Open Roads and Bucket Lists

I started my day back in Portland at Maine Mead Works. I did a mead taste test of several flavors before taking a tour. The different flavors were straight forward and while they were still serious about their mead it wasn’t pretentious like some wineries can be. Fun fact: If the alcohol is made with a grain of any kind the location is considered a brewery. Anything else - honey, grapes, apples etc. - is considered a winery. After the taste test I took a brief tour and learned how it was made. For anyone visiting the area I would definitely recommend visiting (http://mainemeadworks.com/) . 

Although the guide at Maine Mead Works told me I could probably do without it, I took a trip to Maine’s desert in Freeport anyway. I’m glad I did! It was a pretty interesting tour ride and fun to take some photos on a beautiful day. They also had a butterfly room to check out. Apparently the desert used to be a lake, then a farm. The farmers didn’t alternate crops then eventually just threw sheep on the land and destroyed the soil. When the sand took over the owner tried making bricks or glass but the amount of mica in the sand prevented it from being successful. Instead, he opened it to the public as a natural Maine phenomenon. I mentioned to some locals later on that I went and they laughed, but then admitted that they never actually went. It didn’t take up much time and was close to the main part of Freeport. 

After the tour and butterfly room I drove to the village of Freeport and had (what I believe to be) my first whoopie pie from Wicked Whoopies. I walked around, found a store called Cool As A Moose. The store is fantastic. So many funny shirts, doormats, stickers, and fun gifts. Around the corner I had a delicious, highly recommended, lobster stew from Freeport Chowder House. 

I went back to Portland afterwards for a sunset sailboat tour. I went with Portland Schooner Co. on the Bagheera which is a vintage boat built in 1924. It had been gorgeous out all day, out on the water it was the perfect temperature, and the crew was incredibly friendly. You could ask any questions but it wasn’t an actual “tour”, so I could just absorb the view and enjoy the trip. The ride was so relaxing. It was the perfect way to end the evening.