Maine's Coastal towns Camden and Castine spell Vacationland!

The 2 C's Camden and Castine spell Vacationland. These small, quaint coastal towns are what New England dreams are made of; charming bed and breakfasts, church steeples, cows grazing in the meadow, fresh lobster and homemade blueberry pie, mountains meet the sea, schooners and sailors, majestic sunrises and sunsets, one lane roads, and inland lakes, outdoor activities and so much more. The towns of Camden and Castine beckon weary travelers who wish to rejuvenate from the stresses of a high tech 21st century life and take time to savor all that spectacular Maine has to offer. The biggest of the New England states, Maine is a shining star from all angles and whether you live her full time, part time, or just visit as a tourist, you'll feel right at home in Maine.

Camden, Maine, the "Jewel of the Maine Coast" consistency ranks as one of the prettiest towns in Maine. The picturesque harbor, the majestic mountains, the adorable town with unique shops and fine  restaurants, the 19th century homes with white picket fences and fragrant flowers are just some of the perks of living or visiting this beautiful corner of New England. Camden is so compact that you can leave your car parked where you're staying and just walk to most of the attractions. Hike to the top of Mount Battie and get mesmerized by the breath-taking views of the harbor or sail the waters on a schooner or yacht on Penobscot Bay watching for wildlife such as sunfish, grey seals, harbor seals, eagles, and whales. Lobster?  Everyday the fisherman come to shore with their lobster traps filled with live lobsters ready to be sold at market price. Lobster is synonymous with Maine as is the blueberry pie made from Maine wild blueberries.

Hollywood film "Peyton Place" was partially filmed in gorgeous Camden and if you've seen the movie you'll recognize some of the landmarks around town. The bell tower of Chestnut Baptist Church rings everyday on the hour and the lovely sounds can be heard around town reminding you what time it is.  Right next to the church is a small park to sit, relax, have a cup of coffee and socialize with family and friends. Main Street is where the action is and you'll find people strolling down this street at all times of the day from sunset to sunrise. Don't miss out on visiting the historic Camden Public Library at 55 Main Street. Right behind the library is the Camden Amphitheater surrounded by gorgeous Harbor Park where you can sit for hours in serenity. Harbor Park is a wonderful place to have a picnic. 

Feeling hungry? Head to French & Brawn Marketplace, for delightful bakery, deli, and ready made food. Established in 1869 this nostalgic market has aisles of quality food, and a friendly welcoming staff. My favorite restaurant in town is Marriner's Restaurant, consistently delicious tasting food at affordable prices and the portions are quite generous. Enjoy breakfast items like French toast, lobster omelettes, and blueberry pancakes. Lunch options will delight your taste buds with choices such as burgers, clam chowder, lobster rolls, grilled haddock, clam strips, scallops, and much more. The homemade blueberry pie is one of the best in all of Maine. Only open for lunch and dinner, locals and tourist just love Mariner's Restaurant at 35 Main Street. A bit of Italy in Camden can be found at 40 Washington Street at 40 Paper. A quiet intimate atmosphere with great service and amazing food. Lots of creative dishes to choose from. The owner of Camden House of Pizza is one of the kindest restaurant owners in Maine. He goes the extra mile to welcome his customers and make them feel appreciated. The pizzas are fresh and tasty with lots of topping choices. Subs and sandwiches are great. For dessert, you can't beat the homemade tiramisu. Fresh and Co is a popular restaurant in Camden. Situated at 1 Bay View Street, customers love the diverse menu of global dishes that are fantastic. Fresh and Co often gets rave reviews.

Craving ice cream? Head to the brightly colored green and pink building on 19 Mechanic Street called River Ducks Ice Cream. Lots of flavors to choose from and there's outdoor seating. Be certain to walk across the lovely bridge.

Uncle Willy's is a stand out when it comes to candy and chocolate. Adults and kids just can't get enough of this outstanding candy shop at 57 Bay View Street. I love the assorted truffles here. Uncle Willy's Candy Shop has been rated the best candy shoppe in Maine on Google and Trip Advisor for good reason.

Lodging options abound in Camden but in the summer be certain to book ahead if you want the assurance that you've got a place to stay. Cedar Crest Inn is just a mile out of town and a cozy place to stay. They have open fields, an outdoor pool, and clean comfortable rooms. A light breakfast of fruit and pastries is included in the morning. Towne Motel is owned by two talented women who run their motel with European style. Immaculate rooms that are tastefully decorated. The breakfast here is scrumptious, everything is homemade. One of the best rates in town. The Norumbega Inn is first class, high society, this exquisite stone house castle is pure luxury and its tucked away on a hill top with splendid views of the bay. A Grace Kelly kind of place. Dining here is top notch and breakfast is served complimentary every morning for registered guests. Other spots to stay are Abigail's Inn, Camden Riverhouse Hotel, Hawthorne Inn, Lord Camden Inn, and The Inn at Camden Place .

