Boothbay Experiences A Glow Up

Boothbay is very much a summer destination. During those months, every business is working to fulfill the needs of the summer crowd.  However, once Indigenous Peoples Day hits, most of the town shuts down.  Yet, starting in mid-November, the town of Boothbay experiences a resurgence, and that is owed to Gardens Aglow at the botanical gardens.

Gardens Aglow is a massive undertaking, with 750,000 lights strung up in the gardens. There are certain parts of the gardens that are shut off to visitors because it might not be safe to visit those areas at night, but the areas that are accessible makes up for the loss of those sections.  There are cafes set up throughout the compound that provide bathrooms, a place to rest and serves hot drinks.  Furthermore, there are signs and staff members throughout the gardens that can help and guide those wishing to see the lights.

The botanical gardens also provide a map upon entry to help in planning out the best route.  Due to the garden’s popularity, parking and tickets are extremely limited, so make sure to plan ahead, and definitely buy your tickets online to ensure you can enter the gardens.

After I finished my tour of the botanical gardens, I made my way into town.  While there, I dined at Ports of Italy.  Small and intimate, reservations are recommended.  There are tables scattered throughout the restaurant, and there is seating at the bar.  Street parking can be found out front, while additional parking can be found in the rear.  Unfortunately, Ports of Italy is only open from mid-April to New Year’s Eve, so make sure to plan accordingly.

Ports of Italy has a sizable wine menu, along with a cocktail list, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks. Typical Italian food with a bit of seafood dot the menu, and any guest will find something delicious to eat.  I had the spaghetti alle vongole, which is a pasta dish with clam sauce.  It is absolutely delicious, and I find myself ordering that whenever I stop at Ports of Italy.

Gardens Aglow is definitely worth the trip to Boothbay.  I try to go at least once a year, and I always find something new whenever I go.  If you are interested in Gardens Aglow, you can click here, and if Ports of Italy sounds appetizing, you can click here.  As always, I have to ask, where should I go next?

Banging On About Bangor

I love to go on adventures. One of my favorite places to visit is Bangor.  I have already written about Bangor once before, and I’m happy to do so again.  I visited Bangor a couple of times for this post, so there is plenty to read about in this post.

 

There is a ton of places to eat in Bangor.  One of the first places I went to was the Bangor Beer Company. Located right behind the Oriental Jade, this brewery has twelve beers on tap.  These beers are also available to take home with you in cans. Furthermore, people can order cocktails, red and white wine, along with mocktails and ciders.  Additionally, people can order sandwiches and burgers, along with sushi.  Appetizers like calamari and chicken wings and tenders are available.  I had the BBC Burger, the Bang Bang Shrimp and the Red Dragon Roll.  All of it was delicious, and I highly recommend it.

 

Patrons can sit at the picnic tables, at the seats at the bar, or at the booths.  There is even outdoor seating during the warmer months.  There are pinball machines where people can play while they wait for their food.  Finally, people can purchase merchandise to remember their time at The Bangor Beer Company.

 

For dinner I ended up at Miguel’s, a Mexican restaurant that was absolutely delicious.  Their drink menu is extensive, including cocktails, beer, cider, wine, non-alcoholic drinks, and flights of tequila.  There are appetizers like wings and avocado fries.  Tacos, burritos, salads and tacos can be found at Miquel’s. The décor is absolutely wonderful and looks like it was imported straight from Mexico.  Free chips and salsa are also provided while people wait for their food.  I had the Miguel’s street tacos, which came with two sides.  I had the refried beans and the Spanish rice.  All of it was very good.

 

Bangor offers a lot of recreational activities as well.  I started with the Zillman Art Museum. There are donated pieces, along with visiting artists.  Staff are on hand for any questions or if you’re looking for more information. Furthermore, there is information about the artists and paintings on the wall.  There are benches and stools throughout the museum so people can sit and take in the artwork.  There was even a painting by Diego Rivera at the museum.

