Moosehead Lake, Maine
Our 5 Nights 6 days Trip to Greenville, Maine
Itinerary:
Day one- Sunday June 5th, 2022
Left Export PA at 12 a.m. 3 to 4 hours in…. Breakfast at Mcdonalds, OJ, coffees etc. Long Drive around 5 stops one of which we had lunch at one of the rest stops upon our arrival in Maine. I suggest for long drives packing snacks and food.
Menu: Turkey Sandwiches with various cheeses, tomatoes, squeezable mayo and mustard… pita bread with artichoke dip, plain chips, pickles, gingersnap cookies pop, water Gatorade etc. Kids had Lunchables and juice boxes.
Arrival 4’ish P.M.
Father in law made Boboli pizzas, unpacked and settled in had some adult drinks and the kids got into hot tub.
Day two- Monday June 6th, 2022
After waking up and having small grab and go style snack breakfast. We ventured as a whole group to Prong Pond which was located closely nearby our VRBO in Beaver Cove. We took in the views of Prong Pond and then ventured to the B52 Memorial crash site. It was a somber and humbling experience to which I think the kids and adults alike enjoyed. It was a beautiful and scenic drive to the site. Follow the signs. You will think you are lost and can’t find it. It takes awhile on the back roads. You will get there. I want to recoil in saying the word “enjoyed” it because of the tragedy that occurred there. I will say it opened my eyes even more so to the sacrifices and dangerous operations even a routine exercise our military faced and still faces today. To shortly explain about this Memorial area… 9 members lost their lives in January 1963. The pilot and navigator surviving on the side of a mountain in the coldest and harshest of weather and feet upon feet of snow. After that we ventured to the only substantial grocery store and did our grocery shopping for the rest of the week. It was the first time I seen the fiddlehead ferns being sold in a grocery store. Was pretty cool thing to see. (More on the fiddleheads later)
We purchased burgers, hotdogs, buns, eggs, milk, baked beans, some produce (mainly veggies) some snacks, spaghetti night items, a bottle of wine and an ice cream cake. While at the Indian Hill Trading Post and Shop-N-Save we purchased our Fishing Licenses.
The Men went back to the house with the kiddos and the ladies went for Lunch at Dockside Inn and Tavern on the water. A bit breezy/chilly but to fully enjoy being on the lake we decided to dine outside. My mother in law got the seasonal salad with various berries on. My mother got the pretzel appetizers and BLT with fries. I got the garlic parmesan fries appetizer and a cup of chili and both were delicious. The cup of chili was perfect for the weather and day. My sister in law got a buffalo chicken sandwich with fries. We had a view of the lovely and maintained Thoreau Park (a little garden) with seating. After, that we walked around and hit up some shops/stores just being touristy and purchasing things.
When we got back to our cabin we hung out for a while and the kids went fishing while some of us ladies stayed back to prepare dinner. Burgers, hot dogs, beans and potatoes. The grill caught on fire due to an excess amount of grease and I hurriedly handed over the fire extinguisher to the men to put it out. That was an eventful few moments. It all happened so fast. Evenings was usually filled with games, small talk and hot tub time.
Day three- Tuesday June 7th, 2022-
Dan and I woke up early to beautiful weather and was picked up by our fly fishing guide, Chuck. Headed to the East outlet of the Kennebec river and got to business. Our guide was the nicest man and so patient. Very knowledgeable and thorough when teaching you. I had a wonderful time and felt really good and confident afterwards knowing I went into this not knowing a single thing about fly fishing. The kids got to go with Grandparents and their Aunt to Lily Bay State Park and play along the shore and at playground. When we got back home early afternoon we had a lunch of spaghetti, salad and garlic bread & ventured into to town (Greenville) to Curriers Flying service to take a pre booked float plane trip over the area. Super cool experience and wish it could have lasted longer. The views were unbeatable. Dinner was leftovers. Late evening some of us drove around looking for Moose. No sightings.
Day four- Wednesday June 8th, 2022
Woke up to some dreary rainy weather was not real sure what to do. Hung out and decided to give the shops in town time to open most of them around 10 am. Went to the Gallery on the Lake and few other stores. The kids went to the Northern Maine Minerals store and got the $5 mystery bags. (very generous items inside) they were happy. Took a drive North to Kokadjo and returned back home. Smore’s, Bonfire, hot tub. Ventured back out with my mom and sis in law passed Kokadjo, on some desolate logging roads… saw a female moose on some side logging road. One also ran in front of us on way home on the road. My goal was met the second I saw the moose that evening and as far as I was concerned vacation could end right there. I was elated.
Day five- Thursday June 9th, 2022
We had made previous arrangements to go out on a pontoon boat as a family. Unfortunately, early morning we received the call that the water was choppy. Took a ride to Rockwood saw the ferry that takes you over to Mt. Kineo, took in the sites of the lake and view of Kineo. Took a hike with the kids to Little Moose and Big Moose pond. Beautiful trail and walk. Returned home and made sandwiches and relaxed. We ordered pizza that night from Jamos. Very good food along with a steak and cheese hoagie and chicken tenders for the kids. Prepped and prepared for 6 am leave time the following morning.
What are fiddlehead ferns?? (furled fronds of a young fern) harvested early in season before it has opened up. Considered a vegetable edible and a mix between the tastes of a combination of asparagus, green bean and broccoli.
YOU WILL need bug spray. Its a given outdoors, water, woods there will be mosquitos, flies and ticks.
Clothing in early June can be anything from shorts to pants. Various thickness of sweatshirts and jackets. Bring a raincoat. Hiking boots etc.
Moose don’t throw themselves at you. They are a solitary creature and you will have to work most likely to find one. Consider yourself lucky to stumble upon any moose. I invested a good bit of time into trying to find one. Had more luck late evening before dark.
Fly fishing is more difficult than one may think and even though we did not catch any salmon the bites my husband had and the lessons we learned were enough for us.
This area is full of beauty and nature and you will find things to do if you like to be outdoors or view the scenery of what nature has to offer.
You will more than likely get to see lots of animals. We saw two foxes, moose, rabbits, many deer, a mink and turkey. We saw bald eagle from the plane.
FYI logging trucks have the right of way. Move over. Stay over until they pass.
