Summer, Fall: With over 60 lighthouses along Maine’s rocky coast, lighthouse enthusiast will definitely enjoy a ride up the coast in search of these beacons. Starting on Route One in Kittery you will find Whaleback Light sitting offshore from Fort Foster. You can view this awesome granite structure from Fort Foster Park as it stands ready to protect Portsmouth Harbor.Moving Northward up the coast you will find Cape Neddick Light and glimpses of Boon Island Light. Boon Island Light is nine miles offshore from York Beach and is probably the roughest place to man. The first two structures were actually swept away by raging storms and the last structure was severely damaged during the blizzard of 1978.Moving further along, Portland Head Light, Maine’s oldest beacon welcomes ships into Maine’s busiest commercial harbor. Seguin Island Light is the beacon at the mouth of the foggy Kennebec River.Probably one of Maine’s prettiest lights is found in Damariscotta at Pemaquid Point. This spot is a great place to photograph the natural beauty of Maine’s coastline. Marshall Point Light is found “downeast” near Port Clyde and Tenants Harbor. Moving back inland you will find a wonderful lighthouse museum in Rockland as well as the Owl’s Head Lightstation. Finally, Bass Head Light with it’s red beacon light shining brightly in western port of Southwest Harbor and West Quoddy Head Light which is the first in the US to greet the morning sun in Lubec, the eastern most point in the US.The history and beauty of Maine’s lighthouses is a treasure for you and your whole family to enjoy.
Tag: Fall
Cheap Vacations: Things To Do On A Budget
Winter,Spring,Summer & Fall: There are so many ways to enjoy the beautiful state of Maine and plenty of things to do even if you are on a tight budget. Cheap vacations to Vacationland are possible. First, Maine has miles of rocky coastline and sandy beaches in the summer. Enjoying a day at the beach can include swimming, exploring tidal pools or even casting a line in hopes of catching the big one. This state offers some of the best parks with miles of hiking trails and breathtaking views. You could drive up the coast in search of the historic lighthouses or drive in-land to the lakes region and enjoy the quiet beauty of the mountains. If you are looking for reasonable accommodations you may consider staying at a B&B which often includes all inclusive meal plans and cocktail hours. If adventure is calling you, Maine offers some great camping sites with tent sites as low as $10 per night. Whatever you choose there are some great things to do even if you are on a tight budget!
Exploring Kittery: Shopping the Outlets
Summer,Spring,Winter & Fall: Kittery is a a shopping destination point for many natives as well as visitors. With over 120 discount outlets and the ever famous Kittery Trading Post, you are sure to find what you are looking for and then some. The steady flow of traffic up Route One is a good indication that this place is a hot spot for bargains. With clothing from famous makers like Ralph Lauren, Ann Taylor and Liz Claiborne to home decor shops like Crate & Barrel, this is a shoppers paradise. There are also some great restaurants to eat at just off the beaten path. The famous Warren’s Lobster House offers the mile long salad bar that is a sure bet. Kittery is also home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard which offers visitors a museum full of ship building history as well as colonial and civil war history. So take a trip to Kittery and explore this coastal shopping haven.
York County: Harvestfest Time!
Fall: For over 20 years York county has celebrated the coming of fall with Harvestfest. The celebration takes place in October and begins with an annual sidewalk sale that clears our the summer merchandise and leaves shoppers with bargains galore. Everyone loves chocolate and the Chocolate Lover’s Fling offers something for everyone in the form of chocolate! There is a special event called Kidfest which has become one of the most popular activities along with a juried craft show, live entertainment trolley tours, a pumpkinstroll and an ox roast. The last day of this three day event offers a Classic Car Show and a Native American POW-WOW. One of the most popular attractions at Harvestfest however, is the food. You will find fall specialties like apple crisp and fresh pies to bean hole beans, Kettle Korn and fried dough. Nothing says fall like this annual Harvestfest, so come to York County and celebrate the season!
One Room School Houses: A History Lesson
Fall, Summer: With school starting across the state, fall is the perfect season to visit some of Maine’s one-room school houses. These antique school houses offer visitors a view of what school life was like in days gone by and life in simpler times. The students didn’t have paper and pens but, instead chalk and slate boards in the late 1800’s as visitors are offered a view of these classrooms. A wood stove was used to heat these one room school houses which hadempty desk with inkwells that use to be filled with eager students can be found as well as the recitaion bench and a dipper and pail providing the drinking water for the day. The town of Wells has The Schoolhouse which was built during the late 1800’s for less than $900.00. The school housed 35 to 40 students kindergarten through eighth. If you have never had the chance to visit one of these historic gems, it’s worth the trip and the kids may just have a new appreciation for all they have today.