Restaurant Review – Helen’s Restaurant (Machias, Maine)

An iconic must stop location since 1950 Helen’s Restaurant in Machias is renowned for its awesome pies. But don’t just stop for desert as the rest of the fare is also top notch. Just north of Machias as you drive up towards the the Canadian border on US Rpute 1 the restaurant is on the right.

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

I would suggest starting with a nice cup of New England fish chowder. Thick with good sized chunks of fish.

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

Rita’s steak was excellent better than the what you will get in any of the chain mid-range steakhouses like, Outback, Longhorn or Texas Roadhouse.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Of course you can’t go wrong with seafood, I ordered scallops.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Alex went light with a grilled cheese sandwich.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Wash it all down with a Maine beer.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

No matter what you order Helen’s is not the place to skip desert. Any of their pies are fantastic but they are best known for their Maine wild blueberry.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The other pies are just as delectable like the chocolate cream and strawberry.

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

Wild Blueberry Land – Columbia Falls, Maine

As you proceed up US Route 1 in Washington County Maine you cannot miss the giant blueberry shaped building in Columbia Falls. This is Wild Blueberry Land.

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

The shop has Maine souvenirs but be sure to try the blueberry pastries. The best blueberry muffins in the county.

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

Food Stand Review – The Farmer’s Wife (Candia, New Hampshire)

One of our favorite late summer activities is to try the local farm stands in the area. We could live on fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and corn on the cob during the harvest season. We decided to pick up some fresh vegetables at the Farmer’s Wife in Candia, New Hampshire.

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

The farm fresh veggies that we bought were the equal or better than any farm stand we sampled this summer.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

In addition to the fresh produce there are a number of other farm products available from milk, cheese, ice cream, bakery items, etc.

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 first rate stop for fresh vegetables but worth a visit anytime for their other products.

Taste Test – Carolina Reaper Beef Jerky

The hottest pepper in the world is the carolina reaper. Alex is a hot fiend even as a boy and wanted to try some. I decided to go slow and purchased some jerky spiced with carolina reaper.
We got the ice cream and glass of milk ready just in case as Alex took his first bite.

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Alex was nervous as he tentatively sampled his first piece.

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

The first taste was not overpowering and we did not feel the heat right away. After a few minutes it started to build and we went for the ice cream.

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

Overall there was a significant spicy aftertaste that did tend to linger but it was not overbearingly hot. We will build courage to try the whole pepper next.

Paul Bunyan Statue – Bangor, Maine

The Paul Bunyan Statue in Bangor stands 31 feet tall and was erected in 1959. Paul Bunyan was a legendary figure in American folklore who performed superhuman feats with his blue ox Babe. Bangor claims to be both the birthplace of the North American logging industry and of Paul Bunyan, alas Minnesota and other states have competing claims and statues. Maine’s own Stephen King famously brought the statue to life in his novel “It.” King himself lives in Bangor.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos