As I write this week’s post, I’m sitting in a scene that we’ve been waiting for, and it is stunning. We’re in Maine, surrounded by a beautiful forest with trees in every shade of autumn you can imagine—greens, yellows, oranges, browns and reds. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment and exactly why we’ve come to explore this corner of New England.
Unlike our adventures out west, where wide-open spaces seemed to stretch forever, New England feels different. Our travel pace here is much slower, with narrow, winding roads leading us through little towns that feel like they’re always in autumn, with classic brick buildings, church spires, and town halls right out of the movies.
This week, we’ve been through a few states, starting with Vermont, where we visited the Ben & Jerry’s factory, which was a hit with the whole family. Helpfully, there was a big play area for the girls to run off all that sugar. The “Flavor Graveyard” was full of pun-filled tombstones for discontinued ice cream flavors (most of which we hadn’t even heard of). We even felt like savvy travelers when we bypassed the long line at the counter by sneaking into the shop to buy tubs of ice cream, getting a much better deal in the process!
Vermont’s beauty didn’t end with ice cream. We also stopped by the U.S. residence of the von Trapp family—yes, the same von Trapps from The Sound of Music. When they moved to the U.S., they settled in the gorgeous Vermont countryside and built a lodge that still stands today, filled with Austrian charm, food, and beer.
After a few ice cream and maple syrup-filled days, we set off for New Hampshire. It was a short visit, but it gave us just enough time to marvel at the classic covered bridges of the region and soak up some sunshine by a river beach before crossing the border into Maine.
Arriving in Maine, we picked up another of Will’s Uncles and were greeted by a campsite straight out of a postcard, filled with trees in their full autumn glory. We were excited to explore Acadia National Park, with its rugged coastline, fjords, and islands—a whole new kind of landscape for us. There was just one catch: our truck might be too big to explore some of the more tucked-away spots!
First, we ventured into Bar Harbor, the bustling gateway to Acadia. The streets were packed with tourists from a docked cruise ship, something we hadn’t anticipated in this remote spot. But it gave us a chance to people-watch, laugh at the funny names of the local shops, and, of course, try our first New England lobster roll! After asking a friendly local where “Mainers do it best,” we found a delicious, reasonably priced spot to enjoy this classic.
Side Note 1: Did you know there are two types of lobster rolls you can get? The first is with butter (the Maine way), and the second is with mayonnaise (the Connecticut way).
A highlight of this part of the trip has been enjoying all the different accents along the way. The strong New York accent was a surprise, and the long, slight drawl of the Minnesotans was somewhat amusing. But here in Maine, the accent seems like a bit of a mixture of the two. (Check out the number plate in the pictures below to get a full experience of how they say things)
Side Note 2: This region is also famous for maple syrup! We’ve found a couple of classic farm shop style places along the way, which have been wonderful. Now, we’ve made it our challenge to collect samples along the way and do a taste test during Thanksgiving to see who has the best in the U.S.
Our first day in Acadia dawned and we started bright and early to catch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean and the islands dotting the horizon. Being early birds in the park paid off as we explored the 27-mile Park Loop Road around the Park ahead of the crowds. It seemed like every time we left an area, others were lining up for our spot—it was perfect timing! One of the unexpected highlights was discovering Sand Dollars on the beautiful Sandy Beach, a special treat since we’d only ever found them in California before. We also loved Jordan Pond which was not like the name suggested and more of a Lake, but the clearest in Maine and encompassed by autumn trees, it was stunning and a wonderful place to enjoy a coffee and muffin.
The gardens of Acadia were also beautiful, though they carried a sad message about the effects of global warming. Many of the trees we admired today will eventually be replaced by species better suited to a warmer climate, which is a sad thought that by the time the girls come here again the trees they see today may not be there. Tilly proudly earned another Junior Ranger Badge, and we were lucky to have avoided the crowds as we explored Acadia’s natural wonders.
On the last day of his trip with us, Uncle Kevin, Will, and the girls explored Fort Knox and climbed the observation tower of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, taking in the incredible views. Later, they picked me up to visit the Big Chicken Barn Books & Antiques, a massive antique shop housed in an old three-story chicken barn.
As we wrap up our time here, we wave a heartfelt farewell to Uncle Kevin and leave the luxury of full hook ups (electric, water and sewer) behind. A luxury we had become accustomed to. We are now headed south down the coast, ready to embark on some unique adventures and explore more history in this region.
Until next time xx
Our Adventures in Frames 
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