April showers bring May flowers, then June graduations and weddings. And, although my daughter graduates from college in June, she’s pretty far from a wedding (although she has been dating a great guy for three years). I was the one who began thinking about weddings recently when my online browsing introduced me to Maine wedding photographer Brea McDonald. Her work would convince any couple to choose Mount Desert Island as the destination for their wedding! [...]
While this week brought news about more political corruption in New York, weakening chances of gun legislation passing, and increasing tensions in Korea, my inbox – and mailbox – also offered signs of hope from individuals and organizations committed to land conservation. Here are some of my favorites. 2012 Statistics Reveal Top 10 Visited National Park Service Sites Visits to our national parks increased by more than three million last year. Acadia National [...]
One evening when we were having dinner at Red Sky restaurant in Southwest Harbor, Maine, the Executive Chef James Lindquist came over to our table to describe the specials. The appetizer, he said, featured asparagus which was “in the ground this afternoon.” This focus on what’s local and fresh has been a driving force behind the success of Red Sky and James Lindquist, who was featured in Fresh from Maine, the 2010 cookbook of “recipes [...]
Thinking of visiting Acadia National Park this summer? It’s the star attraction of Mount Desert Island, an island about the same size as Martha’s Vineyard, but with 24 mountain peaks. That alone expands the roster of great things to do there. Acadia became a national park in 1919, but the first village on Mount Desert Island was founded in 1761. Today Acadia’s boundaries are intermingled with the charming, postcard-perfect villages of this New England island, adding even [...]
When Fred told his son Josh that we were going to Acadia in October to see the foliage, the 27-year-old wisecracked, “Why don’t you just go to Central Park?” The horror of turning into middle-aged leaf peepers flashed in my mind. Ironically, one of the best reasons to go to Maine in the fall is to be very active outdoors. With visitors to the national park at half of what they are in August, the [...]
As the sun softened over Bass Harbor, the guests at Ann’s Point Inn leaned forward to listen to the innkeeper introduce the two Bartlett wines, a semi-dry peach and a semi-dry pear, he was pouring that afternoon. We took another nibble of Seal Cove goat cheese, then tasted. Wine made from peaches and pears, not grapes? It was delicious. “I like featuring Bartlett because my guests appreciate trying wine only available in Maine,” says Alan [...]
Bar Harbor breakfast-goers fall into several categories. The Fuel-Seekers, who want a hearty breakfast before they hit the trail in Acadia. The Lingerers, who want to enjoy their vacation relaxing over breakfast, perhaps with a newspaper. And, of course, the Foodies, who believe that the first meal of the day offers tantalizing taste options. All three groups designate Café This Way as worthy of “Destination Breakfast” status. But, first, let’s make sure we can get [...]
I was about to have dinner at Eden, the vegan restaurant in Bar Harbor, with a carnivore, known for his New York brand of sarcasm, and a life-long vegetarian, ornery from being house-bound as she studied for the MCAT. Why I put myself in this position I do not know. After all, the Meat Eater had foreshadowed potential tension earlier in the day when he noted, “Rupert Murdoch said dining at Steve Jobs’ vegetarian household was an [...]
Go to Jordan Pond House for lemonade on the lawn, and you’ll wonder if you’re in Maine or some scenic setting for the Westminster Dog Show. Breeds abound. Some sport bandannas. All are attached to proud owners. The wait staff even pours water into dog bowls. Such pet-friendly dynamics at a popular dining spot are just one reason you won’t have to leave your best friend behind if you choose Acadia National Park for your [...]
Karl Brunner is the perfect guy to go sailing with. He started sailing when he was eight, has good stories (he hiked the Appalachian Trail in five months and eight days), and knows the best local bars. Fortunately for us, he’s also an entrepreneur, so we all can go sailing with him. In 2005 he started Downeast Friendship Sloop Charters with the handsomely refurbished Alice E., a sloop with a history. In fact, she was [...]