Travel Blog

A few weeks ago, Laura and I made a routine visit to Farmington, Maine, one of many of our home’s neighboring towns. We visit Farmington regularly for oftentimes the same reasons; to shop for odds and ends, to poke around a new store or two, or to visit the public library. Surprisingly, as routine as our trips are, they usually provide new experiences. On our most recent visit, we were gifted some stunning mountain views along with classic New England winter sidewalk excursions. Farmington rarely disappoints and if you hang around long enough, something is bound to happen. During this particular visit, after talking with a few friends, we stopped by Twice Sold Tales, a used book store. I have a new interest and I wanted to see if the store could help. Spoiler alert: it can. I tell you all about it in this post. I also recollect upon an old advertising campaign from the 1980s that has to do with reading. If you’re a reader, you’ll want to read this. If you’re not, you’ll still want to read this. To see what the heck I’m talking about, I highly encourage you to click through to…read my post. Continue reading…

Country stores have been around Maine and the rest of New England for centuries. They were actually first seen during the colonial period, way back in the 1600s. Oftentimes created by traveling peddlers, country stores can still be found at the busier parts of rural areas. That’s because the peddlers of yesteryear were smart – they knew where people could effortlessly find them to purchase what they needed at the time. New England country stores are incredible places. They sell all sorts of things, from traveling necessities still in use through the ages to much more modern items like ice fishing sleds, produce, beans, nuts, and nails. The store we visited on this particular day even sold high quality wine. I suppose it’s adapted to the wants and needs of today’s patron. In this post, I discuss the country store Laura and I visited in December of 2023. I also discuss what we did after leaving the store – we made our way around North Pond and then to Mercer. We spent an exciting day exploring our little corner of Maine and it was a lot of fun. If you’re interested in reading about it and looking at lots of photos, I encourage you to click through to visit this post. Thanks! Continue reading…

I enjoyed writing this post a lot. It includes much that’s near and dear to my heart: a book about stories, a movie and its soundtrack, one of the most lovely towns on the Maine coast, and a thin slice of a typing lesson. What more can a guy ask for? To start, I’ll tell you that I’m currently reading a book called, Object Lessons: The Paris Review. I discuss it here. It’s an excellent book for those who love writing and short stories. It’d be perfect for those who are studying critical analysis as well as comparative literature. Or for those who simply like to read. After that, I discuss a Christmas movie called Last Christmas. Nearly the entire soundtrack includes George Michael songs, so if you’re a George Michael fan, it’s a must see. There’s a nice twist near the end. I also talk about our recent trip to Camden, Maine at Christmas and then I delve into the interesting world of typing. Do you leave one space or two after a period while you type? I know, I know, exciting stuff. I get into it in this post. Click on through to read more. Continue reading…

A long-time Christmas tradition seems to be falling by the wayside in many parts of the world. It’s a shame, really. Many of us love Christmas and the traditions that come along with it. If that’s true, why don’t more of us participate in those traditions? I ask this question in this post and I attempt to answer it as well. And after I tend to this rather serious discussion, I tend to an amusing story that you’ll be sure to love. I loved writing it and I’m hopeful it’ll strike the right chord with you while reading. After that, I discuss a recent trip to Rockport, Maine, one of the most beautiful seaside towns in America. I show off a few photos and share about our adventure there. Finally, I give you a glimpse into the latest winter wonderland this side of Maine has to offer. Early winter is just the best and there really is no lovelier time of year. Click through to check is all out. Continue reading…

A long time ago, someone called Camden “The Jewel of the Coast” and that name stuck. I’ve seen it everywhere. I suppose it stuck for a reason – Camden is absolutely stunning. Especially in December when all of their Christmas lights are on full display. We enjoy visiting the Maine coast during the winter months so much more than during the summer. There are far fewer people, the air is crisp, and everything is lit up. Out of all the towns in Maine we’ve visited so far, Camden has established itself as a favorite. The people of Camden just seem to know how to do things right. The entire Main Street is so inviting, the small shops are full of interesting gifts and people, and a simple walk is as enjoyable as they come. You’d think the Maine coast during the winter months would be windy, full of snow, and unbearable. While that surely can be the case, it can also be the most delightful place in the world. I actually can’t think of anyplace better. In this post, I first share a few facts about Camden and then I show off the photos I took during our most recent visit. You really need to click through to see them. Continue reading…