 

I also visited the Bangor City Forest as well as the Orono Bog Walk.  You might say “but Merry Mainer, you’re writing about Bangor, not Orono!”  That is very true, however the Bog Walk starts in the Bangor City Forest, so I decided to include the Bog Walk in Bangor’s post.  The Forest is open year-round, while the Bog Walk is only open from May to November.

 

There are two parking lots, so there is plenty of parking spaces.  Furthermore, there are benches and picnic tables scattered throughout the forest as well.  There’s only one bathroom in the forest, so make sure to plan accordingly.  There are trail maps throughout the forest.  The maps are numbered or lettered so you know where you are.  Information about the forest is also posted throughout the forest.  The bog has seats throughout the trail to rest or take in the scenery as well as information about the bog.  Dogs are allowed in the forest, but not in the bog, so make sure to plan around that.

 

Finally, I went to the Coleman Land Transportation Museum. The museum includes a brief history of Bangor. The museum has a large collection of land vehicles, including old snowplows, fire trucks, trains, and farming equipment.  There is a small section dedicated to military history, along with a Vietnam War Memorial outside.

 

I love Maine quite a bit.  There is so much to do and I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface.  If you want to learn more about The Bangor Beer Company, you can click here.  If you want to do more research on Miquel’s you can click here.  If you want to go to Zillman Art Museum you can click here.  Finally, if you want to visit the forest and the bog, you can click here and here.  As always, I have to ask, where should I go to next?

Live Life With A Little Moxie

I’ve mentioned before that I am not native to Maine.  However, I have always summered in Maine, and I’ve been living here in Maine for almost eight years.  In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s I attended sleep-away camp in Raymond, and it was here where I was introduced to Moxie, the state soda of Maine.  While many dislike the taste, I found that I had acquired a certain fondness for the drink.

A few years after I moved to Maine, I heard whispers of a festival in Lisbon celebrating my favorite soda.  After doing some research and clearing my schedule, I was able to attend the Moxie Festival.  The festival is always the second weekend of July, and the celebration runs from Friday to Sunday.  The first day I attended was Friday, and I enjoyed myself immensely.  The first thing I noticed were the food trucks and food stalls.  There was Cheese The Day, a grilled cheese food truck, Boba Tea and Dumplings, a fried dough stall selling Moxie floats, and LA Tacos.  There were a number of other food trucks as well, so there were plenty of options. Some of the vendors accept credit and debit cards, but most others only accept cast.  There is an ATM available, so you’re covered if you need to withdraw some money.

 

There is a ton to do as well while attending the festival. There is live music that can be heard throughout the celebration and vendors selling a wide variety of products including jewelry, home décor, and Moxie products.  Furthermore, there was a face painting stall, as well as toys and clothes for sale.  There was even a dance performance from a nearby dance studio.

 

On Saturday, the day started with a 5K for adults and children.  However, the main draw for the festival on Saturday was the parade. Billed as the largest parade in Maine, people started lining the route way before the 10am start time.  I recommend getting to the parade route early to not only get a parking spot, but to get a good spot for the parade.  The parade included go karts, an appearance by the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and even an orange Darth Vader!  Saturday’s festivities continued after the parade, including a whoppie pie eating competition, as well as a Moxie chugging contest.

 

I was unable to attend the third and final day but it sounded like a lot of fun.  The online schedule mentioned a lot of different activities, like a car show.  While disappointing, there is always next year.  However, I enjoyed myself quite a bit, and I’m definitely looking forward to next year’s festivities.  If you want to learn more about the Moxie Festival, you can click here.  Keep in mind that as the festival is over, the website is pretty bare, so make sure to check back in as the next celebration.  As always, I have to ask, where should I go next?

