Ogunquit, Portland and Bar Harbor are divine.

Nature, food and history are the makings for good times and the defining qualities of Maine.

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I’m mainly here to discuss Maine, in fact, that is all we’ll discuss. Let me disclose upfront that we’re not moving to Maine so there will be no cliffhanger in that regard. Maine is a swift kick to the jugular of splendor. It’s a feast for the eyes and for your appetite. They have tons of restaurants, breweries, hiking trails and general tourist fodder. If I were a rich man, I’d own a cabin here. Prepare for some history, as they’ve got plenty of that. We learned that Paul Revere wasn’t the sole rider that alerted colonists to approaching redcoats. History books have lied to you but I will not. It’s time, once again, for Leons’ Great Escape.

A MAJOR MILESTONE

We left Massachusetts with a major goal in mind. Since this trip was but a germ of an idea, reaching Maine and seeing Acadia was a linchpin for success. 274 miles were all that stood between us and that landmark event.

OGUNQUIT

But we’d need to eat and the PB&Js had gone stale. You’d be a great fool not to stop in Ogunquit to eat the buffalo tossed beer battered cheese curds at Food For Thought. They also stock Austin Beer CO’s Pale Ale and it’s refreshing.

Back on the road for another 200 miles or so.

ACADIA

If I had any preconceptions that I’d seen what America had to offer for pristine nature, then I was sorely mistaken. Acadia, Maine takes the proverbial cake. It’s microphone droppin time. Jaw, meet floor. Our stay at Narrows Too Camping Resort was expensive. This was another $80 per night joint but that’s the price you pay to be up here during this time of year. We were practically on the water, too, so there’s that. If you’re here when it gets cold, then you’re nuts. You must, however, drive the scenic route up to the top of Cadillac Mountain and take in the quaint and picturesque Bar Harbor, then go to Fogtown Brewing Company in the nearby town of Ellsworth. Bar Harbor is the rule and not the exception for lobster in Maine. The Travelin Lobster is mouthwatering. I suggest you go here if you can. If it was your only lobster experience in Maine, then you’d be okay with that. Another rule, which we didn’t learn until arriving in Maine, is to eat their wild blueberry everything. If it can be made with blueberry, then someone in Maine will make it and sell it to you. Candice bought some local blueberry herbal tea at The Bar Harbor Tea Company that she is still sippin on. This was just one of many shops and eateries to enjoy while walking along Main Street in the Harbor.

PREPARE FOR PORTLAND

Portland, Maine is a foodie mecca. Bon Appétit magazine named Portland the City of the Year in 2018 and all they do is gossip about food. Portland was just about half the cost of Acadia for space rent. We paid $45 per night at Wassamki Springs Campground.

THE DUCK

We thought Pepper would enjoy the Duck Tour in Portland after passing it on the street. And she did enjoy it, as a place to take a nap. We learned some things at least and got a chance to get on the water. This is… I guess we could just read from their website:

As you twist and turn through the Old Port aboard Maine’s famous, modern land and sea vehicle, or “Duck”, we’ll tell you about the legends and lore that have shaped Portland into one of the most historical cities in the nation.

Learn about places of interest to visit and many little known facts about the city that is nicknamed “The Phoenix.”

The city’s nickname of “The Phoenix” is there because the place burned down three times and then subsequently rebuilt with fervor. Portland is no flash in the pan. I’m glad that they didn’t throw in the towel.

THE HOLY DONUT

How fat would you like to be? The Holy Donut has a mission from god and that mission is to make you pudgy. Some folks cringe when they hear the word moist. Moist. But, moist, is the correct word to describe these food coma inducing delectables. Their not so secret ingredient is the inclusion of Maine potatoes which give them their signature density and moistness.

LIQUID RIOT

Haven’t got your fill of carbs yet? The fresh made pretzels at Liquid Riot are savory pillows of Maillard heaven. They’ve got nearly any liquid you’d like to pair with it which they manufacturer on site. Yes, they are a restaurant, brewery and distillery. Talk about being able to walk and chew gum.

STREET & CO

I should probably leave the laureates to explain the bliss that is Street & Co. It’s a regular tear-jerker. If you want a hot date night, then go here. If you want to be the only table with a highchair and an order of milk with a straw, then you’d be us.

ALLAGASH

Maine has over 90 breweries. I’m a fan of Allagash and it turns out that Los Angeles is where they sell something like 12 or 15% of their product. Angelenos love that Allagash White. Visit their taproom and you won’t be disappointed. There is also an airstream food truck parked out front that will prepare lobster rolls for you done three ways. Delicious.

DEFINITIVE BREWING COMPANY

You can walk to a few breweries in this area and make a day of it if you want. We only had time to hit up Allagash and Definitive Brewing Company which is located directly across the street from Allagash. No complaints about them. Try their Kolsch.

Kolsch is a unique style in that it is fermented with ale yeast, but then finished with lagering. The result is the best of both worlds: A light easy drinking pale that finishes crisp and clean.

HIGHROLLER LOBSTER CO.

The Highroller Lobster Co. was established in 2015 as a food cart and has blossomed since. Fresh Maine lobster and crab, on brioche rolls baked daily from Southside Bakery. They also offer a lobster lollipop.

DID YOU KNOW?

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was a fraud. He embellished about Paul Revere. Longfellow lived in Portland, Maine and is one of our country's most famous poets. He wrote the poem, "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere."

“Listen, my children, and you shall hear. Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-Five: Hardly a man is now alive…”

And so it goes… The thing is that Paul wasn’t the successful rider of that night. Paul did set out to warn us of the British invasion but he was captured early on. Lucky for America, Paul wasn’t alone. He was the only rider to be immortalized. Longfellow noted that the poem wasn’t about historical accuracy but instead a dramatization of patriotism.

“There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.” - Truman

NEXT CHAPTER

We’re on to New Hampshire next. Our Aunt lives there so we’ve got some catching up to do. We’ve also got to figure out where to live because living in this motorhome has its unpleasant moments. It also has moments we’ll treasure forever and ever but the unpleasant ones are… ever present. Plus, we have an allocated budget that is engulfed in flames and, unlike The Phoenix, will not be reborn. Cross country RVing is twice as expensive and emotionally draining as we thought it would be. Our desire for nomadic wandering has waned. There is something to be said for familiarity. Our sampler platter of US cities has refined our palates and sharpened our focus on where we’d like to raise our family. Stay tuned if you’d like to see how this whole rigmarole wraps up!