After lunch it was back on the road.
It was onto Acadia National Park.
Destination: Acadia National Park
Soon I spotted a sign to Bar Harbor.
Journeying to Bar Harbor © Spaswinefood
Our journey had taken us to the gateway to Acadia National Park, the kickoff point for our Great Northern Route (US 2) Adventure. A little further along an Acadia National Park sign appeared.Acadia National Park © Spaswinefood
Exploring Maine: We Explored Maine before Heading Back West
After reaching Acadia National Park we would continue to explore Maine a little before beginning our journey west. However, first we would spend three nights, June 6 -9, taking in the views in and around Acadia National Park.
Seaside, Acadia National Park © Spaswinefood
There is so much to see and do in the park.
Coastal View, Acadia National Park © Spaswinefood
Ocean Highways © Spaswinefood
Ocean Highways, Acadia National Park © Spaswinefood
We stayed at Bass Harbor Campground located in Acadia National Park on the desired quiet side of the island. We based ourselves there while we climatized to the Atlantic Ocean's springtime.
Bass Harbor Campground, © Spaswinefood
Every where we went the trees and the flowers were in full color.Lupins, Bass Harbor © Spaswinefood
Lupins in Bloom © Spaswinefood
Honeysuckle Scrubs, Bass Harbor © Spaswinefood
Spring Blooms, Bass Harbor © Spaswinefood
During our Bass Harbor stay I got to enjoy another blueberry muffin.
Jordan's Restaurant, Bass Harbor © Spaswinefood
YES, finally a blueberry muffin to enjoy!Blueberry Muffin, Jordan's Restaurant © Spaswinefood
Bass Harbor has a good restaurant scene and is well known for its lobster.
Exploring Bass Harbor © Spaswinefood
Lobster Pots, Bass Harbor © Spaswinefood
After exploring we decided on Geddy's Restaurant.
Arriving at Geddy's Restaurant, Bass Harbor © Spaswinefood
Lobster is on the Menu, Geddy's Restaurant © Spaswinefood
The guys decided on lobster, and with wine of course.
CHEERS! Geddy's Restaurant © Spaswinefood
Ready for Lobster, Geddy's Restaurant © Spaswinefood
Of course Karla had the lobster roll.
Lobster Roll, Geddy's Restaurant © Spaswinefood
And, the vegetarian had?
Veggie Burger, Geddy's Restaurant © Spaswinefood
For some Geddy's is the place to enjoy lobster however, lobster is not me.Geddy's Restaurant, Bass Harbor © Spaswinefood
We did manage to have beautiful sunsets during our visit.
Sunset, Bass Harbor © Spaswinefood
Overall the late spring weather was ideal.
Southwest Harbor © Spaswinefood
When we explored Seal Cove we paused to take in the views.
Seal Cove, Maine © Spaswinefood
Enjoying the Views, Seal Cove © Spaswinefood
Acadia National Park was well worth our brief three day stay.
Castine, Maine
After exploring Acadia National Park area on the 9th June we traveled around the peninsula to Castine, one of the oldest towns in New England. Castine is a charming town with cozy inns, scenic views, and plenty of history. On the way to Castine we checked out some of the sites along the way.
Ellsworth © Spaswinefood
Deer Isle © Spaswinefood
We stopped at Stonington to explore and have lunch. It was blueberry muffin and tea for me.
Harbor Cafe, Stonington © Spaswinefood
Here, I enjoyed another blueberry muffin.
Blueberry Muffin, Harbor Cafe, Stonington © Spaswinefood
I was happy to have managed to snag another blueberry muffin at the Harbor Cafe. Some come to Maine for lobster however, for me, it was the blueberry muffins!
Soon we arrived at the home of our friends, Mariane & Wyllys in Castine for two nights (June 9-11). During our visit we stayed in their guest house and toured Castine.
Sunset, Castine © Spaswinefood
Sunset Walk on the Beach, Castine © Spaswinefood
It was great to take in the views.
Taking in the Views, Castine © Spaswinefood
Seaside Views, Castine © Spaswinefood
Of course during our visit we enjoyed Happy Hour!
Happy Hour, Castine © Spaswinefood
YES! lobster was on the menu that evening.
Lobster Dinner, Castine © Spaswinefood
Lobster Time, Castine © Spaswinefood
While everyone enjoyed lobster I had fiddleheads and pasta.
Fiddleheads & Pasta © Spaswinefood
Spending time with friends who live in Castine was indeed awesome.