A little of everything: midnight mass, a tour of the Rockland Breakwater, a simple and tasty recipe, and a story about some wild, wild weather. This is an action-packed post. Perhaps the first story is nothing more than a reflection or a recollection, but it’s still fun to read. The real fun begins a bit further down the page where I discuss our recent trip to Rockland, Maine. We experienced some, let’s just say…interesting weather while walking from the breakwater lighthouse back to shore, but that was nothing compared to the flooding we experienced toward the end of December. I’ve even included photos of some of the damage. Click through to read this post – I think you’ll enjoy it. There’s a lot going on inside. Continue reading…

It’s not every day someone gets to roam around Maine’s coastal towns during the month of December. Most folks usually visit during the summer months. I have to tell you though, winter is actually my favorite time to get out and about. There are very few people to navigate around, the towns are virtually mine, and to me, the landscape just looks more appealing. Instead of the trees being covered with green, each and every branch and twig is clearly visible. It makes for some wonderful photography. And one more thing – because the sun hangs so low in the sky, the lighting is simply outstanding. In today’s post, I share a healthy 38 photos of one of Maine’s most beautiful towns – Rockport. It’s a small place and generally not on the average person’s radar, but trust me when I say that if you’d like to experience quintessential New England, and more specifically, Maine, this town is a must see. It screams harbor and white clapboard and libraries and churches. And the best part is that it’s nestled right between Camden and Rockland, two other stunning Maine coastal locales. Click through to view all my photos as well as read my commentary on each. Continue reading…

Of the 65 lighthouses along Maine’s coastline, the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse might just be the most interesting. It’s not the best looking lighthouse to be sure, but it does rest at the end of a very long breakwater. That breakwater is walkable year round and if you’re lucky enough to meet some wind and snow while you’re walking it, all the better. In this post, I talk about a recent trip my lady and I made to an attractive little town in Maine called Rockland. Before this trip, I’d never stepped foot in Rockland, so I was pleasantly surprised when I found gift shops and boutiques, coffee shops and art galleries, antique stores and even the well known Project Puffin Visitor Center – all right along Main Street. There was a lot to see in Rockland and we saw a mere fraction of it. The real goal was to walk to the lighthouse. We did that. How did we fare? Well, you’ll just need to click through to find out. I ended up taking over 400 photos during the day, some of which I share in this post. I think you’ll enjoy looking at the photos. I sure do. Continue reading…

Harpswell, Maine is a natural wonder that’s hidden to most of the world. If you live or vacation nearby, you may be quite familiar with the town, but if you’re located in farther away parts of the world, it’s likely a mystery. Harpswell is a coastal Maine town that sits due south of Brunswick and is just a hop, skip, and jump away from Interstate 295. From Boston and Portsmouth, the trip north would take only a few hours. Once in Harpswell, you’ll enjoy fishing, sightseeing, hiking, eating lots of seafood, and lounging around. The entire area is relaxed and inviting and you likely won’t run out of things to do. I had the pleasure of visiting recently and I took plenty of photos to prove it. Click through to browse through them and to read my commentary on our activities. And if you’re so inclined, please leave a comment at the bottom of the page just to say hi. Continue reading…

Quill Hill is one of western Maine’s best enjoyed assets. It’s a mountaintop that’s easily accessible to just about anyone. You can drive a regular car, a truck, ATV, side-by-side – whatever you’d like – even an RV, up the well maintained (smooth) dirt road. The land (mountain) is privately owned, so it’s important to respect it, and if you can, donate to it to keep the road and lookout area in top shape. The peak of the mountain boasts an elevation of 2848′ and it offers 360° views. If you’re in the area, it’s a definite must visit. In this post, you’ll read about our trip to Quill Hill and you’ll find photos of the stunning scenery. The area truly is magical and an autumn visit is surely worth the time and effort. Continue reading…