Biking in Maine Supported by Federal Government Policy

The U.S. Transportation Secretary recently announced a new policy direction that supports bicycles as an important mode of transportation.  Read more in "Maine Bike Advocates Praise Feds New Support for Pedal Power", Maine Public Broadcasting Network, April 27, 2010.  Click here to learn more about biking in Maine.

Maine Cruise Ship Season Begins

Cruise ships are now starting to visit Maine.  Visits by cruise ships have doubled over the past few years.  Read more in "Cruise Ship Season Begins in Maine", WMTW.com, May 24, 2010.

Windjammer Cruises in Maine

Summer is here and a favorite past-time on the coast of Maine is going on a windjammer cruise.  There are lots of sailing boats to cruise from along all parts of the Maine coast.  Click here for a listing of windjammers found in Maine.

Blog about the History of Portland, Maine

I have just read a new blog about the history of Portland, Maine.  The blog is entitled "Portland, Maine History Blog" and it is full of interesting stories, facts, and pictures of the early days of Portland.  The blogger is an interesting fellow with a diverse background who lives in Maine.  He is an author and he has wrote a couple of books.  Some of his posts deal with shipwrecks, slavery, and funny stories from the 18th and 19th century.  Worth checking out!

Portland, Maine named Top 10 "Fun City"

Portland, Maine has been named a Top 10 fun city by Portfolio.com.  Read more in "Portland Named Top 10 Fun City", myFoxMaine.com, April 27, 2010.  Play the news video.

Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (Bath, Maine)

The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust located in Bath, Maine is doing some great work in preserving natural spaces along the coast of Maine.  This organization is comprised of a dedicated group of environmentalists who have worked hard over the past two decades in promoting natural preserves and publically accessible trails.  Read a great article describing the land trust's work.  See "Whose Woods These Are", DownEast.com, May 2010.  Visit the website of the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust.

A Disappearing Childhood in Brunswick, Maine

A writer returns to a town where he grew up - after a 23 year absence.  All towns change over time and so has Brunswick, Maine.  Read more in "Disappearing childhood", Red Room, August 3, 2009.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Center to Open in Rockland, Maine

"The primary conservator of America's wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has chosen Rockland as the home base for a new headquarters and visitor's center for the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

The Maine Coastal Islands NWR oversees 53 islands and 150 miles of coastline and includes five existing National Wildlife Refuges in Maine - Petit Manan, Cross Island, Franklin Island, Seal Island and Pond Island. Their primary focus is restoring and managing colonies of nesting seabirds. Refuge islands provide habitat for common, Arctic, and endangered roseate terns; Atlantic puffins; razorbills; black guillemots; Leach's storm-petrels; laughing gulls; and common eiders. Over the last 25 years, the USFWS has worked effectively to reverse the decline of these species. As a result, many birds have returned to islands where they historically nested."

Read the rest of the article in "U.S. Fish & Wildlife to Open Visitor Center and HQ in Rockland", The Free Press, April 29, 2010.

Historic Inns of Rockland, Maine offer Lobsters and Lighthouses

Read about Maine Lighthouse Week (third full week in June) and the associated activities to be held in Rockland, Maine.  See "Lobsters and Lighthouses at the Historic Inns of Rockland, Maine", Uptake Lodging, May 1, 2010.  Click here to learn more about lighthouses in Maine.  Click here to learn about historic inns of Rockland, Maine.

Fiddleheads and Other Unique Food Delights Found in Camden, Maine

"CAMDEN, Maine (May 3, 2010) – The arrival of fiddleheads near the forest and glass eels at the shore this spring marks the beginning of the dining season in Maine’s Midcoast, where the cuisine retains its unique flavor, even as it grows in sophistication and national recognition.

For decades, visitors and residents alike have enjoyed the traditional fare found in the Camden Hills, where lobster and other seafood arrive fresh from the ocean each day. More recently, though, the public has begun to understand just how much innovative cooking is being done by Midcoast chefs, with local ingredients such as the prehistoric-looking fiddlehead ostrich fern and tiny glass eels – 300 to 400 per pound – that are migrating from ocean to river." 

Read the rest of the article here "Unique Ingredients Foster Growth of Innovative Cusine", PR Maine, May 3, 2010.  Learn more about Camden, Maine.

How to Live on Isle au Haut - Maine

Have you ever wondered what it is like to live on an isolated island off the coast of Maine?  The link that follows offers some info on that topic.  See "How to Live on Isle au Haut", Islands.com, May 2010.  Click here to learn more about Isle au Haut, Maine.

