First Stop - Washington County on the way to Downeast Maine Coast
Last week I went for a ride to the coast. We headed out to true "Downeast" Maine - Washington County and Machias in particular. After a 2 ½ hour drive through the country side with its quaint farms, we knew we were getting close when the road started through the Maine Blueberry Barrens. Acres and acres of open blueberry fields, dotted with bee hives, and just blossoming blueberry plants before the road will finally give way to the coast makes me realize the enormity of the Maine blueberry harvest.
The Blueberry Barrens of Washington County, Maine
The blueberry barrens here in Washington County, Maine seem endless. They play a very important part in the Maine economy. In 2022 the blueberry harvest had a $250 million impact on the state's economy. They also are a thing of beauty in the fall when the leaves of the low-bush wild blueberries turn a vibrant red, attracting leaf peepers to the downeast coast.
A brief stop to examine the blueberry fields up close and personal!
Although you can't see them from afar the Maine blueberry fields are dotted with thousands of blueberry blossoms that will eventually develop into delicious Maine blueberries this time of the year. As the days of May feed into summer, the work of the pollinating bees turn these plants into a vast sea of harvestable berries in August.
Important to the cultivation of the blueberries are honeybees. Local apiaries supply bees to the blueberry farmers and harvest the honey created by the bees. And then the apiaries process the honey and sell that. Yes, blueberries add a lot to the Maine economy, particularly Downeast Maine and Washington County.
It's time for Maine LOBSTER!
Our destination was Machias, for the best lobster rolls this side of heaven. We visit the coast twice a year once in May/June for lobster rolls and then we make another trip in early August in the height of blueberry season hoping to score some fresh blueberry pie! After stuffing ourselves with lobster rolls, we went exploring along the coast. We like to take the "off the beaten path" approach and take obscure little roads that take you into hidden coves and right down to the sea. This time we ended up on a wonderful little peninsula called Ripley Point.
It was so picturesque and very, very Maine coast. At the very end of the road was a little enclave of weathered shingled Victorian cottages with the most incredible views of the Atlantic and coastal islands.
There was a strip of rocky beach that we walked looking for sea glass and other treasures. I found a couple of interesting rocks that we brought home to put in the garden. I love living where we do in the inland forest, but I wouldn't mind having a place on the coast. Listening to the surf crash on the rocks, the clanging bell of a buoy just off the shore, and the fog horn from a distant lighthouse, and the smell of the salt air...........just puts you in another world.
I found this driftwood stump that had washed up on the shore. I really wanted to bring it home to tuck in the garden but we had the Jeep Wrangler and it just wouldn't fit in the back. It's one of the few times I wish we had a truck.
On our way back to Route 1, the coastal highway, we stopped at the Ripley Point town docks and watched them unloading a lobster boat.
There was this tiny little building out on an island. It really stirred my imagination thinking about why someone built it where they did and what it is used for.
Time was passing and as late afternoon came, we had to head back to the Katahdin region. It was a glorious day. I wish you could have been there with us.
If you ever come to Maine, get a copy of the Delorme Maine Atlas and get off the beaten path....it's where you'll find the true treasures of our incredible State. It gives you maps that show every hidden dirt back road in the state of Maine, and trust me, that is where the fun discoveries are!
For more information on cooking Maine lobsters and lobster recipes try these previous posts -
Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above says
Great pictures. Thank you so much for sharing with Adorned From Above's Link Party. We can't wait to see what you have to share with us this week.
Have a great week.
Debi and Charly
http://www.adornedfromabove.com
Pat G. says
Haven't been there in quite a while but my husband was born in Eastport & still has relatives in Bangor,Pembroke & Meddybemps, ME. He recalls picking blueberries, digging potatoes & tipping fir trees for wreaths so that he could make a little money as a young boy. Blueberries definitely are a huge commodity in Maine. Love the Downeast area of the State. Thanks for the story & pictures ~ I really enjoyed them.
