Jun 17, 2005

Coastal Maine Tour Guide

Recapping Coastal Maine
June 4 - June 12

All items listed below are highly, highly recommended.

Boston, Mass (link)
Accomodations: Omni Parker House
Dinner: Union Bar and Grill
Breakfast: The Paramount

Camden, Maine (link)
Accomodations: Hartsone Inn (amazing food)
Dinners: Waterfront Restaurant, Lobster Pound Picnic
Lunches: Cappy's, Camden Deli
Sailing: Schooner Surprise
Hiking: Mt. Megunticook

Bar Harbor, Maine (link)
Accomodations: Ullikana Bed & Breakfast (Roy is the best guide)
Dinners: Havana, Cafe This Way, Thurston's Lobster Pound
Lunches: Jordan's Pond House (homemade popovers!)
Hiking: Acadia National Park -Mt. Cadillac, Great Head, Beehive, Carriage Roads 14 - 22 (Trail Ratings PDF)

Portland, Maine (link)
Accomodations: Portland Regency
Massage: Portland Regency Spa

Kennebunks, Maine (link)
Accomodations: Beach House
Lunch: Arundel Wharf Restaurant (lunch hotspot right on the water)
Dinner: White Barn Inn (amazing!)
Beach: Goose Rocks Beach

Limerick, Maine (link)
Accomodations: Jeremiah Mason House
Wedding: Bernie & Tito

Apr 19, 2005

Hike Review: Glen Fire Road

Great trail for dogs and connects to network of Mt. Tam trails

The Glen Fire Road trail in Mill Valley is a great trail for someone looking for a mix of scenery, sunshine, and intermediate challenge. While not too steep, the trail offers plenty of incline and rewards the hiker with plenty of beautiful views of Marin, San Francisco, and the bay. The trail is not crowded providing privacy for most of the hike. The trail actually connects to a number of other trails and it is actually possible to summit Mt. Tam or head into Corte Madera from this trail. There are so many different trail options from this trail that each hike is always a unique experience and with a mix of forest cover (oaks & pine) and open trails provides a combination of sun and shade for the hiker to choose from.

Bottom line: An excellent hike in the Mt. Tam foothills that provides views of San Francisco, Mt. Tam, Angel Island, and the San Pablo Bay.

Dogs: Yes! This is a Marin County Open Services District trail and fire road which means that dogs are allowed and off leash is allowed. No more than 3 dogs per person is allowed.

Directions: E. Blithedal toward downtown Mill Valley. Right on Carmelita. Right on Buena Vista which turns into Glen Drive. Follow to the end. There are only 3 parking spots so get there early or plan on parking at the bottom of the hill.

Remember: Bring water for you and your dog! There are no services on this trail.