We crossed over this bridge into a new state for Hui-chen. I’ve been to Maine several times and all up and down the state, but even though we couldn’t spend much time there, I did want to show her a few things from this lovely state.
We crossed the state line from New Hampshire, and headed into Scarborough.
I’m happy to say, we visited another Cabela’s store!
Naturally we had to pose outside like a couple of tourists!
The inside of the Scarborough Maine store was much like the other one we visited in Wheeling, WV.
We browsed the clothing and I have to say we bought too much stuff – again!
Fortunately, in the same shopping center complex was a Famous Dave’s BBQ! This is my BBQ bean stew! It was awesome.
And this is my plate of BBQ. There is beef brisket on the right, and diced BBQ pork on the left, above the beans. Those are garlic mashed potatoes at the bottom and a corn muffin in the middle. This was one of the best lunches I’ve had yet! Feel free to click on this photo and go to the Flickr site where you may view it in the large size!
This is Hui-chen’s salad. She gave it 2 thumbs up!
This is a shot of the interior. So remember, when you’re shopping at Cabela’s in Scarborough ME, there is a Famous Dave’s BBQ restaurant in the same complex!
We drove up to Freeport Maine, where the next destination awaited us:
I have to tell you – I really like the Desert of Maine.
Since I was here last, they’ve added a butterfly house.
The desert has some activities for people of all ages. You can create your own sand painting from the many colors of sand available.
Visitors ride in this tram for a guided tour of the desert.
The Desert of Maine is a real desert, although some people dispute this. I like to think that it is a real desert and I enjoy visiting it. Click on the link and read about it on Wikipedia.
Here I am, waiting to take the tour. I’ve taken it a few times before but this was Hui-chen’s first visit here.
The trams are pulled by vintage Jeeps.
Here we go!
This is Hui-chen and I at the far end of the desert.
The dunes are caused by wind that blows the sand around the trees and eventually buries them. These trees are very tall but most of their height is buried under the sand.
This sign explains it.
These are branches that have adapted themselves to become roots as the sand mounds up around the tree.
Another example of branches becoming roots.
And another example of the dunes growing up around the trees and burying them.
I like this shot showing the main area of the desert.
In addition to sand, there are some clay mounds.
The desert is constantly changing….
Remains of an old wagon.
The original Tuttle Farm barn is still standing.
This sign speaks for itself.
Inside the old barn….
I always like to check out how old buildings were made. This is post and peg construction. No nails.
Inside the barn are displays showing the types of tools that were used way back when.
This is a sand painting that uses various colors of sand from the desert.
This display depicts a typical household in that era.
Soon it was time for us to leave the Desert of Maine, and visit our next site on our tour.
This is the DeLorme Map Store, in Yarmouth, ME.
Inside the map store is a giant globe.
The globe, named “Eartha” is the world’s largest and really must be seen to be appreciated.
Eartha is 3 floors high!
The map store has an incredible offering of books, maps and software. We spent quite awhile walking around looking at everything in the store.
We went up to the second floor viewing area and just watched Eartha rotate for awhile.
Eventually, our part of the world appeared.
This is how Taiwan looks on Eartha. All the major highways are there.
East Asia.
The Eartha viewing area is three floors high! This is the view from the top floor of the viewing area.
After spending time at the map store, we went to our final stop for the day.
We went down to the harbor area. We were not going to leave Maine without a lobster and seafood dinner!
Freeport harbor is quite picturesque and it was lovely in the late afternoon sun.
These are lobster traps – so we knew we were in the right area!
We went to a place recommended by our friend Jason, called Harraseeket. These are steamer clams and are one of the things we came for. The small cup on the right is for washing the sand out of the clam. The cup on the left rear is melted butter for dipping.
Hui-chen contemplates the lobster. Which one does she want?
Hui-chen starts off with the clams. Good choice! These steamers were so good! It had been years since I had them, and I’d forgotten just how good they really are.
Here is the lobster before me. We’ve eaten our clams and now it’s time to dig into the lobsters!
Hui-chen starts with one of the claws.
Part of the fun is the ordeal of getting the meat out of the shell!
Now she tackles the tail….
And triumphantly displays the beautiful tail meat.
I had a blueberry cobbler for dessert.
Hui-chen had cherry cheesecake. Both these desserts were a fitting end to a fantastic meal.
Former field engineer MJ Klein now lives in Taiwan, and writes articles that primarily feature photographs of travels of MJ and wife Hui-chen, plus daily goings on in the bustling island nation of Taiwan, and other places in Asia. Articles feature people, culture, food, situations and sometimes the trials and tribulations of traveling in places such as China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Laos and of course Taiwan.