Exploring Some of What Portland Has to Offer

Portland offers a lot of different places to eat, though some of these restaurants are easy to miss.  Over the course of a couple of days, I decided to discover some of these hidden gems.  My first stop was Black Cow Burgers for some lunch.  Situated right on the cusp of the Old Port, Black Cow Burgers has big windows overlooking a tree-lined plaza.  Seats are available at the bar, along with tables and booths around the restaurants. Though the menu is small, Black Cow Burgers still offers quite a bit.  There is a sampling of cocktails, along with house crafted sodas available for purchase.  Furthermore, there are floats and shakes if one is feeling adventurous.

 

There is a selection of sandwiches for patrons to peruse, ranging from burgers and grilled cheese to fried fish sandwiches. There are a ton of sides to add to your entrée as well.  French fries can be added, but there is so much more as well.  Tomato soup, fried brussel sprouts, and buffalo chicken dip is just some of what Black Cow Burgers has to offer.  If you still have room for dessert, there is plenty to choose from. Customers can buy ice cream or sundaes. I had a cheeseburger with fries and a chocolate shake. I finished my meal with a vanilla shake and a tin roof sundae, and I thoroughly enjoyed my meal.

 

After I went to Black Cow Burger, I found myself craving oysters, so I decided to satisfy my hunger by sampling two different oyster bars. My first stop Eventide Oyster Company here in Portland.  While Eventide Oyster Company is small, there is a wide variety of seating available. Seats at the bar, tables overlooking the street, and wooden picnic tables are offered to diners. The picnic tables are big enough for multiple parties to be seated at. Their drink menu is extensive, offering cocktails, sake, beer and non-alcoholic drinks.

 

The oyster selection is massive, with plenty of oysters from Maine and from away. Furthermore, there is a sizable food menu available for those who might want something else. This includes soups like clam chowder, and sandwichs like burgers and lobster rolls.  There is even a dessert menu, that includes whoopie pie. I had a big meal while researching Eventide Oyster Company. I had a half-dozen oysters, an Eventide Brown Butter Lobster Roll, a burger, clam chowder, and a whoopie pie!  It was all delicious, and I recommend everything.

 

After I recovered from my feast at Eventide Oyster Company, I went to Maine Oyster Company.  This restaurant is smaller, with a more intimate setting.  There is beer on tap and in bottles and cans.  Wine is also available for purchase.  Oysters are definitely the star here at Maine Oyster Company. They offer oyster shucking classes, and you can visit their oyster farm here in Maine (I sense a future blog post!).  Their menu is definitely smaller, so I decided to focus on their oysters, which were delicious.  While during the off season, Maine Oyster Company has a small selection of oysters, the summer season sees six to eight different types of oysters available for purchase.

 

All that walking made my feet sore, so I decided to stop by Soakology, located right on Congress Street.  This massage parlor specializes in foot soaks, while offering twenty- or forty-minute messages.  The foot soaks come in a variety of scents, adding to the sense of peace that Soakology strides for.  Since my feet were bothering me, I decided to have a foot rub.  Soakology also offers a number of teas, along with hot chocolate. The soundproofing at the spa is incredible, and I found myself forgetting that I was in downtown Portland and was able to relax completely.

 

I thoroughly enjoy writing for you, dear reader, as it enables me to experience much of what Maine has to offer.  Portland itself has so much to do, so this little excursion took a couple of days to complete.  If you want to learn more about Black Cow Burgers, click here.  If you want to experience all that Eventide Oyster Company has to offer, click here.  If Maine Oyster Company is more your speed, click here.  Finally, if you want to research Soakology, you can click here.  As always, I have to ask, where should I go next?  As it happens, I know exactly where I’m going next.

A Sporting Exhibition

 

I was never big on sports.  I always joke that 95% of anything related to sports goes right over my head.  Growing up outside of New York City meant that my family followed the New York teams, like the Yankees.  While Maine doesn’t have any Major League teams, there are three Minor League teams in Portland alone.  Because of this, I decided that I would write about all three teams in one post.

I started with the Portland Sea Dogs, the local baseball team that is associated with the Boston Red Sox. As it happened, the team the Sea Dogs were playing, the Somerset Patriots, are connected with the New York Yankees. As I entered, I decided that my first stop would be to pick up some food.  As I waited in line, I noticed two things.  The first was that there were tv’s scattered around the concession stand, meaning that sports fans wouldn’t miss a second of the game.  The second was situated above the concession windows. It was here that the ranking of the teams were situated.  As it happened, the Portland Sea Dogs were in first place in their division, which was exciting.

After I took my seat, I settled in and enjoyed the game. The mascot, Slugger, wandered the stands, interacting with fans and taking pictures with them.  One thing that I was unprepared for was just how small the stadium was compared to other baseball stadiums I’ve been to.  However, the small size meant that there was a of a sense of community at the game.  As it happened, the Portland Sea Dogs won, meaning there was a small firework display at the end of the game.  As I was leaving, I noticed that there was a souvenir shop.  While I didn’t enter the store, I noticed that such memorabilia like sweatshirts were on sale.

My second stop was the Portland Mariners, the local hockey team. The Mariners are linked to the Boston Bruins, and the Mariners were playing the Lions.  There were concession stands here as well, serving drinks like beer and soda, food like burgers and fries, and snacks like popcorn and fried dough. I arrived about a half-hour before the game, and was able to watch the players warm up.  What was really cool is that if one stood at the glass facing the rink, and tried to get a player’s attention, the player might give you a puck to take home.

Furthermore, there is a jumbotron suspended over the rink, so fans could watch the game if they were struggling to see the game from their seats.  The sense of community I felt at the Sea Dogs game was also present at the Mariners game.  Additionally, there are staff members situated around the rink to help those who need it.  As it was my first Mariners game, I didn’t know how to find my seat.  The staff member was very knowledgeable and I suspect that if I had more questions, they would have been able to answer them.  Unfortunately, the Mariners lost, but I still enjoyed myself.

 

I ended my adventures with the Maine Celtics, who are obviously associated with the Boston Celtics.  As the Celtics were a local team, the sense of community was present at the basketball game as well.  The local high school even play their basketball games on the same court as well!  I live close to the stadium, so I didn’t need to drive, but there is event parking for $10. As this was my first basketball game, I needed some help finding my seat again.  The staff assigned to the area I was standing in was able to help me, meaning that the event staff scattered around the court were there to help fans with questions that they might have.  As usual, there were a couple of concession stands located about the arena.  Beer, soda, hotdogs, burgers, fries, and popcorn were available for purchase.

Throughout the game, there were activities aimed at pumping up the crowd. For example, the cheerleaders and the mascot were giving away free pizza from a local pizza place.  Furthermore, there were times when the cheerleaders would come out and perform a choreographed routine.  Again, I arrived early and was able to watch the two teams warm up.  The Celtics were playing the Delaware Blue Coats, and the Celtics were able to beat their opponent.

All in all, I enjoyed my time at these sporting events, I would even consider going again! If you want to learn more about the Portland Sea Dogs you can click here. If you want to check out the Mariners, you can click here. Finally, if you want to research the Maine Celtics, you can click here. As always, I have to ask, where should I go to next?

The Maine Maritime Museum in Bath

One of my fondest memories growing up was crossing the bridge in Bath on the way to Boothbay Harbor. I would always look out the window to see if I could spot one of the warships being built at Bath Iron Works. Since Bath has a long history of ship building, it makes sense that this coastal town houses a maritime museum. When I pulled in, the museum fits in perfectly with its surroundings. Little did I know that this brick building in scenic Bath housed a wonderful museum as well as a guided boat tour.

One of the first things that caught my eye, was the reproduction of the lighting apparatus used at the light house in Cape Elizabeth. Furthermore, Maine’s nautical history is on display, whether it’s the whaling industry, or trade with the rest of the world. Additionally, there are pieces of art within the museum that used whale byproducts like their bones.

Whaling tools were also available for viewing, including harpoons and other such gear. The museum is built in such a way that there is a hallway with a series of room branching off into different displays. One such room included models of different boats, ranging from whaling ships to battle ships.

While there was so much to see in The Maine Maritime Museum, I was looking forward to the boat ride. There are a lot of different options when choosing how long you want to be on the boat for, and I opted for the two-hour tour. We went along the river, and we were able to see Bath Iron Works from a different perspective, as well as a few light houses.

I’ve been living in Maine for a few years now, and I always feel a thrill when I discover something new. I get even more excited when I’m able to learn something new, as I did at The Maine Maritime Museum. If you want to learn more about the museum, you can click here. I usually don’t have my next adventure planned out, but this time is different. As it happens, I’m going to roll three adventures into one post! I will be exploring Portland’s minor league baseball, hockey, and basketball teams. Make sure to tune in to find out more.

A Smooth Landing at the Flight Deck

Microbreweries are becoming more and more common, with Maine hosting an assortment of breweries throughout the state.   In my time here in Maine, I’ve heard people frequently talk about Flight Deck Brewing, so I made my way out to Brunswick to see what the buzz was all about.  Flight Deck Brewing is located in a converted small arms range at the Brunswick Naval Air Station.  Driving through the compound was a pleasant experience, as there wasn’t a lot of traffic, and I drove past a couple of decommissioned planes.  While the brewery is housed in a grey building, there are plenty of signs pointing to Flight Deck.  Furthermore, if you miss the first entrance, don’t despair, a second entrance isn’t much further down the road.

As it was Saturday, Flight Deck was packed by the time I arrived.  Additionally, the brewery was celebrating their two-year anniversary, which definitely brought in the extra clientele.  There are two seating sections within the brewery, with the larger area hosting seats at the bar, high tops, and picnic tables.  The smaller seating area has a couple of leather couches, along with picnic tables and a small counter.  Its in this area where brewing equipment can be viewed, each named after a “Top Gun” characters.  Furthermore, Flight Deck is decorated with model planes, along with flying equipment like helmet and goggles.  Flight Deck even provides a TV tuned to the day’s sporting event.

Flight Deck brews their beer in house, and their passion for their beers is evident.  According to their website, they are closed every Monday to dedicate the day to brewing plenty of beer.  They have an assortment of beers, and each drink is described on their menus.  Like many other drinking establishments, patrons can purchase a flight of beers, or a singular beer in an array of sizes.  Flight Deck has even bottled some of their beer, so folks can bring some beer home with them.

Flight Deck Brewing is a great place to bring you kids, as there are child friendly drinks available as well. If your kids happen to have four legs, a tail, and an affinity for milk bones, you can bring them along too. There are treats at the bar if your dog needs a snack.  The lawn provides a great space for kids, dogs, and grownups to sit and enjoy the day as well.  Picnic tables and benches are scattered around the space, with corn hole available for guests.  There’s even a fire pit that provides warmth during the colder months, and illumination at night

Since I had yet to eat lunch, I made my way to a food truck called Cooks Lobster and Ale House.  With seafood and pub fare, there’s something for everyone.  Both the food truck and Flight Deck accept both cash and plastic, so paying is convenient on all fronts.  Furthermore, one of the decommissioned planes is close by, providing a photo opportunity for guests.  Flight Deck host a whole slew of events as well, which can be found on their website.

As I continue to travel to different microbreweries, I’ve begun to notice to a certain pattern. Each brewery I’ve visited has done something to make it wholly unique.  Flight Deck Brewing works to embrace their roots, in their décor, as well as the “Top Gun” references.  The fire pit and the food truck were nice touches that added to the atmosphere at Flight Deck.  More information about Flight Deck can be found here, while their event schedule can be found here.  As I wrap up this post, the ever-eternal question leaps to mind, where should I go to next?

