2019 means it’s time to bring back traditional blogging, right?! I’m hoping that someone, somewhere, somehow, finds value in my upcoming series on random destinations from the past couple of years.
I’m starting with some highlights from the wonderful state of MAINE. I drove up from Boston with my partner for memorial day, and we had an absolutely delightful weekend.
our first stop on the way up was Portland, which is not the state capital. after checking into an unexpectedly sumptuous room at Percy Inn, we wandered around the Old Port for a VERY long time. the weather was gorgeous, so I didn’t mind. we ended up at the Porthole, a restaurant that turns into an outdoor live music scene, right on the water, on balmy weekend evenings. great spot to enjoy a spiked seltzer or Bud Latte.
we continued to stroll in search of food… every restaurant was packed for the holiday. my boss had recommended her brother’s Eventide and Honey Paw restaurants, but we didn’t pull the trigger on reservations (but you definitely should!) we ended up in a random alley, spotted another couple’s dinner spread, and sat down for a seafood feast at Street & Co. I don’t remember what we ate but there was a lot of warm bread and a fig with a garlic flower (the purple thing!)
the next morning, we walked around the farmers’ market before hitting up a Holy Donut (must-do). not sure what flavors we got, but it was amazing. perfect fuel to hit the road to Acadia National Park.
we opted to stay at Thornhedge Inn in Bar Harbor (no, I did not know it’s haunted 🙃). frankly, most of the b&b’s in town looked gorgeous. we got a great room on the top floor, and after a brief nap, we headed out to explore town. highlights included ice cream from Mount Desert Island (super unique flavors) and a sunset harbor cruise (don’t remember which company…)
we headed out early, but not that early, the next morning to hike Acadia. after extensive online research, we decided to first do Beehive Loop Trail. it’s a challenging hike, involving some vertical climbing and in-rock metal steps, but it was so worth it for us. if you’re looking for a more accessible experience, the park has wonderful flat pathways and is gorgeous to drive through!
in closing, a few notes on food. the breakfast menu at Thornhedge was SERIOUSLY exceptional. the innkeeper has an entertaining life story and experience, and it comes through in his food (and breakfast conversation!) on our way home, we stopped in Portsmouth, NH and ended up eating the most outstanding Nepalese rack of lamb at Durbar Square. that’s all.
temps detente 