Meandering in Fairy Land

A springtime day trip to Mackworth Island

A short drive from downtown Portland, Machworth Island is one of hose great secrets you want to tell everyone but don't want to spoil.





A legislated bird sanctuary surrounding the "Governor Baxter school for the Deaf" it is open to the public but parking is limited, so I would suggest arriving early.



There is an oddly primeval feeling to the place, despite being so close to the largest town in Maine. It is encircled with beaches, and dotted with man-made features here and there that add interest and intrigue.





There is also a pet cemetary and the "Mackworth Island Community Village"; a magical section of woodland dotted with imaginatively constructed "Fairy Houses" made by children and the young at heart.







It is a nice place just to walk, listen to the sound of the birds singing, and feel at one with nature.



But watch out for ghosts.

Link



Here is an interesting article by Wendy Almeida from "Maine Today"

Link

Stuff Tah See Dis Summa'

(Okay Maine spoken english is usually better than that, lol!)

I am getting snowed in today after looking forward to a trip down to Damariscotta to see my younger brother. So I thought I would make a list of things I want to see and do when the weather calms down. (IF it does...jeez)

1. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Maine. Link

I missed it's grand opening last summer. Boasting 248 waterfront acres, sculpture gardens, a fairy village, oriental gardens, a visitor center, cafe and gift shop; it is now the largest Botanical Garden in New England. From pictures I have seen posted of the gardens on-line, it looks absolutely enchanting.


Check out these on-line slideshows on Flickr-


Link1

Link2

2. Peaks Island-

I have been meaning to go for awhile, but after viewing this "disposable camera tour"

Link

I want all the snow to hurry up and melt so I can take my bike over on the ferry.


3. Visit towns up the coast from Rockland-

Elsworth, Belfast Linconville and Blue hill in particular....I lived so close to this area for most of my life yet seen so little of it...it is quite frustrating.

Slideshow of Downtown Belfast

Slideshow of Ellworth

4. Sebago Lakes Area-
I discovered this area going to a wedding last summer and I hope to experience more of it this summer.

Friends of Sebago

5. Maine State Aquarium- West Boothbay Harbor-

It's not huge and looks like it is geared primarily toward children, but it is near where my brother lives so it should be worth a look.

Link

6. Perry's Nut House- Belfast Maine-
Link

I haven't been in a while, but I feel like I didn't appreciate it then the same way I would now. It is quite the original store, and I would like to take in the town of Belfast and other coastal towns in the area while I'm at it.

7. Looney Lagoon

Link

That Roadside America site gave me some ideas. I would like to check out the "Looney Lagoon" in Bath. It looks like a surreal bunch of sculptures by a swamp, interesting. We go by Bath so often, it would be a sin not to check it out.

8. Lenny The Chocolate Moose-

Link

Just cause it's in nearby Scarborough and gives me an excuse to go to Scarborough Marsh again and then hit the clam shacks. I am thinking of inviting my older brother to come with me... but he might eat him.

9. Davistown Museum- In Libery and Hulls Cove Bar Harbor

Link

With a sculpture gardens, tools jewelry and historical art. I really want to get to the heart of Maine history, and this seems to be the place.

10. Further up the coast- This is my mom's idea-she wants to go up to the Calais area....I'm thinking more Machias as I get motion sickness.


Okay, that's it for now...I'll blog again if I get more ideas...(feel free to suggest something)

I had a nice Autumn daytrip to Ogunquit with my mom

My mom took the weekend off from doing anything so we could go to Ogunquit when the tourists were gone. We stopped at Mainiax on the way there and were pleasantly surprised by the food, atmosphere and service. I had a lobster pie and my mom got a heaping helping of more appetizers than she could eat in three days...I helped.

We parked on near the beach and we were surprised to find it was free. When we went through town,(Perkins Cove) it was quiet, and oddly lifeless compared to the summer months. We took Marginal Way to Perkins Cove, and I tell you; the beauty just hits you in the stomach like a stack of bricks. The town itself is adorable, and nice and quiet in the fall. We stopped at Breaking New Grounds for some overpriced coffee and tea and sat out on the porch with a full view of the cove and the seagulls that flew overhead. We decided it was worth the overpriced coffee for the amazing view; a steal in retrospect.





We walked up shore road on the way back. I took alot of pictures of all the little stores with their Halloween decorations out. (I'll post them later), and this Pink Hotel that didn't seem to end made me chortle.

We stopped at this great little bookstore in town (Ogunquit town) and my mother found two mystery novels she had been looking for for ages. I found this beautiful book "The Arrival" by Shaun Tan, with some of the most inspiring and fantastical artwork I have seen in a while. I thought it would serve as the perfect memento for my day out with my mom, so despite the fact that I should be spending too much money, I purchased it.

