See Maine's Fall Colors! Foliage Packages for Every Budget

One of the many things we love about Maine is the fantastic display of fall colors! No where else can claim such a combination of fall foliage and the beautiful Maine coast.

Last year our Fall Foliage Surf and Turf package was the most successful package we've ever created, due in no small measure to the article from Smarter Travel, calling it "a steal of a deal", appearing on the front page of Yahoo!

Since we're mindful of the, shall we say, shaky economic conditions, we've created a new, more modestly priced version, and, because the foliage driving tour is fairly lengthy, an extended, three night version, as well.

Fall Foliage Surf and Turf 2009

Our 2009 Fall Foliage Surf and Turf package includes two nights, double occupancy in a queen room at Brewster House, a two-hour cruise for two on an antique schooner, a self-driving tour (with detailed driving directions) of coastal foliage areas, a $100 gift card at Freeport's L.L. Bean, a $50 restaurant gift certificate, a $50 gasoline card, a souvenir mug, chocolates, etc. The all-inclusive price for this package is $649.

Fall Foliage Tour Lite

The "lite" version of our Fall Foliage Tour includes two nights at Brewster House, double occupancy in a queen room, a $25 gasoline card, and the same driving tour of the coastal foliage areas as in the Fall Foliage Surf and Turf 2009 package. The all-inclusive price for the "lite" version is $389.

Fall Foliage Surf and Turf 2009 - Extended

Because the driving tour of the foliage areas is lengthy, and can easily take all day - especially if you stop to shop, eat, or visit lighthouses or other attractions along the route, we've provided and extended option - add a third night for only $100. This will give you time to break up the drive, make sure you have time for the schooner sail, dinner at the restaurant, and (sometimes most importantly) use that L.L. Bean gift card.

Book these fall foliage packages on our web site, or call with questions or special requests. We can alter these packages to tailor them to your specific needs.

Visit Maine Like A Mainer! Plan Your Trip!

Our Visit Maine Like A Mainer! series will conclude with a series of posts containing suggestions to help you plan your trip to Maine.

In each of the preceding posts in this series, we have provided links to the State of Maine tourism site, as well as the Maine Tourism site, and the regional sites for the region discussed in the post. We have also provided selected links to some of the attractions in the regions. These all provide a good starting point for gathering information. Now let's put it together in a trip.

Of course, your own interests will dictate whether you try to see a bit of each region of Maine, or whether you focus on particular areas, or just one area. In addition, the time you can allocate will also determine how much you can see. We'll provide two sample itineraries by type of region, as well as samples of differing duration. You should be able to mix-'n-match the parts you like and the time you have available. Since the largest number of our visitors come from the south, we'll begin there. Of course, if you're coming from the north or west, you can change the starting point and carry on from there.

We'll begin this series-within-a-series with a wilderness trip plan.

Days 1 and 2: Rangeley, Maine

Arrive by road, either from Boston (about 5 hours), Manchester, NH (4.5 hours), Portland, Maine (3 hours). Canoe or kayak on Rangeley Lake, or any of the rivers and streams nearby. Drive out State Route 16 at dawn or dusk to see moose grazing along the road. Hike at Rangeley Lake State Park.

Days 3 and 4: Moosehead Lake, Maine

Drive to Moosehead Lake (about 5 or 5.5 hours). Enjoy the magnificent scenery, along the way. If you start by dawn, you may even see more moose.

Canoe or kayak on Moosehead Lake. Try fly fishing for trout. Hike, camp, canoe, and generally relax!

Days 5 and 6: Baxter State Park, Maine

Enjoy the drive (about 3-4 hours) and the views! If you're up to it, climb Mount Katahdin, at almost a mile above sea level, Maine's highest peak.

Days 7 and 8: Aroostook County, Maine

Drive south to Millinocket, then work your way to the tip of Maine, Aroostook County. Visit Caribou, Fort Kent, Presque Isle, and other small towns along the Canadian border.

Enjoy the trip! We'll have another itinerary in our post next week.

Recipe: Three-Cheese, Leek and Ham Quiche

At Brewster House B&B we normally alternate between a sweet recipe one day, such as our Pecan Praline French Toast, and an egg dish the next, so that guests staying multiple nights not only don't eat the same thing every day, but also get more variety.

We serve a variety of egg-based dishes, some of which, like today's recipe, are quiches. This quiche makes a very full pie plate, and is very tasty, creamy and rich!

Three-Cheese, Leek and Ham Quiche

• 1 pie crust for 9-inch pie (can be homemade or from 15 oz refrigerated package, not a pre-shaped frozen pie crust)


• 3/4 lb. leeks (about 3 medium; white and pale green parts only)


• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter


• 1/4 lb. thinly sliced ham or good smoked bacon


• 3 oz. Gruyere (or other Swiss) cheese, coarsely grated (1 cup)


• 3 oz. Jack or Italian Fontina cheese, coarsely grated (1 cup)


• 3 oz. whole-milk mozzarella, coarsely grated (1 cup)


• 3 large eggs


• 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg


• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper


• 1 3/4 cups whipping cream

1. Pre-bake pie dough in pie plate according to package instructions, remove from oven and reduce temperature to 350 degrees F.


