......and looks to get some drinks with anyone willing along the way.

So, I'm heading to a wedding in Bar Harbor, Maine the weekend of July 10-12th and FemDerris and I have decided to turn it into a week's vacay with stops in Boston, New Hampshire, and, Maine obviously.

If anyone wants to get up for some cold beers I'm game. We'll be getting up with Cap'n at some point I'm sure.

We're flying in on Friday, July 3rd and will be staying somewhere on Commomwealth Ave. I think the cross streets are Commonwealth and Gloucester. Somewhere around there. The people we're staying with are the people that will be getting married the following weekend.


My tentative schedule is something like this:

Friday, July 3rd: Arrive afternoon. Going to Fenway for Sox game and 13 beers and to tell every fan around me how lucky they are to have John Smoltz on their team.

Saturday, July 4th: Apparently this couple has some annual rooftop bash that's catered and shit so we'll probably do our thing there and wait for some fireworks. No word yet if there will be a movement to go see Neil Diamond. Doubtful.

Sunday, July 5th: Recover mostly. This day has potential for a meet up if interested. No plans really.

Monday, July 6th: Going straight tourist on this day. Already booked us on a Duck Tour around 11am. Nothing planned for the afternoon. Could use some ideas for killing an afternoon. Possible tix for Sox game Monday night but this isn't confirmed. This night has potential for a meet up as well. The wedding couple may have left town for Bar Harbor at this point.

Tuesday, 7th: Leaving early morning and heading to the White Mountains. No plans other to do some driving through the mountains and hitting up the Mount Washington Auto Road. Got a reservation at the Mount Washington Hotel for that night. Any cool spots to hit in that area or is the scenery the main attraction?

Wednesday, 8th: Leaving in the morning and heading to the Maine coast. Maybe lunch in Portland before driving up Hwy 1. Staying in Camden that night and taking a sunset cruise in the bay. Anyone ever been here?

Thursday, 9th: Casual drive into Bar Harbor where we'll be setting up shop for the next 3 days.

Sunday: drive back to Boston and return car. Not sure what we're doing yet on that day. Probably be pretty beat and we might just get a hotel room near the airport. Flying out Monday.

Spoon, not sure where you are, but, any restaurants or places of interest I should check out in Portland, Camden, or Bar Harbor?

Also, what's the best record store in Boston?

Any input is appreciated.

When you meet up with the Obs, bring The Kern!

I forgot we're supposed to give him a shout when we get up there. I'll get FemDerris to hit him up on FB. I think Camden may be the best opportunity.

No NYC visit?

Uh, if you're leaving Vermont out of this little jaunt of yours, you don't deserve to meet me.

A bit out of the way for this go 'round. I've actually never been north of NYC before. Really looking forward to seeing that part of the country.

Also, getting out of the stifling heat and humidity for a week.

That sounds like a sweet trip. I love chowder.

Lobster chowder is better.

Man. Tough crowd. I figured ayah would be the one to lay a guilt trip on me. Et tu Wench?

I wish I could do it darlin. Only so many hours in a day.

I'd actually like to do Vermont in the fall at some point.


And Timmy, I will be taking care of some Lobster while there. We openly have a Lobster budget for this trip.

My two favorite places to eat in Portland have both shut down (Granny's Burritos and Tony's Thai), but the last time I was there I had a decent meal at a Mexican place on the waterfront called Amigo's. There is a super cheap Thai / etc lunch buffet place on Congress. I have heard that the floating restaurant (DeMillo's?) is good, but haven't tried.

Stay away from the Sebago bar and grill. Had a terrible meal there, terrible service. It's tempting because of the brews and patio, but you can do much better for eats.

There is a great Italian place in Bar Harbor - the name escapes me at the moment. It's pricey and always packed, but generally worth it.

Be sure to check out the National Park outside Bar Harbor if you have time; there is a cool beach there and the drive up Cadillac Mountain is enjoyable.

The whole Maine Coastal Route is pretty great. The original Fort Knox is along there, you know!

edit: and a fucking MUSTARD factory!

This cracked me up. I appreciate the enthusiasm. I may have to go in seach of this incredible MUSTARD FACTORY!

Thanks for the recs. The only places in Bar Harbor that I know are the places that are part of the fesitivities.

There is a post-rehearsal dinner gathering at a place called The Lompoc Cafe. The reception is at the Bar Harbor Club with the post-reception drunkfest at a place called Carmen Verandah.

We're definitely planning on hitting up Acadia National Park. We're going to rent some bikes and ride some of the carriage roads and if I'm feeling really adventurous, bike the Park Loop road.

Then again, I could be hungover and not do any of that. Maybe take the car around the loop.

It's mostly because I won't be able to get to Boston any of the days you could do a meet up and that really bums me out.

And a little because doing a "New England" trip without Vermont is just... crazy.

But, if you get here in the fall, you and your girl are totally mine. I'd tell you to get the Cap'n out here for it, too, but is that close to the missus' due date?

Bennie the only night we're gonna be able to meetup is that Monday night, the 6th. So that should be the Obnish night of choice, I hope? We're out of town until that very morning, at which point we will have driven straight through from Wisconsin, with the wife dropping me off at work at whatever time we roll past it.


So that monday evening, round about 7 or so, we should plan what-n-where.

oh and



= 9-9-09 (or thereabouts)

i'm down for that monday.

nuggets on comm ave is good for used cd/vinyl and they have a ton of dollar cd's near the back. there's a newbury comics on *duh* newbury st that's like a cool chain store. there's also cd spins which is a few doors down from the newbury comics.

What's crazy is I've been to New England several times but never been to Vermont. Crazy I tell you.

i'll be around

Has Squirrgle taught you nothing?

Its not really out of choice, just more necessity of circumstances when I've been up there.

To wit, I would love to visit Vermont.

I suppose you are forgiven. But, seriously, I'd much rather you guys as tourists instead of those "Ohmygod Vermont is sooooo cuuuuuute" ones.

I've been to Burlington three times!

Also, you Boston folks got any restaurant recommendations?

Not necessarily fine dining but maybe some solid landmark type joints that we should hit up? Lunch or dinner.

Also, we're at you guys mercy when it comes to finding a spot to meet up. We're up for wherever. It doesn't have to be in the area we're in. We'll make it happen.

Yeah, Bar Harbor's a pretty good place. Except from January to April when the cold and wind off the ocean can turn a crab's dick blue.

Bubble Rock and an overlook of B.H., taken in July, 3 years ago... so this is exactly what you're in for barring shitty weather. Bar Harbor / Acadia is one of those places that are so beautiful that they just don't seem real. Or it was to me, anyway. Definately the most dramatic place I've been on 2 wheels.









I hate you Derris. Why can't someone I know get married in Bar Harbor?

Sweet pics Cap. Yeah, pretty nice perk getting to go there but this will be wedding #3 so far this year with 2 more to go. Not to mention several engagement parties.

Year of the wedding.