A simple diary of Merri's meanderings. Some are exotic (Australia!) some more domestic (Texas!). I hope you enjoy my travels.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
June 16 2014 - Moving day--headed to Bar Harbor
Monday is moving day - Hinckley Park, South Portland and Viles Arboretum in Augusta
Steve describes this trip as hit and run, and that is a true descriptor. We are just getting a taste of places and moving on. Monday we moved up to Bar Harbor, and made a few stops along the way.
First up was Hinckley Park in South Portland for birding opportunities. Unless you are a birder or want to walk your dog off-leash, not much for the out of town visitor, but we enjoyed our visit to this small residential park. Took a look at some birds, butterflies, and wildflowers.
However, if you are near Augusta, may I suggest you seek out the Viles Arboretum? It is not a polished, manicured arboretum, but was a worthwhile stop.
An unexpected feature of the visit was the presence of sculptures throughout the property. Here's what it says on the web site:
"Current activities of special note in clude the "Shifting Gears Initiative", bringing art to the Arboretum as a way of introducing visitors to art through nature and nature through art"
The sculptures (I am not sure if all of them) are for sale as well, as a fund raising activity. It is a non-profit organization so looking for funds is always a priority! They have a sign inside that says admission is free, but if you use the restrooms you might consider a donation
They also had a stuffed Moose, which was the closest I was going to get to a Moose on this trip:
Steve headed to where the director said most warblers were hanging out, and I took a more circuitous route through the hosta gardens (so many hosta types!); a rock garden; a lovely setting at a pond; past the Governor's Grove, up to the top of the hill where there was a meadow and I connected with DH again.
Near the rock garden I climbed some stairs to the Johnson Learning Pavilion. I heard some rustling in the underbrush, and it was a very very noisy rustling. Sounded much larger than say a squirrel. I see a brown furry critter with it's mouth full of leaves. It froze, I whipped out my camera and snapped a picture, but not fast enough as it scurried away and all you can see in my picture frame is a brown furry butt. Beaver? I don't know. I didn't get a good enough look, but we have seen a number of beaver lodges, so maybe? And this was right by the pond.
I've seen lots of butterflies along with the plants and flowers, but now I was hungry. I headed back to the car, got out our cooler and picnic stuff, and located a picnic table in the shade. Sandwiches and oranges consumed, we continued on to Bar Harbor.
Thanks to elberko, we found this place. It's very similar in feel to the Pride Motel and Cottages. We had Cottage #2. Nothing fancy, bed, small bathroom with an itty bitty shower, and kitchenette. This one included an oven which is unusual (in my experience) in kitchenettes (usually only stove tops). But no salt and pepper! Most places like this that I have visited at least have those in the cupboards. So when I left I left the salt and pepper shakers I had to buy, the garlic salt, and a small bottle of vegetable oil for the next tenant
It also has a nice screened in porch, and the very best feature is the view out over the lower lawn and meadow, out to Cadillac Mountain.
It is maybe 8 minutes to Bar Harbor, and after unpacking we headed into Bar Harbor to look for dinner. After finding parking (no easy feat at 7 pm on a Sunday evening in Bar Harbor) we walked around town a bit, people watching and enjoying the view into the harbor.
Somewhere I had read some good reviews of this place, although I couldn't remember what they were! But lobster was on the menu so I knew it would work for me.
I had their Downeast Sandwich Special which came with a Lobster Roll, clam chowder, fries, coleslaw, and blueberry pie. DH had the broiled haddock. Naturally he took bites of my lobster roll, a spoonful (or two) of the chowder, and most of the blueberry pie. It all worked out. Lobster roll was good, but not as big of chunks as Bayley's. Clam Chowder was excellent. Blueberry pie was okay.
From here we just wrapped up the day. elberko had also told us where a grocery store was so we wandered around town until we hit Cottage Street and picked up something I could make for dinner the next night in the cottage, and a few odds and ends. After that it was back to the cottage, and with it still being light, sat on the porch for awhile before bed.
