The Brave Astronaut Summer Vacation Plans

I have been itching to get the Brave Astronaut Clan up to Maine for vacation for several years.  I spent nearly every summer growing up at my grandmother's house in Owl's Head and it was always a great time. We will be heading "Down East" in early August!  From BuzzFeed

24 Reasons Everyone Should See Maine Before They Die
Maine’s state motto is simply “Dirigo,” which means “I direct” in Latin. Well, if you’re into beautiful places, I direct you to go check out Maine sometime.

1. Acadia National Park 
2. Nubble Lighthouse - you know the Brave Astronaut has a thing for lighthouses.  This state is one of the primary reasons why.
3. Cadillac Mountain - from its summit, you can be one of the first people in the United States to see the sunrise.
4. Owl’s Head Lighthouse - I used to walk there from my grandmother's house.
5. Kennebunkport, Maine 
6. Sand Beach on the Great Head Trail - also in Acadia
7. The Wonderland Trail in Acadia National Park
8. Otter Cliffs - there's a lot to see in Acadia
9. Bass Harbor Lighthouse 
10. Thunder Hole in Acadia National Park - this is very cool.  LBA and SoBA will love it.
11. Jordan Pond - also in Acadia, there is also a great restaurant.
12. Pretty Marsh - a great place to picnic
13. Deer Isle, Maine 
14. Marshall Point Lighthouse 
15. Old Orchard Beach - you can hang out with all the French Canadiens, who like to vacation there.
16. Moosehead Lake 
17. Freeport, Maine - two words, LL Bean.  And it's open 24 hours a day.
18. Pemaquid Point Lighthouse - somewhere I have a picture of blurry rocks and surf, snapped as I slipped on the rocks and slid toward the ocean.
19. Camden, Maine 
20. Baxter State Park 
21. Bethel, Maine - for the skiers among you
22. Monhegan Island 
23. Mount Desert Island 
24. Ogunquit, Maine 

And of course . . . lobster (unfortunately the Maine Lobster Festival runs from July 30 to August 4 this year - ending right before we get up there).  Eat lobster at a more responsible price than what you pay for it to be shipped out of the Pine Tree State.