Hotel Review – Colonial Inn (Ellsworth, Maine)

After a day spent at nearby Acadia National Park we were lucky to be able to find accommodation in Ellsworth, Maine at the Colonial Inn during a busy peak summer visitation period.

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

We were surprised that the inn was a motel style accommodation as it did not seem like it from the booking web site.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

the rooms were clean and comfortable and there was a nice indoor pool.

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

Alex and I had fun in the pool and the motel/inn was quite acceptable and inexpensive.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Kennebunk, Maine

The charming Maine village of Kennebunk is quintessential coastal New England. A drive through the town along US Route 1 is lovely as you pass by the shops and restaurants along the flower lined streets.

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 sad reminder of the times we live in the flags were at half mast because of another mass shooting.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

By all means stop at the restaurants and shops and if you have time the beach is also quite nice. Take advantage of the sand you will get more and more rocks as you proceed further north up the coast of Maine.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Nearby Walker’s Point in Kennebunkport was the vacation home and summer white house of George HW Bush.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Hotel Review – Ramada Inn (Bangor, Maine)

Our first waypoint on our 2019 trip to Eastport, Maine was the Ramada Inn in Bangor.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The mid level accommodation had clean comfortable rooms and nice amenities. It was conveniently located just off US Route 95.

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

A busy day of traveling and a tour of the Bangor waterfront left us only time for the pool and then bed.

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

We met a nice family from Presque Isle, Maine at the pool.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

A mediocre buffet breakfast was complimentary.

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

An overview is a clean, comfortable hotel conveniently right off the highway.

Crawford Notch State Park – Hart’s Location, New Hampshire

Hart’s Location, New Hampshire one of the first places to record results for the presidential primary and general election is home to one of the jewels of New Hampshire’s White Mountains; Crawford Notch State Park. US Route 302 bisects the park and provides scenic views and easy access to park attractions.

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

There are 36 wooded campsites in the park’s Dry River Campground.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Many trails interlace the park grounds,

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

with waterfalls to be seen.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Mountain scenery abounds like Elephant Head;

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Vistas can be seen at every turn as you make your way down 302.

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

An interesting highlight is the historic sites en route such as the Willey House,

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 Pierce Bridge,

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Crawford House,

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

and Zealand.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Clark’s Trading Post Trained Bear Show – Lincoln, New Hampshire

As a child during our many trips to the White Mountains we would stop at Clark’s Trading Post in Lincoln to see the bears. We would not always see the show but we would look at and feed the bears as they climbed their enclosure in the bear pit next to the gift shop. The iconic site of the bears on top of their post (See above photo) is no longer available and the attraction is so expanded now as to be al but unrecognizable to us old timers but the bears are still there and the shows are still put on several times a day with modern sensibilities in mind in terms of animal care and dignity.

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 best views of the show are from the upper deck where the chain link fence does not get in the way.

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