Maine time. Maine is the greenest state in the USA. Sugarlof Ski Area

Maine Map:

Maine (English: Maine [ˈmeɪn]) is a state in the northeastern United States, part of New England. Population 1.27 million people (40th among US states; data 2000). The capital is Augusta, the largest city is Portland.

The original inhabitants of the state territory were Algonquian-speaking people. The first European settlement in Maine was established in 1604 on St. Croix Island. It was created by the Plymouth Company in 1607. Despite the harsh climate and conflicts with the local population, the number of English settlements on the state's coast increased. By the time the state was incorporated in the 18th century, only half of the European settlements remained. Patriots and British troops held the area during the Revolutionary War and the Anglo-American War. Until 1820, the state belonged to Massachusetts, and, as a result of the Missouri Compromise, it became the 23rd free state.

Official name: State of Maine

Capital of Maine: Indianapolis

Largest city: Portland

Other major cities: Bangor, Biddeford, Brunswick, Gorham, York, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Auburn, Saco, Sanford, South Portland, Scarborough, Windham, Waterville, Westbrook, Falmouth.

State nicknames: Pine State

State Motto: I Guide

Maine Zip Code: M.E.

State formation date: 1820 (23rd in order)

Area: 86.5 thousand sq. km. (39th place in the country.)

Population: more than 1.2 million people (40th place in the country).

History of Maine

European settlement of Maine began in 1607 under the control of the Plymouth Company. The land patent of 1622 regulated the creation of the Province of Maine. The name presumably comes from the French province of Maine.

During the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, Maine was controlled by the British. Maine has existed as a separate state since 1820, before which its territories were part of Massachusetts.

Geography of Maine

Area 86 thousand km². The administrative center is the city of Augusta; the largest city and port is Portland. Most of the territory is occupied by the spurs of the Appalachians (up to 1606 m high - Mount Katahdin). The climate is temperate and humid. The average temperature in January is about 5 °C, in July 15-18 °C. Precipitation is about 1000 mm per year. More than 1/2 of the territory is covered with forests (mostly secondary). There are many lakes and rapids rivers, rich in hydropower (power plant capacity over 1.5 GW in 1973). An important industry is agriculture. Farms, mostly small, occupy 18% of the territory. M. 65% of marketable agricultural output comes from livestock farming (1971). The number of cattle (1972) is 142 thousand, including 66 thousand dairy cows. M. ranks first in the United States in potato production (the main region is the Aroostook River Valley). The logging, wood processing and especially the pulp and paper industries are of great importance. The leather and footwear, textile, clothing industries, and the production of textile and shoe machines are also developed. Shipbuilding. On the coast there is fishing and fish canning industry. There are 103 thousand people employed in the manufacturing industry (1971).

Its capital is the city of Augusta, and Portland is considered the largest and most populous city. This state has its own nickname - Pine State. The cost of a holiday in Portland, the main city of the state, will cost on average 45 - 67 thousand rubles per person. In general, prices here are not the highest in the United States, and there are a lot of attractions.

If you are planning your vacation in Maine, you should definitely visit its capital. This is a very green and beautiful city, which has a large number of memorable places. For example, the Capitol building, which is visited on weekdays, is free to enter.

Augusta is home to a large Maine Museum with rich exhibits on the archaeology, nature and industry developed in the state. The museum is open on weekdays, entrance fee is about two dollars per adult and one dollar per child. In Maine, there is a wooden fort called Old West Fort, which was built by the first colonists.

When visiting Portland, you should pay attention to its creative workshops, the Old Port, and the Portland Museum of Art.

When vacationing in Maine in 2019, be sure to research prices in advance and create an interesting itinerary for all the attractions.

Maine is well known among tourists for its unique nature and good climate.

Maine Beaches

Maine is washed to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, so vacationers have an excellent opportunity to visit magnificent beaches. For example, Sand Beach is distinguished by its amazing nature and snow-white sand. The clearest turquoise water, small rocks, pine trees - all this creates excellent conditions for a family holiday. Many tourists choose this place to practice various sports. There are changing rooms on the beach, equipment rental, and you can go surfing.

Acadia National Park

It is located next to Cadillac Mountain and covers an area of ​​200 square kilometers. It was opened to the public about a hundred years ago. On its territory there are a large number of islands, Mount Cadillac 500 meters high, and Eagle Lake, which is very popular among tourists.

