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Taste Of Maine (Part 1) Bar Harbor, ME
Maine was our “Big Rock,” as Mitch affectionately refers to those places #1 to visit on our journey. We arrived on the “Off Shoulder Season.” Translation – before Memorial Day and the summer crowds arrive. We spent two weeks in Bar Harbor, Maine, and crammed as much as we could in that period. There will be multiple videos to share our experiences.
Mt. Dessert Narrows Campground was our home for those two weeks. It had a beautiful water view and was a short distance from Acadia National Park and the town of Bar Harbor. It was interesting to see the drastic difference between high and low tides. The birch trees were refreshing as I hadn’t seen them since leaving New York.
The quaint town of Bar Harbor met our expectations. The sea town is brimming with restaurants, shops, and gorgeous views of the harbor. It fascinates me to see the buildings still standing since the 1700s. On the day we visited the town, the skies were clear, and the cruise ships had not yet arrived. We could enjoy a leisurely day shopping without the crowds and relax with a glass of wine (OK – plastic cup) and just people watch. There were a few good weather days when we were there and grateful today was one of them.
Mitch had his first lobster roll at the Chart Room. The restaurant was on the waterfront, the atmosphere delightful, and the company was excellent. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the day.
Our visit to the local farmers market Sunday morning was intriguing as Martha Stewart was strolling and visiting many of the booths. There are many beautiful and over-the-top summer “cottages” as many of the prominent families such as the Morgans, Fords, Astors, and more spent their summers in Bar Harbor.
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What a View! Over the Moon Farmstead – Pittsfield, NH
Over the Moon Farmstead is a wine/craft beer establishment. It is situated on top of a hill, and the view is spectacular. The view overlooks the rolling hillside, and it takes your breath away. Mike, the owner, said the view sold him on buying the property. It was a horse stable a mere fourteen months ago. The transformation in such a short time is astonishing. The stable is now a tasting room with huge glass windows, which brings the outside in. Plans to establish a stone pizza restaurant were in the works. There have been a few Harvest Hosts where properties were purchased and then transformed. Creativity and entrepreneurship are commendable, and glad to see folks pursuing their dreams. The outside grounds have tables with covered umbrellas. We were fortunate to be there on a night when they had a solo guitarist. Listening to music, enjoying charcuterie, and spending time with my honey. A girl can’t ask for anything more. Actually, she can.
Across the road from the farmstead, there was an apple orchard. The trees were blooming with beautiful white flowers. Harvesting would happen around the August-September time frame. Bummer we won’t be around to enjoy fresh-picked apples. On the bright side, they sold ice cream! We chose our flavor and then sat outside on Adirondack rocking chairs overlooking the orchard—a great way to end the evening.
We wanted to find out what time the sun rose so we could set our alarm clocks. We knew it would be amazing and didn’t want to miss it. Alarms were set for 5:00 am. Sunrise 5:20. We were up before the alarm, dressed, and walked outside to see God’s glory. Below is welcoming the day.
Not what we were expecting, but, on the bright side, we got an early start on our five-hour trip to Maine.
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Back to Our Roots Tousey Winery – Germantown, NY
Very excited to be back in New York, even if it is for only one night. As the road took us into New York, the signs listed places we recognized. Traveling through the Catskills Mountains reminds me of some of our summer vacations. I loved to stare out the window and watch the beautiful trees and stone formations as the exits passed until we reached our destination.
Tousey Winery was where we spent the night. Their vineyards overlook the notable Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains. After traveling for over three hours, it was a wonderful respite to enjoy a wine tasting and a charcuterie board. Instead of the usual crackers, there was a dense brown bread with a side of strawberry jam. Mitch enjoyed the unusual taste. It was a Danish Rye-Sourdough bread. A combination of two of Mitch’s favorites. Lucky for him, the bread was for sale. The winery had a gift shop and areas to sit, relax and enjoy the afternoon. It’s interesting to visit the various wineries as the wines differ from place to place. We enjoyed the Rose wine as it was refreshing and had a unique flavor.
Tomorrow, we head out early and head toward our next stop – New Hampshire. Did you know the movie “On Golden Pond” was filmed in Squam Lake, New Hampshire? This movie is 40 years old, and it sparked my desire to live on a lake. The influence certain movies have on us is fantastic.
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Stone Lake Winery – Saylorsburg, PA
This journey is not only about seeing this glorious, beautiful country we live in but about interacting with people. We enjoy engaging in conversation with those we meet along the way. We learn about where they grew up, what jobs they held, and where their journey will lead them. We have only been disappointed in one Harvest Host in our two and half years of travel.
This stop was no different. The property we stayed at was once a sawmill with a soothing, babbling brook running in the back and thick forest trees lining the pond. The property once consisted of a covered bridge, silo, and three buildings where wood was cut and stored. The property was sold, and the new owners converted one of the buildings into bed and breakfast and turned the other into a small chapel where couples pledge to love one another in matrimony. One building was transformed into an airplane hangar as a small airstrip was situated across the street.
Five years ago, Scott purchased the property, and once again, the property was transformed. The airplane hangar was turned into an event center where we tasted the wines. Scott and his family host weddings, showers, and special events such as Sangria night and Food truck festivities. (I wish we were there for Sangria night.) We enjoyed conversing with Scott as we tasted his white and red wines. There were many similarities between us as he said his wife was Italian and how close she was with her family. He said he never received as many hugs until he met his wife’s family. Of course, we had to discuss food. What Italian doesn’t discuss food. Before we knew it, an hour and a half passed before we said goodbye with two bottles of wine in tow.
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