Friday, July 27, 2007

Agimenti-who-ticus?


Agimenticus! Mt. Agimenticus that is. I have been going to Maine for eons, and I never heard of this mountain before. It's just outside of Kennebunk, Wells area. You can drive to the top, or hike, or even ride a mountain bike up. From the top, you get a 360 degree view of everywhere. You see the Atlantic, and I'm told, the Boston skyline, but I'm not too sure I believe that. You can see the White Mtns. though not that day. A small group of mountain bikers had been resting in the shade of a small oak, when we arrived. Me, my mom, and Al. Not another soul. After the bikes left, not a sound, but the occasional cedar waxwing, or white throated sparrow. I read the epitaph of David Hilton, a past forest fire warden who used to watch the distant woods from the fire tower. He died at the age of 40, in 2003, no reason given. He had written a book on all the fire towers in Maine, and he was an accomplished fireman. I imagine he loved being atop Mt. Agimenticus, just as I loved being there even for the short visit.

I spent three days in Maine, with the folks. It was good to get away, smell the ocean once again. We spent time at the beach, and getting lost on backroads. Al always enjoys finding the "shortcuts" home. We stayed at "The Garrison House", motel and cottages. Very nice, and I would recommend it to anyone. From our room, we could see the ocean in the distance. There was a lush salt marsh, complete with Purple Loosestrife, Cattails, and Marsh Rose. All floating a beautiful sea of green. The weather was perfect, and I could have stayed in the moment forever.

Friday, July 20, 2007

The BEST Lobster Roll



I had occasion to drive up to Maine on Monday. I took a leisurely route along Rte 202 all the way to Augusta. Then I came back down via Portland, and Rte 1, with the requisite stop at L.L. Bean. I got the tag end of their sale, which has been going on for two months. I'm not into shopping, so I hit the fishing section and the sale tables, then outta there. I picked up a pair of low-quarter hiking shoes for $39.00 before the ME tax. so I was happy. I stopped for ice cream in Old Orchard Beach, then drove right down the main thoroughfare where the crowds are. I remembered why Old Orchard is NOT my favorite place in Maine to be. I much prefer the less visited places, more out of the way, like Pemaquid Point. I heard alot of Francais! I mean ALOT! The place was thick with Quebecoise. After I made it past Old Orchard, I continued on and found "Day's Take-out". Here you will find the best lobster roll around. No lettuce, not too much mayo, just a lot of big chunks of lobster meat. Just the way I like it!
I sat at a picnic table overlooking the salt marsh out back. The sun was still quite high, with barely a breeze. I sucked the marrow out of that moment for sure. I just love the salt air, the smells, the sounds, everything....except too many people. Luckily there were not many people at Day's.