Photo from the Road: African Mask Number One
Sometimes, you find unusual travel photo opportunities at the most unexpected times. For example, this African mask I came across on a family visit to the zoo. Read more
Mt. Washington Auto Road
Hiking Mt. Washington is a popular thing to do for outdoor enthusiasts visiting the Mt. Washington Valley. Getting to that summit is an attainable goal and the view from the summit is an apt reward. If, however, you happen not to want to execute that climb to get those views, there is an alternative.
The Mt. Washington Auto Road near the Pinkham Notch Visitor’s Center on Rt. 16 is a thrilling way to go. You, your family and your vehicle can make this climb yourselves at your own rate and attain the summit and its rewards, including a ‘This car climbed Mt. Washington’ bumper sticker!
The weather on Mt. Washington is the most unpredictable in the world. No two trips to the summit are the same. The option to drive yourself isn’t available when the snow flies, but if you’re in the area in temperate weather, consider the drive. It’s amazing, memorable, and the story will be worthy of the retelling.
Photo credit: zappowbang
Photo from the Road: Andean Market Women
This image called to me for the taking on a day trip we took with a friend in Ecuador. The back view of virtually identical hair braids streaming down vibrantly colored shawls is a cultural snapshot of the Andes themselves. Read more
Book Review: Travel Yoga
This instruction manual for travel yoga by Darrin Zeer, covers poses you can perform casually in the airport as well as tips for every portion of the trip, including layovers, at the luggage carousel, standing in line for the security check, on the plane, etc. Some of top tips from the book? Read more
Photo from the Road: Amazon River Rescue Bird Number One
This bird was one of many animals we saw at a local Amazon jungle animal rescue and rehabilitation program in Ecuador. Read more
Fireworks in Maine 2010
What a great way to finish a great day in Maine! Because of the more rural nature of Maine, the skies are dark and the fireworks are brilliant as a result. We love our fireworks up here, and there are many displays planned throughout the summer.
The State Fire Marshall has conveniently provided a listing of approved fireworks displays for 2010 on their website. This is a great place to start your planning for including a fireworks display in your visit to Maine. Weather in Maine is variable, to say the least. Always confirm locally that the fireworks will go off as scheduled.
Photo credit: Sabrina Fobes
Photo from the Road: Antique Truck in Ecuador
This truck was a study in nostalgia itself. Seen on a trip the equator, I couldn’t resist stopping to take the picture. Read more
Scribner’s Mill Back to the Past Celebration
This annual event is the major fundraiser for the Scribner’s Mill Preservation group. They pull out all the stops and it is a great historical event. The Back to the Past celebration is always the first weekend in August. The efforts of dozens of volunteers and exhibitors help make this a great experience for the whole family.
There are people demonstrating and selling hand crafted items — e.g., spinners and knitters, a tatter, weavers, and a beader. There is a pig roast. There is music. There are diversions for children. There are antique vehicles like a fire truck that periodically shows how water was taken from the nearby stream to put out a fire. There is the mill itself, an amazing feat of restoration. There is a working blacksmith’s shop. There is the house, which is itself being put back to how it looked in it’s hey day.
It is a marvelous way to spend a day. It helps with the mill restoration and is a great step into Maine history.
Photo credit: Sharife
Yarmouth Clam Festival
It’s July in Maine and time for the annual Yarmouth Clam Festival, an event which involves about 3000 volunteers united to earn funds for Yarmouth’s non-profit organizations, school groups, and churches. This event begins at 6 p.m. on Friday with a parade which is as much fun for spectators as it is for parade participants. Following is three days of wonderful entertainment for the whole family.
Stuff you’ll find at the festival are a broad listing of competitions and events, an impressive craft and art show, and of course, lots and lots of good food, featuring clams — steamed clams, fried clams, clam cakes — lots and lots of clams. If you happen to be in Maine this weekend, check out the Clam Festival website for a listing of events and other information, including directions and parking suggestions.
As a side note, from personal experience, I can tell you to keep an eye out for any of the many yard sales in Yarmouth that are sure to be under way this weekend. As these are generally found on the way to or from the Festival doings, they help make the whole experience interesting.
Photo credit: KitAy
Maine State Parks: Cheap Day Trip Options
Maine has a lot of outdoors for vacationers to enjoy. Parks abound. There is one National Park (Acadia), a piece of the White Mountain National Forest, and 31 or so parks managed by the Maine Bureau of Parks that charge fees. The Appalachian trail passes through or near several of these.
Day passes are completely reasonable to visit one of these parks. Fees for adults range from $4 for residents to $6 for non-residents, depending on the park. For children 11 and under, admission is $1. Senior Maine residents go free; non-residents no more than $4. If you’ll be in Maine for an extended period, like a summer, or live in Maine, consider an annual pass. $70 vehicle pass gets access to all 31 of the fee-charging parks for a year.
Maine’s natural entertainment is it’s biggest tourist asset. If you go to Maine, don’t limit your visit to the beaches. Look into one or more of Maine’s state parks.
Photo Credit: Chris Dag