In the park you can meet numerous wild animals, as well as observe the life of marine life. Due to the climate, the park is closed to visitors during the cold season. However, even during the period from July to September the number of visitors amounts to millions of tourists.

Maine Desert

This so-called pseudo-desert appeared as a result of improper human agricultural activities. Its total area is 16 hectares, and it is located near the city of Freeport in a pine forest, no matter how surprising it sounds. It has now become a popular tourist destination. There is a sand and farm museum and many souvenir shops. The cost of visiting is approximately twelve dollars per adult and six per child.

Sugarlof Ski Area

Maine's diverse natural landscapes offer oceanfront vacations and mountain skiing. This ski resort is very popular; there is a chance to ski, sled, skate, sit in cozy restaurants and enjoy the local nature. You can improve your skiing skills; on average, a training course costs about $700.

Weather and climate in Maine

Maine's unofficial name is the "Pine State." Indeed, the state has a large number of coniferous forests, and the climate is quite harsh. The average temperature in summer does not exceed 27 degrees Celsius, and winters are usually snowy and cold. Therefore, for those who want to bask in the sun, it is best to visit the state during the height of summer.

In winter, a holiday here will seem a little boring, especially for those who are used to beaches and do not engage in winter sports. However, most tourists go on vacation to Maine, because this state has a huge advantage. On its territory is the Appalachian mountain range, and the mountains reliably protect the land from destructive tornadoes, typhoons and hurricanes. These natural phenomena are extremely rare in Maine. Even if small hurricanes do occur, they are not destructive and do not affect the quality of tourists’ recreation.

How to get there

They get to Maine by plane. Flights to the USA fly daily from major international airports and. However, they keep in mind that there is no direct communication between Russia and Maine. Therefore, you should take a direct flight to any major US city, and then transfer to another flight or use ground transportation.

There is an international airport in the state, but there is no direct connection with Russia. Maine is also home to a major international port connecting Maine to Canada. Therefore, it is possible to get to Canada, and then travel by water, by ferry.

State map

Maine Creative Workshops

Lovers of art and quiet seclusion visit Monhegan Island. Officially, this island belongs to the state of Maine, but life there is completely different. This is a secluded corner with pristine nature, where local bohemians created their community more than a hundred years ago.

Painters, graphic artists, sculptors, and masters of decorative and applied arts live here permanently (or temporarily) and create their masterpieces. Through the joint efforts of local artists, the Monegan Island Conservation and Heritage Association was created. Activists of this Association organize thematic exhibitions and cultural and entertainment events, introduce tourists to the best examples of their art and arrange interesting meetings with admirers of their talent.

Monegan Island is a miniature “artist city”. This is also a great place for a secluded, relaxing beach holiday away from the noise of the city.

Main attractions

Maine: Portland Museum of Art

Lovers of beauty should definitely visit the Portland Museum of Art. The two-story building in which the museum is located is an interesting architectural monument. The permanent exhibition features works by American and European artists, from the 17th – 18th centuries to the present day. There are also temporary traveling exhibitions.

A lot of schoolchildren come to the museum, especially during the holidays. They order group and individual excursion services, and also use an audio guide in English or other European languages. On the territory of the museum there are souvenir shops where you can buy miniature copies of the works of art presented in the exhibition, as well as souvenirs with the symbols of the state. In addition, there are several cafes and free Wi-Fi internet access.

Grand Maine Museum

In addition to the art museum, the state has a historical museum, or the so-called Great Museum of Maine. Lovers of antiquity will certainly enjoy this place. The museum's exhibition tells about the life and everyday life of the inhabitants of Maine, from time immemorial (when the indigenous people of America lived in the state) to the present day.

The exhibition presents unique artifacts obtained during archaeological excavations: fragments of dishes, clothing, jewelry, reconstructions of ancient burials. It is also good to familiarize yourself with detailed plans of ancient settlements. There are unique reconstructions of everyday scenes from the life of the indigenous population of Maine.

Maritime museums

The sea plays a huge role in Maine life. Not surprisingly, it is home to the Great Maritime Museum, as well as the Lighthouse Museum. The Great Maritime Museum features models of ships made in Maine shipyards, as well as original wooden structures from the nineteenth century. But the pride of the exhibition is a life-size model of the schooner “Wyoming” with six masts.

The museum books a group excursion to the local shipyard. The city of Rockland is home to a unique lighthouse museum. The exhibit features exhibits from some of the most famous lighthouses in the United States. The guide tells visitors how the lighthouse works and why it is needed, and also helps them understand the intricacies of the lighthouse’s operation.

Monument to Samantha Smith

The world's only monument to Samantha Smith is located in the state of Minnesota. Once upon a time this girl was a real celebrity in the Soviet Union. Little Samantha heard on TV about the Cold War between Russia and the United States and wrote to the General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee Andropov that the American people do not want war. Andropov was touched to the depths of his soul and invited the girl to Russia, and she became a real goodwill ambassador.

Unfortunately, soon after the fateful visit to Russia, the girl’s life was tragically cut short: she died in a plane crash. Once upon a time, all the girls in the USSR wanted to be like Samantha Smith, and her portraits and touching stories about her were published in every English textbook. Perhaps getting to know this monument will help someone remember their Soviet childhood.

Education

Maine is one of the main educational centers of the United States. Here is the University of Maine, where young people study a variety of specialties. The educational institution conducts scientific research in the field of natural sciences and humanities.

The University of Maine Library is considered one of the largest libraries in America. Books of all genres are presented, including rare and antique ones. The local university is also famous for the fact that it was here that the famous American writer Stephen King, a master of psychological thrillers, received his higher education.

Features of national cuisine

The fishing industry and agriculture play a huge role in the life of Maine. That is why the national cuisine is traditionally famous for seafood and vegetable dishes. In terms of vegetables, potatoes play a major role, as there are many extensive potato plantations throughout the state.

Potatoes from Maine are famous for their extraordinary taste and are imported throughout America. And local fishermen supply lobsters and lobsters to cafes and restaurants every day. The state's calling card is the hot lobster roll. Fast food outlets try hamburgers with seafood. They are somewhat reminiscent of the classic versions, only they differ in a more delicate taste.

What to bring as a gift to your family and friends

The state of Maine is home to a large number of luxury boutiques, large shopping centers and small, cozy souvenir shops. As a gift to family and friends, souvenirs with the symbols of the state are brought: T-shirts, mugs, magnets and stationery.

It should be borne in mind that in the center these goods are much more expensive than in the outskirts. They purchase high-quality clothes, shoes, watches and jewelry. Gourmets will certainly be delighted with canned local seafood. And from Monegan Island you can bring paintings and arts and crafts made by local craftsmen - members of the artist community.

Maine is one of the most interesting places in the United States of America. To make your trip memorable for a long time, make a list of places you want to visit in advance. This will help you not get confused.

The most interesting things about Maine are, of course, the museums and wonderful nature. And don’t forget about the national cuisine: you won’t find seafood like this anywhere else. It is very convenient to vacation in the state, because there is a developed infrastructure and everything that tourists need is available: cafes, restaurants, hotels, shops, sightseeing views and a variety of active recreation areas.

Maine belongs to the New England region and is the easternmost land in the United States. The first memory of European settlement here dates back to 1604. Then a French expedition led by Samuel de Champlain landed on the Island of the Holy Cross. Three years later, a British village was created here by the Plymouth Company. Initially, the territory of Maine was part of Massachusetts, but on March 15, 1820, it separated and became the 23rd state of the state.

Geographical features

The region borders the state of New Hampshire in the southwest and the Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick in the northwest. The entire southeastern border of Maine is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The total area of ​​the state is 91.6 thousand square kilometers. Moreover, more than 13% of its territory is covered with water. In addition, a significant part of it consists of spurs of the Appalachian mountain range. The highest point here is Katahdin, and the largest lake is Moosehead. Machias is also located in the eastern part of the state. True, there is one nuance here. It lies in the fact that the issue of their affiliation has not yet been resolved between Canada and the United States.

Maine has a continental climate with snowy, cold winters and not very hot summers. Throughout the year, the air temperature here ranges from -18 to +27 degrees. Tropical storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and thunderstorms are extremely rare in the region.

origin of name

To this day, researchers have not come to a consensus as to why the state of Maine received this particular name. For the first time in history, the name appears in one of the documents of 1622. According to it, Captain John Mason and Sir Ferdinand Gorges received a gift of land, which they intended to call the "Province of Maine." In 2001, local authorities decided to establish a holiday - Franco-American Day. The corresponding written order states that the state received its current name in honor of the French province of the same name.

