Burlington, VT to Portland, ME

Friday, September 25, 2009
Burlington, VT to Portland, ME

A few years back my friend Jessica visited Maine and after I saw her pictures I made a commitment to visit the state within the next 5 years. Thanks to JetBlue for allowing that to happen sooner rather than later. Leaving Burlington there was only one TSA lane open and two closed. I really love small airports and long lines. After hopping on board I peered out the window and as we touched down in Maine I was given a beautiful view of the Maine coast. At the airport I snuck on to the Holiday Inn shuttle and was carted downtown where I met my old Feinstein colleague, Johann, who was attending a conference at the hotel. After saying hello and leaving my luggage behind the counter, Johann pointed me in the direction of Congress street and away I went. Congress street was littered with art galleries and bookstores, so I went into each one and introduced myself, leaving 'Thoughts From the Chicken Bus' information everywhere I went. The people of Portland were very receptive and want me to send back posters for them to hang up in their stores! I am very excited. Continuing down Congress I found a Public Market where I grabbed a yummy falafel and kept going where Fore connected and stumbled upon quaint shops decked out with lobster aprons, lobster bags, and lobster postcards. Around the corner there was some poor soul dressed as a lobster waving to people and on the back of his costume it read "Eat Me." I high fived him for support. Through the ally-ways I ventured and met up with local fisherman who were bringing in the days catch, then over to the bayfront where I saw tourists lined up to catch a ferry out to the islands that dot the coast. Up a hill was the famous Portland observatory and Sumner Park which provided priceless views of Maine's most populous city. I sat there for a while and enjoyed the silence before joining up with Johann and some friends at Brian Baru's for a non-profit get together.

Saturday, September 26, 2009
Unity, Maine

I had decided to visit Maine this weekend because of the Common Ground Festival. In it's 33rd year, I was told it would be full of Maine's farmers sharing their latest harvest, local animals, and fun festivities. A two hour drive from Portland found the roads covered in trees starting to change and lakes everywhere you looked. A long line of cars was backed up on a two-lane country road, so Johann used his I Phone to Google maps us a better way and ten minutes later we pulled up at the fair. Walking into the fair I was greeted to fresh blueberries, bins of garlic, and yummy homemade cheese. Searching out the food stands, I settled on a homemade grilled cheese and beet soup, topped off with yogurt...was this Top Chef out in the middle of a Unity, Maine field? There was an entire tent devoted to political action and justice and walking past I was greeted by a line of war protesters donning black masks and beating on white buckets as drums. The fair promoted all organic and homeade products, including not selling bottled water...throughout the grounds were water coolers and you could fill them up with your Nalgene or other water bottles. I was so happy to see this conservation.

At the end of the day I took in some Maine folk dancing lessons, listened to cool live music and tasted pumpkin ice cream before heading down the road to Courtney's house. Johann's friend, Courtney, had invited us to stay the night near Liberty, Maine and after entering the house we finished preparing a BBQ before gathering around the table to make new friends. Hamburgers, smoked sausage, chicken, corn on the cob, beans, and homemade ice cream were devoured before a campfire was put together and beers sipped on. Stories and laughter filled the air until I looked at my watch and it said 3 AM. Bedtime must be had so I waved goodnight and felt my way up the stairs to enjoy a good nights sleep.

Sunday, September 27, 2009
Liberty, Maine

Waking up I was presented with a pretty view of the lake, directly off of the deck from Courtney's home. Rain had come during the night and drizzle lingered as I threw on my beanie and ventured into the cool air. Slowly the house woke up and when we had all gathered enough steam the seven of us headed down the road to a little house, turned restaurant, where breakfast and lunch filled the table. Afterwards Johann drove down highway 1 through Bath, Maine into Freeport, passing lakes and rivers along the way. Trees in Maine had not fully turned yet, but the ones that had reminded me why fall is my favorite season. In Freeport I saw the L.L.Bean compound, five big buildings with anything outdoorsy you would ever want to buy. Inside the camping store I was in heaven and meandered around the tents until we had to leave. Near the hunting and fishing building were two guys decked out in camoflauge, holding on to hunting dogs, and they looked just like an L.L.Bean commercial. Back in Portland we went down to American Flatbread pizza for dinner where the crust was the perfect amount of doughy inside and the oven provided the coziness one looks for on a rainy Maine evening.

Cuddling under my covers at nights end my trip to New England was over. It was beautiful and green as I had expected, but when it comes to fall foliage I think I'll stick with North Carolina.