Tour Tram for Desert of Maine

Maine’s geology is as diverse as the colors in a large box of Crayola crayons. It all began over ten thousand years ago as a glacier, covering much of Maine, began receding north. It left behind many acres of sandy glacial silt.

The Desert of Maine, in Freeport, covers a 300 acre parcel that once was home and farm to the Tuttle family in 1797. The farm was worked over 300 acres of Maine land that had a secret hidden underneath the topsoil.Potatoes were grown and sheep grazed the fields. Year after year,there was no crop rotation and much of the land was clear cut.That, along with other poor farming practices, caused erosion that exposed the acres of sand that had been deposited centuries before.

Today the Desert of Maine is a popular, although not well known, tourist destination. It’s a great stop for families as they offer some special things just for kids! They can hunt for gems, design a sand bottle and visit the farm built in the 1780’s. Yes… it’still standing and houses a farm museum. You’ll learn about the geology of the area and that the “sand” is not really sand at all; it’s glacial silt. There is also a 30 minute tram ride around the perimeter of the desert and through some of the wooded areas.

This year they have added a butterfly room, which is now open and will feature butterfly assortments based on availability and seasons. The Desert of Maine is a great place to visit. We suggest you add it to your Maine Bucket List!

Visit their web site, or call 207.865.6962 for more information

Coos Canyon - Byron, Maine

 

People really do find gold in Coos Canyon!

The Swift River has cut the most beautiful rocky gorge canyon through bedrock, creating the
beautiful effects you see in the rock in the photo. I love Coos Canyon. It’s a great place
to take the family just to study the rocks, pan for gold or just relax and enjoy the beauty.
It’’s a great place for photographers also.

Coos Canyon is located on Route 17 in Byron, Maine. It’s such a beautiful place you won’t
want to miss it even if all you do is stare at it. But for those more ambitious folks, stop
into the Ole Prospector Mineral Shop just across the road and rent some gold panning
supplies and try your luck at finding some gold dust or even a nugget. Should you be among
the lucky finders of a nugget, you can get your photo put into the “Big Nugget Book at the mineral shop.”

CoosCanyon - Rt. 17 - Byron, Maine

 

Click on Photo for Large Map

Coos Canyon

Click onPhoto for Large Map

From the Maine Geological Survey:

“From Rumford to Rangeley, this area of western Maine is underlain with a variety of metamorphic rock units ranging in age from around 490 to 400 million years, which are punctured by several bodies of granite and related igneous rocks that are as young as 370 million years old. The high ground to the west of the Swift River in the Byron area is underlain with metamorphic rocks in the contact zone with granite, making the metamorphic rock there particularly resistant to weathering and erosion.

At Coos Canyon, the Swift River cuts through the Perry Mountain Formation of Silurian age (418-443 million years). Named for exposures on Perry Mountain near Rangeley, this unit consists of alternating layers of quartzite and schist, typically in beds a few inches thick. The quartzite layers were originally fairly clean quartz sand, although some beds probably contained some clay minerals as well. The schist was originally silt and mud. Heat and pressure caused by multiple episodes of mountain building transformed these original sedimentary materials to the metamorphic rocks exposed today.”

There is lodging near by so you can pan all day and then relax in the beautiful surroundings of the canyon.

Coos Canyon Cabins and Campground

The Coos Canyon area offers so much to do…  fishing, hiking, canoe and kayak rentals, gold panning,  and only 10 miles from the Appalachian Trail. You may see moose, bear, fox and other wildlife in the area so bring your camera. It’s a photographer’s dream!

Here’s a recipe for a wonderful baked flounder that is sure to please your family. Big thanks to Nancy Conroy for sharing this with us.

Baked Flounder with Dill and Caper Cream

Fresh dill enhances this simple flounder recipe. Heat diminishes the potency of fresh dill, it’s best to add it to the dish near the end of the suggested cooking time.

Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 fillet and about 2 tablespoons cream)

Ingredients
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 (6-ounce) flounder fillets
Cooking spray
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
2 tablespoons capers, drained
4 lemon wedges
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 425°.

2. Sprinkle pepper and salt evenly over fillets. Place fish on a foil-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 10 minutes; sprinkle evenly with dill. Bake an additional 2 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness.

3. While fish bakes, combine sour cream and capers in a small bowl. Place fish on a serving plate. Squeeze 1 lemon wedge over each serving. Serve with Caper Cream.