Population

Maine has a population of just over 1.3 million people. Despite the small area, quite impressive territories remain uninhabited. This can be explained by the prevailing mountainous terrain and rather harsh weather conditions. In addition, throughout the year the number of local residents varies depending on the season. The fact is that many Americans live here only in the summer and leave at the end of the season.

As for the origin of the residents living in Maine, approximately 22% of them are English, 15% are Irish, 14.2% are Canadian and French, almost 10% are American, and 6.7% are German. The official language in the region is English. At the same time, more than 5% of residents speak French fluently.

Cities

There are 488 communities of varying sizes in the state. The largest of them is the city of Portland, whose population is about 63 thousand people. As for the smallest, the resort village of Fry Island is considered to be such, in which not a single person is officially registered. The capital of Maine is Augusta. The population of the administrative center is twenty thousand inhabitants. The city is in a very advantageous position, from a geographical point of view. In this regard, a number of agricultural and industrial enterprises operate here.

Tourism

A large number of tourists visit Maine every year. Its attractions are concentrated mainly in Portland and Augusta. In the first of these cities, the Art Museum, Space Gallery and many local parks are especially popular. As for the capital, it is recommended to visit the Museum of the Military Historical Society, the State House and the Lithgow Library. Most of the objects that represent cultural heritage for Americans were erected at the very beginning of the twentieth century.

The local nature deserves special mention. With mountains, endless forests and beautiful ponds (one of the most picturesque is Lake Chamberlain), Maine is visited by tens of thousands of travelers from the United States and other countries every year. Ocean landscapes are especially popular, a clear confirmation of which are the numerous easels on the ocean coast, which can be seen at any time of the year.

Economic development

The most developed industries in the state are industry and agriculture. Despite the predominance of rocky soil, potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, green peas and oats are grown here in large quantities. Numerous companies specializing in preparing vegetables for sale are located in Maine. It should also be noted that the woodworking, shipbuilding and textile industries are quite developed. Fresh sea fish became a separate source of income for Portland. Be that as it may, all the above-mentioned industries combined employ only a quarter of the local population. Most of the state's residents work in the service and tourism industries.

The state of Maine is part of New England. The state's motto is "I Guide" and its nickname is "The Pine Tree State." Its population is 1,328,188, which ranks 41st in the country in terms of population. The state capital is Augusta, and the largest city is Portland.

The area was originally inhabited by people who spoke Algonquian, and the first European settlement here dates back to 1604, based on Holy Cross Island. It was a French settlement. Later, in 1607, the first English settlement was founded as part of the Plymouth Company. And despite the fact that the climate of this area was harsh, and there were constant conflicts with the indigenous population, the number of European, in particular English, settlers continued to grow.

Until 1820, the territory of Maine was part of the state of Massachusetts, but after the signing of the Missouri Compromise, Maine became a separate independent 23rd state within the federation.

The state's area is 91,646 km². Most of the territory is occupied by the Appalachian Mountains. The climate in this region is moderate, humid, with sufficient rainfall. Almost half of the state is covered with forests. The state of Maine is home to a large number of lakes and a huge number of rivers, mostly rapids, which makes it possible to build and use hydroelectric power plants.

Agriculture plays a very important role in the state's economy; approximately 18% of the state's territory is occupied by farmland. Livestock farming plays a predominant role in agriculture; it provides 65% of income. Maine ranks first in the country for potato production. The wood and paper industries are very important to the economy. Represented in state industry and shipbuilding. Fishing and related industries are developed in coastal areas.

The state's population is 1,328,188 people; according to statistics for 2011, population growth compared to last year is quite insignificant, about 0.01%. The population density is 14.49 people/km². Maine's population is racially diverse: White, Asian, African American, Native American, Hispanic, and other ethnicities. The white population includes representatives of various European countries: the British, French, Irish, Italians and others.

More than 92% of the population speaks English regularly, but about 5.3% of the population uses French as their language of daily communication. This is the highest percentage in the entire country.

