February 11, 2007
Maine's beautiful places
Your Scribe was reading reviews of a recent book by Norman Mailer, a Real Scribe who commented to one interviewer that the most beautiful places in America are in Maine.
He didn't identify his favorite areas.
But here is my list of some of the most picturesque places in the state, in no particular order:
Deer Isle. I am not the first to say it but the light and water of this area below Blue Hill is exquisitely beautiful.
Top of Sugarloaf. You don't have to be a great skier to enjoy the mountains. Standing atop this ski resort's peaks, one can see lakes, forests and streams for many magic miles.
Northeast Harbor. I remember the glory of this spot from the evening decades ago when I hitchiked up from Rockland to play a tennis tournament, then sat by the harbor in the sweet twilight after a satisfying first-round win.
Belgrade Lakes. Despite being close to civilization, much of the area surrounding these lakes is not built up. Lush greenery melds well with lake blue, as we know.
Mount Battie in the Camden Hills. A strange name for a mount, but it provides a breathtaking aerial view of Camden when you reach the heights. There is a memorial near a walking path marking the life of Edna St. Vincent Millay, the local-girl-made-good who rose to rock star status as a poet.
Cape Cod Hill, New Sharon. OK, so I'm biased toward the home environs. But this hillock near my cabin in central Maine has breathtaking views of the Blue Mountains and on a very clear day, Rangeley.
Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport. It's true that this area gets crowded in summer, but why not? It's a clean sand beach protected by rock outcroppings, and because it does not have breaking waves it is perfect for taking the kids swimming and boating.
Round Pond. This is a small oceanside fishing town in the Penobscot region, though the name suggests it is a lakeside hamlet somewhere deep in Kennebec County. It has all you need: a lobster pound, a reasonably priced seafood restarant and bar, and a lot of friendly locals.
Moosehead Lake. It's intriguing to think that areas like Moosehead had twice the number of tourists a century ago than they have now. The old hotels seem to be going out of style, but the lake and its environs will never lose their beauty (unless Plum Creek is approved, of course).
Rockland breakwater. Sentimentality enters here. My first job in Maine was at the old Samoset Hotel, and it was a glorious site indeed to look across the harbor every morning. The breakwater is in good shape these days, and visitors are still awed by the walk along the breakwall's crest. (An aside: Few realize how far it is to reach the end, and how long it takes).
Those are my favorites. (I haven't asked Norman about his).
What are yours? Please send a few suggestions in case I've missed some key worthy spots.
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Glad to hear you like Round Pond. Thanks for not divulging our actual location!
Posted by
JuliaFebruary 11, 2007 10:46 PM
Happened upon cape Cod Hill this past Saturday, panoramic view of Blue Mountains woth the drive.
Posted by
MikeFebruary 12, 2007 08:52 AM
One of my most favorite places is Seawall beach in Acadia Park. To just sit and watch the tide ebb and flow is one of life's greatest gifts for me! You can picnic there or, better still, stay in the campground for a few days. Summer joy!
Posted by
ShirleyFebruary 12, 2007 02:41 PM
You have identified some nice places. Try these on for picturesque...
-In Baxter Park. Wassataquoik Lake, summer and winter, about as far from civilization as you can get in Maine, with steep mountainsides plunging in to the deep and long lake. Davis Pond, like being in the Rockies and you know you are the only ones camping for miles around. Katahdin Lake, with spectacular views of Katahdin. Russell Pond in the fall or winter.
-West Kennebago Mt., north of Rangeley with views of 17 lakes and all the mountains from Washington to Katahdin.
-North Horn on Bigelow Mt. where the entire Bigelow Range lies in front of you to the south (blocking your view of the development on Sugarloaf), and to the north is Flagstaff Lake and a wide valley drawing your eyes to Katahdin.
-On the Appalachia Trail at the top of the cirque on the "backside" of Sugarloaf looking our over Caribou Valley, Saddleback, Crockers and Redington Pond Range (lost if the wind power project is ever built).
-Tumbledown Mt. near Weld, with it's mountain pond nestled amoungst three rocky peaks.
-Acadia National Park. The beach on Echo Lake under Beech Cliffs and the climb up the cliffs looking down at the lake. Sargent and Penobscot Mts. especially in the fall when they are red. Anywhere along the shore.
-The Height of Land on Route 17 looking west over Mooselookmeguntic Lake and toward the White Mountains.
-How about some of the State's parks and public lands. Reid State Park, Lobster Lake, Nahmakanta Lake. The Cutler Coast, from a rock outcropping slightly separated from the main coast and looking down along this "Bold Coast."
- And how do you choose amongst the most picturesque waterfalls? And the most picuresque villages? The islands? Is it worthwhile to develop a list of the most picturesque places that have been ruined?
- So many picturesque Maine places and so little time to list them, much less visit them.
Posted by
kenFebruary 21, 2007 05:41 PM
Greetings! I'm looking for an old resort I visited over 30 years ago as a small boy. My folks always referred to it as "Saddleback" on Rangeley and we twice rented a cabin that jutted out on a small portion of land. Very picturesque.
As I recall, it was very rustic; but there was a main dining room for breakfast and dinner.
There was also a lake for swimming and a rectangular dock.
I wonder if it's still around...or converted into a fancier resort?
Thanks for any help. Would love to bring the family!
Posted by
Paul BaturaMarch 19, 2007 09:15 PM
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