Thanks for the advice, DU Mainers! What a beautiful state.

SO and I ended up renting a beautiful (reasonably priced) house for a week outside Warren on the St. Georges River. And it had a hot tub in an enclosed glass gazebo, which didn't suck



Our first stop on the way up? It was pouring rain, and 10:45pm, and we knew we were SOL in terms of getting a non-fast-food dinner, and my SO says "hey - there's a place that looks open" and it was Reds Eats in Wicasset. And because of the hour and the rain - no line! And the lobster roll lived up to its reputation


As you guys said, not much to Warren, but it was just a short drive to Rockland, which we really enjoyed - nifty little gym there, and some nice restaurants.

One day in Boothbay (touristy), one day in Bar Harbor (gorgeous, and touristy), and a stop in Blue Hill. Wish I'd known my mom's cousins used to own the Apothacary in Bar Harbor - we could have found out which tourist shop occupied the site now.

Of course it was the week of both a Nor'Easter AND the first hurricane to hit Maine in 18 years. But in spite of the weather and the touristyness, my SO kept saying over and over "wow - everyone we meet here is so NICE".

Our best day was a jaunt down the peninsula near the house to Port Clyde via Tenant's Harbor. Port Clyde was the not-so-touristy Maine we were looking for. And then we got this picture at the lighthouse.



So thank you Mainers! :hi:

Have an old friend who's grandfather had a house in Port Clyde. He was a lobsterman who had a capstan built into his front yard to haul up his boat from the water in the winter or to do hull repairs. Also built an 8 foot tall concrete lighthouse in his front yard (I kid you not)with working light. Also had a small baithouse - machine shop on his pier...turned lobster pots and sold them to other lobster men in the off-season. I always enjoyed visiting the place because it was like going back in time...

Glad you had fun!