Spontaneous road trips are enjoyable yet no joy is taken away if you spend just a couple hours planning prior to leaving. This past Saturday, after a couple hours of some tentative planning on Friday evening, we headed off on a two day, one night road trip. So why not give you the skinny in case you get the same urge.
Umbagog Lake State Park, Cambridge, NH 603.482.7795
This eleven mile lake was advertised to me on the phone by the extremely polite woman at the park to be a canoers heaven (as there would likely be no motor boats in the lake because it is a 'long, thin' lake). Upon arrival, it seemed like a standard ugly NH campground run by the State and it pretty much seemed that way until we got far enough away from the masses to enjoy it ourselves. Clearly a beautiful lake and as such lots of folks want to be on it. We opted to take a five or six mile loop route around an island and swim on the way there. The swim was nice (although some folks, clearly from a boat, had decided to leave a whole bunch of clam shells where we happened to stop for fishing - not particularly decorative) and we got back in the boat refreshed. As with all NH State Parks, the staff wasn't particularly competent or helpful (which is unfortunate as it is probably the easier and one of the most coveted jobs out there). Still, the staff, the sizable number of motor boats, and the hordes of people in the early 20's who don't even know what real camping is couldn't change the fact that it was a beautiful lake and, if you got far enough away from the people, it was quite nice.
At this point, we threw away all other plans and improvised and it went well.
The Granary Brew Pub - Farmington, Maine 207.779.0710
On our way from canoeing to rafting we happened through Farmington and a little sign on the side of the road told us to turn left at a McDonald's for a local Brew Pub. We figured this would be a good call and it most certainly was. Adorable design and delightful food made for a really delicious meal stop after a long canoe ride. We started off with the sweet potato fries with their 'regionally famous' curry dipping sauce. Thank god they were honest, as it clearly isn't world famous; it should be though, it was delicious. For the main course cheese quesadilla and a caprese pizza. Both of these dishes were good, although the fresh mozzarella really made the pizza and the green peppers added a less than desirable bite to the quesadilla. The service was good, the deck beautiful, an all around great experience.
Here's The Scoop / Riverside Inn - Bingham, Maine 207.672.3215
Instead of opting for the Bingham Motor Inn immediately after passing it I recommended ice cream at Here's the Scoop; the local Richardson's Ice Cream peddler. While ordering we noticed that the house directly next to it was a bed and breakfast style inn. I went in and looked around and lo and behold, the woman who had just served us ice cream came over, asked if I needed help, and then set us up with a very affordable room for the night (only $60). The shared bathroom took nothing away from the beautiful and convenient location (next to ice cream and on the river!), the comfortable bed, and Vicki, probably the most personable and normal B & B owner I have ever met. Away from the drunken crowds at campgrounds for not much more money? I'm sold.
Adventure Bound - Caratunk, Maine 207.672.4300
Having run a summer camp that went rafting in Maine I know a little bit about most of the outfitters up there and I know what I like and dislike. I dislike large groups of rowdy drunk folks, I'm not so into that scene. I like folks with good attitudes. Oh, and I like saving some money. The most affordable and only youth/family friendly place I've found is Adventure Bound. It's cheaper than everywhere else (usually by about $30) and it's got more (an indoor rock wall, a pool table, volleyball courts). Whether a rafting trip is enjoyable or not has more to do with who you are rafting with than the weather or your mood or the guide or anything else. Today we had a chance to raft with a family and some of their nieces and nephews. Just another example of how much better young people are than adults!
Thompson's Restaurant - Bingham, Maine 207.672.3330
I've been to Thompson's before and for someone who really loves fancy food on occasion such as myself this is a nice reminder that it doesn't need to be fancy to be awfully good. Mozzarella sticks, grilled cheese, pizza bagels, onion rings, fries and a chocolate milk. So delicious after rafting. The waitress was also absolutely adorable and personable, and that certainly can not hurt. Inexpensive, slightly higher than diner-quality food. I got cookies to go, which I do every time I've gone there and I've never been disappointed. I didn't eat them right away though.
Oh, then we went back for more ice cream at Here's The Scoop...
The trip was a success and proof that the right attitude trumps rain or lack of planning. If you are thinking about making the trip I would wholeheartedly recommend it.