2. Meanwhile halve leeks lengthwise and cut into 1/2 inch pieces, then wash well in a bowl of cold water, agitating leeks. Lift out and drain leeks in colander and pat dry. Melt butter in 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat and cook leeks, stirring occasionally, until very tender (8-10 minutes)


3. Line warm pie shell with sliced ham or bacon, overlapping layers as necessary to cover bottom and side of pie shell complettely. Toss cheeses together and sprinkle evenly into pie shell (do not pack cheese), then spread leeks evenly on top of cheese.


4. Whisk together eggs, nutmeg and pepper until combined well, then whisk in whipping cream until smooth


5. Carefully pour half of custard on top of pie filling, gently moving cheese with a spoon to help custard disperse evenly. Slowly add remaining custard in same manner. Cover pie loosely with foil, gently folding edges over crust (keep foil from touching top of cheese mixture) and transfer to a baking sheet


6. Bake until center of filling is puffed and set (center will be slightly wobbly, but not liquid), about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours. Cool on a rack at least 20 - 30 minutes before serving (filling will continue to set as it cools). Serve warm or at room temperature.

This quiche can be made 3 days ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then chilled, wrapped in plastic wrap. Reheat quiche (uncovered) in a 350 degrees F oven until warmed through, about 15 minutes.

Makes 8 servings

Bon appetit!

Visit Maine Like A Mainer! Schoodic and Blue Hill Peninsulas

The Schoodic peninsula and the Blue Hill peninsula encircle the jewel of Mount Desert Island like the pincers of a lobster. Yet for that very reason, many rush to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, without stopping to see the treasures that are these two magnificent peninsulas. This installment of our Visit Maine Like A Mainer! series takes a look at these wonderful areas.

Turning off US-1 toward the Blue Hill peninsula, just south of the route to Bar Harbor, makes you feel as though you have left civilization behind. Only the occasional farm interrupts the natural scenery as you drive toward the ocean. Taking one of the side roads, you can find yourself in one of the many villages that dot the area.

The peninsula is bounded on the west by Penobscot Bay, and on the east by Blue Hill Bay. Making your way down the west side, you'll find South Orland, West Penobscot, South Penobscot, Castine, Brooksville, then on to Deer Isle, where you encounter Sunset and Stonington. On the east side, you encounter Surrey, Blue Hill and Brooklin. According to the regional information web site, Brooklin provides the setting for E.B White's books, such as Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little.

The village of Blue Hill is the largest town on the peninsula, overlooking Blue Hill Bay, with a history of shipbuilding, copper mining, and granite quarrying. Today Blue Hill offers art, great food, historic lodging, and a delightful atmosphere. Detailed offerings are available from the Blue Hill Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

Not far north of Mount Desert Island is West Gouldsboro, the gateway to the Schoodic peninsula. Along the west side of the peninsula, facing Frenchman Bay, lie South Gouldsboro, Summer Harbor and Winter Harbor. Along the east side is Prospect Harbor, Corea, and a lot of open space. At the tip of the Schoodic peninsula is that much less visited part of Acadia National Park known as Schoodic Point. We were recommended this by @JE_Turcotte, and a great recommendation it is!


To quote the regional information site, Schoodic Point "offers a solitude rarely attainable elsewhere. Always it boasts spectacular scenery and the best surf crashing into rocks to be seen anywhere on stormy days. The interplay of land and sea and sunlight has inspired generations of poets, writers, and painters."

Details of the lodging and dining opportunities on the Schoodic peninsula are available from the area's Chamber of Commerce web site.

New England Fall Foliage: Maine is the Place to Go!

Many people plan to one day visit Maine for the very best in New England fall foliage viewing. The fall colors are wonderful in New England, but only Maine offers the spectacular foliage coupled with the magnificent Maine coast!

In fact, that stunning combination is exactly why we started offering our Fall Foliage Surf and Turf package. We start with two nights for two in a large queen room at Brewster House, all with large private baths en suite. To that we add views of the foliage from the sea, on the deck of an antique, wooden schooner, where we provide a two-hour cruise with Portland Schooner Co., a $100 shopping spree at Freeport's L.L. Bean stores (the flagship store, hunting and fishing store, bike boat and ski store, and the L.L. Bean outlet store), a $50 restaurant gift certificate, and a self-driving tour of the foliage areas along the coast, complete with a $50 gas card to help pay for the tour.

The foliage tour, itself, is a full-day affair if you attempt to see it all in one day. Following our turn-by-turn directions, you go from Brewster House in Freeport, up to Damariscotta, Maine, where you'll see the foliage along the Pemaquid Peninsula, and visit Pemaquid Point Lighthouse. Driving out the islands and peninsulas that typify this part of the Maine coast, you'll visit state parks and scenic villages, with wonderful Maine fall colors all along the route. There are also off-shore lighthouses and the beautiful beaches and rocks that make the Maine coast so special.

