New England Adventures: UMaine and Beyond

August 27-29, 2021

We dropped Isaac off at UMaine this weekend.  On Saturday, the bridge from Orono to campus was filled with enthusiastic students holding signs and yelling greetings.  The drop-off was impressive--very systematic and streamlined.  We chuckled to see how much some students were bringing with them.  (Granny would say, "Everything but the kitchen sink!")  After Isaac settled into his room, we did the usual college arrival tasks: books, Target, Walmart, lunch.  We bid Isaac goodbye in the late afternoon.  On a previous visit, Isaac and I had eaten a brewpub called Mason's which is situated right next to the Penobscot River in Brewer.  It was a fun place next to a beautiful view and I wanted John to see it.  Of course, every other parent dropping off had the same idea.  While we waited, we strolled along the river walk and found a table with a built-in chessboard and a box with all the pieces!  I was just about to win when we were texted.  Rats!  We sat outside and enjoyed the view while learning the history of the place, menu, and why a Stephen King likeness was on one of their beer cans!

Since Isaac seemed settled in, on Sunday we drove to Schoodic Peninsula. In Winter Harbor, we walked around some high altitude land for sale.  The views were stunning and we dreamed a little Maine house dream.  It seems we do that whenever we find ourselves in Maine!  From there we went over to Acadia National Park.  No, not Bar Harbor--the less visited side on Schoodic.  We could see right over to Bar Harbor and the mountains we have hiked in the past, but this area felt much more relaxed.  We toured the campground there for a possible future visit and then drove along the coast.  We tried to find a coastal walking path at the Institute there, but no matter where we looked, we never found it.  After a late lunch at the Wharf fish shack in picturesque Corea, it was time to head south towards home.  It was a great one-day vacation on the Schoodic Peninsula!