Thursday, May 19, 2011

The search

For the past several days, I've been vacation rental hunting and tonight I’m burned out on it.  Trying to find the perfect place for my husband is a monumental task and tonight when he said he’d be happy just camping, I almost agreed.

Almost being the key word.

I really don’t want to camp during my week’s vacation, thank you.

It’s not that I don’t enjoy camping – I just don’t want to work that hard. I want a nice bed and a hot shower and comfortable furnishings. I want to be able to turn on a burner to boil a kettle for tea and not have to start a fire. We’re looking in Maine again because you all know how much we love it there. But this time, my husband wants to stay on MDI (Mount Desert Island) somewhere close to the national park. He wants to be able to get on his bike and just travel a short distance and be able to ride the carriage roads in the park.

This is his single goal.

My goal is to not camp.

I’m having a very difficult time trying to find the place that fits the bill. And frankly, camping might be the only way to do it. Oh, I’ve found places all right – to the tune of thousands of dollars a week. Meanwhile, for inspiration, I’ve gone through some of my photos of last year’s two Maine vacations. Here are a few I’m sharing with you today.


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Along Bar Island Road, outside of Milbridge.

That’s when we stayed {here} on Bar Island.


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Foggy morning on Jordan Pond – Acadia National Park


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Winter Harbor


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Schoodic Peninsula – Acadia National Park


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Beachcroft Trail on Champlain Mountain – Acadia National Park

I ripped my pants coming down this mountain. It was difficult at the summit.

That's when we stayed {here} at this beautiful place.


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Along Route 1 somewhere

Doesn’t this look like it could have been taken years ago?


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Panoramic view of Sand Beach – Acadia National Park

Taken along the Great Head Trail.


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Hello, lover.

: : :

Until tomorrow, my friends . . . wish me luck with the hunting ~

123 Signature

46 comments:

Bluebird49 said...

Goodness-no wonder you want to go back to Maine--your shots of it are wonderful.Hope you'll find something soon--and that you will take many pictures when you get there.

Was rooting for your photo in PW's contest.:(

beth said...

let me know your dates....maybe i'll fly out to my sister's house in maine and be there the same time just so we can meet and have a photography affair...
i don't think our hubbies would mind at all :)

she's between belfast and bangor or bar harbor and something...sheesh, too many little towns out there that start with a B.

TexWisGirl said...

loved the old-timey photo with the car. :)

Reena said...

Oh, we love Maine! Go every year. Plan to be up there in September, usually staying in Camden and Booth Bay Harbor. We hope to purchase a small home up there for our "second act" in life! Only for the summer months and then it's back down south!

I'm with Beth ... a photographer's retreat! Woohoo!

Beautiful photos!

J'Ollie Primitives said...

You never know ~ one of your New England readers might be able to give you a lead on a private home in the area.....that they would be conveniently vacating for the duration of your stay, leaving their houseman Sven to do your bidding...ya think?
I miss the old Yankee Magazine with the Swap section ~ there were some sweet offers to swap homes or other goodies years ago.

Kay said...

NOthing to do with your post here, but congrats on being a finalist in Ree's Action contest..

Deb said...

good luck....

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

What about looking a little further north, in Hancock county? There are some lovely ponds and you're in close proximity to the ocean.

I love Maine, we're here now!

Rain said...

These pictures are home to me!!-- I'm about 40 miles back down the coast from Bar Harbor-near Bucksport!! Good luck with finding something on the island-I'm sure there are some places-but most are very expensive!!

Dar said...

Oh, how I miss the east coast, having lived there briefly years and years ago. Maybe a Bed and Breakfast would fit the bill. I'm sure there must be so many wonderful places. Good luck at your quest.
BlessYourHearts

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Just talking about vacations is exciting. It's so important to have something to look forward to.

