We've just returned from a fantastic trip up north to explore Downeast Maine, a nomenclature that always challenges my internal compass. I mean, downeast is relative, no? I thought it had to have been named by people from Canada, but it's apparently a seafaring term. Nevertheless, for those of us down south, it's not Downeast from where we live. "Down" implies lower, more southern latitudes to me, yet we traveled north to get downeast. But, I split hairs, as always, and need to let this irrelevant point of view go.
We were based in Orono (mid-coast Maine), at the Black Bear Inn and Conference center (we had to use up the credit that American Airlines Vacations were holding onto after COVID caused shutdowns in 2020). We had until year's end to use it, or lose it. Dang, no way! Even if it meant doing something less international than visiting our old stomping ground of Munich, and a little more 'pedestrian,' like hiking the trails in Maine, we weren't going to let THEM get away with our money! It gave us a great base and opportunity to get to know Maine a little better, as we'd never really explored far afield from our very own paradise.
On our first afternoon, we visited the Orono Bog Boardwalk, a 5 star experience, as you can see. I found the diversity of color and species thrilling, and it took a long time to traverse the entire walk since I kept stopping to look at minutiae.
We discovered, not surprisingly, that this was a very popular spot for locals - it was a Sunday afternoon, with brilliant foliage and sunshine, and cars were lining the roads leading up to the congested carpark! It's clearly an appreciated local treasure. I'm so glad we found it too!
1 comment:
Wonderlik!
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