Major cities in Maine

Portland: 64,249 people
Lewiston: 35,690 people
Bangor: 31,473 people
Auburn: 23,690 people
South Portland: 23,324 people
Brunswick: 21,172 people
Biddeford: 20,942 people
Sanford: 20,798 people
Augusta: 19,136 people
Scarborough: 16,970 people
Sako: 16,822 people
Westbrook: 16,142 people
Waterville: 15,605 people
Wyndham: 14,904 people
Goreme: 14,141 people
York: 12,854 people
Kennebunk: 10,476 people
Falmouth: 10,310 people

November 8th, 2012 , 10:12 am

The first half of the story is about a trip to the northeastern United States.

By mid-summer, we were finally tired of the humid 37-degree Texas bathhouse, and decided that everyone needed a break. At a time when most people try to go south to the sea in the summer, many “southerners” do exactly the opposite: they try to get as far north as possible.

There was no big vacation in sight yet, but a week around American Independence Day (July 4th) could be snatched. The state of Maine, or as it is more correctly called in Russian, “State of Maine,” was chosen as the destination. First of all, because of the weather: 22° C seemed to us an unattainable paradise; the presence of the ocean also played an important role, as did the presence of the Acadia NP National Park, which we had long dreamed of seeing. In addition, I wanted to paint over another square on the map of the visited states. For us, Main became the 36th, and for little Sasha - the fourth.

Maine is in the far northeast of the country; This is the closest part of the United States to Europe. The origin of the name "Maine" is unknown. According to one version, it is associated with the French historical region of Maine, according to another, it was first used by settlers from England who lived on the islands and designated the mainland lands as “main” (“going to the main” - “to go to the mainland”). Maine has existed as a separate state since 1820, as a result of the Missouri Compromise. He joined the United States 23rd in a row.
Well, for all fans of horror films, the name of the state should be very familiar, since the famous Stephen King is a native of these places, and in many of the writer’s books the events take place in Maine.

Remembering how many extra things for the child I collected during a winter trip in a motor home in New Mexico and Colorado, I made the appropriate conclusions and cut down my luggage very much. This time we had to travel by plane, wherever we wanted or not, but we had to carefully monitor the weight of our suitcases. But still, the baby’s things and toys accumulated in volume more than both of us combined :) The child was flying without a seat, “in parent lap.” Half of the flight time she entertained herself and those around her with joyful hooting, and half of the time she simply fell asleep. There were no screams from ear pain, although I was mentally preparing for such a development of events, having read the impressions of other mothers.

There are no direct flights from Houston to Maine, so we decided to fly to Boston, then rent a car and drive the remaining 290 miles. At the Alamo car rental center near Boston Logan Airport, we were pleased that we allowed you to choose any of the cars presented in the parking lot in the stated category; they are usually more specific.
Through a series of tunnels we made our way out of Boston to the north, and along the way we were amazed at how closely people followed the speed limit on the roads, not even exceeding 5 miles. With our Texas driving style, we looked like real "speedy Gonzales" compared to them :)

The child fell asleep instantly, sitting comfortably in a chair under a blanket, so without stopping anywhere, an hour later they were already crossing the border into the state of New Hampshire. There was nothing to drive along it, just a tiny 20-minute piece, and of course it was worth looking into one of the “liquor state stores”, because... New Hampshire is one of the 18 US states that have a state monopoly over the wholesale and/or retail trade of alcohol. Prices in such stores are low, comparable to those in Texas, although everything is usually more expensive in the north. Having purchased all sorts of wine for ourselves and friends who also planned to drive up to Maine a day later, we soon found ourselves in the Pine Tree State. And it must be said that the nickname was given to Maine for a reason: on the sides of the road there were endless coniferous forests, filling the air with an intoxicating aroma.

There were no businesses associated with the road at all: to eat or refuel you had to go somewhere to the surrounding villages. For gasoline (regular), they wanted an average of $2.80 per gallon, so that it was 20-30 cents higher than Texas prices. After the lively city of Ellsworth with a fairly developed infrastructure (chain stores Home Depot, Lowe's, Wal-Mart, Shaw's), there were only 30 miles left to Milbridge - the place of our intended overnight stay.

After passing the bridge over the Narraguagus River, we quickly found a cottage rented for vacation ($100 per day). The house was built in a typical New England style, not particularly remarkable in appearance, but cozy inside and equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay.

We called the owner, who immediately came from a neighboring area. We talked to him about life, how they live, eat and sleep here. 99% of the population is white, even in the service industry and highway departments. For those coming from the American South, this is _very_ striking. However, Mexicans have recently begun to appear in the state. They come to work on blueberry plantations (season in August) and seafood processing plants. In particular, some specific type of eel, which the locals not only don’t eat, but even disdain to touch. Eel is exported to Korea, where it is considered a delicacy.