Skiing, Dog Sledding, and Fire Dancers? Sign Me Up!!

Whether you’re a painter, fashion mogul, or a filmmaker, creativeness comes to people in unique ways. I am no different.  Whenever I recommend that someone visit Maine for the first time, the first question I get is, “Why?”  While I was quick to rattle off the number of summer activities one can do in Maine, every other season, including winter, was neglected. As I’ve spent more time in this great state, I’ve begun to experience a wider variety of seasonal activities.  As it happens, this posting will be the third and final blog chronicling my trip to Bethel and Newry.  It is here, where I will speaking to the activities in the area, and let me tell you, there is plenty to do.

Easily the most obvious past time is skiing.  While I’ve skied in Wyoming, Colorado, and Switzerland, I never dreamed that I would be skiing in Maine.  One of the many reasons I chose the Jordan Hotel was because of what it offered it’s guests.  First and foremost, The Jordan Hotel is ski on/ski off.  The mountain is easily accessible from the hotel, so visitors don’t have to struggle getting to the rest of the trails.  An added bonus is that there is a ski check conveniently located right where guests can ski in and out.  Guests can purchase ski tickets in the lobby, as well as rent skis, boots, and poles in a store right off the lobby.  The rental company even does tune-ups.  Furthermore, the Jordan Hotel provides a shuttle that takes guests to and from the ski lodge, which provides visitors with access to more lifts, another tuning shop, and more!

I thoroughly enjoyed myself while skiing.  The versatility of the mountain was impressive.  The trail map is easy to read, and the trail signs are clear as well. Furthermore, if guests are attempting to get to other parts of the mountain, the trail signs point to where to go. The trails vary in difficulty, as well as in size, meaning that some trails are narrow, while others are spacious. Furthermore, tree runs are marked, so that skiers know where to enter, as well as the trails difficulty.  I’m a big fan of terrain parks, so I was extremely happy when I discovered that there were multiple parks, with jumps of various sizes.  While I spent one day skiing, I did not get an opportunity to do some night skiing. Night skiing is only available during the weekend and some holidays, so make sure to plan your trip accordingly. The conditions at Sunday River were extraordinary, which shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who’s lived through a Maine winter.  Sunday River also has snow making equipment available to create more snow if need be.

When someone mentions that they’ve seen a fire dancer, Maine doesn’t seem to be a logical place to go to see such a performance.  However, I was lucky enough to see such a performance during my time in Newry. Located right at the ski lodge, there are two shows, one at 7:45pm and one at 8:15pm.  The performer was talented, and there was plenty of twirling and whirling! As I went to the 8:15 show, the fire dancer’s performance blended seamlessly into the firework show at 8:30.

During my trip, I was able to go dog sledding, which was an absolute blast.  The guides are extremely knowledgeable, not only about dog sledding but about local history as well.  Guests can ride within the sled, or on the back of the sled with the guide. Mahoosuc Guide Service offers a whole slew of options, including day trips, as well as weekend trips.  A couple of minutes into our trip, it suddenly clicked that we were sledding over a lake.  The guide told me that the ice was about two feet thick, enabling them to bring the dogs onto the ice.  We passed an area that was set up for ice fishing, with ice huts dotting the frozen lake, which was definitely a sight to see.  Part way into the trip, we stopped for lunch, which happens to be included. A hearty soup along with bagels, cream cheese, jam, chips, and trail mix meant that we ate very well.  A nice touch was that the soup was warmed over an open fire.  As we ate, I was able to take in the beautiful sights, as well as interact with the dogs, who were all eager for the attention.  While I brought my own gear for the trip, Mahoosuc Guide Service can provide guests with gear, if the need arises.  Mahoosuc Guide Service also can provide lodging, which can add to the experience.

