“Did you ever think we could find some woods to walk in?” My outdoor-loving 12-year-old son asks me from time to time. As a child growing up in New York City, Anton appreciated all the skate parks and bagel shops, but he also longed for nature, like in his bones.
So when school ended, I offered to take him for a weekend in Maine, a place that not only has forests but also lakes, rocks, and periwinkles that come out of their shells when you hum. We were both very excited.
The first night we were lucky to get a room in aragostaa beautiful little hotel in Deer Isle that Alison had recommended.
Chef and owner, Devin Finigan, is famous for their seasonal tasting menusbut we focused on the breakfast that came with the room, including these Maine blueberry pancakes. Not even normally as pancakes and these blew me away.
We also play a LOT of chess in our small travel board.
After breakfast, we went for a hike up Blue Hill Mountain.
Here is the summit!
In the afternoon, we explore the charming fishing village of Stonington…
…then joined my friend Julia (of Rudy Judas Fame) and his family for dinner at Boil burnt calla.
Basically, a crab is plopped down in front of you, followed by an ear of corn, then a lobster, then a classic ice cream sandwich. Julie and her husband Anthony showed us how to remove all the meat. (His children were already professionals).
Afterwards, the four children climbed the rocks, while the adults chatted. It’s always a pleasure to be with people who live in the place you’re visiting, don’t you think? Julie and Anthony described how they brought their newborn chicks into their house to keep them warm, and all the peeping was soooo loud, and then a cricket came into the house and added to the noise and no one could find it and everyone was going crazy, haha. Very different from city life!
The next day, Anton and I stayed at the charming Hotel Asticou near Acadia National Park.
We drove to a couple of trails, but they were PACKED – you had to stand in a long line, just to start the hike! Luckily, we found a quieter area and took a long walk around Jordan Pond, playing Would You Rather? and Categories along the way. Do you have a favorite travel game?
Finally, we skimmed rocks on our last afternoon before returning to Brooklyn.
Epic travel companion
Oh Maine, what a magical place! Not pictured, of course: traffic, tween moodiness, locking keys in rental car, etc., but that’s all to be expected.
Have you been to Maine? Do you live there? What parts do you love? Any professional advice? I’d love to hear. xoxo
PS: Our trip to Maine, and another great hotel, when the kids were much younger, and a house in Maine with a bedroom overlooking the water.
