Monday, July 26, 2010

My Maine, My Vacationland


I did my routine blog check for comments today and I got so excited when I read a comment from CaraBee. I was told that she wanted to feature my blog on BlogTrotting, [a virtual travel blog dedicated to traveling to new blogs around the world] this week. And for a blogger like me, it is indeed a great privilege and opportunity to be able to be recognized and featured in other bloggers’ blog. So here you go… fellow blog-trotterswelcome to my Maine!

But before I let you in to the most kept-secret of Maine… I have a confession to make. I am not really a Mainer! I am from the Philippines and just moved here in Maine three years ago. I came here in 2007 to marry the “love of my life”. And in the span of three years,  I was acculturated to anything and everything  Maine. So if you are hoping that you will learn about the history and culture of Maine... then you will be disappointed. If you are looking for demographic data and statistics about Maine and it's people... you are in the wrong place. But if you are just wondering what does Maine really like based on the point-of-view of a non-traditional Mainer... then you are in for a treat.

So here are some of the things I learned about Maine and the reasons why I love/hate Maine.

I like Maine and I live like a Mainer. I ice-fish like a Mainer…

Checking if the bait is still there.
Setting up the trap.

I ride snowmobile like a Mainer…

Cruising in my backyard.

I gold-pan like a Mainer…

Sorting rocks in the sluice.

And I camp like a Mainer...

Camping in the Summer.
Camping in the Winter.

And though I hate its extreme and crazy weather [where it changes every 5 minutes, literally from rainy to blizzard-y to sunny to hail-y... all in a matter of 5 minutes interval]... I learned to adapt and love its amazing changing seasons...

Lobster Pond... one Winter morning.
Lobster Pond... one foggy early morning of Spring.
Lobster Pond... early morning of Summer.
Lobster Pond... one fine day of Fall.

Maine lakes are amazing...


A boat in Sabago Lake in Summer.
Snowmobiles in Sabago Lake in Winter.

its ponds are gorgeous...

No. 1 Pond, Sanford, Maine

its rivers are awesome...

East Branch, Swift River.
Saco River, Standish Maine.

its watersheds are breathtaking...

The Androscoggin Watershed, Rangeley, Maine.
One of the many protected watersheds in Maine.

its mountains are magnificent...

The snow-covered Mt. Washington from the distance. Season: Summer.
Mt. Blue, Byron, Maine.

its lighthouses are historical.

Nubble Lighthouse. The very first lighthouse I saw in Maine.
Portland Head Light, one of the oldest lighthouses on the shore of Maine
which was built in 1786 way before George Washington became
the first president of the United States.

and its bridges are phenomenal.

Parsonfield Wood Bridge in Fall.
Checking out the water from Saco River.

I also eat like a Mainer. I love its lobsters...

A staple of Maine.

and prefer maple syrup on my French toast, waffles and pancakes...

Collecting sap for the best Maple Syrup in the US.

with freshly picked fruits...
Strawberry picking in June.
Blueberry picking in August.
Apple picking in October.

And most of all, I love LL Bean!


I love everything Maine... so, I love Maine!

16 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

Wow! I didn't know that Maine was so versatile!! But I have always wanted to go to New England, to Maine or New Hampshire. These pictures are all so beautiful, I love that bridge, and the big LL.Bean shoe. But my favorite would be your happy face picling strawberries! You have been given quite a blog honor, but you truly deserve it!

Lamielle here! said...

Wow! amazing blog!!! gusto ko yung nag fishing ka..I wanna try that too :-)

Icy BC said...

Wow, Ruthi, this is such a journey through Main. You included everything..Wonderful post and fantastic photos..

Inday said...

Very very very pretty cheeky Girl! Rock on Ruthi!

Thanks for making me laugh.Your humour will make you live long. Great blog sweetie so you deserve some accolades. Why not? Wink!

Trish said...

Soooooo beautiful!! Some of those pictures reminds me of where we live (Dillingham, Alaska!)

I am VeRY jealous of your proximity to LLBean. I am an LLBean junkie, but do all my shopping online. I wold plan a trip to Maine JUST to visit the flagship store. Oh and to eat some of those amazing lobsters!

Miss Welcome said...

So gorgeous! Great job with the photos. Wow - all that snow. A long way from Manila, huh?

LAC said...

Beautiful pictures, absolutely stunning. I've vacationed in Maine, twice. Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, Schoodic Peninsula. One of my all time favorite places to go.

thanks for sharing, came via Blog Trotting!

CaraBee said...

I have always wanted to visit Maine! One of these days, I will, for sure!

Love the tour and the pictures are spectacular! Thanks so much for being a part of BlogTrotting!

Mamaondago said...

Just read your blog trot post! I love it! Maple syrup & lobster...yummy! I also have Filipino blood. Haven't met too many Pinoy bloggers.

mep said...

Your photos are simply gorgeous. Seems like it would be easy to fall in love with Maine! So glad you are in love in Maine and with Maine!

Buckeye Mom said...

My parents are vacationing in Maine this coming September. Any tips or must-see spots? I know they are going to visit Acadia National Park.

natalee said...

I love your post im following from blog trotters

Unknown said...

You're now really a Mainer! Ok, I must admit, I got jealous of the Maple Syrup -- comes fresh! And the LL Bean!

Thanks for the virtual trip!

EVERY THOUGHT COUNTS

Unknown said...

congratulations to you and keep up the good work. thanks for the mini tour once again.

all of your photos are cool!

rainfield61 said...

Your have and are having a very long vacation at Maine.

It is amazing with the water and nature.

I love it, as you do.

betchai said...

I believe I will love Maine too Ruthi, from what you showed me, hope to hit that side of US maybe after AK and Yellowstone, so that means in 3 years probably :( too many places to see, too little money, haha!