Jann Olson says
What a wonderful adventure! Nothing like fresh fruit that's for sure. I have never been to Maine, but it's on my 'go to' list. Love Lobster and have not had a lobster roll. Sounds yummy. Hope to try one someday! Thanks for sharing the beautiful scenery with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Robin says
Beautiful pictures! Thanks for partying with us.
Robin @ Fluster Buster
Melissa B says
Lovely photos!
I've always wanted to visit Maine!
Bethany the ngnrdgrl says
Wonderful photos! Looks like you had wonderful road trip. I would love it if you would share with us at Photog Show and Tell Link Party.
Laura Huggins says
Absolutely brilliant scenery.
Thank you for linking up with the Weekend Blog Hop
Hope to see you again this weekend
Laura x x x
Katherines Corner says
Wow, what a beautiful area. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful post at the hop xo
Sheryl T says
I feel blessed to live in Maine. It is an incredibly beautiful and diverse state.
The Tablescaper says
I made this trip years ago. So beautiful and peaceful and filled with great lobster!
I host a weekly link party called "Oh, the PLACES I've been!" and would love to have you link. You could link each of your stops on different weeks into the future. The link goes up on Thursday evening EST at 7 pm. Hope to see you then!
- The Tablescaper
Sheryl T says
I'll be sure to be there! And yes, I agree there is nothing as heavenly as Maine lobster!
Krystal Lynn says
How absolutely beautiful!
I live in Pennsylvania, but I am originally from California. I have yet to travel that far up the East Coast. However, it is definitely on my bucket list.
I'm a new follower from the Thursday Favorite Things Link Up.
I hope you have a wonderful day & a fantastic weekend!
Krys @ Sunshine&Rain
Sheryl T says
Well you need to take a road trip up the New England coast! The Downeast Maine coast will offer you the most peaceful and pristine coastline that isn't as commercialized as more southern areas of New England.
micupoftea says
Scenic area! Never been to your state, but watched a tv show called Aerial Maine that showed the state of Maine from the air- gorgeous! Love the light houses. Someday we hope to visit. Thx for sharing 🙂
Vickie says
Such beautiful pictures! A visit to the East Coast is on my bucket list. I live out here in California and love to visit our beaches also. Glad you had a great trip!
Sheryl T says
It should be on everyone's bucket list! It's a beautiful state with an interesting history!
Michele says
Beautiful! Was just debating whether to take our annual summer trip to York Beach Maine! Ah, your photos brought me there!!!! Maine is in my heart and soul for sure and your trip came just in time to insure how important our trip is:) Maine is like medicine to me! New follower to your page now. Follow back at http://www.sewsweetvintage.com/2013/06/handkerchief-party-bunting.html
Jess says
Oh my goodness...such pretty pictures! 🙂
Thanks for joining the Link Up!
JOY says
Beautiful shots. We travel the New England coast year ago last May while they were experiencing the unusual warm spring. It was our first time in that part of the US and we LOVED it. I had so much fun posting my shots at the end of each day. (Google Joy's Jots Shots 2012 Spring Vaca - It goes from Day 2 to 13) I hope to go back some day. Thanks for sharing your experience. We never did find a spot on the shore to stop like you have. It must be a secret. enJOYed this post very much.
Sheryl T says
The secret is the "Maine Atlas" that I mention at the end of my post. Before you go exploring in Maine, be sure to get one. It shows every obscure little dirt road in the state. That's how we find spots like that one in the photos all the time, and its so much fun seeking them out.
Marie at Rural Living Today says
Sheryl, thank you for this fun and picturesque tour! We loved our road trip down the Maine coast a few years ago--and I can still taste the luscious lobster rolls 🙂 I know exactly what you mean about where you live...if only we could combine the best of both worlds with beach and deep forest on the same piece of land!
Sheryl T says
Maine is such a wonderful state to live in. I am truly blessed and I do love the the fact that I can be in the mountains, or at a pristine lake, or beach-combing in a couple of hours in any direction.
Happy Valley Chow says
Looks like you had a fantastic road trip! I am so jealous of you, the weather looked perfect for it 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow