Going to the beach . . . in Maine?

For first time visitors to Maine it is a bit surprising to see the quizzical looks from locals when they ask where the nearest beach may be found. You see, once you travel north of the southern Maine areas of the Yorks, Wells and Ogunquit, there are very few places with sand beaches. In fact, the rugged and rocky coastline is one of the most attractive things about the Maine coast!

The relative rarity of sand beaches, and the particularly cold temperatures of the Atlantic Ocean in the Gulf of Maine make beach-going and swimming somewhat less common than in warmer climes.

However, for those determined to seek out the sand, it certainly can be found. One of the most popular beaches for families, or anyone seeking a broad expanse of sandy beach (just beyond the grasses in the photo), with views of the offshore islands and lighthouses, is Popham Beach State Park. Besides a wonderful beach, hiking trails and the usual State Park amenities, it is not far to Fort Popham, an unfinished Civil War fort, which can be explored.

If you'd like to have the best of both worlds, you would have a hard time beating the views at Reid State Park. While only about 4 miles from Popham Beach State Park by water, it is more like 27 miles by road, as you must return to Bath, Maine, then cross the Kennebec River, cross the short bridge to Georgetown Island, and drive out near the end of the island to find the park.

Reid, too, has a wonderful sand beach, but also has the craggy granite boulders that allow you to walk to the top and have a magnificent view of the beach, the islands with their lighthouses, and the mouth of the Sheepscot River.

While we can help you find these parks, with their sandy beaches, we can't take responsibility for the water temperature! It is usually very cold!

Visit Maine Like A Mainer! Maine's Lakes and Mountains

Our Visit Maine Like A Mainer! series continues with a look at Maine's Lakes and Mountains region, situated in the southwest portion of the state.

We first visited the Lakes and Mountains of Maine while vacationing on the coast, a year or two before we came to Brewster House B&B. In our previous trips to Maine, we had never seen a moose, and wanted to see one. We realized that Rangeley Lake, in the Lakes and Mountains region, was a good place for moose-spotting, and only a couple hours drive from where we were staying.

We booked lodging in Rangeley, and drove to Rangeley Lake. Although it was only late October, we began to see snow in the foothills, and later learned that this was a result of one of that year's many hurricanes which had come up the middle of the United States, and turned to a snowstorm over the New England mountains.

We were astonished at the surpassing beauty of the region. We drove around beautiful Rangeley Lake, looking down from the mountains and finding it reminded us of Lake Tahoe, along the California and Nevada border, but with as smaller population. Our motel had canoes available for guest use, and the lakeside view was so pretty we were tempted, but the snow and unusually cold weather put us off that idea.

As dusk approached, we drove out "Moose Alley" (so nicknamed for rather obvious reasons), and Ruth remarked, "Wouldn't it be great if we came around the next bend and there was a moose there?" And there was!

Like the car in front of us, we pulled quickly to the shoulder and began taking pictures. The moose, a big male, ambled across the road into the trees, and disappeared. We drove on, finding a second moose - a female this time - along the side of the road, casually grazing where the snow hadn't covered all the grass. After she disappeared we turned around and headed back toward town. There was the first big fellow again, standing in the center of the road! We got as close as we dared and stopped the car, and took a few photos, before he again disappeared into the woods.

In addition to the lakes and mountains, themselves, and moose, of course, the area is filled with ski resorts, snowmobile and snowshoe trails, and a wonderful opportunity to see nature unspoiled. See the region's website for more information.

Recipe: Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies - Yum!

One of the challenges at Brewster House, like most bed and breakfasts, is coming up with recipes that are good enough to use, but also meet special dietary requirements of some guests.

We often seem to have guests who have restrictions on wheat flours or are otherwise gluten-free, so afternoon snacks of cookies, cakes, etc., can be a bit of a challenge.

That's why we were thrilled when, a few years ago, Ruth came across this recipe for flourless peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips in Southern Living magazine. Scott loves peanut butter, and combined with chocolate it is ideal! This recipe has become his favorite of any peanut butter cookie, with or without flour!

Flourless Peanut Butter
Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup smooth peanut butter (chunky may be used if preferred)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk chocolate chips (or morsels)

1. Stir together first five ingredients in medium bowl, using wooden spoon. Stir in chocolate chips/morsels

2. Drop cookie dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet

3. Bake at 350 F for 12 minutes or until puffed and golden (Cookies will be soft in the center). cool on baking sheet 5 minutes, remove to wire rack.

Enjoy!

Visit Maine Like A Mainer! Kennebec and Moose River Valleys

This week our Visit Maine Like A Mainer! series travels to the Kennebec and Moose River Valleys region of this beautiful state.