In general, what can be said about the area where the main news broadcast on television for three days is a lost elk in one of the towns of the state?! People's lives are busy! But the main thing is that many are happy with this, and they do not agree to change their usual way of life for the bustle of the city, marzipan and fildepers :)

Along the way, we received from the owner a lot of advice on local attractions, a topographical atlas, many different guides to Maine, a city newspaper, and even... a good bird guide. He knew, he knew how to bribe!
After a light dinner with wine, fatigue took its toll, and we passed out without even having time to really watch the local news.

The next morning we decided to start from the Acadia National Park, but not from the island part of it, where most tourists strive, but from the mainland, called the Schoodic Peninsula, 40 miles east of the main entry point.

Most of the Schoodic Peninsula was previously owned by John Moore, a Wall Street financial tycoon who was born here. In the 1920s, Moore's heirs donated the land for public use with the stipulation that it be used as a park and for biological and other scientific research.

In the 30s, the peninsula had already come under the wing of the National Park Service and was assigned to Acadia NP.

There is a good one-way road along the coast, conveniently skirting all the main points of the peninsula. Schoodic Point is the southernmost of them, from which the powerful surf looks most impressive. And also, diabase dikes are best visible there - large “veins” of dark basalt that have made their way into the old granite.

Not 5 miles from the town of Ellsworth, we stopped for lunch at the Ruth Murphy's restaurant. Maine's signature dish is lobsters. They are boiled in salt water in cauldrons on the street at restaurants (lobster pounds), and served with melted butter. You can order different:

"cull" - a lobster with one, the largest claw;
"chicken" - a female, usually weighing no more than a pound; is considered to have the most tender meat;
"hard shell" and "soft shell". Soft shell lobsters (recently replaced by chitin) are practically not transportable, so the only chance to try them is in Maine itself. Average price - $12.

It is noteworthy that up to 90% of the lobster catch is taken out of state. In cooking, lobster is considered a delicacy. Meat from under the shell, tail, legs, liver and caviar is used for food. It is used to prepare salads, aspic, croquettes, soufflés, mousses, and soups. For optimal culinary qualities, the lobster must be at least six months old and weigh at least 500 grams. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the largest lobster caught in Canada weighed just over 20 kg.

But I didn’t like the traditional “Maine” clam chowder at all in that restaurant. I'm a fan of this soup and was very disappointed when they brought out the local version with hot milk instead of cream. And the consistency is not the same, and the taste is different. Still, I like New England chowder better, with a little more cooking and with crackers. Yum!
There is also a variation with tomatoes (Manhattan Clam Chowder), but New Englanders consider the addition of tomatoes a barbaric New York habit, to the point that in 1939 a bill was introduced in the Maine House of Representatives to ban tomatoes in seafood chowder.

And you say bans on marijuana, homosexuality, abortion... Tomatoes in soup are much more important! No, so what? After three days of chasing an elk, and then being served clam chowder with tomatoes, you’re not far from a nervous breakdown :)

After a hearty lunch, you should... no, not sleep, but move on, explore the main part of Acadia. Ellsworth is only 15 miles away; the signs are well placed. On the way to Mount Desert Island there were numerous lobster restaurants and various souvenir shops. In my opinion, one of the best souvenirs you can bring back from Maine to decorate your home is lobster trap buoys. They are usually very brightly colored (to be clearly visible in any weather), and each fisherman uses only his own combination of colors or patterns. By law, lobster fishermen are only allowed to pull traps that are marked with their own markings, and the colors of the buoys must match the color of the boat. Previously, floats were made entirely of wood, but now many are made of polystyrene foam.

Having paid $20 per car (the pass is valid for a week) to enter this part of Acadia, one could now enjoy all the benefits of the park. First of all, this is a 27-mile circular road, from which it is convenient to make radial excursions through the surrounding forests and mountains. For those interested, there is also a historical museum, a small botanical garden (Wild Gardens of Acadia), a carriage road system built with money from Rockefeller Jr.; not to mention the numerous forest reservoirs, where it is very good to cool off on a sunny summer day. True, not for residents of Texas - for us, water is far from comfortable :)

But there were still a lot of people on Sandy beach, all the branches of the road to the beach were closed with cars, even a policeman was on duty. Swimming, bumping elbows, or even just sitting on the sand on each other's heads was not part of the vacation dream package, so we took a long-awaited break in another place, at Jordan Pond. This body of water in the center of the park, squeezed between the Penobscot and Pemetic mountains, is very recognizable because of the two rounded areas on the opposite bank, known as “The Bubbles”. This is the deepest lake in the park (46 meters), where salmon and lake trout thrive.