Our friends arranged a tour of their historic town for us. We learnt about the history of Castine.
Castine Historic Home © Spaswinefood
Historic Home, Castine © Spaswinefood
Castine Historic Home Tour © Spaswinefood
Gated Castine Historic Home © Spaswinefood
Besides well kept historic homes Castine has many other buildings worth noting such as churches, museums, etc. There's lots of history to explore in Castine.
One of Castine's Historic Churches © Spaswinefood
The vegetation was springtime lovely everywhere we went.
Springtime, Castine © Spaswinefood
We toured Castine's waterfront.
Taking in the Views, Castine © Spaswinefood
And yes ,our friends took us on a boat ride.
On the Water, Castine © Spaswinefood
Sea Time, Castine © Spaswinefood
Returning to dock we got to see the big boat up close!
State of Maine, Castine © Spaswinefood
The morning we were leaving Willys made us breakfast.
Pancake & Bacon, Castine © Spaswinefood
Blueberry Pancake, Castine © Spaswinefood
I lucked out having blueberry pancakes that morning!
Of course after a welcoming stay at our friends guest cabin for two nights, we returned to our life on the road.
Time to Leave Castine © Spaswinefood
We would on June 11th begin our journey north to the Canadian border and then head inland.
North on Highway 1 and Inland
Here are a few photos along the route north to Calais.
Cherryfield, North on Route 1 © Spaswinefood
Jonesport, Maine © Spaswinefood
Cutler, Maine © Spaswinefood
We drove onto Calais where there is a border crossing into Canada.
Border Crossing at Maine © Spaswinefood
This is where we stopped our journey north. We also visited Lubec. Lubec is on the St. Croix River across from St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada.
LuBec, Maine © Spaswinefood
We dropped by Quoddy Head State Park in Lubec, Our travels keep us on the US side because of the Canadian travel restrictions during Summer of 2021.Quoddy Head State Park, Lubec © Spaswinefood
Later that day we traveled onto Cobscook Beach State State Park where we overnighted at the campground on the lake. We stayed in a wooded area just uphill from the lake. It was a cold evening after all the warm days.
Xino, Cobscook Beach State State Park © Spaswinefood
Saturday, June 12 we traveled onto Greenland Cove Campground, East Grand Lake, Danford for a night camping at the lake. We even managed to get a site on the lake. Even though the campground was crowded we were happy to have a relaxing site on the lake. It became a very pleasant comfortable day, and turned into a nice sunset over the lake.
Greenland Cove Campground, East Grand Lake, Danford © Spaswinefood
Earlier on the way we stopped in Calais to pickup groceries. Along the way we also took in some of the sights around Calais.
Beaver Pond, Calais © Spaswinefood
A Closer Look: Beaver Pond, Calais © Spaswinefood
Lily Pads, Calais © Spaswinefood
From Danford, next day, we traveled onto an area in Maine that was described as good for fishing.
West on Highway US 2 © Spaswinefood
Millinocket, Maine © Spaswinefood
We would spend June 13-14 (Sunday-Monday) at Big Eddy’s Campground where the fishing is supposedly great. It is a lovely spot!
Off to Big Eddy’s Campground © Spaswinefood
Dusty Roads Enroute to Big Eddy’s Campground © Spaswinefood
We arrived around mid-day and stayed for two nights (June 13 & 14).
Big Eddy’s Campground © Spaswinefood
As summer approached activity was picking up, even in Northern Maine (Coastal Northern Maine is known as Downeast). We were now inland from the coast. During our two hour plus drive to the campground we saw a moose about mid-way along. Even though it came onto the highway I did not manage to get a photo of this magnificent animal. It was a pleasant sunny day.
After lunch the John and Gary tried their hand a fishing. Later it was happy hour, and then dinner.
Xino Taking in the Views, Big Eddy’s Campground © Spaswinefood
Rest Time, Big Eddy’s Campground © Spaswinefood
Next morning, June 14th was an overcast kind of day, with a possibility of rain. The guys went fishing after breakfast.
Big Eddy’s Campground © Spaswinefood
For me it was a great day to get caught up on writing and do some re-organizing. I also thought it was a great time to develop an overall plan for our travels for the next month, or so. Later, we did a tour around dam area.
Dam Area, Big Eddy’s Campground © Spaswinefood
We left after nine the next morning. Yes, there were lots of mosquitos and some black flies at the campground.
