I think it was 2007 since I have posted photos of the beauty one can only see in the Fall.
It's one of my favorite times of the year. Spring is the other.
I live in the foothills of Western Maine which is rural. Rural means that the majority of the land is hilly, loaded with ponds and lakes, forests, and people who have farm animals for one reason or another. Some are dairy farmers. Many have animals to provide eggs, and milk to make cheese. Some raise chickens to slaughter so they can fill their freezer. Some have goats to produce milk and cheese. Quite a few have a garden and they preserve or sell their harvest. All in all, it is a beautiful place to see. In my seventeen years or so of living in Maine, I have never seen an ugly spot of land. Riding over the roads often presents breathtaking views no matter what time of the year.
It's the place to visit if you live in a heavily populated city and just need a breath of fresh air and refreshment for your spirit and soul.
I try to share the beauty I see with others in the best way I know of: Photography. So please enjoy!
You will have to forgive me. I travelled about with my camera a bit too late. We had a few rain storms with high wind and after it cleared, the colors were a bit 'past peak' and many of the leaves had dropped to the ground.
If you look in my "Archives" under 2007, you will see my earlier presentation of Fall's Bounty. The photos have a more intense color. It was a beautiful year for leaves. The slide show screen has a large white arrow in the middle. Click on it. It will drop away to show a smaller white arrow along the bottom of the slide show screen. Click on the smaller white arrow to have the slide show advance automatically for you.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Cabbage Island & Boothbay Harbor, ME 4th of July, 2010
Just to get away from the routine of doing the same old thing on the 4th of July, John and I decided to spend the night in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. We have visited about 5 times over the years to take the ferry to Cabbage Island and enjoy a wonderful lobster bake. This time; instead of rushing back home I thought we would watch the fireworks over the harbor and relax. Traffic was very light driving down, save for a few slow drivers that we could not legally pass, but luckily they turned off and we were free to 'speed it up.'
We arrived in Boothbay with 20 minutes to spare before we had to check in at the reservation desk on the dock for the Cabbage Island ferry. The parking lot we always use had one space left, and a surprise steep increase in cost. This year we were told to pay 30 dollars for the day. We never ever paid more than twelve! But maybe, just maybe my 'spiritual friends upstairs' was looking out for us because the man offered us the spot for $20, and we gladly took it because we did not have time to drive up and down this quaint village looking for a better place to park. Did I mention that two days before, the east coast entered into a week-long heat wave? Such a lengthy one is unusual up here. Three days, maybe; but not 8 days long. Being on the coast showed us no mercy. It was hot, and soggy there too.
We made our way across the dock to the Reservation desk, paid for our tickets and waited for the boat to come in and pick us up.
Cabbage Island Lobster bakes are a delicious treat if you like lobster. They call it a Clambake, but it is really a lobster bake.
You are transported by ferry to Cabbage Island; a family owned and operated 5 and half acre stretch of land in the Bay. The ride takes about 30 minutes and you are given interesting facts about who lives on the various islands that dot the bay, and how much it costs to rent a week on one of the homes (how's $10,000 for you?). Need I say some very wealthy people have summer homes on the bay islands. Let me get back to the Lobster bake on Cabbage Island.
When you disembark you are greeted by members of the Moore family to personally welcome you to their island and summer home. There are picnic tables scattered around the grounds for you to seat yourself, as well as a covered porch around the main building if weather is inclement or you just don't want to sit in the sun.
After everyone has found a place to perch, the staff gives you 20 minutes or so to collect yourself and you are served clam chowder with oyster crackers. Everyone is given a rolled napkin that contains your eating utensils, wet nap, toothpick, lobster bib, lobster cracker and tiny fork to get into those nooks and crannies of the claws.
While you are eating, the lobster is being steamed outside in the ground along with clams, corn on the cob, a whole onion (don't ask me why), a hard boiled egg and two lobsters per person. When the food is done, a chuckwagon bell rings letting you know that it's time to line up at the pit to receive your dinner.
Everyone is given a tray that holds your lobsters, and all the other items I just mentioned along with a small bowl of melted butter. When you get back to your table, wait staff come around and take orders for your drinks. Unlimited iced tea and coffee is included, but anything else has to be paid for separately. Extra butter, napkins, etc are quickly given. They check back often to clear away your shells, get drinks or anything that will make your meal with them wonderful.
At the end of your meal, everyone is given a thick hunk of blueberry cake. They say cake, but it is more of a bread being that is not sweet enough to be called cake. You are also asked if you would like coffee with your cake. If you have time, you are free to walk around the island, but I've never had time for that, nor do I feel like it after that meal!
After everyone has been given time to eat, the ferry returns to take us back to Boothbay Harbor. What does all of this wonderful goodness cost? A very reasonable $58.95! The link to their website is....