Last year, Smarter Travel called our Fall Foliage Surf and Turf package "a steal of a deal."

Check it out for yourself! If you've been thinking about seeing the New England fall colors, you'll find that there's more to Maine!

Visit Maine Like A Mainer! Maine's Mid-Coast (Part 2)

We gave an overview of the Mid-Coast region earlier in our Visit Maine Like A Mainer! series. The full list of articles in the series is available here. In this article we'll look at more of the wonderful things available to see and do in the Mid-Coast, all within a 60-90 minute drive of Brewster House. Time and space do not permit an in-depth discussion of every one of the beautiful harbors and villages in this region, so we apologize in advance if your favorite was overlooked!


Boothbay Harbor is one of our very favorite locations. Not only is it a beautiful working harbor, but its shops and neighborhoods make for a wonderful place to stroll along, getting a good taste for Maine. We like Boothbay Harbor so well that we once rented a house here, to spend a week in the area. We could easily walk across the harbor on the footbridge, noting the extreme differences between high and low tides, and enjoy a walk through town, pick up a newspaper, and return in time for breakfast. After a day of sightseeing, it is lovely to come into Boothbay Harbor and get a cone of homemade ice cream at Downeast Ice Cream, right on the wharf.


Just a bit farther north, Damariscotta is a picture-perfect postcard setting of a New England town across the river. It has several good choices for lunch, and some nice shops (including a very nice book store) for browsing. Proceeding a bit farther toward the coast, you soon are in the countryside, on your way to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, established in 1827. The views from the rocky bluff where the lighthouse stands are magnificent. There are great (and entirely different) photo opportunities looking up at the lighthouse from the rocks on either side of it.

Returning to US-1 via Route 32 and New Harbor, we soon come to Waldoboro. If you're in a hurry, taking Route 90 to Camden will save time, but there are several things you'll miss. We enjoy Thomaston, with its stately old homes and shady, tree-lined streets, as well as driving down the long peninsula to Port Clyde and Marshall Point Lighthouse. Linda Bean's Perfect Maine Lobster Roll was born in Port Clyde, and Ms. Bean still owns the General Store there. There are ferries to Monhegan Island, and puffin tours and lighthouse tours available from Port Clyde, as well. U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts owns a home nearby.

Returning up the peninsula from Port Clyde, the lighthouse at Owls Head provides a breathtaking view of Penobscot Bay. It also has one of the few keepers houses that is still occupied (by a Coast Guard family).

Our trip up the coast usually ends with a stop at Camden, where the beautiful harbor can be viewed from the small town park right on US-1, or from Camden Hills State Park. There are also several nice restaurants with views of the harbor for a meal or just a cup of chowder.

There's no question about it, there's more to Maine!

Recipe: Cinnamon Coffee Cake

A recent addition to our menus at Brewster House has been our Cinnamon Coffee Cake. It came from another family member, and has proved to be very popular with our guests.

Cinnamon Coffee Cake

1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
2 1/2 cup Flour
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
3/4 cup oil (veg./canola, corn, whatever)

Mix all the above together thoroughly, then remove 3/4 cup of mixture for
topping.

To remainder, add:
1 egg
1 cup sour milk (add 1 Tablespoon vinegar to 1 cup milk and let sit for a couple minutes) OR you can use 1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

1. Mix just until ingredients are incorporated, then put in 9x13 inch pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray


2. Top with 3/4 cup mixture and add some chopped nuts, if desired


3. Bake 35-45 min. (mine took 35) at 350 deg. F.

Let cool 15 minutes or so on wire rack and cut into pieces (can be frozen, but
let cool completely, first).

Enjoy!

Visit Maine Like A Mainer! Aroostook County

Maine's largest and most northern county, Aroostook, is the topic of this week's installment in the Visit Maine Like A Mainer! series. A listing of all the regions and sub-regions covered is at the end of the first post.

There are not a large number of people in Aroostook County, despite it's making up more than 20% of the state of Maine. In fact, there are only about 11 people per square mile. Contrast that with Maine's average density of about 41 people per square mile, and Massachusetts' 809 people per square mile or New Hampshire's 137. In addition to those few people, "The County" (as the rest of Maine refers to it) is blessed with a sizable proportion of Maine's 35,000 moose population, as well as deer and bear. It is truly an outdoor paradise.

From bicycling to 4-wheeling, from hunting, fishing, or golf, to hiking, camping, bird watching, and other outdoor activities, there is much to do or see, though it isn't always appreciated by those who have never been to The County. For a great tale of a visit, and the bemused reaction of others in Southern Maine to the plans to visit Aroostook, take a look at the Visit Aroostook site.

Being such a large county, Aroostook can be divided into smaller regions, each with its own temptations and attractions. Ranging from towns like Fort Kent and Madawaska, along the Canadian border, to the North Maine Woods, to Southern Aroostook, there are scenic drives, and unfathomable beauty at every turn.

The region has many hunting camps, and guide services, as well as B&Bs, hotels, housekeeping cottages and other forms of accommodations. Loads of information for planning your trip to the County is available on the Visit Aroostook site.