As my trip came to a close, I found myself wanting to come back to Bethel and Newry.  The beauty of the Bethel/Newry area is that there’s always something to do, regardless of when you’re visiting.  Information on skiing at Sunday River can be found here, while the fire dancing and fireworks can be found here.  Mahoosuc Guide Service offers plenty of summer and winter activities, and you can find them here. If you want to read about Sunday River as a whole, the home page can be found here.  As I’ve mentioned before, this was the last entry the series about my trip to Newry and Bethel.  I had a lot of fun, but now, it’s time to plan my next adventure, and I’m excited to get started.

My Stay at the Jordan Hotel

Many people see the state of Maine as a great place to spend their summer vacation.  I have to admit that I counted myself amongst them.  When I learned that Maine hosted a whole slew of activities to do in winter, I knew that I wanted to expand my horizon.  I booked a five-day trip up to Newry and Bethel, neighboring towns almost two hours northwest of Portland.  What I discovered was a new way of vacationing in Maine.

While trips I have done in the past have been recorded in a singular posting, I’ve decided to do something different.  I will be publishing my blog posts in somewhat of a thematic order.  I can hear some of you scratching your heads and asking, “What does the Merry Mainer mean, posting his writing in thematic order?”  The answer is quite simple.  Spending five days researching living arrangements, restaurants, skiing, and other winter activities yielded quite a bit of information. Therefore, breaking up all my research will hopefully make reading my posts far more enjoyable.

Sunday River is one of the more famous mountains in Maine.  As such, there are quite a few options when it comes to accommodations. I chose to stay at The Jordan Hotel and Conference Center.  It’s a beautiful hotel located right on the mountain, and the drive in is scenic to say the least.  The hotel is somewhat secluded, with a single road leading to and from the hotel.  The street is lined with trees with brief glances of the mountain rising above you.  While parking in front of the hotel is quite limited, parking options are, in fact, quite plentiful.  Checking in was a pleasant experience, and I was able to leave my car out front while I ran my luggage to my room.  Valet parking is offered for $10 a day, while two satellite lots can be found at either side of the hotel, and parking there is included with your stay.  Parking was plentiful, and stairs led back to the hotel’s main entrance.

A crackling fire greets guests as they enter the hotel.  An added bonus was that the hotel provided all the making of s’mores, including sticks to roast the marshmallows.  While a simple addition, it proved quite popular.  Not a day went by where I didn’t see someone roasting a marshmallow in the fireplace.  The conference rooms can be found on the ground floor, along with a Ping-Pong table, a store that provides ski rentals, as well as two different restaurants. Art adorned the walls throughout the hotel, but my favorite pieces were the reproductions of L.L. Bean catalog covers.

The rooms vary, depending on the quest’s needs.  While my room came with all the standard makings of a hotel room, I was blown away by the fact that a small kitchen was built into the room.  A sizable refrigerator, cabinets, a stove, an oven, along with utensils was all included in the room.

The hotel offered numerous amenities.  Furthermore, a health club can be found on the second floor with locker rooms and showers available for guests.  Further more, a heated pool can be found right outside the locker rooms.  Two hot tubs provide ample room for guests to relax and breath in the mountain air.  The mountain is visible from the hot tubs, so I was able to watch the snow cats grooming the mountain.  A steam room and a sauna are also available for hotel guests.  As a fan of intense heat, I spent all of my time in the sauna. While the sauna was entirely electrical, temperature and time controls helped guests customize their experience within the sauna.

Two restaurants are located within the Jordan Hotel.  The Grand Avenue Restaurant can be found right in the lobby of the hotel.  During the winter months, The Grand Avenue is only open for breakfast.  Breakfast fans will rejoice in knowing that they are walking into a buffet, with an omelet and waffle station.  The second restaurant located in the hotel was a gastro pub named Sliders.  While The Grand Avenue was only open for breakfast, Sliders catered to those looking for lunch and dinner.  A wood interior along with low lighting made for a comfortable experience.  There were plenty of seating options with high tops, tables, and seats at the bar. Slider offers typical pub fare, with a wide selection of drinks.  Their cocktails were expertly made.