Owls Head Lighthouse in Maine to have Renovation Done

The lighthouse at Owls Head will have some renovation done by the American Lighthouse Foundation.  Weather causes deterioration to take place every year so upkeep is a yearly process.  Read more in "Work to begin on ronovation of Maine lighthouse", Boston.com, May 3, 2010.  Click here for a listing of Maine lighthouses.

Brunswick, Maine: A Nice Place to Visit and Live

Brunswick, Maine has attracted the attention of many who are looking to relocate to the state of Maine.  The town offers many of the ammenities desired such as a pleasant downtown, convenient shopping centers, town services, restaurants and a liberal arts college.  In addition, the passenger rail line is going to be extended to Brunswick in time.  Close to the coast and not far from Freeport and Portland, Maine it is not isolated from modern conveniences.  Brunswick has attracted the attention of the media as well. Read an article that discusses the advantages of moving to Brunswick, Maine - "Maine attraction", Financial Times, May 1, 2010.

Maine's Civil War Monuments

There are over 148 monuments dedicated to the Soldiers who fought for the Union in the Civil War that are located in the state of Maine.  Monuments were erected beginning in 1864 to as late as 1999.  There is a website that lists almost all of these Civil War monuments that includes pictures and a description.  Each monument has its own webpage.  Click here for a listing of Maine Civil War monuments by city and town.

Portland, Maine Farmers Market Listed as one of America's Ten Best

Travel and Leisure Magazine has listed Portland Farmers' Market as one of America's 10 Best.  Read a news article on this topic in "Portland Farmers Market joins elite", Maine Sunday Telegram, May 2, 2010.  The magazine ranked the Portland Farmers Market at #9.  See the article entitled "America's Best Farmer's Markets".  Click here for more information about Portland, Maine.

Life in Maine: Experience it through the many blogs about Maine

Blogging has become an important aspect of life for many people.  For some it is a great hobby (as in my case - it is cheap, enjoyable, and keeps me out of trouble).  For others, it is a way to keep track of events, politics, hobbies, past-times, family, and other interests.  If you are interested in Maine as a "way of life" then reading blogs is a great way to experience Maine and what goes on here.  Click on the link below for a listing of blogs about Maine vacations, travel, life, sports, nature, outdoors, politics, government, health, community service, fall foliage, environment, books, photography, and other categories.

http://www.travel-maine.info/maine_blogs.htm

Listing of Art Galleries in Maine

There are lots of art galleries to be found in Maine.  Click on the following link for a listing.  I will bet there is one located right around the corner from where you live!

Maine Art Galleries

New Brewery in Lewiston, Maine to Offer Craft Beer

"Baxter Brewing Co. recently announced plans to develop a craft brewery in Lewiston's historic Bates Mill complex.  This is the first craft brewery in northern New England to combine hand-crafted beer with the convenient, environmentally friendly technology of aluminum cans. The company plans to begin shipping beer in September.

"The state of Maine is aching for full-flavored, American-style ales and the environmentally friendly, beer-friendly and highly portable can," Baxter's founder and president, Luke Livingston, said.

The Baxter brewery will feature a 30-barrel brewhouse and a state-of-the-art canning line that can fill 30 cans a minute. Livingston plans to have the facility open daily for brewery tours, tastings and special events, as well as a fully stocked retail shop featuring both beer and Baxter Brewing Co. items."

Read the rest of the article in "Open for Business: New brewery in Lewiston to offer craft beer in a can", Portland Press Herald, April 28, 2010. Click here for more info on Maine brew pubs.  Find out more about the Baxter Brewing Co.

Museums of Maine: A listing of museums to visit

There are many museums to be found here in Maine.  Some are located in your hometown!  How many times have you wondered what there is to do when just a few miles from your home is a museum full of sights to see and knowledge to gain!  Click on the link below for a comprehensive listing of the museums to be found in Maine.

http://www.travel-maine.info/museums.htm

Maine Windjammer Cruises

Click here for a listing of firms offering windjamming cruises in Maine.

Maine Windjammer Cruises

"Casco Bay's Forgotten Forts", Down East Magazine, May 2010 - Historic Forts of Maine

Down East Magazine has a wonderful article about the history of the forts found in Casco Bay, Maine.  These forts, which were built over three centuries, were designed to protect Portland and its harbor from enemy forces.  Read the article in "Casco Bay's Forgotten Forts", Down East Magazine, May 2010.  Click here to learn more on the history of forts in Maine.