Monday is moving day - Hinckley Park, South Portland and Viles Arboretum in Augusta
Steve describes this trip as hit and run, and that is a true descriptor. We are just getting a taste of places and moving on. Monday we moved up to Bar Harbor, and made a few stops along the way.
First up was Hinckley Park in South Portland for birding opportunities. Unless you are a birder or want to walk your dog off-leash, not much for the out of town visitor, but we enjoyed our visit to this small residential park. Took a look at some birds, butterflies, and wildflowers.
However, if you are near Augusta, may I suggest you seek out the Viles Arboretum? It is not a polished, manicured arboretum, but was a worthwhile stop.
An unexpected feature of the visit was the presence of sculptures throughout the property. Here's what it says on the web site:
"Current activities of special note in clude the "Shifting Gears Initiative", bringing art to the Arboretum as a way of introducing visitors to art through nature and nature through art"
The sculptures (I am not sure if all of them) are for sale as well, as a fund raising activity. It is a non-profit organization so looking for funds is always a priority! They have a sign inside that says admission is free, but if you use the restrooms you might consider a donation
They also had a stuffed Moose, which was the closest I was going to get to a Moose on this trip:
Steve headed to where the director said most warblers were hanging out, and I took a more circuitous route through the hosta gardens (so many hosta types!); a rock garden; a lovely setting at a pond; past the Governor's Grove, up to the top of the hill where there was a meadow and I connected with DH again.
Near the rock garden I climbed some stairs to the Johnson Learning Pavilion. I heard some rustling in the underbrush, and it was a very very noisy rustling. Sounded much larger than say a squirrel. I see a brown furry critter with it's mouth full of leaves. It froze, I whipped out my camera and snapped a picture, but not fast enough as it scurried away and all you can see in my picture frame is a brown furry butt. Beaver? I don't know. I didn't get a good enough look, but we have seen a number of beaver lodges, so maybe? And this was right by the pond.
I've seen lots of butterflies along with the plants and flowers, but now I was hungry. I headed back to the car, got out our cooler and picnic stuff, and located a picnic table in the shade. Sandwiches and oranges consumed, we continued on to Bar Harbor.
http://www.vilesarboretum.org/index.php/home
Hutchins Mountain View Cottages
Thanks to elberko, we found this place. It's very similar in feel to the Pride Motel and Cottages. We had Cottage #2. Nothing fancy, bed, small bathroom with an itty bitty shower, and kitchenette. This one included an oven which is unusual (in my experience) in kitchenettes (usually only stove tops). But no salt and pepper! Most places like this that I have visited at least have those in the cupboards. So when I left I left the salt and pepper shakers I had to buy, the garlic salt, and a small bottle of vegetable oil for the next tenant
It also has a nice screened in porch, and the very best feature is the view out over the lower lawn and meadow, out to Cadillac Mountain.
http://www.hutchinscottages.com
It is maybe 8 minutes to Bar Harbor, and after unpacking we headed into Bar Harbor to look for dinner. After finding parking (no easy feat at 7 pm on a Sunday evening in Bar Harbor) we walked around town a bit, people watching and enjoying the view into the harbor.
Finally, we settled back at
West Street Cafe http://weststreetcafe.com
Somewhere I had read some good reviews of this place, although I couldn't remember what they were! But lobster was on the menu so I knew it would work for me.
I had their Downeast Sandwich Special which came with a Lobster Roll, clam chowder, fries, coleslaw, and blueberry pie. DH had the broiled haddock. Naturally he took bites of my lobster roll, a spoonful (or two) of the chowder, and most of the blueberry pie. It all worked out. Lobster roll was good, but not as big of chunks as Bayley's. Clam Chowder was excellent. Blueberry pie was okay.
From here we just wrapped up the day. elberko had also told us where a grocery store was so we wandered around town until we hit Cottage Street and picked up something I could make for dinner the next night in the cottage, and a few odds and ends. After that it was back to the cottage, and with it still being light, sat on the porch for awhile before bed.