Damariscotta

We drove around the inland waterway until we reached the small town of Damariscotta.  It is a small New england town with lots of small shops, a bakery, restaurants and a respectable bookstore.  We entered a quilt raffler, visited the knitting shop and witnessed a fender bender.

Then, we drove down to Pemaquid Point, basked on the rocky shore and saw Pemaquid Light.

We spent our final night in Boothbay walking across the footbridge to the opposite shore where we visited the giant lobsterman  at Brown's Wharf.

Cycling Boothbay and Southport Island

Kathie and I rode 25 miles from our hotel through Boothbay to Southport Island- a nearby and almost attached island.

The island is reached by crossing what is called a "Swing Bridge" because the entire bridge actually swings out across the water to allow boats to pass.

On top of the bridge was a new Osprey nest, which was fun to see as the young birds tried out their wings.

We passed through a small village with Civil War graves and a small school marked by a large number 2 pencil.

As we came near the ocean, we saw a small lighthouse near Hendricks Head beach.  We also rode through the small town of Newagen.  Newagen also had a small lighthouse and at one time was the summer residence for the Wicked Witch from the Wizard of Oz.

The following day, we were tired from riding and decided to take it easy.  We just drove over to the opposite harbor-East Boothbay and found we liked it even better.  We lounged on the rocks feeling the ocean breeze at several places-something that would have turned into burnt people in North Carolina-but here the breeze and the air was cool and nice.

We had lunch and conversation at the East Boothbay General Store and saw a Great-Grandfather of my Ford Ranger as we left.

Travel from Vermont to Boothbay Harbor, Maine

We left Vermont after five great days and drove through the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire...the Green and White Mountains, respectively.
We stopped briefly along the way at the Vermont State Capitol in Montpelier.

We drove through a winding mountain highway called the Kancamagus Highway. the roads were curving and scary, but the views were spectacular.

We ended up in the coastal town of Boothbay Harbor, Maine at the Tugboat Inn, a place whose restaurant was an actual tugboat.

Shelburne Loop Ride and back to the Shelburne Museum

So far, Kathie and I have ridden 30 miles in Vermont. After today, we added another 25 miles on our bikes! We began today riding out of Shelburne past old barns, farming communities and a background of cloud covered mountains. the ride was hilly, but breathtakingly beautiful. we passed through Hinesburg and had a great homemade lunch at Good Times- a complete hole in the wall, in the middle on nowhere that served grass fed beef and homemade everything.

We also happened on a fiber artist's studio and saw some amazing pieces..also in the middle of nowhere!

we were tired after returning to our hotel, but decided to return to the Shelburne Museum to take in the circus pavilion and the printers studio. we also enjoyed walking through a private train car, complete with kitchen, dining area, baths and bedrooms...very plush with wood paneling. The Shelburne is well worth the visit- we spent parts of two days there and only saw about half.

The Shelburne Museum

After two days of riding in the heat, we needed a rest day.  So, we headed to The Shelburne Museum.  What a treat!  This place has something for everyone: a lighthouse, a paddlewheel steam boat, numerous impressionist paintings, an exhibit of current and historic fashion, gardens, everything really.  We began the tour with a paper exhibit in the round barn.

There was also an exhibit of hand carved carousel animals.

The full sized Ticonderoga paddlewheel was impressive.

There several beautiful gardens with walking paths and sculpture.

The Shelburne Museum is full of buildings of all sorts: a Methodist Meeting house, train stations complete with a train, even a jail!  The founder also moved a lighthouse to the grounds.

Even the doorknob to the lighthouse was unique.

 Inside the museum were some book art pieces. like a gun cutout

 ..........................................and a book push broom.

 The lighthouse was complete with a brass bell, a lifeboat and narrow stairs.

 It had a working light.

On top of these things, we saw paintings by Degas, Corot, Courbet, Manet, Monet and mary Cassatt.  These were wonderful and completely unexpected in a mostly outdoor museum full of buildings and outside displays.  Highly recommended!

A Bike Ride around Burlington

All over Burlington, there are sculptures of goblins on the roofs of various buildings.  I'm not sure what the deal is-buty they do like the goblins here!  Oblivious to all the evil lurking above us, Kathie and I took a very hot ride round Burlington through the Ethan Allen Homestead and Farm.

We saw interesting sculptures of mushrooms with gnomes sleeping underneath.

Following the hot ride (heat in Vermont?...what?!) we visited a local coffee shop called Speeder Earls.

They roast their own coffee!