This will be an exciting weekend on the spectacular and untrammeled Down East Coast of Maine.  Many consider the scenic coastal hiking on this area to be Acadia National Park without the crowds.  Our two full days, Sat. (July 23) and Sun. (July 24), will be centered on two of the most incredible hikes on this part of the coast. 

On Sat. (7/23), we will hike the 9.8 miles of the Bold Coast Trail in Cutler.  4.5 miles of this trail wends it way along the jagged cliffs of the undeveloped coast.  The views here are Acadia-like with the bold cliffs, dramatic drops, roaring waves, gentle wildflowers and flowering bushes.  This challenging hike is definitely in the "strenuous" category.   

On Sun. (7/24), we will drive up to Campobello Island, just over the US border in Canada.  For this part of the trip, you will have to bring your passport, as showing yours is a requirement for entering Canada (and then getting back into the US!).  On the island, we will hike the 4.6 mile Liberty Point Loop in Roosevelt Campobello International Park.  Along the rugged coast, there are impressive views of Grand Manan Island as well as Passamaquoddy Bay.  If we're lucky, we may see whales, dolphins and harbor seals.  In the afternoon, we'll visit the the Roosevelt Cottage, summer home of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his family - and learn why this place was his "beloved island." 

This promises to be a wonderful weekend.  I can recommend reasonably-priced accommodations for your stay in Machiasport and Machias, Maine for the 3 nights (July 22, 23, 24).  The first night we'll have dinner in my house, and one of the following nights we'll have a lobster dinner right down the road.  Please be in touch with me about any and all details.

We will all meet at my house in Machiasport, which is located on Machias Bay.  The goal is to meet there around 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 22nd.  The house is located at 264 Port Rd. (Rt. 92), Machiasport, ME.  Here are the directions: Take I-95 North through Maine to Bangor.  In Bangor, take Exit 182A to merge onto I-395E toward US 1A/Bangor/ME-9/Brewer.  Take Exit 6A for Rt. 1A East, toward Coastal Route/Rt. 1/Ellsworth/Bar Harbor.  Take Rt. 1A approx. 25 miles to Ellsworth.  In Ellsworth, take a left onto Rt. 1 North.  Take Rt. 1 North for 58 miles to Machias.  In Machias, take a right at the bottom of College Hill (before crossing the bridge over the Machias River) onto Rt. 92 (Elm St.).  Take Rt. 92 for 2.9 miles to my house, Heron View Cottage, on the left at #264 Port Rd. (Rt. 92) in Machiasport.