Until now, my travels were ones that most people only dreamed about. Summers on the beautiful Croatian coast, spring break in South Africa, winter in the Austrian Alps. I had grown up overseas, and I had been spoiled. When we moved back to the United States, we decided to explore this country, as I had never gotten to see much.
Some very good friends had a house in Maine, and invited us to spend a week with them. I had heard so much about Maine. I’d been told countless times how beautiful it was, how sailing there was great. In the weeks leading up to the trip, my expectations got raised to immense levels.
â–º QUARTER FINALIST 2012 TEEN TRAVEL WRITING SCHOLARSHIP
We drove there, a two day trip. I watched the weather and trees changed as we drove past Portland. Finally, we reached Boothbay Harbor. My first impression of the town was how picturesque it was. White houses, sailboats on the water, lobster restaurants. The cabin we stayed in was on the water, a little further off from town. And it really was a cabin, wooden and in surrounded by trees. I loved it.
Well, except for the skylight. The sun rose early up North, and I rose only an hour later. I didn’t complain, though. It gave me longer days to explore Maine.
Our activities included sailing-both solo and on a bigger boat. To anyone who ever get the chance to sail-it takes a while to get the hang of it, but sailing is one of the best experiences ever. We also ate lobster at a lobster restaurant called “The Lobster Dock”, right off the road and on the water. We sat there, enjoying our food as we watched the sun set. The perfect after-dinner walk is over the foot bridge that passes across the bay. On the western end, there is this little ice cream shop. According to an iPhone app, it was the most highly rated restaurant in Boothbay. The ice cream waffles certainly lived up to their hype.
My favorite day was when we just walked around Boothbay Harbor, window shopping. We went into the two historic shops of the town, “Village Store” and “House of Logan”. The shops have been around for a long time, started years ago, and passed down through generations. Both were a little pricey, but their products were great and good quality. My favorite piece was a doll from the Village Store that you were supposed to throw at the wall if you got angry.
Our trip there was too short. We never got to go whale watching, and our hosts told us that whale sightings were guaranteed. We never visited the aquarium, or any of the other wonders Boothbay had to offer us.
If I were to go again, I’d go for a month. I wouldn’t impose myself on our friends for so long, so I would stay at the place they recommended. Sprucewald Lodge, where you stay in your own little cabin. I would go back to the best places-the island where we had a picnic, Mama D’s Café for some waffles, “A Silver Lining” for some jewelry.
However, I would also let Maine take me over, and try and discover the hidden jewels on my own. That’s why I didn’t tell you everything I did. Because you have to find it out on your own if you truly want to experience the magic of Maine. A hint? Well, some might say that the best food is served by one of the grumpiest people in town. Right near the cutest souvenir shop.
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