Their was the most beautiful pink sunset that evening. While I was trying to take pictures the sound of bagpipes almost made me drop my camera...(beautiful though).

Walking Around Portland

I just had too...after seeing a tourist being told "Stick to the Old Port Area" for the upteenth time, (like the rest of Portland was a total wasteland full of big dangerous men with guns that will waste you as soon as you cross Temple street). I just had to take you on a little verbal "Where to Go" for those with no idea. (I didn't when I first moved here)

Anywho, yes the Old Port area is the place to go for boutique shopping, fine dining and super-intense people watching. I love getting an ice cream and going to Tommy's park on weekends to see half naked men juggling fire while rope-walking. However, for me the real attraction is the architecture and the overall vibe of the place; you can almost see the bloodied old pirates walking out of the Old Port Tavern...er (oh, well you do see them.) Between the cobblestones of Wharf street and grand architecture on Fore Street you feel almost like you are in another space in time. (until the floppy lookng tourist in a hot pink teeshirt and hotpants walks by anyway).

There are many different opportunities to get out onto the water, from whale watches to Windjammer Tours, to Duck Tours, to mailboat runs. Check out the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal if you have time (Eastern Commercial street). I enjoyed their sunset cruise around the islands. I just wish I had brought warmer clothes, food and someone to talk with. There was a group of friends singing and telling stories, I think they had the right idea on how to do it.

I enjoy spending time more in the center of Portland. Monument square often has free concerts, craft shows, festivals and farmers markets in the summers.(Weekends in the summer are screaming with activity all over Portland.)

Near High and Free Street (and High and Congress) are the Portland Museum of art and the Children's Museum of Maine. If you go east on Congress you will pass "Strange Maine" on your right, an interesting old record, video, CD, tape and book store that has all the things you didn't think you wanted at prices that make you smile:) One the same side of the road further up are "Space Gallery" and the Art College Gallery. (What are they calling it these days the "Maine Art Portland College of Portland Art" ?)

On the other side of the street is the Longfellow House. If you don't feel like going in at least check it's lovely secret garden. Then there is the Maine Historical Society building and the Library. (The bathrooms are downstairs, handy to know)

Go on to Monument Square where there are many stores, cafe's and restaurants, then curve down Elm street to Free and Cross Street, and see if there is anything playing at the Nickelodean cinemas that suits your fancy. (I just saw "Becoming Jane" there, and James Mcavoy sure suits my fancy.) If your done with the center of town, go ahead and mosey on down Middle Street to the Old Port.

The "Old Port" is loosely between Center and Franklin Arteriel and Federal street and the water, but most of the action is on Middle, Fore, Wharf, and Commercial between Union and Pearl Street, with Exchange Street serving as the epicenter. When your done there may I suggest moving on to the beaches in Scarborouh, Cape Elizabeth, or if you like a drive, Ogunquit. If you want to do more big brand shopping, go to Freeport or the Maine Mall.

:)

Mounds of Shells

My mother and I recently visited the "Shell Middens" in Damariscotta Link
Damariscotta one of those charming towns many tourists pass on by on their way up the coast. My brother recently moved there and he loves to walk with us to the "Salt Bay Cafe" then walk the beach or socialize with friends at the lovely bookstore cafe downtown.

The Middens themselves should be seen with their historical and folkloric context in mind, otherwise they are just "a pile of shells". They were used for years by native americans as a sort of "trash heap" but for archeologist they are heaps of treasure; broken pots, arrow heads and tools that help us put together a picture of life on the Damariscotta river before Europeans discovered potatoes. All this can feed a sense of magic and mystery engendered by old folk tales about the region.

I will quote from- David Quimby Cushman's; "The history of ancient Sheepscot and Newcastle, including early Pemaquid, Damariscotta, and other contiguous places, from the earliest discovery to the present time; together with the genealogy of more than four hundred families." (1882)

"It is supposed by many that in this vicinity was the lost 'city of New England' called Norumbega, or the ancient city of Arumpeag which is thought to mean the place of men. And on an island in the beautiful bay above, traditions says, was the place where they used to bury their dead." (pg. 315).

