Maine Magic and Boston Bliss: A Family Adventure
Alright, let’s talk about the best trip ever! Our little family decided to combine the magic of Maine with the energy of Boston. And let me tell you, it was pure bliss.
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Maine: A Slice of Heaven
We kicked off our adventure “down east” by meeting up with our friends and their three little ones in the heart of Maine. Picture this: crystal-clear lakes, towering pine trees, and a sky full of twinkling stars. We stayed at my husband’s family’s cozy camp on what will henceforth be known as “a lake in the Moosehead Lake region” because my husband would disown me if I let the secret out about his favorite place on earth. This is a spot my husband’s family has been visiting for ages. It was like stepping back in time—no running water, an outhouse, and generator-only electricity. But trust me, the charm of this place was undeniable – minus the outhouse that was desperately in need on a good lymeing when we arrived!
Mornings were all about fresh air and family fun. We’d rise with the sun, the kids would cast their lines out hoping for the big one, while the adults sipped coffee and watched the world wake up. After breakfast, we’d hop in our kayaks or simply float around the lake, the only sounds the gentle lapping of water against the boat and loons. There’s something truly magical about disconnecting from the world and reconnecting with nature.
Not really a “camp mom” or like creature comforts? I see you. Here are my favorite creature comforts to take with me to places like this: Outdoor slippers, packable hammock, Rumpl blankets (or this cheaper knock-off), and a compressible memory foam pillow to name a few ◡̈
Here are some packable essentials that made this experience so much more special for our kids: Fire color changers, outdoor games, headlamps, walkie talkies, a choose-your-own-adventure book for campfire reading, and s’more sticks.
A quick trip into Moosehead will have you buzzing with nostalgia as you watch wood boats cruise the waters, float planes take off and land, and a vibrant scene of vintage and locally owned shops that thrive in this town. Not to miss is Northern Maine Minerals, LLC. We had a young gemologist in our group who had recently sold gems lemonade-stand-style adjacent to a sign that stated he was saving up for a yoyo…needless to say he made way more than he needed to buy a yoyo and quickly lost interest in purchasing a yoyo with his profits, and instead pivoted into entrepreneurship, wishing to purchase more gems to further increase his profits. Clever kid. I mention this place because we walked into this shop with 5 children under the age of 10…most fragile and small object shops look at us in terror when we roll in like that. But this shop owner was an incredible kind man who actually welcomed the tiny fingers and curiosity. Obviously he wouldn’t want us letting them touch everything, but he none-the-less trusted in our ability to contain the chaos. When it came time for us to check out, he included a free item for our small crew and gave our friends’ budding gemologist a steep discount and an invitation to send some of his creations to the shop – one entrepreneur to another. Beyond that, he let our kids go to town on several more geodes than we actually purchased. I never once told him he would end up in an article on my site, so I know his intent and kindness was entirely genuine. So stop there – support kindness ◡̈
While our friend’s needed to head home at this point, our own little Maine adventure wasn’t over yet…
Next we headed to Freeport, ME. If you find yourself in the area, look up local events. Often there are outdoor concerts, movies, etc on the LLBean lawn. Speaking of which, DO go into LLBean here! I mean, it’s MAINE! Our favorite place to pop in for lunch is the Jameson Tavern. Here you can grab a variety of delicious food that both the adults and kids will want to consume, and you can get your fill of the green-glass bottled Maine Root Ginger Brew (my absolute favorite)! And if you happen to be in the area during blueberry season, do venture out of the main drag and gather yourself a basket ◡̈ We got our blueberries from a paddle board on a hard to get to pond that my husband’s aunt has a camp on. Totally worth the near tipping!
Boston Bound: City Life and Fenway Fever
After soaking up all the Maine vibes, we “shipped-up” to Boston. The city was a whirlwind of energy and history. We hopped on a Duck Boat tour, cruising through the streets and then splashing into the harbor. It was a great way to see the city’s iconic landmarks, from the Freedom Trail to the modern skyline. My husband’s family has a rich history here – having first come over in the 1600s. A visit to the Old North Church and Copp’s Hill was an absolute necessary and rife with family history for my husband and kids (my mother-in-law’s maiden name is Copp).
Of course, no trip to Boston is complete without a visit to Fenway Park. And, having grown up in Maine cheering for the Red Sox, my husband was in a near ecstatic state the entire time. The atmosphere was electric! We felt like we were part of something truly special. The crowd was a sea of red, and when Sweet Caroline played, the entire stadium was singing along. It was one of those moments you’ll never forget. Unfortunately, I only got to se about 30% of the game as my husband, in his ecstatic state, told our kids they “could have anything they wanted.” So one big gulp of lemonade EACH later, I was on bathroom duty while their bladders took turns filling most of the game ◡̈ If you don’t share my husband’s attitude of “whatever you want” when it comes to the Red Sox and want to score on lower cost team spirit wear PRIOR to the game, you can find hats, jerseys, and tats online.
This trip was more than just a vacation; it was a chance to create lasting memories with friends and family. From the peaceful serenity of Maine to the vibrant energy of Boston, this adventure had it all.
Adventure On My Friend,
Dr. Danielle Lindgren
