Ch. 11 - The Maine Event
Once Rosie and Rinni started heading east, Maine had become the grand goal. Why? Because it just hangs out there at the edge of the Northeast, seeming so remote and mysterious? Because if you are headed east, why not make your destination the most east? For Rinni, it was because she really wanted to eat a whole boiled lobster along Maine’s rocky coast - it just sounded poetic.
Before hitting the coast (and lobsters galore), the sisters first stop across state lines was Misty Acres Alpaca Farm for a Harvest Host stay with Farmer Red. He regaled them with stories of life on the farm and raising (I kid you not) The Most Awarded Alpaca in the US. “Now, what does the most awarded alpaca in the US look like?” Rosie was about to ask, when a perfectly poofy, fluffiest fuzzball on four legs comes strutting, STRUTTING, out of it’s stall, finds it’s light, toss tosses their hairdo?, and blue steels over his shoulder directly at them as if to say “Am I not the most magnificent mammal in Maine?” And, honestly, the sisters couldn’t argue! Can you spot the celebrity alpaca in the photos?
Rosie and Rinni had a great time meeting all at the animals and hit the road the next morning ready to explore Bar Harbor, Acadia NP, and the Atlantic coast (teeming with lobsters)! Jasper had been practicing his map skills, so they let him set the agenda for exploring the national park.
They boarded the Acadia shuttle, sure they’d be dropped off with a cheerful group of other eager hikers. Surprisingly, nobody else debarked at the stop Jasper had selected for them. The fearless pup then led them though the beautiful forest, seemingly straight up a mountain, cresting over a hilltop to the most spectacular view of the ocean one could hope for. The crowds of the park seemed nonexistent on the trail up and it was the start to a perfect day, featuring sandy beaches, history lessons, lake views, and ending in delicious popovers at the historic Jordan Pond House.
After exploring Acadia and the boardwalks of Bar Harbor, it was time to move the RV down the winding road to the sleepy summertime town of Old Orchard Beach. They enjoyed a fancy night on the town in Portland, rode bikes to the pier, swam in the Atlantic (Rinni only), grabbed pancakes at Jordan’s (thanks for the recommendation from Rosie’s gyno), and it was here that Rinni would find her lobster (and eat it too!) Rinni selected Ken’s Place - Famous for Seafood since 1927 - for her lobster eating experience. She ordered the boiled lobster plate and sat down with her bib and cracker and vat of melted butter and realized she had no idea how to eat a whole lobster. She approached it like a very large crawdad and cracked the head off first. Upon seeing the greenish hue of lobster brains she decided to set the head aside. Attacking the tail and claws with the so called cracker garnered slightly better results. It was bit of a battle to get the meat out and Rinni isn’t sure the juice is worth the squeeze. Rosie had a lobster roll. Rinni thought it looked delicious and a helluva a lot simpler to eat.
A note on Lobster Rolls:
Maine vs. Connecticut Style
Never having had a lobster roll, Rinni was pleased to discover they come two ways. Maine style - served cold, slathered in mayo (nothing wrong with that) or Connecticut style - served hot, dripping with butter, with the possibility of more butter on the side (everything right with that). After sampling their fair share of both styles and learning that most New Englanders have strong allegiances to one or the other, it seemed Rosie and Rinni too would have to make their choice. Lobster roll preference is the type of argument that can destroy long standing friendships and rip families apart at their very roots. Will the sisters survive this? Luckily they whole heartedly agree that Connecticut style is the way to go!
With their bellies full and colder weather hot on their heels, Rosie and Rinni continued their travels south. Will the fall foliage continue to be their epic backdrop? Will the rig be able stay up to Jasper’s strict coziness standards? Find out next time as the adventure continues.
