The Rain in Maine

As promised, here's a post about my east coast trip (well, at least part of it).

I must admit, I was not in a documentary mood on our trip to Maine.  

I was too busy absorbing the views and savoring the rain and fog.  Living in a semi-arid climate means I truly lust for rain and soggy weather.  And Maine didn't disappoint!

After a day of shopping in Freeport, we headed up the coast.  Here's a view of charming Camden where we stopped for (a really, really good) supper:

The coast drive to Bar Harbor was stunning, but also exhausting in the pouring rain and traffic.  I was never so happy to get to our hotel, The Bayview Inn.  Here's a panoramic view from our room the next morning:

Yes, it really is morning.  Rain and more fog...

The first day, I was very excited to visit Cadillac Mountain, located on Mount Desert (pronounced dessert) Island in beautiful Acadia National Park.  It is the highest point on the Atlantic Coast and the first place to see the sunrise there, or so I've heard.  

Apparently the ocean views are fantastic:

I think I am looking in the right direction, but I don't see any ocean.  
Do you see an ocean?

I was a bit sad that the weather didn't cooperate.  We were cold and wet most of the time, but not unhappy.  I really like melancholy places.  And my new Maine sweatshirt kept me warm, if not fashionable.  

We did see a lot of very nice trees and rocks which reminded me of Canada's east coast and Cape Breton Island:  

(I did buy some wonderful Maine blueberry tea at the gift shop, so all was not lost). 

We visited the town of Bar Harbor the following day, where (quel surprise!) it also rained:

It continued to rain as we walked along the gorgeous Shore Path, which I enjoyed terribly well, except for wet feet and a cold nose.

Beatrix Farrand, the famous landscape architect who Loi (link below) just mentioned, was a major proponents for development of this lovely shore walk (a coastal trail about a mile, starting in downtown Bar Harbor):

The next day, we ventured all around Mount Desert Island a little more, ate lobster and had a grand old time.  I loved the many small inlets and harbors, although I forget where this one was:

Despite the rain, we adored Maine.  The coast is truly beautiful although the interior is just full of trees and looks precisely like eastern Canada, and the people talk really funny (just kidding...I think they thought we talked funny).  I fell in love with it and want to buy a house there and take up painting and lobster-eating full time.

If you want to see what it looks like on a sunny day, you can visit Loi Thai's gorgeous (as always) post here.  

And here's my advice:  Before you die, visit Maine.  Just make sure to book a room if you're visiting the coast.  And book lots and lots of extra time for stopping and staring at all the beautiful things.

Happy weekend!