Hope you're able to find something that is not camping but close to where you need to be. Maybe if you called one of the realtors up and tried to negotiate a better price on some of those more expensive houses? Anything's possible in this economy. I'd be willing to bet they'd rather rent it at a reduced rate than have it sit empty. (Of course for all I know they have no problems renting them out no matter what.)

Anyway, good luck!

Low Tide High Style said...

That car picture...swoon! And I know what you mean about camping. I grew up backpacking and loved it, now I'm older and wiser! ;) I used to wonder why mom preferred staying some place with a real roof over her head...now I get it! Happy hunting!

Kat :)

Gone Country said...

Great shots! My favorite is A Foggy Morning on Jordan Pond! Beautiful!

Hang in there on the searching and Good Luck!

scrub tops said...

You're amazing! sooo natural, pictures were taken from a good angle.
I am not related to the field of photography but I love to take snaps from my DG Cam.
I look forward to seeing some more. Love it.

Tammie said...

After seeing your pictures of Maine, I understand you guys wanting to go back. I have a comfortable bunk house in Skull Valley, Az if you ever want the high dry desert to vacation at.:)

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Have you considered renting a travel trailor? My son has one and loves it because of indoor plumbing and air conditioning and kitchenette. It has many of the comforts of home!

Laura~peach~ said...

I will vicariously go where ever you take me :) love the revisit of past trips :)
XOXOX

GailO said...

You are smart to plan so early...I will be crossing my fingers for you in hopes that you find the perfect spot...who knows what will show up. We are very fortunate to have the use of my brother in laws place each August but it is starting to get a little too small for our growing family:) My other self owns a house up there that I can use and share with all my friends:)

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Love the car photo... and no no no camping. You would regret it, I think. Find the "place".

Country Gal said...

I love camping ! to go to different places during the day , maybe another small town in the area of the camp site get tons of nature photos,Hike, build a camp fire, use a coleman stove for your kettle for your tea, I'LL GO ! Thats why I love living in the country so much it remeinds of camping especially having my own fire pit ! What ever you decide I am sure it will be great !

Daryl said...

Maybe contact the landlord/rental people from last year and ask for a recco in the new area ... I am betting these people have a network where they clue one another in on bad renters ... worth a try.......

Jamie said...

If vacation rental hunting is anything like rental hunting for a home, you have my sincerest sympathy.

Lili said...

Rose Eden Cottages is like a couple steps up from camping and is pretty affordable, just remembered that (and they take pets). I always sigh over your gorgeous images of Maine Kate, you always capture the very essence of it. xo ~Lili

Carolynn Anctil said...

Come to visit us. We have a guest room. *smile*

All the photos are lovely, although I think I like the car the best.

Michelle said...

Surely after revisiting those wonderful photos and their accompanying memories, you were rejuvenated to renew your search!

The JR said...

I don't camp, but I do luv lobster!

The Weaver of Grass said...

I do hope you find somewhere. I have just had a ten day holiday staying in hotels and being well looked after - there is no substitute.

Flea said...

Happy hunting! May you find the perfect place at the perfect price. It's obvious why you want to return to Maine. :)

Unknown said...

I've been searching for a vacation spot too, and I feel the same way about camping for a whole vacation. I love camping, actually, we camp quite a lot, but on vacation, I want a bed and relaxing. But, he'd camp for months at a time if he could. So, I'm looking for campgrounds with cabins so we get a little of both worlds. My problem this year is we also have to find somewhere that is dog friendly, with lots of nearby attractions for an energetic lab.

Jen at Cabin Fever said...

I love that photo of the old car. And I absolutely love Maine.

Perhaps you could persuade your husband to stay somewhere else? I actually LIVED on the coast of Maine and worked at a restaurant for an entire summer. It was dreamy, amazing, and awesome. And to be honest, much of the rest of the coast looks a lot like Acadia, especially if you know where to look. I've been to Acadia and many points north/south. Its almost better without so many other tourists.

