Tag Archives: travel

Penobscot Narrows Observatory

October 30, 2022 Rivergirl 20 Comments

Do you have a bucket list for your own state? Mine is long and varied because somehow we never find the time to see the wonderful things in our own backyard… or in this case, the yard two hours away.

But last week I checked this off. The tallest bridge observatory in the world.. which just happens to have Maine’s fastest elevator. Good thing too, my knee would never survive a staircase 420 feet up.

The construction of this cable stayed bridge was big news in these parts and people anxiously looked forward to its completion. Started in 2004, completed and opened Dec. 30, 2006. And yes, we’re more than a little late to the party.

I’m not sure the pictures do it justice, but trust me it’s quite something.

Was my bad knee happy there were a few flights of stairs after we got off the elevator? No….

But I sucked it up and climbed.

And the 360 degree view was worth it.

Sam Champlain was here.

Suck on that Kilroy.

I’m including a video that has an annoying reflection of me throughout. Try to ignore that and enjoy the view…

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Stonington, part four.

October 29, 2022 Rivergirl 22 Comments

Our last stop in Stonington wasn’t planned, and we just happened to drive by… but it was a lovely end to the day.

Random public access to beaches is common in Maine. They’re not marked, they’re not named, they just are.

And sometimes they have a fabulous rock that looks like a sleeping walrus.

Ah, Maine…

This float had been pulled up for the season.

And if you know anything about the coast of Maine, you know sand is at a premium.

Mostly it’s rocks, which my ever intrepid husband continues to climb…

Not always gracefully.

😉

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Stonington, part three.

October 28, 2022 Rivergirl 23 Comments

Heading out of the harbor proper, we found some scenically beautiful spots.

For gorgeous coastline, it’s hard to top Maine.

We drove at will, no destination in mind. And sometimes cutting down side streets resulted in dead ends.

Like a marina we didn’t know was there.

Other times there were loop roads….

With extremely peaceful seating.

And if you want peace and quiet? Take a tip from that guy.

He certainly had the right idea.

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Stonington, part two.

October 27, 2022 Rivergirl 20 Comments

Walking around the village, there were ample rocks.

This is the Maine coast after all.

We walked the harbor… taking in the sights, sounds and random clumps of rope.

It’s a place frozen in time and all the better for it.

A few old buildings have been spruced up for overnight accommodations, but there are no chain hotels and not a Denny’s in sight.

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”.

If you’re ever in the area….

It’s definitely worth a look.

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The journey home, continued…

October 24, 2022 Rivergirl 17 Comments

After traversing the Green Mountains in Vermont, we entered New Hampshire.

Still mountains, but now they’re White. Although technically right now they’re red, orange and gold.

This is a beautiful section of NH and one we drive through quite a bit in the autumn.

There are random wooden moose.

Glorious fall foliage.

Random skeleton coffee house greeters.

And more colorful scenery.

I think my husband shed a tear over the state of this neglected barn.

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.

Yes, please.

Do that as well..

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The journey home.

October 23, 2022 Rivergirl 19 Comments

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.

It’s a rural and mountainous region of Vermont, similar to areas in northern Maine with its low population density and differing political views.

Unspoiled and undisturbed.

Beautiful? You betcha!

This region takes their designation seriously so you’ll find “Kingdom” gas stations and “Kingdom” diners scattered throughout the area.

There’s even a covered bridge staircase.

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.

And if you’re wondering how far north we were?

I could see Canada from my window.

And though we didn’t cross the border, Verizon let us know we might as well have.

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Goodbye Vermont, we’ll miss you.

October 22, 2022 Rivergirl 22 Comments

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.

Leaving the little town of Jeffersonville we passed what’s become a landmark.

An artfully painted silo celebrating the area’s agricultural roots.

We said goodbye to cows. (Alright, that was me. The husband grew up milking them and couldn’t care less)

Did I mention there are a lot of cows in Vermont?

There’s also a lot of corn.

So much corn.

Seriously, the stuff is everywhere.

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The last Notch drive and a little shopping.

October 21, 2022 Rivergirl 28 Comments

Heading back to the resort for the last time it looked like there was a hole in the sky…

And before long we were approaching the Notch.

These signs are on both entrance sides to the road and it took me a few minutes to figure out what they were talking about.

TT’s won’t fit?

How odd.

As we entered the Notch, rain. I swear the mountains make their own weather.

Godzilla barfing?

No, just falling rocks.

Not sure if you can tell from the photo, but the road is positively pink. Vermont has the oddest color tar in places. Perhaps it’s mixed with Ben and Jerry’s Strawberry Shortcake…?

Since our neighbor was caring for Lord Dudley Mountcatten… as well as feeding the fox and deer.. a thank you gift was required. This meant dragging my husband shopping and you know if it isn’t antiques he isn’t happy.

A bottle of local Vermont wine…

And some Vermont chocolates were perfect, but then I lost the husband in the store.

You knew he’d find something vintage, right?

He actually collects these old gas station oil bottles and was thrilled to find a complete set with the holder. He was less than thrilled to find they were being used as decoration and not for sale.

He was so grumpy about that he wouldn’t let me go back and purchase this special maple syrup.

Which in hindsight was probably a good thing…

Because as soon as I saw they had various Dog liquor I wanted one of each.

But at nearly $200 for the pair it’s a good thing they were under lock and key.

😬

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Another scenic drive.

October 20, 2022 Rivergirl 21 Comments

Fortified with a wonderful meal, we continued our aimless wandering through Vermont.

It’s hard to take a bad photo there, especially in the fall. Mountains, trees, and cows.

Mountains, cows, and farms.

Every once in a while you’ll pass through a town.

Then it’s back to mountains, trees, and cows.

And a very serious porch lover.

Also, there were fish.

I have no explanation for random fish, but they were delightful all the same.

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One of our favorites.

October 19, 2022 Rivergirl 23 Comments

As we were randomly driving around Vermont we hit Montpelier, the capitol, and remembered there was a fabulous high end restaurant we’d enjoyed on previous trips.

Welcome to J. Morgan’s Steakhouse.

A fabulous place that’s actually part of a hotel. It has a very retro, 1920’s, prohibition era type feel….

And we hit it at the perfect time since you can rarely get in without reservations.

Apple cider mule?

Don’t mind if I do.

It was 3:00pm… but since we hadn’t eaten since breakfast, we decided to be tacky (really) early birds and go straight to dinner. Do not pass go. Do not collect two hundred dollars. Which kind of sucked because this place can be pricey.