Taste Test – Astronaut Ice Cream

Freeze dried or as it is most commonly referred to as “Astronaut Ice Cream” is ice cream that has had most of the water removed through the freeze drying process.
Interestedly enough it actually never went into space because of its crumbly nature but it has become synonymous with astronaut provisions. We purchased some freeze dried ice cream sandwiches for Alex to try.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Upon trying them you can see right away why they never made it to space. The ice cream is extremely crumbly breaking apart even before you go to take a bite. When you bite into the sandwich the ice cream would burst into a puff of powder. After finishing there was a pile of freeze dried ice cream dust left on the table. The ice cream itself is very tasty with a surprisingly pleasing ice cream flavor. The chocolate and strawberry in the Neapolitan sandwich tasted like ice cream. Once you get by the texturally difference it is a very tasty treat. We will save the remaining packages for out next road trip.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Hotel Review – Residence Inn (Bath, Maine)

During Memorial Day weekend 2019 we decided to take a last minute trip to Maine. With no set itinerary in mind we drove up the coast stopping at Old Orchard Beach for the day on the way. We got as far as Bath, Maine and decided to make it our base of operations for the weekend. A last minute booking on Hotels.Com brought us to the Residence Inn where we stayed for two nights. We booked the hotel mainly for the indoor pool and accessibility. The rooms were very spacious with a kitchenette and a roll in shower.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

There was a separate living area with a fold out bed in the couch for Alex and an attached bedroom. We all enjoyed the pool area even though it was heavily chlorinated.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

the self serve breakfast bar included with the price of the room had a waffle station and a selection of hot and cold cereal, scrambled eggs, sausage, fresh fruit and a coffee and tea station. Not the most expansive of breakfast buffets but adequate.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

A decent mid-range hotel perfect for your Maine mid-coast vacation.

Restaurant Review – Clambake (Scarborough, Maine)

Scarborough, Maine just north of Old Orchard beach has a restaurant that brings back many childhood memories. We used to camp in nearby Cornish, Maine and make frequent trips to Old Orchard Beach in the summer. The highlight of the beach day would be a stop at the Clambake restaurant for seafood. Of course we never knew the restaurant by that name, back in the day the small seafood shack used to erect large awnings over picnic tables where you would sit after ordering food at the counter service. Our name for this favorite restaurant was “The Tent” because of the large canvas awnings. We would always order a huge pile of steamed clams followed by lobster and fried and baked seafood items. The restaurant has long since replaced the “tents” with wooden buildings and the “shack” is now quite large but the concept is still the same.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

You first go to the counter and place your order, receive an order number and then find a seat and wait to be called. I would recommend any of the seafood options. The scallops are my favorite if I am too full of beach snacks for the fishermen’s plate.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The fish is always fresh.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

and if you have to you can always get a burger.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Do not eat too much at the beach so that you can not fit in a delicious seafood meal here.

George’s Parking – Old Orchard Beach, Maine

When spending the day at Old Orchard Beach in Maine spend the money and park at George’s Parking a three minute walk to the beach with shower and restroom facilities on site.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

For ten dollars you get all the conveniences you will need for your beach day.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

It is nice to know that after a day in the sun and water you have a spot minutes from the surf with a place to shower and change.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The parking lot has a beach shop across the street in case you forgot your towel or beach toy.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Be sure to get your Pier French Fries.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Restaurant Review – Red’s Eats (Wiscasset, Maine)

The home of the quintessential New England lobster roll is this little roadside shack in Wiscasset, Maine. Red’s Eats is immediately to the left as you approach the Sheepscott River going north on US Route 1.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

You will be able to notice it because there will invariably be a long line snaking around the small shack rain or shine. Leave yourself some time because you expect an hour or more wait at pretty much any time of the day. You will get the chance to meet a lot of two footed and four footed friends as you stand in line.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

So is it worth the wait? The answer is most definitely yes. The lobster roll is literally piled up with ultra fresh lobster meat. As they say they do not measure the lobster meat they pile it. You can get butter or mayonnaise on the side so you can enjoy the lobster on its own. The best thing to do is eat the lobster with a fork until you can get down to the bun.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Other food at the shack is also great try the fish and chips or steak sandwich.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

This is a place all the famous foodies find their way to:

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

It is well worth the extra time on your trip to Acadia or Northern Maine.