I suggest checking out the Harpswell area... in particular Bailey's or Orr's Island (I lived on Orr's Island) or even somewhere near Popham. Oh my Popham beach is amazing. And at low tied you can walk right out to a coastal island and get a spectacular view of a still functioning lighthouse/home on a nearby island.

Plus.. that area is guaranteed to be cheaper than Acadia.

Good luck! Either way, you'll have a blast and take awesome photos. :)

Mental P Mama said...

How about Fairfield County??? :)

Char said...

i rate camping on my list slightly above a root canal

JaneK said...

HA! on Char's comment :)

So, if I find you the perfect spot can I come along as your bag carrier? I'll stay out of the way and mind my own beeswax, I promise :) I've always wanted to go to Maine. I'll get there someday..... eat a lobster for me :)

Georgianna said...

I've always wanted to visit Maine and your gorgeous photos remind me why. I wish I could recommend something for your vacation. Good luck and I hope you have a memorable (and relaxing) time. – g

Brynwood Needleworks said...

My idea of "roughing it" has always been a Motel 6 (narf), but with the traveling we're required to do this year (and into the foreseeable future) we decided to purchase a camper. We bought an Airstream, that will double as a guest house on our property when we're home. Our own bed, gas stove, hot water for showers...totally self-contained. We've taken it out a few times already to prep for our more extended trips, and I love it! We can take our dogs with us, too, which is an added bonus.

Hope you find what you're looking for for accommodations. I'm not a tent camper, either. I don't blame you a bit for trying to find an alternative!

Happy Weekend, Kate.
xoxo
Donna

Cloudia said...

can't wait to enjoy your vacation vicariously.




Aloha from Waikiki

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sharon said...

hope you find something nice to stay in that's affordable. Why do places have to be so darn expensive? have a great vacation. Looks like it's going to be a nice time!

Kerri Farley said...

I've never been to Maine but your images make me want to visit!!
Good luck in the search!!

Mary said...

Omigosh Kate, your Maine photos are gorgeous!!! I can see why you both love it so much. Hope you find what you are looking for... As for camping, I think I might agree with Char... It's not high on my list anyway... :)
xoxo

Jan's camera said...

Kate, these photos are really breathtaking. I am in Mass. and have never been to Acadia. I need to get myself there soon. Can I please ask which frame/texture you used for that first photo. It's lovely. And that old car is great. I love the pink boat in the harbor photo. I hope you find a rental in Maine. I don't blame you about camping. It's work. Have a good weekend.

Country Girl said...

Jan,
I can't respond directly because your e-mail isn't enabled on your profile. The texture I used on the first photo was a free download from Kim Klassen called 'February Magic Edges'. If you get on her subscription list, she'll send you a texture a week. Her link is on my sidebar, and here as well:
http://www.kimklassencafe.com/

Country Girl said...

Oh, and Jan ~ and everyone ~ thank you so much for your kind comments. Sometimes I can't say it enough.

~ C.G.

Anonymous said...

Not sure how you are searching but a co-worker clued me in this week on a site called VRBO (Vacation Rentals by owner) he has used it and found great deals and from what i have seen so far, some pretty good deals! Your pictures are beautiful!

A New England Life said...

How I wish Brent and I could go to Maine for vacation too. Somehow I doubt 2 teenage girls would have the same enthusiasm.

Hopefully you'll find the almost perfect place, Kate. Don't camp. Unless you don't mind having breakfast in the rain. You just never know with New England weather.

Love your photos. They make me feel at home : )

Jan's camera said...

Thanks Kate. I do subscribe to Kim's free textures. I will have to search for that one. Good luck with the summer rental. I'm sure you will find something nice.

Anonymous said...

Hello and thanks for the beautiful pictures of Maine. I live in northeast Alabama and the one place I would dearly love to see is Winter Harbor Maine. Back at least 45 years ago my dad was in construction and in an old library that was being redone he brought home the book Winter Harbor by Bernice Richmond. The book follows the first year she and her husband lived on Mark Island in the lighthouse in Winter Harbor. My dream vacation is to see the area.