Other Adventures…and Adieu to Maine

L.L. Bean provides opportunities for many to enjoy. Their flagship store offers free events daily (summer) for every age range as a way to connect and give back to the community. For example, Hannah and Madison went to a yoga class (mats provided), and all of us attended one of their movie nights. Food trucks lined up as visitors filed into the outdoor theater.

We watched a charming, award winning documentary entitled A Moment in the Sun. The movie detailed the experiences of specific people from Houlton, Maine as they prepared for the total solar eclipse of 2024. The documentarian even explained the process and watched with us, waiting for our feedback. I personally felt the joys and sorrows of those on film who exposed a part of their lives for us. I ran the gamut of emotions, but that is a common theme with me. The trailer is here if you’d like to learn a little more about the film.

Another variety of opportunities L.L. Bean provides includes adventure experiences. We decided late in the game, so a little stress entered our happy traveling group when planning for this adventure. We called many different companies to explore nature differently than hiking. The two things they had in common—no room for four, and the guy offering his condolences was named Peter. That alone added some fun in the rejection. Eventually we contacted the L.L. Bean’s organization, and they put us on a waiting list. The only experience we had the chance of making was kayaking to an oyster farm. Yes, please!

We waited for the call (while witnessing the cloudy sunrise at Portland Head Light), and by 10:00 am we had our answer—there was room for us.

We arrived at 1:30, and prepared for the trip. Tracy partnered with me, and Madison partnered with Hannah. Prior to departure, we received a safety briefing as well as our gear (paddle and life jacket). I taught canoeing years earlier, but without knowing the route, I wondered if we would do okay. I feel like I have kayaked before, but Tracy had not. Thankfully, Tracy and I took off with ease. We talked together, reaching a cadence that swiftly sent our kayak over the water. We stayed in the lead with one other couple and docked easily. On the way to the oyster farm, Hannah and Madison struggled a little. They tried to dock, but the wind picked up and made it difficult for them. By the end of our trip, though, Peter (yes, another one) named them most improved.

The oyster farm was in the middle of the water. The kayakers tied up their craft and entered the floating office. One of the employees provided a detailed explanation of how they harvested their oysters and taught us that the eastern side of the US has a different variety of oyster than those on the west coast.

We saw the rows and rows of oyster traps and watched as men in wet suits, flipped the cages and checked to see how the oysters were doing. Eventually the men came to “the office” and answered all of our questions. As a special treat, we were offered a sample of fresh oysters. I never know what my body will do, and coupled with those questions and the pungent smell, I declined. Those who ate them enjoyed the treat.

Once our lesson concluded, we re-entered our kayaks and headed back to land. Along the way, we found an eagle nest within the treetops on the shore, and we watched an osprey flying overhead with its meal clutched in its talons. Kayaking provided yet another confirmation that Maine is incredibly beautiful.

We had many other smaller adventures. We treated ourselves to ice cream in Boothbay Harbor while window shopping. We walked in Topsham as Hannah ran for miles. She had been training for a marathon prior to our trip but got off schedule. Taking time to relax along the trail while she picked up some miles met with perfect timing. And, we even visited Tim Horton’s to see if their menu items were as delicious as our friends back home had promised.

And before we knew it, our vacation drew to a close. We headed back to Bangor but still had some time. That left us with two final excursions. We dined for our last time on lobster rolls, and we walked through the City Forest near Bangor airport. It was a perfect ending to a perfectly delightful trip.

Well…the trip almost ended :). We shopped at the tiny airport shop (yes, I bought something), and we had a layover in Washington DC. On the flight out of DC, I excitedly pointed out some of the famous sites from the plane window. After that we all sat back, closed our eyes and awaited our arrival into Kansas City. And with that I’d like to say thank you, Maine. It was spectacular!