Tag Archives: maine

Fryeburg Fair, part three – he’s talking cows.

October 7, 2025 Rivergirl 14 Comments

When I see cows in a field as we’re driving in the country? I’m compelled to announce it.

“Cow!”

But when I’m walking around the Fryeburg fair surrounded by bodacious bovines?

I just sigh with adoration.

My husband was raised on a dairy farm and the man knows cows. Which is why I think it’s cruel he won’t let me have one.. or ten. Of course I don’t want to muck out stalls or water them when it’s 10 below, which could be a deciding factor in his refusal.

So I get my cow fix when we go to fairs. I love the Belted Galloways which we always call Oreo cows.

The one in the middle is clearly a double stuff.

And look, there’s a vanilla cream.

While I was adoring?

The husband was talking.

And talking.

About cows.

And after 20 minutes, about politics. Which is odd because I don’t think cows vote.

Did you know a cow isn’t technically a cow until she has a calf?

Now you do.

Can I get an awwww?

Scottish Highlands are so fuzzy I just want to curl up with a few and stroke them for hours.

This little beauty was only three days old! Momma delivered at the fair.

There’s the husband, talking cows again.

Did you know your veal parmigiana is almost always male?

Now you do.

And because no fair visit is complete without a beauty pageant.

Cow!

🐄

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Fryeburg Fair, part two – llamas and chickens and steer. Oh my.

October 6, 2025 Rivergirl 18 Comments

It’s no secret my favorite part of a fair is the animals.

The llama barn only had 3 occupants this year.

And this one was too cranky to pet.

But there were lots of chickens.

And lots of blue ribbons.

The silkies look like they’re covered in fur not feathers.

There were some very impressive birds.

Though this one looked a little pissed at missing first place.

Next up, the big boys.

And a very sweet little guy with his mom.

Look at that face!

💕

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Let’s go to the fair! Part one – big *ss horses.

October 5, 2025 Rivergirl 24 Comments

Heading out to the 175th Fryeburg Fair, a selfie.

This is the oldest (175 years) and the biggest fair in Maine. How big, you ask?

This big.

And after a late start due to my husband playing cribbage at breakfast with friends, we arrived two hours later than planned.

On the way to parking the car? RV heaven.

Or hell as far as I’m concerned. Densely packed on flat dirt as far as the eye can see, I can’t imagine spending a week like that, but people come from all over New England and look forward to it every year.

To each their own.

Many people go to the fair for the rides and carnival atmosphere … we’re not those people.

We started with the race horses.

Beautiful creatures who enjoy an occasional scratch.

This poor fellow was trying to take a nap.

While this one looked ready to munch a mum.

Food trucks and vendors were everywhere but my husband hates eating lunch standing up and ducked into the one little restaurant they have on site instead.

Big mistake.

It’s a bare bones place with a limited menu. They didn’t even have ice for our drinks. Warm Pepsi anyone?

Husband had a watery bowl of stew with a biscuit you could use for a boat anchor while I had a dry turkey salad roll the waitress mistakenly charged me $1 for instead of the $11 it cost. A dollar was really all it was worth, but the cashier caught the error and we moved on.

To the draft horses.

Who were finishing the pulling show the husband usually likes to watch.

These horses are gentle giants and I hate to see them straining …

So I wasn’t disappointed we’d missed most of it.

This beauty stood almost 19 hands.

And the husband spent more than 19 minutes talking to this owner while I wandered around.

Out back, these fellows were getting a bath.

Percherons, Belgians, and Haflingers. They never fail to impress.

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Muted color, but still a nice drive.

October 4, 2025 Rivergirl 15 Comments

We drove west to Fryeburg the other day for the last fair of the agricultural season.

It’s always a gorgeous drive this time of year…

But due to the ongoing lack of rain and drought conditions the leaves weren’t nearly as bright.

Patches of color, yes.

But the trees have been stressed this year.

They started turning early and in much more muted shades.

Disappointing.

But still scenic.

😊

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Midnight… birds?

October 1, 2025 Rivergirl 28 Comments

Our night time visitors include deer, fox, opossums, skunks and raccoons. I put out a bowl of water and critter specific food but they all nibble the bird seed that spills on the ground.

All of them except this fellow.

Who prefers his straight from the source.

You wouldn’t think his chunky little butt could shimmy up that pole, but he climbs it with ease.

https://youtu.be/FL8DFR3lok4?feature=shared

Of course coming down isn’t quite as smooth.

🤣

Pardon the photo quality, I was taking pics through the window and the kitchen light was throwing reflections.

And why isn’t WP letting me embed videos anymore? That’s annoying.