Cabbage Island Website: http://www.cabbageislandclambakes.com/clambakes.htm
When we got back to the Harbor, it was time to check into the Boothbay Harbor Inn. It was a very clean, neat, well appointed pleasant room with a king sized bed and a balcony overlooking a portion of the harbor. The room looked like it had been newly renovated, but there were a few things I see disappearing from the hotel industry that used to be the norm: like elevators to the second floor.... there were none, and if you have trouble with your limbs like many do today, you will be walking up some stairs carrying your luggage all by your onesies. Bathtubs are getting smaller too. The length is about the same; but the width is very narrow these days. I noticed in foreign countries they have either very narrow tubs, or no tubs at all; just shower stalls.
What the heck! We were only staying the night, and the room was air conditioned, and this is a town that does NOT have any of the chain food places such as McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, etc. And you will not find any of the chain hotels there either. Lots of Bed and Breakfasts, Inns, and family owned motels abound; so you choose from what you are offered and enjoy. I would love to have a summer home in Boothbay Harbor though...!!
Here is a link to the Boothbay Harbor Inn: http://www.boothbayharborinn.com/bbhi_guestrooms.html
At nine o'clock, the fireworks were supposed to begin over the harbor. So everyone in the entire town found a place to sit and enjoy the action. John and I sat on the pier and of course, I had my camera along to see if I could capture pictures to show you and give us something to look at after returning home. It was a pretty good show too. Not as good as you are going to see along the Charles River in Boston, or even a farmer's field we enjoyed in a town not far from my neighborhood (meaning the show was way too short); but it was beautiful nonetheless.
I don't think I will ever see as much of Boothbay as I would like. You need to stay about 5 days for that.
Here is a link to Boothbay Harbor Chamber of Commerce website:
http://www.boothbayharbor.com/
I encourage you once the page loads to explore the "Visit Us" listings along the left hand side of your monitor, and also explore the links located along the top of your screen as well.
Those little Guidebooks you can pick up free in hotel lobbys can be viewed page by page online and can be found on the right hand side of your screen. It does require Adobe Flash Player - Version 9 or above.
Finally; here is a slide show of views from the Ferry, Cabbage Island, the fireworks, some views of the Harbor, and; Oh yeah! I forgot to share; the closer you get to the coast, there are little stands you can buy lobster to take back home with you. The prices are so very cheap, and many will even cook them for you if you'd like! I like!!! Why struggle if you don't have too? We stopped at one of those lobster stands, and brought back 5 lobsters for $30. We ordered them cooked (in seawater so they were perfectly seasoned) and was charged an additional $5.
Next time, we're going to be two little pigs and buy ten lobsters!! I de-shelled them and made lobster salad for dinner along with corn on the cob and coleslaw.
It doesn't get much better than that! I hope you enjoy the slide show. I did notice that the slideshow did not want to automatically advance once you clicked on the arrow in the center. I had to tell the computer to allow pop-ups on this site. It never used to be that way. Must have been one of those Microsoft updates changing the rules again. Depending upon what is going on, you may have to advance each photo manually with the arrow keys. With everything that is going on with the planet electro-magnetically, heavens knows how it is affecting our electronics.
We arrived in Boothbay with 20 minutes to spare before we had to check in at the reservation desk on the dock for the Cabbage Island ferry. The parking lot we always use had one space left, and a surprise steep increase in cost. This year we were told to pay 30 dollars for the day. We never ever paid more than twelve! But maybe, just maybe my 'spiritual friends upstairs' was looking out for us because the man offered us the spot for $20, and we gladly took it because we did not have time to drive up and down this quaint village looking for a better place to park. Did I mention that two days before, the east coast entered into a week-long heat wave? Such a lengthy one is unusual up here. Three days, maybe; but not 8 days long. Being on the coast showed us no mercy. It was hot, and soggy there too.
We made our way across the dock to the Reservation desk, paid for our tickets and waited for the boat to come in and pick us up.
Cabbage Island Lobster bakes are a delicious treat if you like lobster. They call it a Clambake, but it is really a lobster bake.
You are transported by ferry to Cabbage Island; a family owned and operated 5 and half acre stretch of land in the Bay. The ride takes about 30 minutes and you are given interesting facts about who lives on the various islands that dot the bay, and how much it costs to rent a week on one of the homes (how's $10,000 for you?). Need I say some very wealthy people have summer homes on the bay islands. Let me get back to the Lobster bake on Cabbage Island.
When you disembark you are greeted by members of the Moore family to personally welcome you to their island and summer home. There are picnic tables scattered around the grounds for you to seat yourself, as well as a covered porch around the main building if weather is inclement or you just don't want to sit in the sun.
