Maine, USA
5 - 11 September 2010
Photos to be uploaded later.
One of the "wanna do's" of this trip, for both my mother and I, was to see a moose. On arrival in Maine we drove up into an area of lakes reputed to be a good spot to see moose. The best we saw were signs that warned of Moose Crossing and at the end of that first day I saw what I believe was a line of moose scat going across a road (I had seen examples of moose scat at the "Wild Centre" in Vermont).
The following day we drove the entire length of Baxter State Park and even got a special moose pass to do a hike recommended as especially likely for moose sightings. But, alas, no moose!
We gave up. Things like these sometimes just aren't meant to be. And on approach to the coast of Maine we stopped at an animal rescue centre that happened to have a moose (they rarely survive in captivity but this one was brought in 7 years ago when its mother was killed and has obviously adjusted).
The Kisma Preserve on the approach to Bar Harbor has an interesting collection of animals rescued from private collections, ex circus animals, and roadside and hunt rescues (when the mother is killed and baby rescued). They give guided tours, each animal has a story, and it is definitely worth the stop.
So we saw the captive moose and we continued on to the Maine's tourist drawcards of Bar Harbor and Boothbay Harbor. Both are beautiful locations.
Bar Harbor has Acadia Park and it seemed to have more than enough things to keep one entertained for at least a week. I thought Boothbay Harbor was prettier and had more charm. And Boothbay Harbor also has well known botanical gardens that we both wanted to visit.
But here's our real treat of Boothbay harbor... We were going to the botanical gardens and realized we missed the turn off so I finally found a place to turn the car around. Going back to find the turnoff I noticed a homemade sign that said "Goose Crossing". 'Cute' I thought, noticing that it was goose and not geese that would cross. 150 yards further and a car was stopped in the middle of the road, then I notice another car pulled off the road and the driver out with camera. We look for a flock of geese. But no, not one goose, "it's a MOOSE!" calls mum!
The moose, I guess, was about 150 yards away and heading quickly away from tourists and for the forest. It was a big surprise to us. It certainly made mum's day, all day she quipped "we saw a moose!".
And yes, we did find the botanical gardens after that and they were just lovely.
Bar Harbor had another attraction that we really liked as well. It was the Oceanarium. At Bar Harbor's Oceanarium one learns about how they collect the female lobsters with eggs and finally release that lobster and its babies... With about 10 times more survivors than a lobster left in the ocean.
The Oceanarium also has a cool touchpool. I learnt about star fish, moon snails, sea urchins, and the really really cool horseshoe crabs. All in all I was very glad that we stopped at the Oceanarium.
The coast of Maine is beautiful and traveling after the US labor day means the weather is still ok but the prices are cheaper and places less crowded. I am still hoping we get to see some autumn colour, but really we are a bit early. Still it might happen!
Notes:
05 Sep. Millinocket ME.
06 Sep. Somewhere on the East side Baxter State Park.
07 & 08 Sep. Bar Harbor ME.
09 Sep. Boothbay Harbor ME.
10 & 11 Sep. Portland ME.
Baxter State Park $14 car entry.
Kisma Preserve, Mount Desert, Maine $15 entry.
Oceanarium, Bar Harbor $15 entry all activities.
Botanical Gardens at Boothbay Harbor $10 entry.
