We just returned from what was probably one of our best vacations. Funny, I grew up in Maine- spent more than twenty years there- but I had more fun this week, as a tourist, than I did most of the time I lived there. Is that some kind of psychological phenomenon? Do we appreciate places more when we’ve moved away from them?

We started our trip with lunch in Freeport. I try not to get lost in all the commercialism of that area, but it’s a good place to get lunch. Isabella’s Sticky Buns Cafe on School Street had the BEST toasted portabella mushroom sub, while my husband had the hummus wrap and Max chowed on a grilled cheese sandwich with homemade bread.

After that, we drove a few miles to Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park. Max met his young cousins and they went traipsing along the rocky shore searching for snails and shells deposited by the tide. The ranger had a high-powered telescope focused on the resident osprey and it was exciting to watch the mother and juvenile devour lunch as if they were only feet in front of us.

Afterward, we hiked through the pine and hemlock forest trails along the ocean cliffs. The trails were generally flat, easy to hike, and easy to follow.

Later in the trip we walked around Damariscotta, a southern coastal town that is home to the Salt Bay Cafe, where we had lunch. I was excited when I learned they had a vegetarian menu, but I was blown away when I looked at it. Instead of the typical two or three salad selections, this menu had over thirty sandwich, salad, and entree meals! I tried the fried tofu sandwich, while my husband ate the Caribbean bean cake sandwich. Max stuck with the pasta. We were all pleased and can’t wait to go back. We even brought home a vegetarian takeout menu so I can attempt some of the choices at home.

Our next hike took us to Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal. This place has a number of short trails that are great for the littlest hikers. We started with the trek that lead straight up to the summit. This is pretty steep, which is why we chose this route first. Max had a blast climbing up the rock steps and beamed when he made it to the top. After that, we followed a mile-long loop trail through the woods. It was a little wetter there and we became mosquito morsels along the way. Fortunately, our bug repellent worked most of the time.

We had breakfast out a couple mornings at a place called Bagel Mainea. Voted Top 10 bagel place the past two years, this breakfast and lunch place boasts a variety of bagels. They also have Tofutti cream cheese and an excellent hummus sandwich.

Finally, we ended our vacation with a stop at Margarita’s in Portland. Mexican is pretty easy fare if you’re a vegetarian and they can make a great bean and rice burrito, minus the cheese, if you prefer. Of course, the margaritas are pretty fantastic, too!

I like being a tourist in New England. We’ll have to do this again soon!