If you've ever been to Maine, a wash of nostalgia and longing probably rushes over you. In the top right corner of our beautiful nation lies this evergreen painted state. Maine is a common summer destination for families, especially in the month of August and there certainly is a reason for it. Where I go with my family is way up north in the Penobscot bay and I personally believe it is the greatest place on earth and here is why.

Island hopping

The bay is full of small islands you can visit for the day. The water may be freezing, but after roasting on a boat you can’t resist. It’s so fun to pack a lunch and explore each island collecting sea glass or finding sea urchins.

Fresh lobstah

Lobster here is like oxygen, need it to survive. In these small island towns, lobster fishing is where most people get their income. The bay is scattered with thousands and thousands of lobster pots and each fisherman has a specific buoy. For some reason my taste buds fail to except the yumminess of this shellfish, but everyone else absolutely raves about the lobster rolls and they are as fresh as can be.

The Communities

In small island towns communities are close nit and everyone is looking out for one another and supporting each others businesses. On Vinalhaven, one of the fox islands my family has been going to for years, it is rude if you don’t wave when passing one another on the road or flashing a smile when walking by and I absolutely love it.

The Stars

On a clear night on the water you feel like you were just transported to space because the islands are so far from any main land lights. If you have yet to see a shooting star, this is the place to be. The milky way is clear as day and you can connect the dots to find any constellation. It's completely mesmerizing.

Berries

If you like blueberry pie, you haven't tasted anything until you've had one made with hand picked Maine blueberries. They are tiny, delicious, and scattered all over these islands just waiting to be plucked from their bushes. Raspberries and blackberries are everywhere as well, giving the air a sweet aroma.

Disconnecting

Where I go in Maine, finding good cell services is like finding a good movie on Netflix, hopeless. The first day is always a little tough, but once you get used to the quiet and media-less life you can allow yourself to truly relax and disconnect from the rest of world.