Xino: Back on the Road © Spaswinefood
For us it was time to head south to begin our adventure west on the Great Northern Route US 2.
Rainy Day, Lily Bay © Spaswinefood
After giving a hand at fishing at Big Eddy, on June 17 off we went to Millinochel. We picked up a breakfast sandwich, after visiting the local museum. The museum has a great history of fishing in this area. Millinochel © Spaswinefood
Along the way south that day we passed towns like New Vineyard, and Farmington.
Signs along the Highway © Spaswinefood
Highway 2 West & Junction 201 © Spaswinefood
Showhegen, Maine © Spaswinefood
We stopped by The Bakery in Skowhegan.
The Bakery, Skowhegan © Spaswinefood
Later Enjoying The Bakery Treats © Spaswinefood
We would get to enjoy those goodies later at camp.
Rangeley Lakes Region © Spaswinefood
After over a three hour drive to Rangeley, we took a campsite for the nights of June 15 & 16, at the C Campground.
Welcome to Rangeley Lakes Region © Spaswinefood
Time to Fish, Rangeley © Spaswinefood
Fishing Time, Rangeley © Spaswinefood
As we arrived in this area I noticed it started to take on a well served tourist area. I suppose this is because of its easier access to Portland & Southern Maine made this lakeside area desirable.
O.G. it in Rangeley © Spaswinefood
Three Little Rascals Sculpture, Rangeley © Spaswinefood
Forest Hart's Three Little Rascals © Spaswinefood
It rained, just after we setup camp; and so it was good that we planned to cook lentil soup. Karla and Gary join us in our van for salad, soup, wine and chocolate.
Rangeley Legends © Spaswinefood
Next morning I did laundry and John prepped for fishing on the lake. They rented a boat for fishing. This is a well organized and setup campsite.
The following day we traveled south to Rumford, and then onto White Mountains. We camped at a National Forest Camp in the White Mountains. Over the next few days we would tour Maine & New Hampshire border near White Mountains
Coos Canyon Wilderness Campground, Byron, Maine © Spaswinefood
Exploring Coos Canyon Wilderness Campground, Byron © Spaswinefood
From Coos Canyon Wilderness Campground in Byron, Maine we headed west on US 2.
West on US 2 © Spaswinefood
Continuing West on US 2 © Spaswinefood
It was off to the White Mountains and beyond.
White Mountains National Forest Campground © Spaswinefood
White Mountains National Forest Campground © Spaswinefood
We enjoyed taking in the sites. Along the way Stow Corner Store & Cafe was a great place to pickup tasty lunchtime food.
Stow © Spaswinefood
Stow Corner Store & Cafe © Spaswinefood
The time we spent exploring the White Mountains and surrounding area was so delightful. After exploring the White Mountains area off we went to New Hampshire on our Great Northern Adventure along US 2.
Soon we were welcomed to New Hampshire.
Welcome to New Hampshire © Spaswinefood
After leaving Maine we would checkout New Hampshire's Mount Washington area, and then go onto the state park in Goran, New Hampshire for two nights.
Up Next, Great Northern Route (US Highway 2)
We had completed the first lag in our overland travels to Maine, and after spending two weeks in Maine we were now ready to travel west on the Great Northern. After we arrived on the coast of Maine, the Atlantic Ocean at Acadia National Park, our kickoff point, we heading north before following US 2 through Maine. We were ready to take US 2 through the hardwood forests of Vermont’s Green Mountains and the rugged granite peaks of New Hampshire’s White Mountains. These are two very different ranges, even though they are only 50 mi (81 km) apart.
I would like to thank all those who help make this adventure a success. While many start in the state of Washington and follow the U.S. Highway 2 for the majority of the journey until ending in Maine, we drove the route in reverse. Along the way (both I 80 east and US 2 west), we discovered beautiful cities, passed over mountains, passed by numerous lakes, and through many valleys. Our travels took us through the badlands, natural marvels, historical sites, and at times we traveled along the border with Canada. The best time of year for the Great Northern Road Trip (US-2), and sometimes referred to as Route 2, is spring, summer, or fall. I invite you to join me in my the sharing of these overland travels, and adventures elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon and at Spaswinefood on Bluesky and Facebook.
CHEERS!
Sharon
Memories of Travels in Maine
June 2021
© Spaswinefood
Follow me on Bluesky and Facebook
Great Northern Adventure, 2021 © Spaswinefood
Camping, Great Northern Adventure, 2021 © Spaswinefood
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