Maps of Maine

For a comprehensive listing of maps (free and for purchase) of Maine click on the link below.  Maps are available online for ATV trails, snowmobile trails, hiking and biking.

http://www.travel-maine.info/Maine_Maps.htm

Forts Found in Maine

Maine has a lot of old, historic forts that are still kept in good condition and are a great destination for a family day trip.  Some of the forts date back to the colonial, revolutionary, and civil war days.  Many are located along the beautiful Maine coastline.  For a listing of forts to be found in Maine click on the link below.

http://www.travel-maine.info/historic_forts.htm

Books About Maine

Interested in reading books about Maine?  Visit the online bookstore (Amazon Associate) by Travel-Maine.Info.

Travel-Maine.Info Bookstore

Summer Camps for Kids in Maine

School will be coming to a close soon and the big question is "What to do with the kids?"  Summer is the best time of year for children - good weather, no school, and playing with friends.  Many families add a one or two-week summer camp experience to their children's summer vacation.  Maine has many summer camps to consider.  Click on the link below for a listing of summer camps in Maine.

http://www.travel-maine.info/summer_camps_in_maine.htm

Rainy Day in Maine? Visit a Brew Pub!

The weekend has arrived and it is raining.  Bummer. Stumped for something to do?  If you like beer then you should visit one of the many breweries that are found in Maine. There many micro breweries that have their own specialized brew for sale (and they sell food as well).  Click here for a listing of brew pubs in Maine.

Fishing in Maine

Want to learn more about fishing in Maine?  Click on the link below to learn about Maine fishing associations and organizations, firms offering fishing tours and guides in Maine, fishing equipment shops and stores, and forums and blogs on Maine fishing.

http://www.travel-maine.info/fishing.htm

Maine Vacation Planner

For those of you who are traveling to Maine for the first time planning your vacation can sometimes be a time-consuming endeavor. In addition, it is really hard to choose what to see in one short week. If you are short of time to plan your vacation then try the suggested one-week Maine vacation outlined at the link below.

http://www.travel-maine.info/maine_vacation_planner.htm

Camping in Maine

Click at the link below for a listing of places to camp in Maine.

http://www.travel-maine.info/Camping_in_Maine.htm

Maine Lighthouses: Listing, Info, and News

Maine has many lighthouses to visit along its long and winding coast. For a listing of lighthouses with links to photographs and info click on the link below:

http://www.travel-maine.info/lighthouses.htm

Wild Turkey Hunting Season in Maine Begins May 3, 2010

Maine's Wild Turkey hunting season (Spring) begins today, May 3, 2010.  Learn more about this at the Black Bear Blog.

Cake Walk to Historic Camden, Maine Inns (May 8, 2010) Mother's Day Weekend

"The Camden-Rockport Historical Society and Camden's historic inns are teaming up to present the first Camden Cake Walk on Mother's Day weekend. Visit twelve lovely inns and sample tantalizing cakes ranging from cheesecake to pound cake to cupcakes. Treat Mom, treat yourself and help preserve our local heritage. All proceeds benefit the Camden-Rockport Historical Society. For more information call (207) 236-2257."

Visit the Camden Cake Walk website.  Click here to read more in "Take a Cake Walk to historic Camden inns", Maine Sunday Telegram, May 2, 2010.  Click here to learn more about Camden, Maine.

Hiking in Maine

There are numerous places to hike in Maine.  If you are new to the activity then you should consider joining one of the many hiking associations and organizations that promote the sport here in Maine.  If you click on the website link below you will find a webpage that offers information on hiking in Maine, info on hiking trails by city, town and region, and firms that offer hiking trips.

http://www.travel-maine.info/hiking.htm

Down Bay Folk Festival - May 29-30, 2010

The Down Bay Folk Festival will take place on Memorial Day Weekend on May 29-30, 2010 on Long Island, Maine in Casco Bay.  This is a non-profit event to help the Inter Island Causes, Long Island Fire and Rescue, and the Community Center Revitalization Project. 

"Long Island remains a popular summer destination for thousands of summer cottage homeowners, visitors, and tourists. This charming island is located just 45 minutes from Portland by ferry. On Long Island, you will find several interesting ocean beaches, a conservation area and unusually rocks located on the each side of the island."

http://www.amiando.com/DownBayFolkFestival.html