Maine: A Local's Guide (Cumberland County)

Growing up in Maine, the last thing I wanted to do was be there. A self-proclaimed "city girl", I felt that I was growing up in the wrong environment. Every chance I had to escape, I did. When applying for college, a city was the only option. And that's the shortened and condensed story of how I ended up in London.
 
    I never thought the cliché saying "you don't know what you have until it's gone" would apply to me and Maine, but after spending just one month in London back in 2014, suddenly Vacationland was my favorite place in the world. I don't know if it was the change in culture, homesickness, or a mixture of both, but the only place I wanted to be was back in Maine. Since then, I've taken every opportunity to go back home; the same place I used to loathe with a passion.

    The thing I love about Maine is that there truly is no place like it. You can be feeling the sea mist on the rocky coast, drive 15 minutes inland and be in the mountainous forest. You have towns like Camden and Ogunquit, the poster children for coastal USA. Wiscasset and Bar Harbor; beautiful and unique with their own charm. And of course Portland; in my opinion, the gem of the Northeast.  Then you have places so rural that they don't even have names.

The next couple of posts will feature a couple of my fave places in the best state in the US....not that I'm biased or anything :) This first post will focus on Cumberland County, the county that I'm from (Yarmouth) and the most populated in the state.


PORTLAND

If you've never been to Portland, GO NOW! Seriously, you won't regret it. I'm sure me saying "go now" isn't enough to persuade you, but if one thing will, it's POTATO DONUTS. That's right...donuts made out of potatoes! "Holy Donuts" on Exchange Street is hands down the best part of the city. My fave is pomegranate, but if you're feeling adventurous, try the maple bacon.

NEW GLOUCESTER

If you're from Maine and you're reading this, you probably just said "why the heck did she choose New Gloucester????" So let me tell you a thing. I. Love. New Gloucester. Over the past two summers I nannied on Sabbathday Lake. Let me tell you, it was really tough work swimming in the lake all day. Jokes. But seriously, New Gloucester is one of those places that makes you forget civilization even exists. It's filled with back roads surrounded by tall pines and maples... and it's home to my fave: Thompson's Apple Orchard. I grew up going apple picking with my Dad and it still remains one of my favorite traditions. Even though he does 90% of the picking while I try and get the perfect Gram, I look forward to this every single year. Luckily for me I don't start classes until October, so I always fit in a Thompson's visit before I leave.

 

                               

                  

                  

PORTLAND HEADLIGHT/FORT WILLIAMS STATE PARK

Even though the name might suggest otherwise, this famous lighthouse is in the town of Cape Elizabeth. I have a tradition that every time I come home from London, I wake up at 5am (from jetlag and hunger), drive to Scratch Baking Co. in South Portland, and take my bagel to the headlight. Walking along the cliffs at the break of dawn with absolutely no tourists is such a refreshing difference from the bustling streets of London. 

                

PINE POINT BEACH

Sitting at the southern-most point of Cumberland County, Pine Point Beach involves (surprise surprise) another tradition. In the first weeks of summer, my family and I get seafood take-out from Ken's and bring it to the beach at sunset. How much more Maine can you get?

                

               

I hope you fell inlove with my home as much as I have! Stay tuned for more posts on other areas of Maine!!

-C.