Maine Lighthouse Driving Tour Trip Report

Thirteen Miatas came from three different meeting points, Westford, Tewksbury, & Kittery ME, after introductions and happy banter our trip leaders, Ernie & Karen Grasso, rounded us up and began our tour as we headed for Brunswick, ME and our first stop the Great Impasta Restaurant where we were to have lunch.

The only glitch in all our travel for the three-day weekend was on the first leg of the trip from Kittery to Brunswick. The 5th car in line did not hear the change in our route instructions, as they did not have a CB and happened to be first in line at the next light. The 5th car took a wrong turn and the eight Miatas behind them all followed the 5th car onto a major toll highway headed south instead of north. Of course we all pulled over to the side of the highway and after CB discussions and a cell phone call to Ernie we had a plan for meeting up with the rest of the group who where wondering what had happened to the nine Miatas that had been in the convoy behind them!! After making a U turn loop, and paying our tolls we were successful in finding the small group of four Miatas waiting for us. Despite our extra side tour we were on time for lunch at the delightful Impasta Restaurant in Brunswick.

We arrived at the Trade Winds Motor Inn on time after an afternoon of great Miata roads thru small villages, along tidal areas, and beautiful rural countryside. After a little R&R we headed out again and this time our trip leaders took us on Miata roads thru the countryside with panoramic vistas of mountains and views of the Atlantic that a few of us (myself included) wanted to know what lakes we were seeing. We were informed that the lakes were called the Atlantic!! And of course everyone had a good laugh including those asking the questions. We arrived at the Lobster Pound in Rockland ME for dinner and had a delightful evening of food, friendship, and good-natured ribbing about the days travel events.

Saturday morning we began our lighthouse tour and as we started out we heard from the occupants of the 5th car. It seems they had bought a new handheld CB and we were informed that we were hearing from "Mountain Mama". We all had a good chuckle over the new CB person we were hearing from and the great handle she had. This prompted many in the group to share or makeup CB handles they wanted to use for the trip.

The first lighthouse we visited was Owl's Head Light. We parked and walked down a dirt road to the lighthouse where the views were spectacular. After the customary picture taking we walked back to our Miatas and continued on our tour.

The second lighthouse was Marshall Point Lighthouse. This lighthouse also had the St. George Historical Society Museum located in the restored site keeper's house. We all enjoyed visiting the museum and shopping in the museum shop. Before we left we had our usual picture taking ceremony in front of the lighthouse. This time however our tour guide (Ernie) convinced a couple from the UK England to do the picture taking, as we all wanted everyone in the picture this time. The couple agreed to take our picture but had no idea that they would be using no less than seven different cameras and taking many pictures. They were great sports and we all had a wonderful time with them. We even took a picture of them struggling with all the different cameras and dealing with instructions from the owners of each camera at the same time!!

The third and last lighthouse for the day was Pemaquid Lighthouse at Pemaquid Lighthouse Park. We had lunch first at the gift house/restaurant overlooking the water and then toured the lighthouse grounds and museum, and of course shopped in the gift house.

Dinner on Saturday night was at the Sea Dog Brewery in Camden. It was a perfect ending to a great day of sightseeing, clear crisp weather, great Miata roads, and wonderful beer and food.

Sunday we headed for the Owls Head Transportation Museum and a private tour that Ernie had set up for us. The tour was wonderful and the museum is one that should not be missed.

Thank you Ernie and Karen for a great weekend from beginning to end, you did an outstanding job and we all will sing your praises for years to come.

By the way, the Oreo cows we saw are officially called... Belted Galloways....They are a British breed and favored by gentleman farmers. Actually they are a "hobby" cow."

Priscilla Caira