Did we even go to Maine? LOL

The other day while we were out for our evening walk Paul wondered why I had not featured anything about our recent Maine trip on my blog. I had to laugh - we've been back more than 2 weeks and I haven't posted so much as a picture.

I will correct that today. Things have just been a tad hectic since we returned.

So here goes . . .

Our trip to Maine was amazing! We put more than 3000 km on the car so much driving was involved, yet we sure relaxed a lot. Normally lots of driving does not = relaxing trip, but this time it did.

We stopped the first night in Syracuse and made a return visit to Dinosaur BBQ. It was every bit as good as it had been back in 2007. The only drawback was the HUGE wait for a table - more than an hour. The food made it all worthwhile.

Yes, the diet was on vacation as well! Dear lord, this was GREAT BBQ!

The next day we did a long drive - Syracuse to Portland, Maine. We made a few stops along the way - I have never been the sort who can get behind the wheel of a car and drive non-stop in some sort of bizarre catatonic state.

We LOVED Portland. In fact, it is one of my favourite American cities that I have visited.

Yes, I have visited more than Portland.

We checked out an amazing seafood shack on the coast south of the city. here we had the first of many lobster rolls consumed on the trip.

While in Portland we visited the wharves where I took a this picture of a cat patiently waiting outside of a fish store. Who says cats aren't smart?

I was amazed at how well preserved Old Port is. Old Port is one of the most successful revitalized warehouse districts in the US. Seamlessly connected to the waterfront, the Old Port is both a working waterfront and a chic shopping, dining, and entertainment district.

Taking a walk at the water’s edge along Commercial Street provides a window into the working waterfront. Just steps from the water, we strolled down the cobblestone streets and experienced the  charm of this district. The boutique shopping, one-of-a-kind stores, restaurants serving Maine’s famous lobster dishes or the latest nouveau cuisine, and a vibrant nightlife are all unparallel to any other New England city.

The smell of the sea air, the sound of a foghorn, and the chatter of seagulls add to an atmosphere that is undeniably Portland, undeniably Maine. Did I say that we REALLY liked Portland?

We checked out some of the amazing shops and visited a few galleries. We all agreed that Portland was a place to return to!

We also had the best meals of the year in Portland. Funny how a city in Maine of just slightly more than 60,000 folks has so many great restaurant choices. Two of Food and Wine's best chefs of the year have restaurants in the city. I treated mom and Paul to dinner at 555 where the food was just amazing.

With food like this it was easy to see why chef Steve Corey was selected as one of the best new chefs in the US! The food is all made with locally sourced ingredients where possible and the menu changes regularly in order to make the best use of seasonally products - with one exception.

This is one item that is always on the menu - regardless of seasonality - lobster mac and cheese with shaved truffles. Oh WOW! This was amazing. The chef was generous with the lobster and the truffles. This was a dish of decadent flavours - after one bite one could immediately see why it is the most popular item on the menu.

Oh yes, did I say the diet was on vacation too?

We were sad to have to leave Portland. In fact, if we hadn't had our cottage reserved on Deer Isle I suspect we might have extended our visit.

More on the rest of the trek to come . . .

Comments

[Barb Cabot]

I knew your trip would be phenomenal but still your descriptions and photos surpass my imagination....the food, the food, you two know how to live indeed!

[Candi]

We too enjoyed Portland, Maine that is, a lot when we visited last September. I regretted stopping there only for that day , but we we were heading to Acadia National Park, which was fantastic too. The food is amazing, yeah?

[kendall]

Can't wait to hear more about your trip!

[nancyhol]

OMG! That lobster mac and cheese with truffles is to die for!

I want to go there!

[JDeQ]

I'll admit that we do Barb. mind you, I've yet to meet a member of the slow travel community who did not!

Candi we only drove through it two years ago. that was enough to make us realize we needed to stay longer this time out.

Oh oh Kendall - be careful not to set me off - you know I don't know when to stop!

Nancy - it was one of the best things I have eaten in a restaurant. Decadent. I wouldn't want a steady diet of it but WOW - what a splurge.

[sandrac]

Great photos, Jerry. The town looks lovely. I especially love that restaurant name, Dinosaur BBQ!

And lobster mac 'n cheez with truffles sounds incredible!

[JDeQ]

It was Sandra, it was. Mind you, I couldn't eat a huge amount of it because it was soooo rich.

[girasoli]

I loved seeing these photos. Miss my days in Maine in the summer. And that lobster roll... YUM!!

[JDeQ]

I don't doubt it girasoli. There is somehting about Maine - I don't know if it is because it is so laid back or what - but I adore it.

[Paul Z.]

Hi Jerry! Thanks for sharing all this info! Can you tell me how long it took to get from Syracuse to Deere Isle? I have to make the trip myself. Thanks! I really enjoyed your writing here and the photos too!

[JDeQ]

Hi Paul

Welcome to the blog.

We broke the trip in two because there were things in Portland that we wanted to do. Similarly, on the way back we decided to stop in the Berkshires.

I'd estimate that the drive is about 10 hours. The length of time it takes will vary depending upon the day. The drive south from Deer Isle can be longer because of the traffic! Once the 395 branches off and heads south you'll make better time.

Enjoy your trip!