Acadia

So you want to eat lobster and you are confused by the size and shell type issue. For those of you who are new to eating lobster and would like some advice from an experienced lobster eater (me) I offer the following information that is based on over 30 years of lobster eating.

First, the hard shell/soft shell issue. As fas as taste and tenderness are concerned there is no difference. Taste has nothing to do with shell hardness or the lobster size. Tenderness is affected only by the cooking process - it is possible to over cook lobster which has an impact on the tenderness. Do not over cook them!!! If you want cooking instructions drop me a line and I will provide my family secrets to tender lobster. So if they taste the same and are just as tender then why be concerned about the hardness of the shell. Well, if you buy a soft shell lobster you will find that the amount of meet inside the soft shell is very small as compared with the size of the shell. After a lobster molts (sheds its outer shell as part of the growing process) it grows a new and larger shell to provide room for growth. Therefore, the shell is not packed with lobster meat. A hard shell on the other hand is firmly packed with meet because it is at the final stages of growing inside the shell - just prior to molting. Bottom line, whenever possible purchase hard shell lobsters!

Now how big should the lobsters be. I love the 2 & 1/2 to 3 lb lobster the best. In my experience, if cooked properly, the 3 pounder is just as tender as a 1 pounder. And, the larger the lobster the more body meet you will be able to harvest and trust me when I tell you the work to get it is well worth the effort. A 1 pounder has very little meat in the body that you can pull out. A 2&1/2 pounder contains a lot of the most tender and tasty meat of a lobster. And, it is relatively easy to pull the meat out of the small cavities in the back of the body. I often end up with 2 or 3 ounces of meat which I save for last and savor every bite.

If you would like some instructions on how to eat lobster go here … www.acadiavacations.com/lobster/eat-lob.htm

Depending on the timing of your trip to Acadia you may find yourself looking for something to eat as you travel from Augusta east along Route 3 to Ellsworth. And, you will find that the number of McDonalds available to you are fewer and farther between as you travel further and further north. So, let me make some suggestions about satisfying your hunger while traveling the coastal route from Augusta to Belfast and then to Ellsworth on your way to Bar Harbor / Mount Desert Island.

You will find most of the chain fast food restaurants in Augusta, Belfast and Ellsworth - however, you will not find any in between these locations. But, rest assured you can find excellent food in a number of places along the way. First, be aware that many of the convenience stores you will pass along the way do provide excellent food. Green Mountain Coffee, muffins, pizza, sandwiches and other snack foods are available and good quality.

The following restaurants are recommendations for the stretch from Augusta to Ellsworth:

* In Augusta you will find at Bagel Mainea the best bagels in the State along with excellent sandwiches that you can enjoy in a very friendly environment.

* As you travel East on Rt 3 out of Augusta you will find Back’s in So. China. Good food and sandwiches and very good ice cream.

* About 15 minutes beyond Back’s you will find Tobey’s Grocery - a very well stocked and well managed store that will meet both your carry out food needs as well as your grocery needs.

* Another 15 minutes East on Rt 3 is a restaurant called Lorie’s (next to the Liberty Trading Post) - good food at reasonable prices. A family run restaurant that provides good food with no frills.

* Your next great opportunity is The Diner in Searsmont - a white farmhouse that you could easily miss if you are not looking for it. Meatloaf to die for. Another family restaurant that offers great food, friendly staff, and a no frills environment.

* East of Belfast (there are several good restaurants in downtown Belfast) there is Young’s Lobster Pound

* Next, watch for Mariners Restaurant in Searsport - another no frills restaurant with great food and a good selection.

From Searsport to Ellsworth there is not a lot of good options that I am willing to recommend based on personal experience. Ellsworth has most of the fast food and chain restaurant businesses. And, from Ellsworth to Mount Desert Island there are not any restaurants I have experience with - fortunately the distance is not long so you can choos to wait until on the island or one of the villages where you will find several good eating options.

One of the most popular events in Maine is the Lobster Festival (http://www.mainelobsterfestival.com/index.php) held each year in the beautiful Mid-Coast town of Rockland. This year it is scheduled for the following days: July 30th | July 31st | August 1st | August 2nd | August 3rd | August 4th | August 5th

Leave No Trace is a set of principles designed to protect Maine’s (in fact all of our) natural resources from the potential negative affects of human use. Advocates don’t want to discourage people from enjoying Maine’s green outdoors — but they do want visitors to wilderness areas to leave them just as they found them.

The seven cardinal rules of Leave No Trace are:
1. Plan ahead and prepare.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
3. Dispose of waste properly.
4. Leave what you find.
5. Minimize campfire impact.
6. Respect wildlife.
7. Be considerate of other visitors.

Please do your share as you enjoy all that nature has to offer whether it be in Maine, some other state ro in your own back yard.

For more information on these principles visit www.lnt.org

Visit my Acadia Vacations planning web site for lodging, activities and other helpful planning information - it is all FREE.

Wow, it feels like September or even October - I LOVE it! The weather has been fantastic - it will be a mixed bag for the rest of this week - overcast and some rain showers late in the day - so come on up and enjoy the cool weather. This is great weather for climbing a mountain, hiking, bike riding, kayaking or any of your favorite outdoor activities. Golf?? Perfect . Fishing?? Great. Photography?? Outstanding.

This week there will be parades, fireworks, and all kinds of festivities. If that is your thing there will be plenty of fun to be had.

Once you have had enough of the celebrations then I suggest you get out onto some of the “back roads” to do some fun sight seeing.

* Stating in Belfast take Rt 7 to Brooks, then Rt 139 to Unity, then Rt 202 to China & So. China, then Rt 3 to Belfast

* Starting just East of Bucksport take Rt 175 South to RT 15 and Deer Isle and then to Stonington, return on Rt 15 to Rt 175 and go east to Blue Hill, continue on to Ellsworth on Rt 175 & or 172 as you like.

Enjoy the rural Maine villages and country homes - some are beautiful and some not so beautiful but this will give you a feel for what living in rural Maine is like. Mountains, streams, bays, fishing villages, country stores, small fire stations, beautiful mountain views, small shops in homes and in small villages, take your time and enjoy the slow pace and relaxed friendly atmosphere. This is what Maine is all about.