Mainely Disconnected (but we did have fun)

This post should have gone out weeks ago, since then things have changed. I am moving on and  I am far more balanced and happier than I've been in a long time. Life has a funny way...

August 9, 2014

The day came, it had been suggested for the past six months that he and I go away with the intention of trying to reconnect. By the time we got to this point however it seemed that maybe it was too little to late. My heart has begun the process of being plated and is now sporting a nice new titanium shine to it. I found that gate in the fence last week and decided it was time to see if it was usable. Sporting a new tattoo to remind me of that newly discovered boundary, my heart was not so willing to fall for the bits of hope thrown at me regularly. The grass on the other side of the fence really is the same, only the new quieted space has a tremendous appeal. I found the porch of my soul and a wonderful new place for my sunrise coffee meditation. Well lets just say, coffee it good at any time of the day, especially when its shared with the child within, and good friends, The sweet air that goes along with it is like a prayer of love, and comforts me beyond my wildest dreams. I’ve realized I am less afraid of crossing those monkey bars that C.S. Lewis talks about. You cannot move forward unless you let go. My white wolf is cooing and the black one is comatose.

Off we went to our little cabin in the middle of no-where on the Bluehill Peninsula.

Maine has always been one of those places that riveted both our souls, and with that said, I was quite nervous that a trip here would reek havoc on my peace of mind, maybe build hope that had no business dominating my thoughts anymore. I made sure that there were enough new things in our itinerary to keep me from falling back on sentiment, because I knew in my heart that there was no way he would feel any connection, the freshly pressed skirt he has been shacking up with has sunk deep into the depths of his soul. Lets just say we mixed it up, a little hiking paired with oysters and yes a “little black dress’ .

Where we stayed: We found a cottage on Air B&B that was located in Brookfield, ME which is a tiny little town with almost nothing to do but relax.  Breakfast was included and it was extremely quiet and could, if you were so inclined, be the perfect romantic getaway. It has tremendous sex appeal.  Shirley and Fred treated us so well that we felt like we were old friends by the time we left.  (FM rating 10++)

On the way up we stopped in Portland at Po” Boys and Pickles, which was not new to us, but definitely one of those places that is a must stop if you find yourself driving through and need a sandwich.  (FM rating 9)

In Bluehill:

The Boatyard Grill, which is located in an active boatyard is like a tiki hut, or backyard BBQ space that had lots of Pina Colada getting  and caught in the rain ambiance. However, the food was mediocre and the beer served to warm. Sometimes its hard to visit places like this with him, the romance is the thing that gets left standing in the rain. There is a coolness factor here (FM rating 8)

Deep Water Brewing is located next to this really fancy restaurant , They share the same courtyard in fact. This makes it the perfect place to get out that little black dress, you know the kind that you can rock at a black tie or at a honky tonk, one merely needs to change the shoes. We shared a flight, a salad, the hanger steak, and some duck fries, served with garlic aioli. The beers were ok, but this brewery doesn’t market itself so without being in the pool of competition, they fall short of missing the mark The food was great though and the place was welcoming. (FM rating 8.5)

Marlintinis is located just outside of downtown. It packs a crowd on any given night. We only went there for drinks, which in out case we were the only non locals in the place.  The menu is standard pub fare I think. (FM rating 8)

In Ellsworth:

We went to dinner one night with the yen for something more than what we could find in Bluehill.. It had been a rainy afternoon and we had just spent two speechless hours pretty much ignoring each other in a cabin during a thunderstorm. This may have been boredom This may have been just the need to not talk.  We had after all had a day of  hiking, touring Belfast, and visiting several breweries. Maybe we were just tired. As we sat there nibbling on cheese and crackers and sipping a growler of beer from Strong Brewing, reading whatever seemed to strike our individual fancy, we contemplated dinner. We found Finn’s. an Irish pub in downtown Ellsworth. The food was decent and they had an incredible tap selection, though some of the taps had been rotated out. The issue with this was not the selection but that whomever was doing the rotating was not paying attention to the menu thereby creating a huge hopless whole in the middle. There were a fine selection of big beers and an equal amount of wheats and summer ales, but the IPA’s and Pales that kicked were not replaced with a like kind.. The energy in this place was fantastic, and for a town that seems to roll up the sidewalks on a Thursday night at 8, it was a great find. (FM rating 9.5)

Belfast:

This is a cute little town that loves its artists so the town alone is a must visit (FM10++)

Marshall Wharf is clearly the place to eat. This brewery sports a tasting room that serves local fare and it known for its oysters. (of course we indulged, what girl in her right mind would turn down a half dozen Pemaquid’s?) We split a flight as usual and then each ordered our favorite beer. It was a nice way to spend an afternoon. (FM 10++)

There was this BBQ place just across the parking lot from Marshall Wharf we tried based on the smell of smoke. It was so non-descript and bland that I cannot even remember the name. I am making note of it here so that readers can be aware that the meat lacked the flavor that one would expect. Did they even know how to use a rub? I wish I had been satisfied with just the oysters we had before this.

While in Belfast please consider buying work from a local artist instead of a tourist shop.

Bar Harbor:

Acadia National Park . This oceanside mountainous park is a MUST (FM 12++) . Especially if you have like to hike, scramble, climb or bike .  Two must hikes for everyone (not restricted by age) are Cadillac Mtn (consider becoming part of the sunrise club, packing along breakfast) and both Bubbles. Though there are many others too.

Cherry Stones: We hit this bar up for oysters and beer  after getting caught on the mountain top in weather.  The bartenders were friendly enough and actually made us laugh quite a bit (He was sporting his Yankee hat in Sox country- though his knowledge of BoSox trivia helped save his ass J )  They have a local beer list  but its not extensive.  (FM rating 8.5)