Finally, it's time to explore Acadia's crown jewel, Cadillac Mountain. The mountain received its modern name in 1918 (before that it was simply called “Green”) in honor of the French traveler and explorer Antoine de La Mothe-Cadillac (a famous car brand is also named after him). At 470 meters above sea level, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the entire east coast of the United States, all the way to Mexico's Yucatan.

There is an excellent road leading to the top of the mountain, ending with an extensive parking lot. And then you can just walk along the fairly flat top and admire the views of the Porcupine Islands in the bay. Like much of Acadia, they were carved out by a receding prehistoric glacier.

There is a common misconception among people that Cadillac Mountain is the very first point in the United States that the sun's rays touch every morning. One of the popular activities among tourists in Acadia is to climb to the top to watch the “first sunrise of the nation.” However, Cadillac is the first to greet a new day only in the autumn-winter period, and not at all in the summer, when most people visit the park.

We had to take turns walking along the trails at the top, as my daughter successfully fell asleep in the car, completely ignoring the beauty, so someone needed to stay next to her.

Having descended from the mountain, we called our friends, agreeing to meet in the already familiar city of Ellsworth, at the Union River Lobster Pot restaurant. The restaurant is open from June to October and has a very varied menu. The children were impressed by the huge 42-year-old lobster, which one of the chefs showed to everyone. There was no intention of cooking it; rather, it served as a kind of mascot for the restaurant. And there were bright orange mussels in blue shells, crab cakes, clam chowder (perfectly correct for my taste!), and even Blueberry ale, which actually contains blueberries - I liked everything.
After dinner we headed to our Millbridge, hidden from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, where we ended the evening pleasantly on the lawn on the river bank.

The next morning was spent rather lazily: the children ran on the sand, collected shells, even one-year-old Sasha collected a good collection of “treasures”. The owner of the cottage from the neighboring plot looked in briefly to see if “everything suits us, and if there is anything else he can do for us.” How could you not be pleased with such beauty?! Quiet, calm, family place, to which there were no complaints at all.

A little later, everyone went together to Roque Bluffs State Park, located about an hour's drive north of Millbridge. In the park you can swim in both salt and fresh water, which are separated only by a narrow spit. We had a great time, we didn’t even want to leave. On the way back, we made a short detour through the town of Jonesport, where we took away a whole mountain of seafood from one of the roadside “lobster pounds” to arrange a real sea feast in the cottage. And the accompanying sunset perfectly capped such a beautiful summer day.

US Independence Day (July 4th) has arrived. This holiday is large-scale, revered by many Americans, and besides, it is an official day off. It is better to stock up on food and drink in advance, because... On this day, many shops and services are simply closed.
In the afternoon, after a rather relaxed morning at the cottage (what? Vacations, we have the right!), we decided to see something in the surrounding area, eventually choosing the Petit Manan Wildlife refuge. On the way, we grabbed brochures and a map of the area from the reserve office in Milbridge, and after a quickly flying 30 minutes we were already in place. Considering that we had children aged from 12 months to 9 years with us, we decided on an easy, 6-kilometer forest trail to the shore of Dyer Bay (Birch Point trail).

The description was captivating: “excellent trail for a family or group of friends to walk side by side”, i.e. “the perfect trail for a family or group of friends to walk alongside,” and the promise of a variety of wildlife. True, we didn’t meet anyone larger than a woodpecker in the end, but the absence of barred woodpeckers was brightened up by the vast blueberry fields with already ripe berries, although usually the peak occurs in August. In general, the forest was very reminiscent of the one near St. Petersburg, if you take the train towards Kalishche: quite light, with a lot of small ponds with dark water, and extensive blueberry-cloudberry-cranberry thickets along the bottom.

In the evening, we finally tried out the grill at the cottage, having a dinner of scallops with Riesling; and dispersed long after midnight.

The ending follows...

Katerina Andreeva.
Texas - Maine, USA.