Highway Highlights

Autumn Landscapes Along Maines Highway 1

**Note: It is Historic Highway 1 but most sites dont refer to it as that. And the historic-ness isnt really the angle so I didnt really go into the history. Its rather hum -drum Wikipedia stuff anyway. Also, Bar Harbor and Acadia are kind of, almost unjustifiably off of Highway 1, but you dont do fall colors in Maine and not go to Acadia. So I really, really want to include it. Thoughts?** Highway 1 on the East Coast winds 2,369 miles in and out of US history through major cities along the East Coast like Jacksonville, D.C., Boston, and New York City, and more, but in Maine during the fall, this the autumn, the stretch of highway along the coast of Maine looks like a foliage sunset with all the leaves changing into yellows, reds, and oranges. While tThe drive itself will expose you to a myriad of colors, stopping and stepping out into this gorgeous autumn scene will make it a truly unforgettable trip. but stops along the way heighten the experience. Cape Elizabeth There is no if about visiting a lighthouse in Maine, so you might as well make it your first stop. Besides, lighthouses set with a background of fiery hills in the fall is a quintessential scene. About 5 miles east of Highway 1, right before Portland, Maine, lies Cape Elizabeth on the coast. Youll have to veer off onto Hhighway 77 but its worth it because this is the second oldest lighthouse in the US. First lit in 1971, the Portland Head Lighthouse still stands today overlooking the Atlantic ocean, offering a classic, puzzle-worthy view of a Maine lighthouse as well as a museum and picnic area. http://www.portlandheadlight.com/ Alternative Highway 1 Highway 1 intersects and joins with several interstates as you travel up Maine. But sometimes the fast moving freeway isnt the best way to see the fall colors because they feel so distant and zoom by. So when youre nearing the town of Scarborough, Maine, dont be too quick to follow Highway 1 as it merges with I-295. Instead, stay to the right and cross the Veterans Memorial Bridge to end up on the alternative route of Highway 1. This section of highway lets you leisurely drive within a few meters of the coast line and leads you right through Downtown Portland. Portland, Maine This city is one of those quaint New England towns that completes the picturesque autumn landscapes. Portland dates back to when colonists first began to settle the continent in the 1600s, and its downtown district reflects proudly retains the old cobblestone streets and crowded storefronts of the 1800s when the city was Maines capital. There are dozens of interesting stops to see in dDowntown, but one you should seek outthe one you cant miss is the Fore Street restaurant that resides on its namesake street. They change up their menu everyday to accommodate the fresh foods they receive from local farmers all over Mainewhat more could you ask for in an . So that makes it a spontaneous and authentic Maine

Comment [JC1]: Florida? Comment [JC2]: not exactly sure what you mean by a foliage sunset. Comment [JC3]: Just throwin this out there. It pushes the reader a little more.

Comment [JC4]: what really? This is the second oldest lighthouse? laaame. haha Comment [JC5]: I think it takes too much work figuring out what youre trying to say with this adjective. How about Facebook profile picture-worthy

Comment [JC6]: good description and directions, sounds legit

experience?. When youre finished, get back onto Alternative Highway 1/Franklin Street and once again join the main highway with I-295. http://www.forestreet.biz/ http://www.portlandmaine.com/ Reds Eats Fall leaves are red, cooked lobsters are red, so its all connected right? After youve made your way 45 miles north of Portland, youll need to be on the look out for Reds Eats. Its one of the most talked about roadside stops along Maines Highway 1 in the city of Wiscasset. The simple shack along the highway that cant be missed when you near Water Street, and this little food shop almost always has a line of people waiting to get their pound of lobster on a bun.

Comment [JC7]: Theres definitely more connection than just the colors, Maine is super famous for its lobster (Im from Long Island) So make this connection a lot stronger.

Camden Hills State Park Seeing the wide expanse of fall colors across the landscape is awe-inspiring, but for a contrast, get lost up close and in the middle ofto the reds, yellows, and oranges. Camden State Park is 46 miles up the highway from Wiscasset, and it has over 30 miles of trails that weave in and out of trees and a rocky shoreline. Trails are mostly moderate in skill level and are more about the view than the cardiovascular workout, so its a great stop on a road trip when youre sick of sitting, or if youve just eaten a pound of lobster. http://www.camdenmainevacation.com/ Bar Harbor Its about 76 miles north from Camden to Bar Harbor, but if you make it up that far it is worth every mile and the detour onto Highway 3. Bar Harbor is such a dynamic city and harbor that offers so much, that you almost have to drive into it, park, and wander around exploring all the things to see. There are wildlife observations, boat tours, hiking trails, shops, andlike Portlandits all tucked between a rocky shoreline and sunset-colored hillsides. http://www.barharborinfo.com/ Acadia National Park Bumping up against Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park is east of Highway 1 off of Highway 3 and is known for its embracement of autumn. It technically is not quite on Highway 1, but if youre leisurely driving along the highway, the opportunity to see a detour to see some of the best fall colors is surely a necessitysuitable excuse. Drive along the winding Acadia Park Loop Road, or explore any of the 145 miles of hiking trail. If you have time to stay, there are also a myriad of other things to do in the park as well: tide pools, beaches where crushed shells and driftwood mix in among the sand, make up as much of the sand as actual sand does, and even boat rides to go see puffins. http://www.nps.gov/acad/

Comment [JC8]: great description

(Optional Blurb: Rockland Harbor) If its warm enough, and you want to see the fall colors from a different angle, Maine has several locations to kayak along the coast. One such place is located 33 miles up Highway 1 from

Wiscasset on the Rockland Waterfront. There, the company Breakwater Kayak and gives sea kayaking tours of Rockland Harbor. The ablazed trees along the shoreline are breathtaking, but when you add the reflection of the water, you literally double the experience.

Comment [JC9]: This is lovely