Maine in June – Kindred Spirit

We made a road trip to Maine to visit our cruising friends in June. Yup, a land trip during boating season – that surely shows how important these folks are to us!

We met Sam and Kayda in Portland where their daughter, Sara, and her family live. Portland is a very, very cool little city. We enjoyed strolling around it – waterfront, shops, restaurants, transportation, and places to live. I looked back over my photos from this trip and can’t believe I have no photos! I must have enjoyed the Portland sights and ambience so much that I forgot???

Here is one – Sara, Kayda, and me. We had a pizza picnic in the park overlooking the water and islands. The pizza was delivered to us in the park!! Now that’s a great place to live, isn’t it?

One of the reasons we began the visit in Portland was to see Rob, Sara, and Cedar. Last year the three of them biked across the country from coast to coast through the middle, recording their experience in a terrific blog – Six Months, 6 Wheels, Lots of Ice Cream. With a title like that you can immediately see that they are “kindred spirits” (the ice cream part). I converted their blog into a two-volume printed record and really enjoyed “riding” along with them on their journey.

Al and me with Sara, Rob and Cedar, and the books.

Then off to Wiscasset to Sam and Kayda’s house.

The barn with gardens and stone paths. During our visit in June, Al and Sam discussed Sam’s plans for a greenhouse on the side of the barn. There it is (upper right), finished by September and ready for harboring plants in the cooler weather to come.

We made a visit to the Wiscasset Yacht Club.

How do these guys always find a boat under construction?

Sam and Kayda are avid gardeners – flowers, shrubs, and vegetables. They continually amaze me with their knowledge and expertise. No green thumbs there, no, not at all. More like green hands and feet! They took us to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, on 295 acres of tidal shoreland in Boothbay. Even brown thumbs like ours walked in awe among these gardens.

The concept of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens has born in 1991 through a collective grassroots effort of mid-coast Maine residents. The mission of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens “… is to inspire meaningful connections among people, plants, and nature through horticulture, education and research.” The grand opening was celebrated in June, 2007.

Although it wasn’t even mid-June yet, we were surrounded by early colors.

Space saving vertical planters are packed with small flowering plants.

The Lerner Garden of the Five Senses was my favorite garden. Although sections were devoted to a particular sense, it was all a sensational experience.

Touch – finger maze sculpture and walking spiral path

Sound – water burbling over stones and a “sound stone.” Put your head in the hole and hum to experience the sound of stone.”

Sam and Al relax on a tree limb bench.
Sam checking out the herbs, the “smell” part of the Lerner Garden of Five Senses.

A waterfall (without falling water on that day) among the rhododendron gardens.

We only spent a couple hours exploring the Coastal Maine Gardens. I could easily return for a longer visit to see more!

Next we were off to Camden to visit John and Carol who were both in Maine that weekend.

Carol’s new soy candle factory is nearly finished. “Salty Beach Studio” – check it out!

John grilled salmon on cedar planks for dinner. OMG – the marinade was soooo good. It’s the only way I am making salmon ever again. Even without the cedar planks, it is delicious!

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