Hope, Unity, Washington, Jefferson, Windsor, Chelsea, Augusta, Belgrade, Rome, Farmington, Strong, Phillips … no this is not a quiz question … these are the towns we passed on our drive just of around 100 miles inland. We took a few pics on the way and the leaves were certainly getting more colourful.
We kept our eyes peeled for moose …
… crossed the long distance Appalachian Trail …
… and stopped at Smalls Falls to stretch our legs.
Finally we reached Rangeley, which according to the sign on Main Street is equidistant from the North Pole and the Equator.
It has always been a resort, served in 1900 by the railroad and steamboats, bringing people to fish the spectacularly named Mooselookmeguntic Lake. Today there is year round appeal with fishing, hunting, boating, off-roading and skiing.
The first viewpoint was overlooking Rangeley Lake as we drove into town.
We are staying in the very lovely Rangeley Inn which was first opened in 1877 but has since been moved and expanded and recently restored.
To take advantage of the last of the light we drove up Quill Hill to their 360° viewpoint. The top has been cleared and you can see in every direction – well worth the $10 toll to drive to the top!
You can see Rangeley Lake in the distance in this last one.
returning to town, here is Haley Pond behind the hotel.
Next day we drove the scenic route all the way round Rangeley Lake taking a few pics and making a couple of stops.
Bald Mountain offered a family-friendly hike of 1.3 mile each way, with an ascent of 930ft.
The guidebook suggests wearing orange in hunting season so not to be mistaken for a moose, and Pippin was dressed up for his hike, but we were told not to worry on such a popular route.
The trail started easily enough with a gravel path …
… slowly became tougher with tree roots and stones …
… then having lulled us into a false sense of security, from around halfway became a rocky scramble to the summit … but we made it!
The 360° viewpoint at the top of the fire tower was much more rewarding for having got there under our own steam!
The last viewpoint was at the Height of Land Overlook, but by now it was a little overcast.
… and here’s Rangeley Lake again!
Dee in the gift shop recommended The Hungry Trout – Come Hungry, Leave Happy – and we did, on both evenings! Chris had exhausted the veggie options with mac ‘n’ cheese on the first night but Brian cooked up Asian Tofu just for him while the Saturday night prime rib was to die for.
Tomorrow we leave Maine and head to New Hampshire.
We drove northwards … first up was Eartha, the world’s largest rotating and revolving globe at the DeLorme mapping corporation in Yarmouth. It’s huge… hello Joanna!
Next was the Desert of Maine, a 40 acre expanse of glacial silt which has been a tourist attraction in Freeport since 1925. This became exposed in the C19th through soil erosion when the Tuttle family failed to rotate their crops then over grazed the land, eventually overtaking the whole farm. It has been preserved as a curiosity but slowly vegetation is becoming established once more and covering the sand.
I hadn’t heard of LLBean, but this store was founded in 1912 by its namesake, hunter and fisherman Leon Leonwood Bean in Freeport. Today there is a huge shopping campus open 24hrs daily selling clothing and equipment for every outdoors pursuit imaginable.
Just as we were feeling peckish we saw a huge lobster and had to stop! I had a cup of lobster stew, but I have to admit, having had Maine lobster twice now, that I would still prefer a crab sandwich any day!
All along this part of the coast fingers of land stretch into the sea. We took a detour down to the end of Pemaquid Point to visit the lighthouse, which was looking splendid against the blue sky in the sunshine.
Moody’s diner had been recommended to us by Christopher in Gloucester who said their choice of pies had to be seen to be believed … and he was right! I chose a four berry pie, while Chris opted for the peanut butter cream pie … a deliciously indulgent afternoon treat for us both … thanks Christopher!
Just a little further and we reached Camden, where we had booked a room at the Towne Motel which has been welcoming guests since 1955.It was great to be able to take a short walk into the village for dinner and eat at the Seadog Brewing Co and in the morning breakfast was served in the parlor of the original 1853 house.
We thought we might start with the Mount Battie viewpoint in Camden State Park, but one look out of the window and we realised the summit was shrouded in mist … another grey day in Maine! Instead we headed down the St George Peninsular, catching views along the way.
Marshall Point Lighthouse is at the bottom and has a wooden runway linking the light with the keepers house which makes for a great photo op.
We also took a detour from Spruce Head to Spruce Head Island …
… and out to Penobscot Bay.
After the fabulously sunny day yesterday, today is grey as we set out north on Highway 1, passing very familiar places in a very unfamiliar order – 
We drove a way on the I-95, then took another detour to Cape Elizabeth to see her 
The morning dawned just as miserable, but dry at least, and we wandered into town, first through the Arts quarter, where we 
Off Travelling Together 