Newagen

 We took advantage of a great rate at the Newagen Inn, an old-fashioned resort at the tip of Southport Island. The inn is well-kept; our room was comfortable; the surroundings are beautiful. On a very hot day the pool was welcome, and down by the water there was shade and cool. The inn has an excellent dining room, where we ate very well, and the free breakfast was excellent. The drive down Southport is pretty.

Freeport

 Well, this wasn't a long trip, but we felt we were finally emerging from the COVID captivity and we started slowly. The Harraseeket Inn had a great rate on Booking.com, so off we went. I think it is widely known how beautiful the inn is, but it was even more beautiful in winter without many tourists. We had a pleasant dinner right in the inn's Broad Arrow Tavern. It was our shortest trip, but much enjoyed.

Southwest Harbor

After several months of stay-at-home, we broke out and stayed for two nights at the HarborView Motel and Cottages. We had a cottage (#6) facing theharbor with a great porch. We cooked ourown breakfast and lunch and got takeout from Charlotte's Lobster and Gott's Store. The fried clams from Charlotte's were so over-fried they were almost ashes. The Gott's pizza was good. Before we checked in, we walked the Wonderland Trail, an easy walk with the sea at the end. The next day we climbed St. Sauveur Mountain and Valley Peak for some great views. We found the hike less easy than it had been the last time we were there--30 years ago. In the afternoon we walked the Ship Harbor Trail, which was perhaps the highlight of our trip.

Waterville

Our aim on this quick overnighter was the Colby College Art Museum. It was certainly worth the trip, especially since they had just opened a fantastic exhibit of the various-mode works of Hew Locke. Having had success with its sister motel in Belfast, we stayed at the Fireside Inn and Suites. Again, it was clean and comfortable. Our dinner at Amici's Cucina was just plain superb.

Kennebunkport

For many, this destination would the place to start in Maine, but not for us. We had visited the town several times before, but not for a one-nighter. Post Columbus-Day October, we thought, would be off-season, but now the Maine season stretches to November and the town was far from empty. We stayed at the King's Port Inn, right across the bridge in Kennebunk, well situated for exploration. Dock Square was right across the bridge and if you like to shop, go for it. We had dinner at Federal Jack's. You never leave hungry and they have great beers and ambiance with a harbor view, right above the brewery. Next morning we walked in the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge, and then meandered up the coast on Route 9. Nice piece of Maine.

Rockland

In a cold March we drove to Rockland and settled in at Berry Manor Inn. This beautiful B&B had friendly owners and all the pie you can eat in a pantry that is always open to guests. It is a very comfortable inn. Rockland stays open in the winter and there are many places to dine. We returned to Cafe Miranda, which has a huge menu for such a tiny place. It was very cheery in the cold night. The food was wonderful, all of it, and the wine, too. This place is always crowded: you need a reservation. We had one, but even then had to wait a bit, but it was worth it.

Greenville

After many false starts over the years, we finally got to Moosehead Lake. It was certainly worth the trip, although we endured disappointment when we learned that the MV Katahdin was not running because of a fuel pump problem. Our billet was the Moose Mountain Inn, which is actually a motel, and a very nice one. The lake, of course, is huge and the various perspectives that come with driving around are wonderful. On a short trip to Lily Bay State park there is a gorgeous view from the road, in front of the imposing Blair Hall. Breakfast at Auntie M's was excellent. Our two dinners were at Kelly's Landing, where you can eat on a deck right by the lake, and Flatlanders, both satisfying and inexpensive, though not gourmet. We cheated and spent two nights here, but, after all, it is a long drive!

Weld

Our goal was a one-night escape to the Kawanhee Inn and Restaurant, on Lake Webb in Weld. It was a two-hour drive from home, and we timed it to arrive in Dixfield, close to the inn, at lunchtime. Sometimes in Maine the seafood at restaurants inland is at least as good as what you get at the coast, and such is the case with the Surry Seafood Company in Dixfield. Fabulous sandwiches and great chowder. On to Kawanhee--here we found authentic old camp-type construction, a small inn with adjacent cottages and a famous dining screened porch (also there is dining inside). The rooms are simple but the beds are great. The food was excellent, with good variety in the menu and reasonable prices for the fine quality. You need reservations for dinner, as it is always full. The inn has canoes and kayaks you can borrow, and nice grounds for rusticating.

Belfast

In mid-April, with winter still hanging around, we drove to Belfast, and had an excellent lunch at Nautilus, which has taken over the former Weathervane, right by the water. We crossed the Passagassawakeag River, which is pronounced PASSaGAS-aWAY(and means "joyous fart" in the local tribe's language), and checked into the Fireside Inn. We chose a second floor room, which has a balcony looking at Penobscot Bay. This is an excellent motel, with pool, sauna, hot tub--off season, we had this facility to ourselves. Our dinner in the Ocean's Edge restaurant, attached to the inn, was excellent. None of this was expensive. On the way home we stopped for lunch in Lincolnville, at McLaughlin's Lobster Shack, by the ferry to Isleboro. Always a winner.

York Harbor

We took advantage of a great deal via Travelzoo for a night at the York Harbor Inn plus $25 dining voucher for $89 plus tax. At the end of February there were not many guests at this beautiful old inn, although many locals came to the inn's excellent pub for drinks and dinner. Our room in the main inn was small but complete and immaculate, with a view across the harbor if you stood up. The staff was pleasant and helpful. On a sunny day we crossed the street to the park and descended to the cliff walk. The walk is gorgeous, though footing is not always smooth. That evening we ate in the pub, as the main dining hall was not open. However, they had a full menu and the quality was first-rate, as was the free breakfast the next morning. Years ago we had a family trip to the Inn on the Blues at York Beach. That was fun, but this was a more mature visit!

Warren Island

More camping, this time by water. Warren Island State Park is about half a mile off the coast of Islesboro, near the ferry terminal. We took our old aluminum canoe and paddled out. The island has 11 campsites and maybe half of them were filled in early June. There is plenty of privacy, great beauty, and lots of raspberries. This is great place to camp, or to come by boat, as the state maintains six morrings just offshore.

Sebago Lake

Following our southern winter camping trip, we wanted to round out our book with Maine tenting experiences. We had heard good things about Sebago Lake Campground, a very large campground on Maine's largest Lake. In late May it was not hard to find a spot, and we chose one right near the lake. If we go back, we will choose a site near the back of the campground, instead, as the sites by the lake are small and crowded, even in May, while the rest of the vast space is vacant. It is a beautiful spot and there are plenty of good walks nearby. The State Park is separate from the campground and more interesting.

Hermit Island

Well, we were thinking about being a septuagenarian camping couple and we decided to try our skills at this campground, which is so popular that it sells out as soon as reservations are accepted in January. Fortunately, after Labor Day, things change. All sites are one price, first come-first served. We got there on the Friday after Labor day, checked in, and found all of the beach sites taken, but some beautiful sites available, of which we chose one. It is a rustic campgound, but with great water access and beautiful hiking trails. We loved swimming at the beach, and walking the area. Great tent sites.

Searsport

Having driven by it for years, we decided to stay for a night at the Captain A.V. Nickels Inn, a huge old sea captain's house that is being rehabilitated as a B&B. Because of Internet problems, the owner did not expect us, but put us in a third-floor suite, very elegant, with a large terrace overlooking Penobscot Bay. Two highlights of the trip: first, we drove via Rt. 218 from Wiscasset (then 17, then 131 to 3 to Belfast), which provided a gorgeous slice of Maine and no summer traffic. Second, we had dinner at the Mermaid, in the B&B next door. It was one of our best meals ever on the road.