Bush compound at Walker’s Point
After months of planning — double- and triple-checking every detail — the Woodson Art Museum‘s Maine Art Adventure is underway.
Eighteen eager, smiling travelers met me Monday morning as the sun rose at Central Wisconsin Airport. On-time flights with a Detroit connection brought us to Portland just before Noon, where we joined six who traveled from other locations; Faith York, our Maine-based guide; and our planning and logistics partner, Academic Travel Abroad‘s Janet Varn.
Eager to sample the sights, art and history, and tastes of Maine, we dove right in.
Day one took us through Kennebunkport — yes, President George H. W. Bush’s Walker’s Point compound is worth a drive by — and on to Ogunquit for two nights at the Colonial Inn.
The spectacularly sited Ogunquit Museum of American Art was our first stop on day two. We were greeted by enthusiastic and knowledgeable docents, who introduced us to Ogunquit artists and others with Maine ties. A great start to our Pine Tree State art adventure.
Marginal Way
Maine lobster roll
Food is an art form to my way of thinking. Is there anything more typically Maine than a lobster roll?! Oarweed Oceanside Restaurant — at Perkins Cove at the start of the picturesque Marginal Way — does it right, as the snapshot reveals. A mile-plus walk along the Marginal Way was a must after lunch.
The afternoon took us back in time with a visit to the National Historic Landmark Hamilton House in South Berwick. A Historic New England property, our pre-season visit to this quintessential Colonial Revival-style country estate was due to the kindness of my longtime friend and Historic New England president Carl Nold; to my surprise and delight, Carl was there to welcome our group.
Carl Nold and Kathy Foley at Hamilton House
Approaching Hamilton House
En route back to the Colonial Inn, we oohed and ahhed as Faith pointed out impressive vistas, historical anecdotes, and weathered cedar shake homes of note. A stop at the Nubble Lighthouse capped off the day.
Nubble Lighthouse
It’s on to Camden today — via Waterville and a stop at the Colby College Museum of Art — and then to nearby Rockland, home to the Farnsworth Art Museum and its famed Wyeth family collections.
I can hardly wait for the “what’s next” and our wrap-up days in Portland!
