September 15, 2011

Exploring Maine...Follow The Coastline!

When visiting Maine, it is a good idea to plan places you would love to visit and experience, prior to your trip. There are so many historical sites, antique shops, amazing coastal views, and delectable places to dine, that it would be hard to narrow down your choices. One great way to travel along the coast is Route 1.



U.S. Route 1 has always been the premier tourist destination in the State of Maine providing scenic views of the rugged Maine coast, lighthouses, antique shops, Maine lobster and the rolling farmlands of Aroostook County.




From Kittery, Route 1,  follows the beautiful rugged southern coastline all the way to Eastport, and on to Calais, then it turns and heads North through Danforth and the awesome Million Dollar view of East Grand Lake and heads through Presque Isle and on to the St. John Valley. All along the way you will find scenic places of interests, State Parks, a National Park, antique shops, historic forts and lighthouses, gift shops, Maine Seafood Restaurants and so much more that I cannot list them all here. Maine's most historic Route -- through towns and villages with names like Kennebunk, Camden, York, Eastport, Bar Harbor and many more.


Route 1 will take you deep into Maine's heartland with tourist destinations, scenic & historical areas, and local businesses that would make your trip into Maine cherished for years to come.



When Darling and I traveled Route 1 over to Gloucester, Massachusetts the other weekend, we experienced a late lunch at Halibut Point. Don't miss this local gem of a pub. We will definitely go back to this local favorite dining spot! The original tavern was built by Howard Blackburn in 1900, following his dramatic survival voyage. The wave once lapped the back on the building as the harbor front extended though what is now the parking lot. The pub has had a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere since 1982. I had their Italian Fish Chowder, which has been mentioned by Rachael Ray!








Estelle's Italian Fish Chowder
2 lbs.  fresh  halibut
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup white wine
1 green pepper, chopped in chunks
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
2 -16oz cans whole tomatoes
2 Tablespoons fresh parsley
1 cup tomato juice
1/2 teaspoon fresh oregano
1 1/2 teaspoon salt


Cut halibut into 1 chunks. Saute onions, garlic, green pepper, and celery in olive oil until translucent. Transfer to large stock pot and add tomatoes, tomato juice, and white wine or water (red wine is good also), parsley and seasonings.


Bring to a boil, cover and simmer 15 minutes. Add the halibut cubes and simmer an additional 6 to 8 minutes or until tender. Serve with garlic bread sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.


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Estelle's Easy Cream Of Crab Chowder
1 can cream of potato soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1 soup can of milk
1 soup can of half and half
1/2 soup can of water
2 t. Old Bay seasoning
3 T butter
1 lb. crabmeat
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped


Saute onion in butter; add remaining ingredients and heat to boiling. Stir frequently.If you prefer shrimp, then 1/2 pound of fresh shrimp, which has been broiled,  can be added instead of the crab for an easy cream of shrimp soup or use a combination of crab and shrimp to make a delicious soup.





1 comment:

  1. Oh, that looks like such a fun trip! Those pictures are so pretty. I would love take that entire road trip. Thanks for sharing, and that crab chowder sounds wonderful!
    D

    ReplyDelete

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