We enjoyed a morning of slowly getting up, drinking coffee, walking around a bit outside and then headed to Bangor to exchange our car rental, stopped at the Hannaford Grocery on the way back to Searsport, ate lunch at our boat house outside while watching the ocean and seeing a junior and adult eagle fly by us to their nest. Enjoying some rest by soaking up the sound of the waves, walking the beach and collecting shells, rocks, and driftwood was a nice change of pace for us.

Another lighthouse was calling our name, so we drove to New Harbor to Pemaquid Lighthouse just outside of Bristol, stopped at the grocery again, and then ate dinner at Delvino’s Grill and Pasta House, an Italian restaurant in Belfast. We had bread with garlic cream dip and pizzinas (topped with artichokes, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, fetta, etc…) – all was delicious and the decor was a mix of local history, modern style, Italian and vintage with brick exposed walls and a depth in size. The broad age range of customers (especially many seniors) we saw there was very community oriented and friendly. After dinner, we drove to our home away from home in Searsport.

Our sixth day, we spent exploring Acadia National Park (primarily on Maine’s Mount Desert Island), which included seeing Bubble Rock and visiting the gift shop nearby, where we purchased some fun finds, and driving up Cadillac Mountain (the highest summit in Maine and the first place in the continental United States to see the sunrise during October through March). We enjoyed hiking and taking photos in the area while admiring the amazing nature views. We walked more around Thunder Hole (a rock inlet where waves sound a thunderous crash when hitting the rocky inlet); we also stopped at the nearby gift shop and picked up some delicious blueberry chocolate truffles. We hiked along Otter Cliff Overlook and went to Bar Harbor for a tasty and most satisfying meal at Leary’ Irish Pub (burgers, pub fries, and Maine Root Blueberry Soda). Shopping at Bark Harbor and Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop (since 1886, Maine’s oldest bookstore) afterward, which was close by, as well as various other stores was delightful and the courtyard center was a great place to rest on a bench while we people watched. Later in the evening, playing a game of Battleship at our boat house rental and watching a movie was a perfectly relaxing way to end our adventurous day!

Maine was our big vacation destination this year; we purposefully chose off-season due to not wanting to deal with crowds of people and busyness.  We went to Maine before Memorial Day weekend and were very pleased to see and enjoy such a beautiful state in the spring.  We hope to return repeatedly; we plan to visit sometime in the fall, as well as summer.  We will post a few times about this adventurous and delightful trip.

After our two flights, we arrived at the Bangor Airport and settled into our rental car while admiring the large white clouds hovering above us- the clouds and sky seemed so BIG!  Upon leaving the airport, we were quite hungry for lunch, so we checked out reviews on restaurants in the area and decided to eat at a local joint: Eagle’s Nest Restaurant in Brewer, ME.  The restaurant advertises, “World Famous Lobster Roll”.  We were fortunate to get a window seat that looked on to the Penobscot River and were told by the waitress/owner that people had seen eagles all morning, but we did not see any at this location.  Deciding to split a Lobster Roll was a smart decision, as ½ was enough for each of us and quite yummy.  For dessert, we selected Boston Cream Cake and Strawberry Shortcake.  This provided the perfect meal for a great relaxing start to our Maine vacation!  This first stop had wonderful views, food, and service! 

Next, we went to see Stephen King’s house & property (a red brick house, black gothic-gated property with a carved tree trunk sculpture, and a jumping metal frog).  Afterward, on our way to Searsport, we stopped at Mt. Hope Cemetery, where scenes form the movie, Pet Semetary were filmed.  It was fun trying to recognize the different headstones, trees, and lay of the land we have seen in the movie.

“The soil of a man’s heart is stonier, Louis. A man grows what he can, and he tends it. Because what you buy is what you own. And what you own… always comes home to you.”

– Jud Crandall

In less than an hour’s drive, we arrived at Searsport (our home away from home on this vacation).  Just in view from the property on the water where we were staying, a ship was waiting on a part, as University of Maine students were onboard getting ready to sail to Africa!  We were extremely pleased with the stunning views, friendly hosts, fresh ocean air, and close by, a house built in 1886 that was in the best shape inside and out!

The next morning, we took a 7-mile hike on Sears Island; we got to see Indigo Buntings, woodpeckers, other birds and small wildlife.  We loved the smell of the pines all around and seeing the fiddleheads (ferns starting to grow)!  We walked through the homestead of the Sears family and another farm homestead, as the rock fences remain, as well as some of their home foundations. 

We also hiked to the lighthouse and enjoyed the ocean views!  Fort Point State Park Lighthouse was another lighthouse we visited.  Afterward, while driving, we stopped at an abandoned church building with a sailboat parked by a set of stairs leading up to it to peak into the boat and enjoyed some antiquing on the drive back to our boat house.  In the evening, we chatted with our host and got some sightseeing recommendations, looked for eagles, enjoyed relaxing and our views and ate dinner at Anglers restaurant in Searsport.  For dinner, Feta crusted salmon with cream cheese and Dejon mustard, fried mushrooms, pickled beets, garlic mashed potatoes, and homemade blueberry pie alamode for dessert.  With all of that good exercise, nature, fresh air, relaxation, fun, and food, we slept extremely well both nights.  

Maine Video