On arriving in Maine, we first stayed at Bethel Outdoor Adventure campground in Bethel Maine.  Our Maine friend Paul gave us a great intro tour of the area.  We had lunch at a typical small store/cafe/social hub that seems to be unique to this area.  Everyone knows everyone.  Paul introduced us as being “from away”.  This is a genuine Maine expression.  Generally speaking you are “from away”  unless you are 4th generation Mainer or marry into it.

Melby’s – The best Maine Cafe/Store/Social hub

Dianne Randy and Paul
at lunch

Special thanks to Paul and Kay who let us stay on their property near Waterford ME.  It was a great location to explore the entire area.  We hope to see them again in southern climes this coming winter.

We kayaked the Androscoggin River 10 miles through almost entirely unsettled areas.  Later we explored Grafton Notch in Maine.  Gaps in the mountains through which people travel are called notches.  Sculptured rocks, waterfalls and scenic views abound.

Kayaking the Androscoggin River

Falls in Grafton Notch ME

Dianne and Randy hiked Sabattus Mountain ME

Maine Roadside sign of real town names nearby

On a day trip to the coast we visited Kennebunkport and had our first lobster roll at The Landing Store.  Lobster rolls are very popular in Maine, everybody says you must try one and we made a good choice.  Kennebunkport is a very picturesque coast town that we enjoyed visiting.  Also on the coast in Portland we had the chance to have dinner at the Green Elephant  http://greenelephantmaine.com/ with our friend Sean Longley who we had worked with in Durango.  It was great to see him again and catch up.  Portland seems like an interesting small city.  We look forward to another visit.

Kennebunkport

The Landing Store in Kennebunkport ME

The scenic Kancamagus highway in central New Hampshire follows the Swift River through the Passaconaway Valley.  The views, waterfalls, covered bridges and history make it a popular tour.  The Russell-Colbath house preserves the last farm in the valley.  Built in 1831, the home opens seasonally as a historic reminder of life in 19th century New Hampshire.  The Old Man of the Mountain was an icon of New Hampshire for decades before nature remodeled it it in 2003.  New Hampshire creatively added a sculpture to restore the iconic view.

Typical New Hampshire road sign

White Mountains view

Lower Ammonoosuc Falls
near Mt. Washington

Falls on the Swift River

Albany Covered Bridge

Recreated Man on the Mountain

Russell-Colbath house

Western Maine and the White Mountains of New Hampshire are beautiful destinations.  Mostly very rural, little traffic, sparse population, tons of scenery.  Just our style.

Paul and Randy hiked South Baldface in Maine