Extending from the state capitol in Augusta north through the river valleys to the Canadian border, the region is filled with opportunities for outdoor adventure. Drive the scenic byway of US-201 through tiny towns and villages along the river valleys, transporting you back in time to the days of the lumber barons, or even the Revolutionary War. Many of these sights are described in the region website, and are sure to provide for an enjoyable and interesting visit.

From whitewater rafting in The Forks, to snowmobiling in Jackman, to fishing in the Kennebec River (near Moosehead Lake), there is something in every season to attract every visitor. Educational opportunities are plentiful at Colby College in Waterville, while the Shakespearean Theater of Maine is located in Monmouth. The fall foliage in this region is second to none.

A nice collection of links to communities and activities in the region can be found on the region's site.

If you have suggestions of places you would like us to include in our "Visit Maine Like A Mainer" series, please feel free to post them in the comments, or to Tweet them to us.

Maine Lighthouses - An Accessible Treasure!

Do you enjoy lighthouses? Or, perhaps you have never visited one, but want to see what all the fuss is about?

At Brewster House we love lighthouses (as most of our guests know!). We often provide the guests with maps and directions to lighthouses, and also have several packages that include lighthouse tours as well as other items.

We were really pleased to see that this year the State of Maine, the U.S. Coast Guard (who maintains the lights), and the American Lighthouse Foundation are combining to provide the first ever open house of Maine lighthouses as part of Lighthouse Day. On September 12, 2009 some 52 of Maine's more than 60 lighthouses will be open, providing free access to the public. Transportation to the lighthouses will not be provided, so if you want to visit them, you'll have to find your own way to them.

In celebration of Lighthouse Day, Brewster House has prepared its own map of Maine lighthouses, to help you find your way to them. The map below can be zoomed, and driving directions can be obtained via Google Maps. If you click on the link at the bottom of the map, you can see a larger version. Below the map is the list of lighthouses participating in the Lighthouse Day open house and more information about them.


View Maine Lighthouses - Brewster House Bed & Breakfast in a larger map

Lighthouses participating:

Downeast and Acadia Region
Baker Island Light
Bass Harbor Head Light
Burnt Coat Harbor Light
Deer Island Light
Egg Rock Light
Eagle Island Light
Great Duck Island
Libby Island Light
Little River Light
Lubec Channel Light
Moose Peak Light
Mount Desert Light
Petit Manan Light
Prospect Harbor Light
West Quoddy Head Light

Midcoast
Browns Head Light
Burnt Island Light
Cuckolds Light
Curtis Island Light
Dice Head Light
Doubling Point Light
Franklin Island Light
Fort Point Light
Goose Rocks Light
Grindle Point Light
Hendricks Head Light
Heron Neck Light
Isle Au Haut Light
Marshall Point Light
Matinicus Rock Light
Monhegan Light
Owls Head Light
Pemaquid Point Light
Perkins Island Light
Pond Island Light
Ram Island Light
Rockland Breakwater
Saddleback Ledge Light
Seguin Island Light
Squirrel Point Light
Two Bush Island Light
Whitehead Light

Portland & Casco Bay Region
Cape Elizabeth Light
Halfway Rock
Portland Head Light
Ram Island Ledge Light
Spring Point Light

The Beaches Region
Boon Island Light
Cape Neddick
Goat Island
Whaleback Light
Wood Island

More information is availble from Lighthouse Day and from the Maine Office of Tourism.

Enjoy a lighthouse!

Visit Maine Like A Mainer! Maine's Mid-Coast

As we continue our Visit Maine Like A Mainer! series, we come this week to Maine's Mid-Coast region. Some of Maine's top destinations are located here, including Camden, Rockland, Boothbay Harbor, Wiscassett, and more!

Venturing north from Brewster House, we first come to Brunswick, home of Bowdoin College whose famous connections include authors Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Nathaniel Hawthorne, Civil War general Joshua Chamberlain, and arctic explorers Robert Peary and Donald MacMillan.

Heading toward the coast, you find Bailey Island and Orrs Island, with scenic points and cottages. North on US-1 is Bath, with antique shops, the Maine Maritime Museum and Bath Iron Works, one of Maine's largest employers. Driving to the coast from Bath you'll find parallel state parks on opposite sides of the river, Popham Beach, with its Civil War fort, and on Georgetown Island, Reid State Park, with its rocky crags and sand beach. Five Islands, with its "10 best" lobster shack is nearby.