Just a few miles away from Camden is Lincolnville. There's a small beach here on Penobscot Bay and it's quite relaxing. McLaughlins's Lobster Shack is a must when you're in Linconville. This family owned restaurant has a diverse menu of seafood specialties and it's located right on the water. Right across from Lincolnville Beach is the Spouter Inn. A beautiful Colonial style home situated on 1.5 acres of land with the perfect front porch with rocking chairs to sit on as you gaze at the beach. Lincolnvillle might be small but it's absolutely charming. From Lincolnville there's a ferry that goes over to the island of Islesboro . If you're looking for peace and serenity Islesboro is the place to be. No wonder some famous people own homes on Islesboro. 

When you arrive in Castine, you are officially in the first settled town in Maine. Castine was founded in 1613 when Claude de Saint-Etienne de la Tour established a small trading post to conduct business with the Tarrantine Indians now called Penobscots. As you tour through Castine  there is evidence of Colonial history everywhere. Historic markers dot this quaint town and to learn more about the history of Castine, visit the museums and sites operated by the Castine Historical Society. The Maine Martime Academy is located in Castine and so are other attractions; Dyce Head Lighthouse, Holbrook Island, Wilson Museum, Fort George Park, and Wadsworth Cove Beach. Castine's location makes you feel like you're thousands of miles away from civilization but you're not, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, and Belfast are all within an hours drive from Castine.

Two lovely bed and breakfasts are located close to each other, Castine Inn and Pentagon Inn. They're smack in town and pleasant places to stay. You won't find too many restaurants in Castine. The Breeze and Castine Variety has a diverse menu and the chef and owner makes everything from scratch. Her lobster rolls have a loyal following.

MAINE is New England's largest state and there's a lot to see in the Pine Tree State but for an idyllic setting that spells "Vacationland" paradise the jewel coastal towns of Camden and Castine will leave you with memories to last a lifetime and chances are you'll want to move here after your visit.

Summer of Ice Cream

ICE CREAM is one of the many dairy products consumed around the world. It's especially enjoyable on a hot summer day. Who consumes the most ice cream? Here's the list:

1.   New Zealand

2.   United States

3.  Australia

4.  Finland

5.  Sweden

6.  Canada

7.  Denmark

8.   Ireland

9.   Italy

10. United Kingdom

Who invented ice cream? Most likely the Chinese, dating back to around 200 BC. 

TYPES OF ICE CREAM:

Traditional Ice Cream must be made with with no less than 10 percent milk fat. The base can't increase in volume by over 100% in the churning process.

Gelato, Italian's cousin is made with whole milk without using cream.

Mochi is premium ice cream wrapped in authentic mocha dough.

Frozen Yogurt is made with most of the same ingredients of ice cream but with a lower percentage of fat.

Sorbet contains little or no dairy. Made with frozen berries and water, it is light in texture and flavor.

ICE CREAM is enjoyed around the globe for good reason. It's available in many flavors, it's refreshing sweet, and delicious! Brighten your summer days with ICE CREAM!

MAKING ICE CREAM AT HOME:

Homemade Ice Cream Recipe for Vanilla Ice Cream

 1 3/4 cups heavy cream

1 1/4 cups of milk

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt

1 tablespoon vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean split in a half lengthwise (vanilla bean is best)

Pour one cup of the cream into a saucepan and add the sugar and salt. If not using vanilla extract, scrape the seeds of vanilla bean into the pot and then add the vanilla pod to the pot. Warm the mixture over medium heat, just until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add remaining cream, milk, and vanilla. Stir to combine and chill in the refrigerator.

When ready to churn remove the vanilla pod, whisk mixture again and pour into the ice cream maker. Churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer the finished ice cream to an airtight container and place in the freezer until ready to serve.

Once you're ready to eat your ice cream you can enjoy a variety of toppings from fresh fruit to chocolate sauce to nuts and cookies.

WORLD'S MOST EXPENSIVE ICE CREAM?

Recently it has been discovered that the world's most expensive ice cream is found in Dubai. Travel blogger Shenaz Treasury visited an eatery called Scoopi Cafe in Dubai where she was served ice cream called "Black Diamond." The ingredients consist of fresh vanilla beans, 23- karat edible gold flakes, black truffles, and saffron served in a Versace bowl. The cost? Dh 3,000 Rs 60,000 ($816.00) in US dollars. 

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