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Heading out of the harbor proper, we found some scenically beautiful spots.
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For gorgeous coastline, it’s hard to top Maine.
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We drove at will, no destination in mind. And sometimes cutting down side streets resulted in dead ends.
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Like a marina we didn’t know was there.
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Other times there were loop roads….
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With extremely peaceful seating.
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And if you want peace and quiet? Take a tip from that guy.
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He certainly had the right idea.
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Walking around the village, there were ample rocks.
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This is the Maine coast after all.
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We walked the harbor… taking in the sights, sounds and random clumps of rope.
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It’s a place frozen in time and all the better for it.
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A few old buildings have been spruced up for overnight accommodations, but there are no chain hotels and not a Denny’s in sight.
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It’s first and foremost a fishing town, and unlike many of its southern brethren has managed to hold back the inevitable tide of “progress”.
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If you’re ever in the area….
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It’s definitely worth a look.
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We have a group of sparrows that live to tease Lord Dudley Mountcatten .
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They perch on the deck railing and patio furniture… driving him absolutely insane when he’s on the back of the couch.
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So when we go outside for walkies? His Lordship is primed to hunt.
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Not that he ever comes close mind you. Those birds are too smart and too fast.
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But we chase them from bush to bush around the house and hope springs eternal.
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They know he can’t catch them, and seem to take great pleasure in the game.
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That sparrow is smiling. I know it.
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You can’t really tell from the picture, but trust me.. he was airborne here.
By the time we make a full trip around the house? They’re back on the railing…. and laughing.
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Lord Dudley on the other hand…
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🤣
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On a beautiful fall day in Maine, we drove up the coast to Stonington.
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A picturesque village… quaint and quite pretty.
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With the feeling you’ve stepped back in time.
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Stonington is a fishing town and known for being the largest lobster port in the state, if not the world.
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Last year they hauled in $43.26 million dollars worth of the glorious crustacean.
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And though I can’t eat it anymore… cue the random sobbing noises… I was still hungry after the two and a half trip.
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Enter the Harbor Cafe, one of only two restaurants in town.
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It sits right across the street from the harbor and at first glance seemed like a good choice.
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There were cocktails and my Pimms cup was delightful.
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The clam chowder was thinner than I like, but had a wonderful flavor as well as being loaded with clams.
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$23 seemed a bit steep for my crab roll but it was delicious, not the overly dressed crap that passes for crabmeat elsewhere. Husband was less than thrilled with his fried haddock as it was extremely thin and arrived in a plastic basket. Want to piss off my spouse? Charge him a high price and serve him a meal without a plate. The mashed potatoes that accompanied the fish were truly inedible. Real, but so over whipped as to be nearly liquid with an overpowering taste of margarine. Epic fail for what turned out to be a $102 bill with tip.
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But back to Stonington. Tourism has tried but thankfully failed to change the flavor of the town.
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And so we explored….
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It’s Maine.
It’s autumn.
No commentary necessary, just enjoy.
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❤️
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After traversing the Green Mountains in Vermont, we entered New Hampshire.
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Still mountains, but now they’re White. Although technically right now they’re red, orange and gold.
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This is a beautiful section of NH and one we drive through quite a bit in the autumn.
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There are random wooden moose.
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Glorious fall foliage.
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Random skeleton coffee house greeters.
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And more colorful scenery.
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I think my husband shed a tear over the state of this neglected barn.
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Common to this area? Random filling stations for crystal clear mountain fed spring water. Bring your bottles, fill for free and make some amazing tea or coffee when you get home.
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Yes, please.
Do that as well..
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Since we weren’t in a huge hurry to get home, we took the longer scenic route back and that meant driving through the Northeast Kingdom.
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It’s a rural and mountainous region of Vermont, similar to areas in northern Maine with its low population density and differing political views.
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Unspoiled and undisturbed.
Beautiful? You betcha!
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This region takes their designation seriously so you’ll find “Kingdom” gas stations and “Kingdom” diners scattered throughout the area.
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There’s even a covered bridge staircase.
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While the majority of Vermont is an environmentally friendly, liberal, churn your own butter, Birkenstock type of place… the Kingdom is a bit wilder and leans much farther right. It’s often said there are two Maines, southern and northern.. I find that’s true of Vermont as well.
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And if you’re wondering how far north we were?
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I could see Canada from my window.
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And though we didn’t cross the border, Verizon let us know we might as well have.
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And so after a spur of the moment, last minute mini getaway… we headed home. Wishing we could stay longer and see Vermont’s foliage at its peak.
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Leaving the little town of Jeffersonville we passed what’s become a landmark.
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An artfully painted silo celebrating the area’s agricultural roots.
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We said goodbye to cows. (Alright, that was me. The husband grew up milking them and couldn’t care less)
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Did I mention there are a lot of cows in Vermont?
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There’s also a lot of corn.
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So much corn.
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Seriously, the stuff is everywhere.
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Dudley does well on his harness/leash and knows his limitations, which in actuality is 30 feet. His chest to my wrist. His Lordship chooses the direction and we walk, stroll, sit and occasionally sprint. What we don’t do is climb trees.
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Until the other day when he sat at the base of the Bradford pear watching a bird one minute….
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And jumped onto the bark the next. Problem is, his lordship does not have any tree climbing experience and literally just hung there.
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He scooched a little farther up, with me trying hard not to laugh …
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And finally made it up on a lower branch. Which is when he looked at me as if to say, what the Hell do I do now?
One aborted climb later..
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It was over before it really begun.
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I give him an A for effort, but a D for technique.
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Fortified with a wonderful meal, we continued our aimless wandering through Vermont.
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It’s hard to take a bad photo there, especially in the fall. Mountains, trees, and cows.
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Mountains, cows, and farms.
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Every once in a while you’ll pass through a town.
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Then it’s back to mountains, trees, and cows.
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And a very serious porch lover.
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Also, there were fish.
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I have no explanation for random fish, but they were delightful all the same.
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River's world..... 