Brash self promotion: This holiday season, why not give someone you know who’s planning a visit to Maine, or from Maine but living elsewhere, or simply treasures the state a signed and personalized copy of Moon Maine, Moon Acadia National Park, or Moon Coastal Maine?
As a little incentive, all books purchased from me come with an email travel consultation, so your giftee can pick my Maine-rich brain about an upcoming trip to make it even more memorable and personalized.
A Good Deal:
Coastal Maine, 2010 edition: $16 plus shipping (cover price is $19.95)
Acadia National Park, 2009 edition: $14 plus shipping (cover price is $17.95)
Maine, 2008 edition: $10 plus shipping, limited supply (cover price is $21.95)
A Better Deal:
Purchase two or more copies of Coastal Maine and/or Acadia, and I’ll throw in a copy of Maine 2008, while supplies last.
Interested? Contact me at Hilary AT MaineTravelMaven DOT co (or through the envelope icon in the right-column).
Shopping for that perfect gift that says only in Maine? Since 1996, founder, director, and curator Nancy 3. Hoffman (the 3 is no typo, she legally changed her middle name from Arlene to 3 in 1992) has operated the Umbrella Cover Museum, a small, quirky museum paying homage to the lowly umbrella cover. Inside, Hoffman displays umbrella sheaths from more than 30 countries. Even better, during a guided tour she sings “Let a smile be your umbrella,” accompanied by an accordion (one can’t make this stuff up!).
Getting to the museum requires taking a ferry from Portland to Peaks Island, about a 20-minute cruise, then walking five minutes or so to the storefront museum. But if you can’t get there, you can still take a guided tour with Hoffman (minus the accordion accompaniment). Uncovered And Exposed: A Guide to the World’s Only Umbrella Cover Museum is now available online ($19.95). Says Hoffman: “This witty and whimsical guide to the quirkiest museum you’ve ever been to makes a perfect coffee table book – for a very small coffee table.”
Tickets for the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s annual holiday extravaganza, the Magic of Christmas, always go quickly, so act quickly if you want to score primo seats for the season’s primo show. The 2010 Magic of Christmas lineup features PSO Music Director Robert Moody leading the PSO in a program of familiar holiday hits. Expect music, dance, theatrical readings, the Festival of Trees, and plenty of holiday hoopla. Eleven performances are scheduled between Dec. 10-19 at Merrill Auditorium. Tickets range $25-55 (plus any applicable fees); kids save $10, seniors save $5.
Highlights:
• Maestro Robert Moody leading the Portland Symphony Orchestra in a festive and inspirational program of classical and popular holiday hits.
• Joe Cassidy portraying Scrooge and all the voices in A Christmas Carol and performing the Irving Berlin classic White Christmas and other seasonal favorites. Cassidy has been seen on NBC’s Law & Order as well as on Broadway as Freddy in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and in 1776, Les Misérables and A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden. As a concert soloist he has performed with many symphony orchestras around the country.
• Soprano Suzanne Nance as featured vocalist, joining Joe Cassidy and Robert Moody for a newly-discovered trio from Nutcracker, The Oratorio. Nance has performed recitals across Maine in Fort Kent, Presque Isle, Blue Hill and Bangor and in concert with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra as well as the PSO. Recently, she performed in Prague, London, Philadelphia, Chicago and New York. Nance also produces and hosts MPBN’s Morning Classical music program.
• The addition of the Fezziwigs, along with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Be, to the cast of larger-than-life puppets from Figures of Speech Theatre in the unforgettable condensed adaptation of A Christmas Carol.
• Angelic voices of the Saco Bay Children’s Choir singing “Somewhere in My Memory” from the hit movie Home Alone, and joining the all-volunteer Magic of Christmas Chorus for inspirational carols and holiday tunes.
• Traditional favorites including “Sleigh Ride,” when the PSO players try to outdo each other with their festive and comical attire, and the inspirational audience sing-along when patrons can lift their own voices in celebration of the season.
• Magic of Christmas Dancers portraying multiple roles in A Christmas Carol and also forming a Rockettes-style kickline of dancing Santas.
• Pre-concert performances by students from the Maine Suzuki Association (Dec. 12 and 19 at 1 p.mm.) and Ray Cornils at the Kotzschmar Organ Prelude Concert (all other performances).
• Festival of Trees, a display of beautifully decorated Christmas trees that will transform the Merrill Auditorium lobby into an enchanting winter wonderland during the run of Magic of Christmas. Twelve local businesses have donated their creative talents to decorate their own uniquely festive tree.
