Who decides to travel across 3 states in 2 days? Yours truly. It sounds like a lot but the good thing about coastal states in the northeast is that they’re not as big as the western states. This makes it very easy to travel to by car and do mini road trips. I picked these 3 states because of close proximity to Connecticut.
On the way to Portland I stopped at The Marginal Way, a paved walkway about a mile long hugging the Atlantic coastline. There is a lovely walking trail and it’s so picture perfect.
Eventually making my way to Cape Elizabeth, there I witnessed one of the most beautiful parks I’ve ever seen. Fort Williams Park. The skies were soft pink and blue like cotton candy. There’s expansive views of the ocean, flower gardens, and small benches throughout the park. I thought it was very romantic. It houses the oldest lighthouse in Maine and the most photographed lighthouse in America.
The lighthouse is a museum so you can go inside. There’s a bit of military history to further discover as well.
Before calling it a night I stopped for a meal in downtown Portland at Duck Fat and had my first poutine. Poutine is Canada’s national dish. Believed to be invented in Quebec in the late 50s. Ingredients: French fries, cheese curds, topped with brown gravy. My dish was served with a sunny side up egg and chives. This was soo good!
The next morning after breakfast at the hotel I made the 4 hour drive to Stowe Vermont.
There weren’t many places on my must see list for Stowe, but Vermont definitely is in my top 4 of most scenic drives to date, followed by Canada, California, and Hawaii.
The hike at Moss Glen Falls was the shortest, no more than 10 minutes and the path was flat until the end. At the base of the falls it’s more slippery and rocky. There’s a short steep climb to get to one of the best viewpoints of the falls where I took this photo.
The hike to Bingham Falls is also short, only 20 mins from Moss Glen, easily spotted from the road. There were far more people on the trail and I assume it’s more popular because you can swim here. The trail descends downward to the waterfall. At the end as usual, it was very steep, there was one point I was climbing almost vertically. Walking back to the entrance is all incline so be ready to sweat lol.
Ben & Jerry’s is also near both falls. With timing I could not go inside the factory but what’s funny is that I did not like Ben & Jerry’s at this time. I tried their ice cream once several years ago and I was not a fan of the extra chunks in the ice cream. I like my ice cream nice and smooth but now I love them! lol
2 hours later I arrived at St Gaudens National Historic Park
Brief background: The park maintains the home, gardens, and studios of Augustus Saint-Gaudens one of America’s leading sculptors in the 19th century. One of his notable works you’ve probably seen if you been to Manhattan NY – Sherman Monument in Central Park. I like that they provided a map and I could tour at my own pace.
Finally, after 2 long days and a 14 hour drive later, I could begin the home stretch to Connecticut. But not before stopping on main street to find some food. Travel Tip: Usually on main street in any city or town you can find local stores, shops, and restaurant’s. I found a gastropub called Murphy’s on the Green, a small tavern that is decorated with books and has a cozy rustic feel. I had salmon, potatoes, green beans, and a glass of angry orchard rosé, a New Hampshire signature drink.
Additional Places of Interest
Acadia National Park – mount desert island area
Asticou azalea garden – mount desert island area
Stephen King House & Pet Sematary – I read the house is being turned into a writers retreat as of 2019 but I don’t think it’s open to the general public.
Quechee Gorge – Vermont – 1 hr 30 min drive from the falls
Ben & Jerry’s – Vermont
Museum of Science – Vermont
Castle in the clouds – New Hampshire
2018
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