Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for maine
A Gem of a Town
By Linda Tancs
Scenic Norway, Maine, is a gem of a town–literally. The little village in the heart of the Oxford Hills region boasts a gemstone quarry where you can mine for tourmaline, quartz, rose quartz or crystal. No surprise that it’s called a gemstone capital of the state. Another hidden gem (pun intended) is the town’s illustrious history as the center of snowshoe production. Its once thriving industry earned it the moniker, “Snowshoe Capital of the World,” its goods even reaching the North Pole thanks to the Peary expedition of 1909. Ready for a treasure hunt? Then head for the hills.
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Mink in Maine
By Linda Tancs
Mink is an elusive animal in Isle au Haut, an island off the coast of Maine so remote that you need to take a mailboat from Stonington to get there. French explorer Samuel Champlain noted the island in 1604 and named it Isle au Haut (High Island) because it is the tallest island in Penobscot Bay. Not surprisingly, the year-round population is rather small (less than 100) but nonetheless dedicated to preserving their island way of life. This is the place to take a breather from the hustle and bustle of daily life–troll for seafood or native berries, or get lost in the park. About half the island, or 2,700 acres, is part of Acadia National Park. Techies needn’t worry. The Town Hall is equipped with free, high speed wireless internet access.
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Maine’s Leading Lady
By Linda Tancs
First lit on January 10, 1791, the Lighthouse at Portland Head is Maine’s leading lady according to visitors to the Pine Tree State. Situated in Cape Elizabeth, this postcard-worthy icon adorns the shores of Fort Williams Park, a 90-acre retreat offering magnificent views of Ram Island Ledge Light and the islands of Casco Bay. The park is open all year; the lighthouse museum opens daily during the summer season until mid-October.
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The Maine Event
By Linda Tancs
Maine. Lobster. Perfect together. So of course the Maine event (okay, I couldn’t resist the pun) in Vacationland is the annual Lobster Festival today through 7 August at Rockland’s Harbor Park, less than two hours from Portland. Today is Hometown Day, and admission is free to kickoff the festivities. Not that you’ll mind the eight dollars for adults and two dollars for children (ages 6 to 12) thereafter for your crack at nearly 20,000 pounds of Maine’s proudest export. So nip along smartly before it’s all gone.
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Lakes Aplenty
By Linda Tancs
To call Rangely, Maine a “lake district” is surely an understatement. This western part of the state is embraced by 112 interconnected lakes and ponds scattered throughout the region, the centerpiece of which is Rangeley Lake. A quiet village, Rangely can boast of two unusual things: no traffic light and a sign in town that places it midway between the Equator and the North Pole. Clearly a boater’s paradise in summer, year-round recreational activities include fishing, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, wildlife watching, and leaf peeping. Add to that: watching the sunset over Mooselookmeguntic Lake. Awesome.
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The Maine Event
By Linda Tancs
As hurricane Hanna threatens to rumble up the Atlantic Coast, I can’t help but think about how many sailors found safe harbor in the midst of America’s lighthouses along the coast. Although they may have been replaced technologically by radar and other systems, these unwavering oceanic icons represent the adventuresome spirit of those whose lives depended on that guiding light. Did you know that Maine has over 60 lighthouses dotting the coast? West Quoddy Head is the easternmost lighthouse in the United States. You can visit a good many of them just by cruising down Route 1. Now there’s a group of northern lights you won’t want to miss.
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