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Lunch in shoulder season is divine.

September 30, 2025 Rivergirl 19 Comments

Maine is a tourist state and while natives understand the economy’s need for visitor’s dollars, it doesn’t mean we enjoy all our favorite spots being too crowded to enjoy while they’re here.

Hence “shoulder season”.

That glorious month after summer but before leaf peeping when there’s not a tourist to be found.

Case in point?

The Dockside Grill in Falmouth.

You can’t squeeze your way in here during high season… but right now?

A raspberry thyme Rickey and ocean view can be savored in peace.

As can a fabulous shrimp and scallop chowder…

A pineapple margarita…

And a haddock sandwich.

Life is good in shoulder season.

👍

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A $15,000 craft show and a 1980’s prime rib.

September 26, 2025 Rivergirl 17 Comments

I love a good craft show. People can be incredibly clever and creative and I like coming home with handmade treasure.

So when I heard there was a show at Laudholm Farms on the Wells Estuary we took a drive down the coast even though it was overcast, drizzling rain and foggy.

It was an amazing show and all the craftspeople were under cover, be it tents or barns.

The problem?

I was expecting to find crafts and what I found was art that usually resides in galleries. There was amazing jewelry, fabulous paintings, unique pottery, intricate woodworking and stunning metalwork. Unfortunately I didn’t plan on spending $1,800 on a pair of silver earrings or $6,000 for some stained glass.

The artists have a very strict no photography rule so these giant outdoor pieces were the only things I could sneak a shot of.

And while the items we saw were beautiful, the cost of the things I wanted reached $15,000 before we were halfway through.

Needless to say I left empty handed.

No, I didn’t even consider pickle body lotion.

Our next stop was for a late lunch/early dinner at a local landmark, the Bull and Claw.

This restaurant has been in operation since 1973 and to be honest I don’t think it’s been redecorated since the 1980’s.

Plastic tablecloths, plastic duck decoys, artificial flowers … I wasn’t holding much hope.

But my cranberry margarita was decent and cheap and the menu was large.

Husband attacked the soup and salad bar with good results.

And we were pleasantly surprised to find our meals flavorful, well prepared and more than amply sized. Medium rare prime rib and stuffed shrimp with baked potato and broccoli for me, turkey dinner with mashed potato, stuffing and broccoli for the husband.

Our bill was well under a hundred dollars and though the atmosphere was dated and more than a little kitschy, I honestly wouldn’t mind going back.

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The duck let me down.

September 23, 2025 Rivergirl 21 Comments

One of our mainstay restaurants when we drive up the coast to Damarriscotta is King Eider’s.

A favorite of tourists and locals alike, it’s become a landmark.

Located in an old, small brick building it’s tiny but mighty.

Like its cocktails.

I had the top listed selection, but are we really doing the second?

Apparently, yes.

We are.

I always order the crab cakes as they’re advertised… and always used to be… the best. This trip? Not so much. Hard, over cooked and over breaded. The husband’s giant mussels were the better choice.

Husband’s broiled haddock? Huge, plentiful and perfectly prepared.

My braised duck sandwich (when in Rome) with chopped apples, dried cranberries and melted cheddar? Dry and tasteless with barely a hint of the promised fruit.

Oh well,

At least the sign was funny.

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Random

September 20, 2025 Rivergirl 18 Comments

Autumn is right around the bend.

Do I know this because the leaves are turning and the temperatures are dropping? Yes, but there’s also a less subtle sign of fall.

Pumpkin spiced everything. Cereal, coffee, cookies… you name it, they spice it. Even the nuts aren’t safe.

The next two photos were taken by a friend on the island where I spent my teenage years.

Sunsets there are pretty special.

Ours was nice that night, but not nearly as dramatic.

Has anyone ever tried these tricks?

Because I fail to see how ice cubes are going to deodorize a stinky disposal.

In a world where there’s entirely too much hatred and prejudice, Maine is welcoming some new neighbors.

And finally, 61.

I was 61.

😳

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Happy as a clam.

September 19, 2025 Rivergirl 28 Comments

Working up an appetite walking around the lighthouse made us more willing than usual to try an unassuming little local spot for lunch.

Yes, it was called the Happy Clam.

And to be honest, he did look happy … so we ducked inside.

The raspberry frozen daiquiri? Awful.

Clearly the clam wasn’t drinking that.

Seeing the German flag proudly displayed out front and learning that the owner’s wife hailed from there, I took a chance on the schnitzel fingers appetizer.

And oh my…

Was I ever glad I did. Perfectly cooked, light and flavorful with the most delicious mushroom and thyme sauce. I haven’t had any this good since my Austrian mother passed away.