It’s been almost four months since we traveled out of the state. Our adventures have mainly consisted of walking across the parking lot to the grocery store and working from home. Regulations have relaxed, though, and residents in northern New England can travel between the three states of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine without testing. Knowing this, we decided to venture over to Maine to enjoy some time out of the apartment. Four years ago we visited the Maine Coastal Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, ME. That visit was in October when the trees were in full color. Though the fall blooms were beautiful, we thought it would be nice to see the gardens in the summer in all their splendor.  I made our reservations and took two days vacation to make it a reality.

The journey up the main coast is a beautiful drive. Maine is pretty much covered in trees except where roads and towns have been constructed.  As soon as possible we veered off the interstate in order to enjoy the beauty of the woods and small towns that dot the coastline.  Because of COVID-19, reservations are required for specific times to enter the park. We arrived in Boothbay a little early so we filled the time driving around the sail boat filled harbor. These coastal towns have a beauty you won’t see anywhere else.

Since our last trip, the botanical gardens has gone through a major construction project resulting in a brand new entrance and expanded grounds. Beautiful bridges have been constructed over ponds and streams to lead you to the old entrance.

Once inside we were immediately overwhelmed by the swath of colors  and sounds of this botanical wonder. One of the first gardens is dedicated to all the senses. Sounds of frogs and insects match the splash of fountains. Fragrances from the flowers and trees permeate the air as you stroll the winding pathway. The colors of the flowers dazzle the eyes, and many plants are available to touch and observe their texture. A section of the garden is dedicated to herbs used to tantalize the taste buds. Each part of the park has its own unique characteristics, but I think I like this one best.

The main area has about half a dozen dedicated gardens including a rose arbor and a children’s garden. The children’s garden pays homage to some of Maine’s famous children’s authors including E.B. White, who wrote Charlotte’s Web and Robert McCloskey, who wrote Blueberries for Sal. Other literary works are also referenced including a small patch owned by Farmer McGregor!

The main portion of the park is surrounded by acres and acres of woodlands that are accessible by well kept trails. The incline to the river is fairly steep but the pathways switchback on themselves making travel accessible even for those of us middle aged wanderers who tire easily.  The trails themselves are gardens that include rock sculptures and plants. A meditation garden is located at the bottom of the hill and visitors are rewarded with a peaceful place to rest.

We finished our visit to the  Maine Coastal Botanical Gardens and headed back down the coast to our night time destination, Ogunquit. I’ve written about Ogunquit many times before. I love this little town just south of its more famous neighbor, Kennebunkport. Whether walking the marginal way, visiting the shops and restaurants, or seeing a show at the playhouse, we’ve always enjoyed our visits.

One thing we had yet to do was to spend the night.  Fortunately, I was able to book a room in a small hotel right in town, but also on the water. We found most people to be observing the safety precautions including the stores and restaurants. The eatery we chose had set up plastic dividers between each of its outdoor dining tables. While Janet enjoyed a lobster roll, I chose the lobster flatbread special of the day and was not disappointed.

The sound of the ocean waves is magical. Our hotel included a deck on which to sit and enjoy the views of the beach and the surf. I woke up early the next day and was blessed with a magnificent sunrise.

As I’ve written before, the Marginal Way is a one-mile walking path that travels along the shoreline behind the hotels and houses. To finish our adventure we enjoyed a morning stroll admiring the beauty of the coastline.

It certainly was a pleasure to be able to leave the apartment after such a long time in confinement. Fortunately, New England has many places that are open for visiting. Though we take the pandemic seriously, it is great to be able to gradually resume living in New England like a tourist!

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller