Back in the U.S! Lubec, Maine again

Days 67-69 of trip, Friday-Sunday, August 15-17, 2010

Well, we're back in our newfound favorite town in Maine, and we're enjoying every moment! We recalled from our previous visit here that there's so much to do that we don't get much relaxing time, so one of the first things we did was extend our plans from a 4-day stay to a 7-day stay. And now that we're back in a U.S. Operated campground, we get to spend all 7 nights in the same campsite, rather than moving 2-3 times. What a treat that is!

Friday morning we got up early and headed over the Roosevelt International Bridge to Campobello Island, New Brunswick. We wanted to attend the Tea With Eleanor presentation. Our friend Lynne met us on the porch of the Hubbard Cottage, where the tea is held. She's been to it 7 or 8 times through the years, but it's such an inspiring presentation that it really doesn't get old.

This time it was a beautiful sunny day, so it was a very different experience for Curt and me. Several weeks ago when we went, it was POURING down rain! and we had to slosh over to the cottage and back and sit through the tea with wet feet and sticky wet clothes. This day was delightful. Even the view through the stunning oval dining room window was different. We could see all the way across the bay to Eastport, Maine!

Two different employees, Violet and Taunia, served the tea and presented the information on Eleanor Roosevelt. They did a marvelous job, and we left just as inspired as the first time we attended.

Because the weather was lovely, on the walk back to the truck we could spend more,time enjoying the amazing flowers that are planted around the Park. We visited with Stephen, the horticulturist who grows all these flowers from seed and designs, plants and maintains them every year. He was a bit camera shy, so I stepped away and waited until he was back at work to snap him in action, doing what he loves.

Here are some more photos of his gifts to all the Park visitors:

I could show you loads more beautiful photos, but you get the idea. It was absolutely lovely!

That evening after some music practice and a bowl of Lynne's homemade lobster stew (delicious!), Lynne, Larry, Curt and I headed back over to Campobello Island for the Friday night jam/music event at Jocie's Porch, the darling little coffee shop we discovered on our last visit.

We saw lots of familiar faces and played lots of music. What a wonderful, warm, enjoyable evening!

Catch that sunset over the bay through the picture window!

Yesterday, Saturday, our big event was to go to the annual Blueberry festival at a nearby town, Machias, Maine. We had no idea what to expect. These are small towns, mind you, so we anticipated a few vendors and a little local color about the Maine wild blueberries. We were totally blown away by what awaited us! 

This is the 39th year of this Festival, and every year it has grown. Each year they've learned from the previous year, so now the attendance is enormous...about 10,000 visitors.... And the crowds are so well handled that it didn't seem like anything near that number. There were over 250 vendors, all with home made items (no piles of imported junk here!), lots of live music on the steps of the large Congregational Church (from blues to jazz to old-time music, to the most creative and innovative ukulele band I've ever seen!). 

Homemade blueberry desserts were served all day, and in the evening there was a terrific bean/goulash/coleslaw/biscuit/blueberry shortcake dinner served in a large community meeting hall. Larry and Lynne kept telling us that the best part of the festival was the annual musical that was written and performed by local talent every year, always with blueberries included as the theme.

I could not begin to describe it to you. Each night for last 4 nights they have performed to a packed audience in the large Congregational Church. The opening act was half an hour of music presented by a local band which included brass, woodwinds, drums, keyboard, and the most animated, engaging conductor I've ever seen. That's him in front...just as he looks, he's a wild man! 

Then the musical. Clever story line, riotously funny characters, extremely talented singers and actors of ALL ages, and hilarious lyrics to familiar songs... All packed into an hour and a half of family friendly fun. And they did it all without a break! Where do they find this talent in this tiny little Maine town? It was one of the most FUN evenings I can remember!

But it wasn't over yet. As we went outside, there were fireworks being shot off. Once again, Curt and I underestimated the enthusiasm of Machias. We figured it would last 5-10 minutes. But no, this display rivaled any July 4 fireworks display I've ever attended. And all for the tasty little blueberry!

This morning, Sunday, found us back at the church that Lynne pastors, the Lubec Congregational Christian Church. Curt, Lynne and I ended up providing ALL the music this morning, because the organist had an emergency and was unable to come. We found this out when we arrived at church! 

But with lots of prayer, and lots of leeway granted to us by the congregation, we had a wonderful time of worship. And afterward was another church pot-luck dinner (Curt and I somehow manage to hit these dates just right!).

This afternoon we enjoyed some relaxing time at the campground. While it rained steadily, Curt read and I knitted as we listened to music. When Lynne showed up at our camper at 5:00 with refreshments, we were delighted for the energy and laughter she always brings along! 

We're so glad we extended our stay here; otherwise we would be leaving tomorrow, and we're not nearly ready to go. We plan to be in Lubec for a few more days. And the rain is supposed to slide off, leaving us with several days of sunshine. Hurrah!