|
WHERE'S
WALDO COUNTY?
Off
The Maine Trail
by
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 |
|
TM
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.