Driving north on US-1 from Bath, you come to Wiscasset (home of Red's Eats, another "10 best" lobster shack), then the Boothbay region and Boothbay Harbor with its shops, ships and vistas. Returning to US-1 you'll find Damariscotta and the Pemaquid Peninsula - one of Maine's best kept secrets (thanks to @squashbuckler and @thewalpolebarn for mentioning this). Besides the magnificent Pemaquid Point Light Station, there is New Harbor and whale watching tours, a coastal drive along Route 32, and Shaws, yet another "10 best" lobster shack.


Returning to US-1 you'll find Waldoboro and Moody's Diner, Thomaston (home of George Washington's Secretary of War, General Henry Knox) and its quaint houses and the Maine State Prison Store, and Waterman's Beach Lobster (another "10 best"), then down the peninsula to Port Clyde and Marshall Point Lighthouse. On the way back to US-1 stop at Owls Head Lighthouse to admire to view over the hilltop to Penobscot Bay.

Next is Rockland and its breakwater lighthouse, and the Farnsworth Museum, then on to Camden and its wonderful views of the beautiful harbor, schooners, and its shops. Try the view from Camden Hills State Park for a truly majestic scene!

A vacation in itself, your visit to Maine is not complete without at least a day trip to Maine's Mid-Coast region.

If you have suggestions of places you would like us to include in our "Visit Maine Like A Mainer" series, please feel free to post them in the comments, or to Tweet them to us.

Southern Recipe from a Maine B&B: Pecan Praline French Toast

One of our favorite French toast recipes is based on one we received from a family friend in California. She sent us Paula Deen's Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup.

As some of our friends well know, we lived for a number of years in the Southern USA (Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia), and love a lot of the Southern dishes. One thing we find, though, is that they are sometimes a bit rich for us. Consequently we've taken some of our favorites and altered them a little to be just a bit lighter (they are still very substantial - just ask our guests!). That's what we did with this recipe.

In fact, we had been serving our version as Brewster House Pecan Praline French Toast for some time before Ruth came across a video of Paula Deen making her French toast recipe. Based on the recipe we had from our friend, we had been laying the slices of bread down in the pan in layers, which made a great French toast in its own right. When Ruth saw the video, she realized that the way Paula Deen makes it, the slices stand up in the pan, wicking the custard up into themselves, and they look amazing! We tried it with our version, and wow! The taste was wonderful and the presentation was really impressive (as you can see from the photo!).

Here's the recipe for Brewster House Pecan Praline French Toast:

1 loaf French bread (13-16 ounces) (you may also use challah bread instead for a slightly different texture)
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dash salt
Praline Topping (recipe follows)
Maple syrup (we use 100% pure Maine maple syrup)

1. Slice bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. Arrange slices upright, in a generously buttered 9 x 13-inch flat baking dish in two rows, overlapping the slices.


2. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and salt, and whisk until blended. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices.


3. Cover and refrigerate overnight.


4. The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F


5. Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden.


6. Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping

1/4 pound (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well.

Bon appetit!

Visit Maine Like A Mainer! The Maine Highlands

The sixth in our Visit Maine Like A Mainer! series takes us to the Maine Highlands. The Maine Office of Tourism's web site aptly describes this region as a region of superlatives, with the largest population of moose and deer in the state, the greatest area of parks, the largest lake in the Northeast (Moosehead Lake), and the tallest peak in Maine (Mt. Katahdin at about a mile above sea level).

The Maine Highlands region actually encompasses six distinct sub-regions, Greater Bangor, Katahdin, Lincoln Lakes, Moosehead Lake, Sebasticook Valley, and Southern Piscataquis. So from the metropolitan area of Bangor, to the nearby University of Maine, north through the other regions to Katahdin area's Baxter State Park (a gift to the people of Maine by former Gov. Percival P. Baxter), there is something for everyone.

Many will want to visit Baxter State Park to see, and possibly climb, Maine's tallest peak, Mt. Katahdin. Many others will want to avail themselves of the miles of rivers, streams and lakes, and particularly the Moosehead Lake region, where you may kayak or canoe down a stream, slipping nearly silently along, and find a moose grazing along the stream as you round the bend.

Just beyond I-95 is Lincoln Lakes, offering an appealing mix of small town Maine charm and real outdoor adventure. Sebasticook Valley is a fisherman's paradise, with small streams, lakes, ponds and rivers. Southern Piscataquis is ideal for the outdoor sports enthusiast, with hiking trails and waterways, as well as villages, craftsmen and historic sites.

If you have suggestions of places you would like us to include in our "Visit Maine Like A Mainer" series, please feel free to post them in the comments, or to Tweet them to us.