we tried it all, and Stowe Vermont is very cute.  The Von Trapp (as in Sound of Music) resort is there.  We found hiking and waterfalls.  I would recommend town for food though.  The Butler's Pantry had the best schnitzel,  

And now on to Maine!  The best thing here?  We went whale watching.  We saw a shit load of whales!  Now keep in mind you can't get close.  Is this for our benefit or theirs?  Don't know.  Still, lots of oohs and ahhs from everyone including the crew.  Mostly we saw fins, but plenty of tales, a couple total breachers, and one side swimmer.  He looked like he was waving at us.  We were in Bar Harbor.  It's a nice tourist town.  It has excellent transportation that'll take you to hotels as well as parks.  The people are nice, and Acadia is right there.   What a beautiful park.  Looking back at my photos, its unbelievably beautiful.  Maybe I was too tired to notice at the time?  I was with DT and she did get us up predawn to head up to Acadia to see the sun rise.  because of the height and longitude, I believe we were one of the first people to see the sun that day.  We then walked around Jordan Pond. See pic above.  Another trick i learned, stand behind cameras on tripods.  I bet they've already scoped out the best shots.  

Now let me talk about DT a minute.  this is a girl who can't relax.  In my younger days I loved it.  A run on the beach?  Yoga?  maybe some cycling?  We were always up early me and her back in the day.  I don't know what happened to me, but now I like my sleep.  Anyway, after our Acadia adventure DT was still raring to go while her sister and I were ready for a nap.  So we left her.  To hike on her own.  Of course she fell and sprained an ankle and had a giant knot on her knee.  But she made it back to the hotel on her own!  remember that transportation system?  She kept ice bags on her injuries, but still insisted on walking around town anyway.  I mean, I get it.  You're on vay-cay.  One doesn't have time for this shit.  Fear of missing out is real.  

So that's my New England adventure.  Here is the world's tallest filing cabinet.  You're welcome.  





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