Finally, The Jordan Hotel provides a spa for their guests on the second floor.  While the spa offers a full range of facials, pedicures, manicures, and massages, The Jordan Hotel adds a twist to some of the classics. For example, guests can sign up for the Candy Cane Caramba, which is a Swedish massage with peppermint oil and hot stones.  If you want to sign up for any of the spa’s services, make sure you do so ahead of time. I was unlucky enough to discover just how quickly appointments are booked for my self.

All in all, my experience at The Jordan Hotel was a very pleasurable experience.  From easily accessible staff members to a clean and well-maintained hotel, The Jordan Hotel is able to fulfill the needs of their guests.  If you want more information on the hotel, you can find it here, while everything you need to know about the spa can be found here.  If you want to check out the two restaurants in The Jordan, you can find Sliders hereand The Grand Avenue Restaurant here.  As I’ve mentioned before, this is the first post in a series of blog posts about the Bethel and Newry area, so stay tuned!  Who know, maybe The Jordan Hotel will make an appearance in future posts.

A Frosty Time Frosty’s

I typically like to plan my trips ahead of time.  This gives me an opportunity to research where I’m going, and to plan out my adventure. However, inspiration struck as I was on my way to do some shopping at L.L. Bean.  As I pulled into Freeport, my attention was drawn to a sign hanging from a building.  Despite the amount of time I’ve spent in Freeport, I had never heard of Frosty’s Donuts, so I decided to alleviate my hunger as well as explore what will become my next post.

While the Frosty’s location in Freeport was opened in September of 2012, there are three other locations throughout Maine located in Brunswick, Bath, and Gardiner.  When I stepped into the small eatery, I felt a sense of ease wash over me.  As it was mid December, the heat was on, adding to the cozy interior.  High tops and round tables are available for people to sit and enjoy their food.  If you’re travelling with children, there is a play area where sugar highs can be burned off.  Furthermore, cards are accepted here as well as cash.

Donuts are definitely the focal point of Frosty’s.  A wide selection is available for purchase.  A single donut will cost will cost $1.50, while a half dozen and a dozen will cost $7.25 and $13.50 respectively.  Twists are also available for purchase, as well as apple fritters and cinnamon rolls. If you lack a sweet tooth, bagels are sold at Frosty’s as well.  For added flavor, customers can add cream cheese, peanut butter, jelly, and lox. The twists and bagels can be purchased in the dozen and half dozen as well, so you can take home some of your favorites.

Coffee can also be found at Frosty’s as well, so if your energy starts to lag while walking around Freeport, Frosty’s can provide a respite.  Furthermore, iced coffee is also available for purchase.  Much like the food, if you liked your coffee, and you want to take some of the coffee home with you, small bags are available for purchase.  Frosty’s also offers soda and juice, that that every pallet can be satisfied.

However, what I was most excited to try, was the make your own donut station.  First, and most importantly, customers choose any donut they please.  They then choose a frosting to go on to their donut.  They can choose from maple, chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry frosting. Finally, patrons can choose up to three toppings.  There are plenty of choices, which include; peanut M&Ms, graham crackers, Swedish Fish, pretzels, M&Ms, Skittles, Oreos, Reece’s Pieces, Sour Patch Kids, and Twizzles.

As always, if you want more information about Frosty’s you can visit their website here.  Frosty’s has three other locations in Maine, one Brunswick, another in Bath and one in Gardiner. Definitely check out the menu online, as some of the stores differ in what they sell, and those differences are listed on line.  The link includes their locations, hours, as well as the history of the company.  If you’re looking for a place to host a party, or if you want to bring food to an event, Frosty’s can provide catering, and you can even pick up your order or have it delivered.  Furthermore, if you want to buy donuts wholesale, Frosty’s can help you with that as well.