iloveBrooklyn

Gal and I just got back from Maine. Since our “BRAND NEW CAR!” has not “left port” yet, we decided to steal my parents covertible and jet up north. Our journey took us through the White Mountains, where the roads were recently paved. This gave us a dreamy ride, with the top down, of course. Just over the border in Maine, we rented a cabin right on Sebago Lake where we took in a drive-in showing of Finding Nemo, ate Lobster (the first out of a total of four separate occassions in two days) at the Lobster Pound, and met a turtle named Christian. Christian (the name of the person that ran over him with a lawn mower) had the ability to swim back to his owner after being hurled out into the lake. It was also here in Naples, where Sebago Lake is located, that we discovered Black Rasberry ice cream. Mmmmmm, yummm. The next morning, we enjoyed a cup of coffee on the dock with a summer-renting gent who used to work for an OSI arm of the U.S. Air Force and grew up in and around this part of the state. It was nice to see locals like him staying here. Much of Maine is still untouched by the oppressive forces of tourism and staying in Naples is not unlike what vacationing was in the 1950′s. Finally, we stopped off for a quick breakfast at Chute’s off Rt.302 on our way out of town.

With Naples behind us we hopped on Rt.1 and made our way to Red’s Eats in Wiscasset. Ever since we saw the Best Sandwiches in America segement on the Food Channel we have been absolutely obsessed with sampling what was reported to be the best lobster roll in the country. Well, they were right. We are talking at least one whole lobster’s worth of meat dumped into a toasted bun with a small cup of melted butter on the side. The meat is cold, but the warm melted butter poured on top brought it all together. And at 13 bucks, which may be hard to believe, was a steal compared to other lobster deals we got in the state during what was currently high season. We also sampled a half-pint of fried clams, which were also the best we have ever tasted (sounds like we don’t get out much). The perfectly fried batter was so light it never distracted you from the sweet clam inside. If you are on your way through Wiscasset (which you are certain to do if you are travelling up the Maine Coast on Rt.1) make a stop at the little red shack on the left hand side of the road and don’t be distracted by the line, which can run up to half a block. Also, in Wiscasset, down by the yacht club and with a great view of a, you got it, Nuclear Power Plant, there is White’s Island. A local recently purchased the Island and turned it into a wonderful little park completely surrounded by water. Here, you can just let the long drive roll off of you while you contempaltively sit in one of the numerous patio chairs he leaves out for anyone interested.

After throwing down the lobster roll, we headed north. It was getting late in the day and we knew that we were pressing our luck by not having a reservation so late in the season. This didn’t faze us too much since we don’t like to overplan and don’t want to be where everyone else is anyway. This inner drive brought us past Pemaquid State Park to Friendship, a small, picturesque, lobsterman town that seemed to quite enjoy not being a major destination. Unfortunately, the only Bed and Breakfast in town was fully booked (there was a wooden boat festival, of course, this weekend) and we could find no shelter there. The fine proprietor did however direct us down the road to Waldoboro. Thankfully, Blue Sky Farm, located on 100 acres of Maine woodlands and run by a pleasant British woman named Jan, took us in and we were free to relax for the remainder of the day.

Seeing how the clock dictated that it was suppertime, we ventured into downtown Waldoboro, a place truly off the map. There, we found one restaurant, the Pine Cone, amidst four or five shops that defined the center of town. At this point in the game, my body was still well-saturated by the rich meal recently consumed in Wiscasset, but not enough so to prohibit us from ordering hangar steak and a lobster arugala salad, both of which, although well-prepared, neither of us could finish. Subsequently, we uncorked ourselves from the table and walked back to the car. Being the gluttons that we truly are, we immediately decided that Black Rasberry ice cream was in order and off we went looking for a parlor that was open. As we strolled down the row of shops, we saw that all the lights were out in the local five and dime, but there was activity inside. In fact, the people inside were waving at us. Well, seeing the opportunity to meet the community, we approached, and to our surprise we were invited to come in and share in a birthday celebration. Here, we sat and yes, ate, with a beautiful family of four who owned this five and dime. Sumner, Roxanna, Josh, and the 16 year-old birthday boy (whose name escapes me) informed us of the local events and listened to us speak of our beloved Brooklyn. After picking up some supplies there to take back home with us, we retreated back to the farmhouse, where we collapsed into a huge country bed.