2bnMaine

Part Three

Here’s Part One and Part Two

Do you have any secret places you like to visit?

I don’t really want to let the secret out, but Reversing Falls in Pembroke would be at the top of the list. It’s off the beaten path. When there is no one else there, it feels like you’re in absolute wilderness; just you, the harbor seals, bald eagles and a mesmerizing torrent of water.

The power is impressive, but if you show up at the wrong time everything is quiet. The tide water rises up to 21 feet every 6 hours. We like to go on Saturdays, stopping at Cinqueterre Farm Bakery on the way, to nab a fresh delicious baguette or croissant for a picnic.

Favorite restaurants?

We had a small wedding party in a four star restaurant in Sag Harbor’s historic, American Hotel. The Pickled Herring, located in Eastport’s 1887 Masonic Lodge landmark, has a similar feeling. They have wonderful wood-fire grilled rustic pizza.

I often have the ‘Garden Side,’ topped with spinach and chevre cheese from the locally owned, Garden Side Dairy. Their artisanal cheeses like ‘Italian Lovers’ can be found in our fridge all summer.

Hikes?

The trails at Baxter State Park. I think it was ‘Grassy Pond Trail’ that had timber planks over rocky muddy stretches and handsome log bridges. I captured a great shot of a moose lifting his head out of the water with Katahdin in the background.

This summer I’d like to hike out to East Quoddy Lighthouse off Campobello Island – you have to make the trek when the tide is low since it’s only accessible an hour and a half before and one hour after, low tide.

Drives?

We like to explore Maine’s ‘fingers’ near and far. The drive from Route 1 to the quaint lobster village of Stonington is a must. It has it all – as you head through Surry, Blue Hill and Brooklin. The 1939 Deer Isle suspension bridge, spanning the Eggemoggin Reach – is in itself worth the trip.

Walks?

Dubbed ‘stub-toe’ path (because of many roots and rocks) by longtime campers and neighbors; it follows the lake around our neck of Boydens – through the pines, over a bridge, across several streams, following a great collection of turn of the century log and stick built cabins.

‘Bump’ on Boyden Lake.

Views?

Several years ago we took a trip down the coast and decided to pay a pilgrimage to one of our favorite honeymoon stops – Mount Battie. It had just been raining and everything was soaked, so Patrick asked the Ranger whether the climb was still worth it.

When we got to the top of the stone tower we were greeted with not only magnificent views of Camden Harbor and the Penobscot Bay, but also a perfect double rainbow miraculously diving into the water on each end.

There were several other couples already there – no one spoke a word; we all stood in silence as the rainbow slowly disappeared.

Joyce on Mt. Battie and fall on Boyden Lake.

Do you like lobster?

We do like lobster, but over the course of the summer we seem to have more crab. I make a pretty mean crab cake, though I get plenty of help from Betty’s Crabmeat in Pembroke. It doesn’t get any fresher – Betty’s husband catches them in the morning, so she can prepare them for pick-up by 10.

Blueberries?

That reminds me of another great drive – through Jonesboro’s blueberry barrens – dotted with glacial erratics. The best time to visit is in the fall when the barrens are blazing red.

We get fresh organic blueberries from a friend, Ellen Johnson, who owns Lamb Cove Farm in nearby Robbinston. Her pies are delicious. You can buy them and many other Maine made items at The Red Sleigh on Route 1 in Perry.

I like to make a batch of blueberry muffins for ourselves and our neighbors; then freeze the rest so we can have them again, when guests from ‘away’ come to visit.

Is there a special spot you two would like to spend a romantic weekend?

In our home, on our farm with our little kitty cat, Gabsy.

Update: Here is a link to the ‘Every Mainers Kitchen’ Down East article.

All photos from Joyce Jackson.