After everyone has found a place to perch, the staff gives you 20 minutes or so to collect yourself and you are served clam chowder with oyster crackers. Everyone is given a rolled napkin that contains your eating utensils, wet nap, toothpick, lobster bib, lobster cracker and tiny fork to get into those nooks and crannies of the claws.
While you are eating, the lobster is being steamed outside in the ground along with clams, corn on the cob, a whole onion (don't ask me why), a hard boiled egg and two lobsters per person. When the food is done, a chuckwagon bell rings letting you know that it's time to line up at the pit to receive your dinner.
Everyone is given a tray that holds your lobsters, and all the other items I just mentioned along with a small bowl of melted butter. When you get back to your table, wait staff come around and take orders for your drinks. Unlimited iced tea and coffee is included, but anything else has to be paid for separately. Extra butter, napkins, etc are quickly given. They check back often to clear away your shells, get drinks or anything that will make your meal with them wonderful.
At the end of your meal, everyone is given a thick hunk of blueberry cake. They say cake, but it is more of a bread being that is not sweet enough to be called cake. You are also asked if you would like coffee with your cake. If you have time, you are free to walk around the island, but I've never had time for that, nor do I feel like it after that meal!
After everyone has been given time to eat, the ferry returns to take us back to Boothbay Harbor. What does all of this wonderful goodness cost? A very reasonable $58.95! The link to their website is....
Cabbage Island Website: http://www.cabbageislandclambakes.com/clambakes.htm
When we got back to the Harbor, it was time to check into the Boothbay Harbor Inn. It was a very clean, neat, well appointed pleasant room with a king sized bed and a balcony overlooking a portion of the harbor. The room looked like it had been newly renovated, but there were a few things I see disappearing from the hotel industry that used to be the norm: like elevators to the second floor.... there were none, and if you have trouble with your limbs like many do today, you will be walking up some stairs carrying your luggage all by your onesies. Bathtubs are getting smaller too. The length is about the same; but the width is very narrow these days. I noticed in foreign countries they have either very narrow tubs, or no tubs at all; just shower stalls.
What the heck! We were only staying the night, and the room was air conditioned, and this is a town that does NOT have any of the chain food places such as McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, etc. And you will not find any of the chain hotels there either. Lots of Bed and Breakfasts, Inns, and family owned motels abound; so you choose from what you are offered and enjoy. I would love to have a summer home in Boothbay Harbor though...!!
Here is a link to the Boothbay Harbor Inn: http://www.boothbayharborinn.com/bbhi_guestrooms.html
At nine o'clock, the fireworks were supposed to begin over the harbor. So everyone in the entire town found a place to sit and enjoy the action. John and I sat on the pier and of course, I had my camera along to see if I could capture pictures to show you and give us something to look at after returning home. It was a pretty good show too. Not as good as you are going to see along the Charles River in Boston, or even a farmer's field we enjoyed in a town not far from my neighborhood (meaning the show was way too short); but it was beautiful nonetheless.
I don't think I will ever see as much of Boothbay as I would like. You need to stay about 5 days for that.
Here is a link to Boothbay Harbor Chamber of Commerce website:
http://www.boothbayharbor.com/
I encourage you once the page loads to explore the "Visit Us" listings along the left hand side of your monitor, and also explore the links located along the top of your screen as well.
Those little Guidebooks you can pick up free in hotel lobbys can be viewed page by page online and can be found on the right hand side of your screen. It does require Adobe Flash Player - Version 9 or above.
Finally; here is a slide show of views from the Ferry, Cabbage Island, the fireworks, some views of the Harbor, and; Oh yeah! I forgot to share; the closer you get to the coast, there are little stands you can buy lobster to take back home with you. The prices are so very cheap, and many will even cook them for you if you'd like! I like!!! Why struggle if you don't have too? We stopped at one of those lobster stands, and brought back 5 lobsters for $30. We ordered them cooked (in seawater so they were perfectly seasoned) and was charged an additional $5.
Next time, we're going to be two little pigs and buy ten lobsters!! I de-shelled them and made lobster salad for dinner along with corn on the cob and coleslaw.
It doesn't get much better than that! I hope you enjoy the slide show. I did notice that the slideshow did not want to automatically advance once you clicked on the arrow in the center. I had to tell the computer to allow pop-ups on this site. It never used to be that way. Must have been one of those Microsoft updates changing the rules again. Depending upon what is going on, you may have to advance each photo manually with the arrow keys. With everything that is going on with the planet electro-magnetically, heavens knows how it is affecting our electronics.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Movies Have Changed In 'The Big City'
I've been away from "The Big City" for 17 years, but things couldn't have changed that much or at least, I wasn't aware of it until I went online to check out what was playing at the movies.
