WHERE'S WALDO COUNTY?Off The Maine Trailby Valinda Almeida
Once a seafaring hub, the rich maritime heritage of the region comes to life in the Penobscot Marine Museum and the 19th century architecture of the bed and breakfasts that were once the mansions of sea captains. Numerous antique shops and flea markets are scattered throughout the towns of Belfast (the county seat, named after the town in Ireland), Belmont, Searsport, Unity, Freedom, Liberty, and others. The Penobscot Marine Museum, located in the heart of downtown Searsport, is a unique seafaring village made up of 13 buildings. It houses one of New England's best collections of maritime paintings and artifacts, including full-sized and scale models of boats used on Penobscot Bay years ago, when Searsport was the sea captain capital of the world (as well as the major ship-building port). During those prosperous times in the late 1700s and 1800s, sea captains and merchants in Searsport and neighboring Belfast built large luxury homes. Many of those grand homes have been lovingly restored and converted into historic bed and breakfasts to serve the visitors who are now discovering the quiet charms of these seaside towns.
Food, from juicy blueberry pies to freshly-caught lobsters, is a major reason for visiting these parts. Lobster is served in almost every restaurant and in every conceivable fashion. Besides the traditional steamed lobster dinner and lobster roll, menus feature lobster Newburg, lobster stew, lobster salad, deep dried lobster, baked stuffed lobster pie, lobster Afredo, stuffed tomato with lobster, lobster potato skins, lobster patty melt, lobster pizza, and lobster scrambled eggs. Even McDonald's serves lobster sandwiches. For those who still haven't gotten their fill of the crustacean that made Maine famous, you can haul away the live critters and enjoy them at home. Lots of places, including The Weathervane Restaurant in Belfast, will pack a Styrofoam container with fresh lobsters, seaweed, and ice packs. Memories of Waldo County linger in the minds, hearts, and bellies of all who pass through this peaceful piece of paradise.
For more information on Waldo County, contact:http://www.waldocountymaine.com For more information on accommodations, contact:Watchtide B&B by the Sea Thomas Pitcher House Bed & Breakfast Harbor View House of 1807 The Victorian by the Sea For more information on dining, contact:The Lobster Pound Restaurant Anglers Restaurant Weathervane Restaurant Jordan's Restaurant For more information on activities, contact:Penobscot Marine Museum Fort Knox Historic Site Schartner's Mountain View Farm Hamilton Marine Cruises For information on how to get there, contact:U.S. Airways Copyright Valinda Almeida 2000 Images from Watchtide B&B By the Sea |
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Nestled in the heart of coastal Maine between the well-known tourist cities of Bar Harbor and Camden are the 25 small towns that comprise Waldo County. Located on the western shore of picturesque Penobscot Bay, this quintessential New England county encompasses 734 square miles of rocky beaches, gently rolling hills, glacially formed ridges, and rich farmland where blueberries and apples grow. This unspoiled paradise is a secret uncovered by resident celebrities such as John Travolta and Kirstie Alley, whose waterfront summer homes are here. Sailboats, lobster boats, and fishing vessels of all sorts dot the bay. 
Watchtide by the Sea, the oldest inn in Searsport, takes pride in its history and its tranquil location on the Penobscot Bay. A 4-course gourmet breakfast cooked from scratch is served on a 60-foot sunporch overlooking the bay. Friendly inn-keeper Nancy-Linn Elliot showcases Maine specialties such as blueberries and cranberries at breakfast. In each bedroom is a bowl of addictive Nan's Crans, chocolate-covered cranberries with a hint of raspberry. She sells them in her antique shop housed in a barn attached to the inn. The antique shop is famous for her handmade angel crafts, as well as its heirloom Maine balsam pillows, and jars of local preserves. 