Islesboro Island + Camden | Maine

Maine....

The Way Life Should Be

Vacationland

A beautiful state to get engaged!

What a whirlwind this summer has been so far! I tend to get pulled away from the computer + blog the most in warmer months - more so than I would like even though I'm off enjoying life! Weekends have been filled with the unbeatable summer in New England routine - beach, lake, camping, hiking - then pile on extremely busy work weeks (and even a work weekend), add in weeknight blog events, a dash of planning for my sisters wedding shower and bachelorette party and it all adds up to less time for this little hobby!

June went by in a blink - we celebrated a lot - really soaked it all in and enjoyed telling friends and family about our engagement in person. We had a lot of home time and city time - cookouts, gardening, drinks and dinners. Simultaneously, I mourned the loss of a dear friend I've had since childhood, an unexpected death that really shook me and the entire Yarmouth/Dennis/Cape crew/community I grew up with. A reminder for sure to live it all to the fullest.

We spent 4th of July at the (sister in law + brother in law's) house on Lake Winnipesauke followed by a camping + hiking weekend in Crawford Notch. Back to back New Hampshire weekends in the Lakes Region and the White Mountain National Forest, respectively, reminded me of how much I love that state.

And how each New England state now holds a really special place! MA - everything! my forever home! // VT - my winter home! skiing! // NH - UNH! college! // CT - where both my parents grew up, endless family gatherings // and now ME - engaged! (Sorry, Rhode Island, I've got nothing of importance!) 

I digress. I wanted to share more Maine photos! Hope you enjoy!

1-5 | Maine State Ferry - Lincolnville --> Islesboro

6-11 | Exploring the charming, tiny Islesboro town center: Dark Harbor Shop / Antiques / Williams Bros. Plus a little engagement lunch from the Dark Harbor Shop counter - melted ham and swiss w tomato + onion on an English muffin.

12 - 18 | Our memorable Friday night dinner in downtown Camden at the distinctive + precious Harstone Inn. My stuffed lobster tail with parmesan risotto and zucchini + summer squash ribbons and that lemon poppy seed soufflé were so, so good. (Saturday night dinner coming in a separate post.)

19 - 24 | Camden Hills State Park: Camden Harbor views from Mount Battie Tower + a hike to the summit of Mount Megunticook.

ENGAGED!!

In the happiest moment of my life to date, Bob proposed!!

I don't typically gush about my relationship on the blog - but everyone wants to hear an engagement story so here goes...

He planned a surprise Memorial Day Weekend getaway to the Camden / Rockport area of Maine, a coastal region of New England we both had never been to. On the drive up we stopped for lunch in Portland - where I was surprised to learn that was not the final destination and our journey continued onward - North! 

Our road trip ended when we arrived at The Inn at Ocean's Edge, an incredibly romantic and beautifully kept oceanfront resort in the town of Lincolnville. We checked into our spacious room with a balcony overlooking the ocean and a gas fireplace set in crown molding; where a platter of chocolate covered strawberries and a bottle of red wine awaited. At this point I sensed something was up. This place was NICE. Like, really nice. We immediately hit the infinity pool and hot tub for just a little too long before hurrying to make our dinner reservation at The Hartstone Inn in Camden Village. Our meal at this precious + historic inn was truly memorable. Bob outdid himself on day one of this trip (but still hadn't found the perfect spot to propose ;) )

The next day we decided to take the Maine State Ferry from Lincolnville Beach to Islesboro Island. We drove around the very pretty cove filled and quaint residential streets looping from North to South. At the southern most point we decided to park the car and explore. We were walking the beach and wandering along the rocky coves at Pendleton Point overlooking Penobscot Bay, relaxing and taking photos (us in sweatshirts are "before" photos - and oh my gosh on that note I really should have dressed nicer!!) 

It was sunny and breezy, quiet and romantic. Next thing I know I'm looking at a shiny shell on one of the rocks and I had a feeling....

Sure enough, there was a ring was nestled inside! We hugged and kissed first, then he took a knee.... 

ENGAGED!! 

We walked the beach some more gathering sea glass and shells before heading into town for lunch. Dark Harbor "town" on Islesboro consists of three shops - an old school deli / ice cream counter, an antique store, and a fine home décor shop. 

Little did I know there were even more sweet surprises in store for me this weekend. He really went all out - and I've been on cloud nine ever since!