Now if you can't afford to sit in the Luxury Section and must sit in the 'regular' section, you have 'options.'
I expected movie admission prices to be more than the $5 I have paid for years at the Narrow Gauge Cinema Complex in Maine ($3.50 for matinees), but I was somewhat shocked at what I found in the Boston area movie houses.
As always, patrons and customers will be charged according to what providers know you are willing to cough-up. This applies to food in the grocery stores as well.
But here is what I found.
Basic movie ticket prices range in the neighborhood of $7 to $13.75 depending upon the time of day, the movie title, and the length of time the movie has been playing at the cinema. Figured into the price structure is whether you are a child, senior, or a full-paying adult.
Basic ticket prices go up IF you wish to sit in a cinema's Luxury Level area. Say What?! What is the Luxury Level, and what amenities do you receive?
In Luxury Level, you have access to a Lux Level Concierge Desk; you have escort to the Lux Level Auditorium, and you have Coat Check Service available.
You must be 21 years of age to be seated in the Lux Level.
What types of films will you be shown in the Lex Level Auditoria? Films offered will be new releases and first run films appealing to those in the 21 plus age group. No "kiddie" movies here folks!
What is the cost for the Lux Level Program? Patrons can enjoy this VIP experience for an additional fee at the time of the ticket purchase which includes a $5 off food/beverage vouncher, reserved seating, and exclusive Lux Level parking. The additional fee for Bargain Matinees prior to 6PM everyday is $10.50; for General Admission Sundays thru Thursday, $11, and on Friday and Saturday $13.50. So now; we are paying anywhere from $17.50 to $20.50 just to sit in the Luxury Level Section.
You have the additional privilege of ordering food from a very nice menu and have it brought to you so you can enjoy eating and drinking while watching your movie. Luxury Level menus feature innovative appetizers, personal pizzas, wraps and paninis, complemented by luscious desserts and signature cocktails. A selection of fine wine and beer is also available. I want you to look at the menu available for one particular Cinema.
The menu selection isn't 'chopped liver.' We're talking about: Premium Crab Cakes, Stuffed Salmon Pinwheels, Chicken Cordon Bleu Petites, and Bourbon Steak Tips. Pizza's are on the "high end" with Chicken Parmesan, Philly Steak made with certified Angus Beef.
Link to Luxury Seating Menu Items:
Oh! I forgot to mention that the seats are extra wide and comfy and you have a small table to hold your food.
Now if you can't afford to sit in the Luxury Section and must sit in the 'regular' section, you have 'options.'
Here's what they are: you can eat before you go into the movie or after you come out. No.... You don't have to get in your car and ride to a restaurant; there is one right inside the lobby area. This particular Cinema's restaurant is called "Studio Three."
Studio Three is a full service restaurant featuring American Fare in a relaxed, sophisticated setting. Patrons can enjoy dinner and/or drinks before or after the movie, or just stop by to meet friends for lunch/dinner or an afternoon snack. Menu items at Studio 3 include appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, panini's and a wide variety of other quick dining options. Studio 3 also features a full service bar with beer, wine and innovative specialty drinks.
A link to Studio Three Menu Items is here:
You can also just sit in the regular seats and enjoy the "Food Court." In the Food Court, you do what we have always done before seating ourselves to watch the movie; you load up on your popcorn, candy, and soda. In this particular Cinema, you have a choice of: Nathan's Famous Hotdogs, cheeseburgers, and signature cheese fries. You can have Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream in a dish, freshly baked waffle cone, or try one of their frozen drinks. If you like coffee; Starbucks is there to serve you.
Now; this particular Cinema does not have this service; but some other cinema locations offer what is called "In Seat Dining."
With In Seat Dining you can enjoy your concession items delivered to your Premium Director's Hall seat.
Menus are provided when you pick up your tickets at the Box Office and all food is delivered before the movie begins. Menu items range from traditional pop corn and nachos to burgers, pizza and more. Simply go to your seat and one of their servers will take your order. Orders will be received right up until the start of the Coming Attractions and all food will be delivered prior to the start of the film.
A link to the In Seat Dining Menu is here:
Going to the movies today can be an expensive treat. Not to speak of all of the calories we can add to our already over-burdened bodies (at least to mine). I wonder if they have wheel barrow service to your car after eating and viewing is over??
When a man takes a woman to the movies today; he'd better be prepared... and she had better be prepared to 'fork over something' after the show.
In the 'old days' if your date spent over a certain amount of money on you; you most likely would have been asked to 'give up a little something,' if you know what I mean.
With today's prices, no wonder people rent movies.
Taking the family out to the movies with today's economy, you might be spending a week's grocery bill or more.
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