Forgive me as I wipe the drool off my keyboard. For once, I’m not drooling over food, but rather over the magnificent artisan-made goods that will be shown at Artful Gifts. Slated to take place at Point Lookout, in Northport (just north of Camden), Nov. 19-21, 2010, this crafts show and sale features works by more than 40 artisans from throughout New England.
Artful Gifts kicks off Friday with the First Choice Cocktail Gala, from 5-8 p.m. This early-bird-gets-the-best-picks reception features light music and fare and a cash bar, all for a $10 donation benefitting Coastal Mountains Land Trust and United Mid-Coast Charities.
The show continues Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with admission pegged at a $3 donation.
My travel-writing friend Ramsey Qubein posed as an airline gate agent for one day and shared his experiences in this article. Make a point of reading it before your next flight, and it will be a more enjoyable experience for all.
I travel frequently throughout Maine and beyond for work, and since I’m most often on my own for expenses, I’ve mastered keeping costs manageable. Sure, I love it when I can stay at a fancy-pants hotel or dine in a chi-chi restaurant, but more often than not, I’m seeking cheap digs and meals and trying to avoid parking meters and tolls. Here are some budget travel tips and techniques I’ve picked up over the years.
Select destinations that you can get to by public transportation (bus, train, plane) and where you don’t need a car. In Maine, these include Portland (Metro bus and ferry), Rockland (small town with most sites within walking distance, ferry to islands), and Mt. Desert Island (seasonal bus service). No car means no rental fees, no parking fees, and no tolls.
Coming up from Boston? Concord Coach Lines bus service is first class all the way:
clean, new comfy coaches with electrical sockets at the seat and a restroom in the back;
free movie and free Wifi;
quiet ride with no cell phone use permitted en route except for emergencies;
almost hourly departures between Boston and Portland with direct service from South Station and an airport express with pick-up at all terminals;
less frequent connections from Bangor, Augusta, and along the coast from Portland to Searsport.
OR try Amtrak’s wonderful Downeaster rail service from North Station, with stops in Wells, Saco, Old Orchard Beach (seasonal), Portland, Freeport, and Brunswick. Although the service is less frequent than the bus, it’s quite comfy.
Book a room with access to a refrigerator and microwave, either in the room or shared in a common area. This allows you to prepare light meals and heat leftovers. Or, rent a house, apartment, or cottage, which gives you more space and full facilities and often costs far less than renting a room.
Consider a cost-controlled stay in an all-inclusive sporting camp or a multi-day all-inclusive sail on a Maine windjammer. Note: both include lodging and all meals, some activities, but not alcohol or gratuities. Or rough it even more along the Maine Huts & Trails or AMC Maine Lodges systems (hike, bike, paddle, snowshoe, ski).
Also, check my Cheap Sleeps recommendations for budget-friendly accommodations in Maine.
Many restaurants offer early-bird specials before 6 p.m. Venture off the beaten path to find less touristy and often downright cheap ethnic restaurants.
Patronize community suppers: Look for announcements in local papers and signs in front of churches and group halls (Grange, Elks, Odd Fellows, etc.). These low-cost meals include chowder suppers, bean suppers, fried fish, chicken, potlucks, and sometimes even lobster. They’re also a good opportunity to rub elbows with the locals and pick up some insider tips.
Make lunch the major meal of the day: You can dine in a decent restaurant and have a fancy lunch for far less than it will cost for dinner.
In the boonies and don’t know where to eat? Look for the local diner/dive with the biggest collection of local pick-up trucks. Food won’t be fancy, but it’ll usually be cheap and hearty. Stick with the basics (burgers, grilled cheese, fried fish), and you’ll be fine.
Make meals from supermarket fresh foods and prepared foods sections. In Maine, most Hannaford’s have extensive salad bars, often sushi bars, chicken stations, as well as everything else you might want for a do-it-yourself feast. Whole Foods in Portland even has in-store dining and tables. Many natural food stores also offer sandwiches, soups, and other prepared foods.
Maine’s farmers’ markets offer a bounty of local produce, cheeses, and meats as well as prepared ethnic foods.
Save money with deals and discounts
Military, AAA, AARP, etc. If you don’t ask, you won’t get. With these, you can often save 10 percent or so on accommodations, meals, and admission to popular attractions. Also, search online for hidden deals using the town name or a specific attraction or restaurant, adding the words “promo code” and again with “coupon.” You might want to check Travel Zoo; I’ve found some great specials on that site.