Farmer's Market Stand

In most parts of Maine your local farmer’s market is already open and bringing you the freshest USA produce they can find along with the imported favorites of bananas (potassium) and lots of other tropical and exotic fruits and veggies.

The VERY BEST is yet to come! Week by week new local produce comes available all summer long and well into the fall. Maine grows the best berries, the best corn, the best tomatoes, potatos, squash, pumpkin, peppers and the list could go on for a long while. But we have to wait a bit longer… except for the yummy GREENS! It won’t be long before we’ll be seeing those signs popping up along the roadways. Now before I say another word I want to tell you to BOOKMARK this page as there will be updates as local produce comes in and we will tell you who has what and where to find it.

I am waiting for STRAWBERRIES. I don’t think I enjoy too many things more than picking berries and strawberries come first.

Fresh Maine Strawberries

Maine berries, peas, corn, green beans, beets, carrots, brocolli, spinach, peppers (of every color, size and temperature), greens, lettuce, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes, potatos, every kind of bean for drying, parsley, dill, cukes, melons,  and so much more will soon be available from your own gardens, farmer’s markets, roadside farm stands and front yard card tables with a money jar. YES, in Maine you still find trusting people who put their home grown produce out to sell in the front yard and trust you to leave the money! There is so little trust in the world anymore that it is very refreshing to find a place like Maine where neighbors trust neighbors and the occasional tourist that wanders down the back country roads.

Sweet Maine Raspberries

Sweet Maine Blackberries

Here is a partial list of Farmer’s Markets which will be updated as the season progresses. Remember, many Maine Farmer’s Markets also sell farm fresh honey, eggs, meats and poultry as well as carrying some natural crafts and products such as soaps, wool, yarn, wood crafts and more.

Auburn Mall Farmers’ Market – Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m
Behind the Auburn Mall – For information please call 207.786.2977
Turner Street
Auburn, Maine

Bath Farmers Market – Saturdays from early May to late October and Thursdays starting in late June 26 to late October from 8:30 a.m. to noon, The Market is held at Waterfront Park on Commercial Street. For information please call 207.582.2213.
Bath, Maine

Belfast Farmers’ Market – Early May through late Oct. Every Friday from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. on Front St. For information please call 207.568.3201
Belfast, Maine

Bridgton Farmers’ Market – Early May through mid Oct. Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For information please call 207.452.2772
Depot Street
Bridgton, Maine

Brunswick Farmers’ Market – Early May through late November Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mall on Maine Street
For information please call 207.966.2363
Brunswick, Maine

Camden Farmer’s Market – Early May through late October from 3:30pm till 6:00pm
Washington Street and Knowlton Street
For information please call 207.568.3201
Camden, Maine

Fort Fairfield Community Market – May 01 through Oct 30 – Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. until mid-afternoon or until all product is gone.
Route 1A across the street from the VFW.
For information please call 207.472.3802
Fort Fairfield, Maine

Kennebunk Farmers’ Market – The Kennebunk Farmers’ Market is held rain or shine on Saturday mornings from 8:00am to 1:00pm from May 1st through late November.
Municipal parking lot on Grove Street
For information please call 207.646.5926
Kennebunk, Maine

Lakes Region Farmers’ Market – Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. arly May through October at the Manchester Allen School parking lot
709 Roosevelt Trail
For information please call 207.838.1579
Windham, Maine

Norway Farmers Market
The Norway Market is held Thursday’s from 2pm to 6pm on Deering Street in the parking lot of L.M. Longley’s – Mid May through October
For information please call 207.539.4848
Norway, ME

Portland Farmers’ Market – Saturdays First Saturday in May through last Saturday in October. 7am to noon
Deering Oaks Park
For information please call 2-7.883.5750
Portland, Maine

Saco Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market – Early May through Late October
Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon
For information please call 207.929.5318
Saco Valley Shopping Center Parking Lot
Saco, Maine

Waterville Farmers’ Market – 100% producer-only market – SUMMER – First Thursday in May until Thursday before Thanksgiving on Thursday 2–6 pm WINTER – December to April open every Third Thursday Open 2–4 pm Rain or shine!
For information please call 207.680.2055
Located in the concourse along Appleton and Main Sts.
Waterville, Maine

Wells Farmer’s Market – Late May through early October
208 Sanford Road
For information please call 207.646.5926
Wells, Maine

Craft Show Display

Jun 04, 2010
Summer Soiree and Vendor Show
Woods Road
Falmouth , Maine 04105
Information – 207.653.8224

