Monday, July 16, 2012

Be Wild of Tongue

Isaac is off on a North Carolinian adventure this week, so Mark and Minnow and I left the empty nest and took a day trip to my favorite peninsula yesterday. First we stopped in Belfast, where we got tasty baked goods and coffee at Chase's Daily (Minnow got lots of compliments, too, despite the fact that he stood outside crying pitifully until Mark emerged).


Minnow was looking good all day long, in fact! People in Hancock county, Maine, were fans of this guy.


In Blue Hill, we walked around town and down to the water, where we enviously watched people setting out on kayaks into the peaceful bay.


And we went to Brooklin, the town where E.B. White lived and wrote and gentleman-farmed. The air was cool and piney here, the houses were shingled and weather-blown. The coast made me want to cry, it was so beautiful.


We had lunch at El El Frijoles in Sargentville (get it? get it?), delicious fresh Mexican food, homemade tortillas and horchata and agua fresca, tucked back in the woods. So good.


We drove down to Cape Rosier, and stumbled on the Good Life Center, where the Nearings built their home and farm. The friendly couple who are the current stewards of the Center (meaning they live there all summer, tend the garden, show people around when they randomly show up) gave us a tour of the gardens and greenhouse and home. When we went inside, they took Minnow's leash and walked around with him while he cried like a toddler being left at daycare, and we watched a short video about the Nearings. It was funny handing our dog over, but sort of sweet somehow. My favorite things were the stone wall all around the (gorgeous) vegetable garden, all the poppies mixed in with the beans and tomatoes, and the view over the water.


I am glad Mark made me get out of the car there (I get shy, okay?!). Also, I appreciate his appreciation for town landings and public boat launches. We probably checked out a dozen of the sweetest, most peaceful little docks on this trip. This one in Brooksville was one of my favorites.


“I would really rather feel bad in Maine than feel good anywhere else,” said my friend E.B. White. He also said, "Be wild of tongue in a way we can understand!" We have to go back soon, because we neglected to hike up Blue Hill, go to the book shop there, or check out this cheese/chocolate/coffee place. Plus lots more.

2 comments:

Joanna said...

Ooh, nice. I want to go to there. And now I want to revisit your friend and mine, E.B. White.

mama d said...

What a great trip! I'm glad you celebrated your empty nest and I'm glad Minnow was such a hit!