"You've Gotta Love Maine" Maine by WheninRome

This was our first trip to Maine. We spent about 5 days wandering through the state and at Acadia, and another week at a rental house on Vinalhaven Island. We had a great time.

The weather was a little unseasonably cool for August, but we didn't mind. The seafood was fantastic and the scenery stunning, especially the rocky coast. I would have liked more time to explore the interior of the state, maybe next time.

Despite everything that we had heard about Acadia National Park prior to our vacation in Maine, I must say that Vinalhaven Island proved to be the highlight. Don't get me wrong, Acadia was beautiful, but Vinalhaven was equally as beautiful, more authentic, and less crowded.

Vinalhaven Island is perfect for a one day visit via ferry from Rockland, a week long visit like we did, or an entire summer as some very luck families do. Primarily, though, Vinalhaven is a working lobster island. Bouys denoting lobster trap locations surround the island like blades of grass and it was almost impossible to look out on the ocean during the day without seeing lobster boats plying the waters. Personally, I thought the boats to be beautifull, their work slightly mysterious.

We rented an oceanfront house for a week on a property of approximately 10 acres. If you want to spend more than a day or two on the island (there is one rather disjointed hotel and several nice-looking B&B's on the island) I would recommend renting a house. We spent a relaxed week enjoying the scenery and exploring the island.

Things to do: sitting on a deck chair enjoying the cool ocean breeze while watching the ocean and working lobster boats, visit Lane Island Preserve (a must if doing a one or two day visit) and hike its rocky shoreline, kayaking out to an uninhabited island, buying fish at the sole on-island market, buying fresh lobster direct from the lobster co-op, and swim in an old rock quarry (BE CAREFUL - not like your local swimming pool).

Maine calls itself the Wild Blueberry Capital of the World. I don't know about that, but I had the absolute best, sweetest, most melt in your mouth blueberry pie ever at the Wild Blueberry Festival in Union County Maine. Some Mom's club was baking and selling whole pies, slices or other blueberry pastries out of this barn. First I bought a slice. Then I bought a whole pie. MMMMM - I'm getting hungry.