Link

(The Davistown museum has such an intriguing website. It really gives one a feel for Maine and it's history. I hope I can get a visit over to their museum sometime. Link)

We then went for a ride up the "River Road" that goes down the Damariscotta river; an interesting ride made more facinating by our place of mind. It is lined with old stone walls, lovely homes and ancient trees that inspire a certain sense of mystery. We parked for a minute at Dodge Point and looked at the maps. Most of the trails were rather long, although there was one up "old farm road" that wasn't too bad...we proposed to come back one day after we did more research (and brought insect repellant)

Then we drove on to Boothbay Harbor--a lovely shining city by the sea. One of my favorite places on the coast, there are so many things there I want to see and do there before I kick off; like visiting the Aquarium, going on a whale watch or eating at that restaurant right over the water that smells so good.

there are allot of great pictures of Boothbay Harbor on Photobucket Link

And while we are at it; here are some of Damariscotta Link

Searching for Norumbega

"a towne half a myle longe" which "hath many streets farr broader than any street in London" the men go naked except for skins about their middle, and wear on their arms and legs "hoopes" of gold and silver . . . "garnished with pearls, divers of them as big as one's thumb." The women wear plates of gold like armor and gold leaves about their middles, and on their limbs bracelets and leg ornaments like the men's. Their houses are round like a dovecote and are upheld by pillars of gold, silver, and crystal.

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I am not expecting a city of gold, I just want to find "That town." I remember it like it was a dream; I was with my dad, we had commissioned to have an adventure; go for a ride on the coast somewhere we hadn't been to. I remember we visited a beautiful little coastal village I hadn't realized was there. Lined with quirky and interesting shops, gallery's, cafe's and restaurants, it was bordered on two sides by water, and it resounded with a preternatural feeling of mystery.

I remember visiting a particular gallery. The owner was full of stories; Andrew Wyeth had recently visited. She pointed to a painting he said he had liked best, one of a view outside a window. He had said he liked it because he was a proponant of painting "where one is". (Or so I was told). I remember we had an ice cream as we wandered around. I circled the village twice so I wouldn't forget it.

I have been wanting to find that town again, but with no luck. At first I was convinced it was Port Clyde, but a visit last summer with my mother blew away that theory. Then I thought, oh yeah, it was Rockport.....nope! In desperation I quized my father... he couldn't remember either.

And so I am left to utilize the modern tools I have at my disposal. I have been looking all over google maps for an unexplored coastal village, an amalgamation of cafes, galleries and restaraunts that I had not yet visited between Camden and Bath. I have yet to come up with anything, going up and down the coast doing searches for cafe's, bookstores, whatever might indicate a rather civilized and interesting seaside town when it hits me; perhaps they don't want to advertise.

I have a theory about the explorer Champlain and the as yet undiscovered "City Of Gold"; Norumbega
It is simply this; Native Americans weren't stupid. They had heard what had become to other "Golden Cities", and quite intelligently refrained from showing him anything worth pillaging.

Native Mainers aren't stupid either; they know what happens when summer people move in and drive home prices through the roof. Perhaps there might be a town or two that quite intelligently refrains from selling itself to our modern day plunderers, "from away".

There are many theories on where "Norumbega" might have been, the main being situated at or near Bangor on the Penobscot. Other theories I have heard bandied about are that it might be on the Damariscotta or St George River somewhere; all around the same area I am looking for my mystery town...hmmmm....

I am going with my mother on Monday to Damariscotta to see my brother and attend a meeting. Perhaps we will go up the "River Road" to Boothbay and see where any of those mysterious looking side roads lead. There is something about that road, it feels so ancient. When I look at the area on google maps (hybrid view) I see some interesting underwater formations between east Edgecomb and East Boothbay....Hmmmm....

Ugh Orchard beach

It is best to approach Old Orchard Beach as a bit of old fashioned americana constantly trying to improve itself. It's still cheesy fun in the summer sun for the whole family, but constriction crews are still there. They finished the great Victorian building, now they are working by the pier. I hope they fix it up some. For someone who grew up in Maine, wanted to go to OOB since I was a child, yet never quite going, then living part time in Santa Monica; the Pier was a bit of an anticlimax.

I had an interesting time, however. I wandered the beaches and took pictures until the restaurants on the Pier opened. I left the Pier to eat in the park due to the noisy teenagers, played a few old time fair games at the arcarde, then perused a book store that was having a sale. (I of course, left with a book that wasn't on sale)

The main drag is also kind of nice, but I still prefer the corners and sides of OOB to the middle. Ocean Park, Pine Point and the campgrounds up the road, all have more of an interesting vibe to them.

If you want a nice, peacefull beach I would suggest Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth. (To get there from Portland, go up 77 towards two-lights until you get to where the road splits to go to two-lights beach. Instead of taken the road that goes to two-lights go straight, you will notice a road on your left right before an ice cream place called "Kettle Kove". Take it, you would regret it.