Take advantage of free or low-cost programming: concerts, state and national park programs, films, contra dances, etc. You’ll find listings in local newspapers (check online versions for advance planning), chamber of commerce websites, attraction websites, and posted on community bulletin boards.
You don’t need a full wardrobe to travel. Leave your vanity at home, and make do with a minimal amount of appropriate seasonal wear. Aim for one color scheme and mix-and-match items that dry overnight when washed in a sink. Plan ahead and pack items that do double or triple duty.
Minimize. Minimize. Minimize.
Roll clothing and pack it in vacuum or compression travel bags designed to reduce bulk. Use a lightweight, easy-to-maneuver carry-on or backpack (pay attention to your airline’s size restrictions and ideally use a smaller suitcase, so there will be no problems; don’t max out your luggage). Or consider the bundle technique. Wear heavier/bulkier items (including shoes) on the plane. Or…
Lighten your load
For a set price (around $26), you can ship home a large (12.25 x 12 x 6) U.S.P.S. priority box; that’s far less than checking an extra bag. Use it to send heavy or bulky items home (or to your destination in advance). I’ve even shipped dirty laundry home to lighten my load.
From two-plus weeks on the road, mostly in Arizona, a bit in Boston (yes, they let me out of the state every now and then). I figured quiet and gray early November was the perfect time to take a quasi vacation. I’ll be ratcheting up the output over the next week as I get back in the work groove. Thanks for your patience!
My original plan was to graze my way through dinner by nibbling appetizers or choosing small plates at a handful of restaurants in Bangor, Brewer, and Orono. Based on recommendations from locals, my possibilities included a pulled-pork app at Fiddlehead; fish tacos at Luna; perhaps a return visit to Market Bistro, where I’d had a fabulous lunch; maybe sushi at Yoshi in Brewer; ending with something sweet and Greek at Market Cafe in Old Town or a housemade dessert at Thistle’s, an old reliable in Bangor.
Within minutes of sitting down in The Fiddlehead Restaurant‘s small, inviting—if a bit loud—dining area, I abandoned that plan. One taste of the pork, and I knew I wasn’t going anywhere else. My sources had it right: More than one proclaimed this Bangor’s best restaurant. It’s casual, yet the service is spot on; the food is creative, yet it’s rooted in solid technique and the familiar.
Of course, it didn’t hurt that co-owner Laura Albin, who manages the front of the house, knows her wines and readily shares her knowledge. The restaurant, adjacent to Bangor Wine & Cheese, aims to introduce diners to lesser known wines and vintners. I ordered a glass of vouvray, but I have to tell ya, the signature nonalcoholic cucumber-mint lemonade also caught my eye.
Back to the menu. While the pork came highly recommended by more than one person, I was challenged by the possibilities: The sweet & savory stilton waffles and the laksa noodle soup also caught my eye and piqued my tastebuds, as did the feta and watermelon salad, and I hadn’t even flipped to the entrée side, where the usuals took unusual twists.
Still, I stuck with that adobo-spiced pulled pork served on a tortilla with avocado relish and house slaw, and I wasn’t disappointed. But I was overwhelmed. This appetizer was entree sized. Figuring I needed something green to round out my meal, I ordered the grilled romaine with Stilton, roasted garlic vinaigrette, herb-roasted tomatoes, and apple cider reduction, and in European style, ended my meal with it, letting the nice mix of flavors linger on my tongue before heading back to Orono’s comfy Black Bear Inn and calling it a night, after enjoying one of the inn’s chocolate chip cookies as a nightcap.
Note: Since I visited, co-owner Chef Melissa Chaiken has changed the menu, as she does quarterly. So don’t go looking for that pork, but do go. And do make reservations.
Maine Huts & Trails, the hut-to-hut multi-use trail in Maine’s western mountains, got a big boost this weekend with the opening of its third hut, this one situated near Grand Falls of the Dead River. This makes three huts on the trail, which now extends from Carrabassett Valley to The Forks, making it an ideal long-weekend escape for any season.
All three off-the-grid huts (others are at Poplar Falls and on the shores of Flagstaff Lake) have hot showers, composting toilets, and a central lodge, where hearty meals are served family style. The dorms and family cabins are heated to 62 degrees; bunks with mattresses are equipped with pillows and fleece blankets; guests need to bring sheets or sleeping blankets. Depending upon location and season, you can hike, paddle, bike, ski, or snowshoe between them. All are family oriented. You won’t find a better way to immerse yourself in the glory of Maine in autumn (or any season, for that matter).