Jun 05 thru Jun 06, 2010.
Caribou Spring Arts and Crafts Festival
308 Sweden Street
Caribou, Maine 04736
Information – 800.722.7648

Jun 12, 2010
Greenville, Maine
Moosterpiece Craft Fair
At the Katahdin Steamboat parking area
Information – 207.695.2702
Map and Directions

Jun 26, 2010
1st Annual “Whatever Week” Arts Festival
9 Summer Street
Augusta, Maine 04330
Information – 207.622.2424

Jun 26, 2010
Annual Saco Spirit Spring Arts Festival
Saco, Maine
Information – 207.286.3546

Craft Show Display

Every year thousands of people come to Maine to try their first lobster and then have no idea of what to do with it once it is served! Well, for all those people, The Gulf of Maine Research Institute has written a wonderful “How To” article and you can find it right here!

Delicious MAINE Crabcakes with Crispy Roasted Red Potatoes

1 pound crabmeat
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 teaspoon prepared Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
2 tablespoons butter

1.In a medium size bowl, combine the bread crumbs and the crab meat. Stir the beaten egg, mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire and Old Bay Seasoning. Lightly mix these ingredients being careful not to overwork the crab meat. Form into 8 round, flat crab cakes.
2.Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the cakes on each side until crusty and golden brown. Serve warm.

Crispy Roasted Red Potatoes

Slice several red potatoes very thin (medium size)

In a mixing bowl, combine 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp. dill, I tsp. onion powder, salt and pepper to taste.

Add thinly sliced potatoes and toss until well coated.

Place on a cookie sheet and cook at 375 until they start to crisp up.

Serve it all with a nice tossed salad. Your family, or fortunate guests will be asking for this meal often!!!

Maine’s Route 1 in Greater Portland

As we go north on Route 1 we come to So. Portland. Right off Route 1, you will see an exit to the Maine Mall. A great place to pick up some of the things you might have forgotten to bring to Maine as well as grab a bite to eat.  There’s a great eating area in the mall with several great local and chain food stands. Each family member can choose from a different kind of food and then all eat together in the central dining area. The area around the Maine Mall also hosts many full restaurants you may prefer.

Once you are back on Route 1, or never left, Route 1 merges with 295 for a period of time going through Portland.

Route 1 through Portland

The red line on the map follows Route 1 as it is joined with Rt. 295 for a short while. The blue line takes you into Portland’s charming Old Port District.

The Old Port is on the waterfront and full of quaint little shops and wonderful eateries. Enjoy the beauty of old cobblestone streets and the sights and sounds of a working waterfront. Your also just a few blocks from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s Home, the Portland Museum of Art, and the Victoria Mansion.

Cobblestone Streets in the Old Port

Shops and businesses in the Old Port

After a day of shopping and some great food you may want to find lodging in the Portland area. Our next Route 1 report takes us north from Portland to Freeport. Meanwhile enjoy your time in the Old Port!

Spc. Wade Slack - American Hero

Spc. Wade Slack, from Waterville, Maine was killed in Afghanistan. MaineUSA extends their deepest sympathy to his parents, family and friends. Governor Baldacci has ordered all flags to be lowered to half-staff on the day of Slack’s funeral. Spc. Slack is an American Hero to be remembered for his service and honor to this country.

“We can never take for granted the service of our men and women in uniform,” Gov. John Baldacci said. “They are the best among us and sacrifice for their country and their communities. Our prayers go out to Spc. Slack’s family and friends.”

Sen. Olympia Snowe said in a statement that Wade “tragically gave his life defending our nation with limitless courage” and that “we owe him a debt of immeasurable gratitude that we can never repay, and must never forget.”

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud said in a statement that Maine “has a long tradition of coming together during a crisis, and I know the entire Waterville community and all Mainers will join me in assisting Wade’s family with whatever they need during this difficult time.”

Brand new “GREEN” tee-shirt styles. Show every one your “GREEN” side with one of these great shirts. They each come in both men’s and women’s styles as well. Click on the picture to see more info.

Your World – Keep It Green comes in several colors and styles

Your World - Keep It Green

Your World - Keep It Green

Green Lightning Bolt comes in several colors and styles

Green Lightning Bolt

Green Lightning Bolt

And for the woman with a sense of humor we have our RECYCLE shirt… in several colors and styles

Of Course I Recycle... MEN!