Friday, May 21, 2010

Five Things I Want to Do This Summer

Today felt like the first real day of summer, making me want to knock off work early for a beer or two on the deck at Gritty's. I didn't; I'm (still) behind on my work, and anyway I couldn't think of anyone who'd agree to meet me in Freeport.

But it made me focus on the miracle that is summer in Maine, a magical time that lasts 12 weeks if we're lucky. My life's in transition again, and this may well be my last summer in Maine. I'd like to figure out a way to split my time between Maine and a place that has public transportation and streetlights and more temperate winters, but that's a lot to hope for, and not practical on my current income.

So I've been thinking a lot about what I want to do up here this summer, and these are the top five. If you're interested in coming along for any of these excursions, get in touch; everything's more fun in good company.

1. The Skowhegan Drive-In. I don't need just company for this, I need a ride; the road to Skowhegan is too dark for me to drive myself. Movies start at dusk, and the theater runs double features every night in summer. This weekend it's Diary of a Wimpy Kid followed by Date Night, for six bucks a person.

2. Quebec City. I still haven't been, and it's only four and a half hours from Augusta. I've heard it's like Paris, but friendlier, less expensive, and with better food.

3. Mt. Katahdin/Baxter State Park. I still haven't seen a live moose, and Baxter State Park is my best bet. Katahdin is the highest mountain in Maine, and so well-loved that reservations are required to park at the trailheads. It's a two and a half-hour drive from Gardiner.

4. Lubec. It's the easternmost town in the contiguous United States, a small town with a museum and a lighthouse and some cafes and not much more. It features prominently in the novel DARK HOLLOW by John Connolly. It's three and a half hours from Gardiner.

5. The Red Sox at Fenway. I've seen the Red Sox play, of course, but never in Boston. Games are consistently sold out, which means buying tickets from a broker like StubHub; I just checked, and prices go from $9 to $2,698/ticket. Yow.

12 comments:

Karen Olson said...

You should definitely go to Quebec City if you can. It's such a wonderful place. It's not inexpensive, but the food is amazing and it feels like Europe without the volcanic ash issue.

Unknown said...

I see this as a hint that you are leaving the Northeast after this summer. Except for Fenway which I have done only twice, I have done the others many, many times.

Your list are things I think are key so I can help as much as I can

Ellen Clair Lamb said...

Yeah . . . we'll talk about it at next month's board meeting. Still working out the specifics.

Unknown said...

I am up for a trip to "le republic du Madawaska et the ville du Quebec PQ"

JIM LAMB said...

Quebec has a lot of French in it. It is still the only place where a waitress called me a "cochon Anglais" and refused me service. I don't know what it's like to be a tourist there.
Dad

Laura Benedict said...

Fun list--wish I could be there to tag along. Does Fenway do afternoon business man specials? (Though I suppose the don't call them that anymore.) Good chance for tickets then, I would imagine. Plus, it's daytime! I should take Bengal to a Cards game, but they're so damn expensive. Better the So Ill Miners 30 min up the road--I love listening to MLB on the radio, but def prefer AAA ball at the field.

Tom Ehrenfeld said...

What about the Yarmouth Clam Festival? How could this not be on your list?

As for Fenway....I'll take you. Really. Let's talk offline....

Ellen Clair Lamb said...

Tom, I went to the Yarmouth Clam Festival the first summer I lived here, although I did not eat any clams (obviously). Laura, that's a very good idea, especially as it would let me go for the day and not have to spend the night in Boston.

Anonymous said...

Richard said
I have never been to the Yarmouth Clam festival as it is always the same weekend as Old Hallowell Day. This year I plan to make it

Anna said...

Ok! Sign me up for the drive-in! I have never been either and I've lived here twice as long as you. We WILL DO THIS before the twins come (late June). Tarren can stay with the kids.

Pinky swear!

Anna said...

Oh, and can't you buy same day tickets at the side entrance of Fenway? I'll leave this to your Boston readers to confirm.

Karima Illustration said...

You really think Québec is like Paris? I live in Québec city, and Yes the old Québec is pretty beautiful, but i guess Paris is better! And I still prefer the states:)