Pat is going to have a lovely summer in ME. We love the Maine coast. While we haven't been there in about four years (and I am more than ready for an L.L. Bean run), we used the book Maine, An Explorer's Guide, Christina Tree, for our planning and would recommend it to other folks.

The Casco Bay area is gorgeous. We're not familiar with the other areas mentioned (maybe north of Casco Bay?). We usually stay in South Portland at the Best Western Merry Manor Inn, which gives you easy access to both Portland and Kittery ME. We've stayed at the Colony in Kennebunkport, very close to the Bush's residence (part of that street may now be closed because of folks driving past the house).

Perkins Cove is a delightful little area, with a lovely walk above the bay, Marginal Way, and some very good seafood restaurants.

You don't want to miss visiting the Portland Headlight, as it is one of the prettiest lighthouses we've seen. Just north of Portland is the DeLorme map store, which is fun. On north is Freeport (with L.L. Bean!). There is a lovely park east of town, North Neck Woods, with a trail along the bay.

Camden has Cappy's that has the best chowder we've ever eaten. We got ours to go and went down by the dock to watch the big sailboats.

In Boothbay Harbor we have stayed and eaten at Brown's Wharf Inn. And, in Bar Harbor, Atlantic Oakes by the Sea is wonderful and quite close to Acadia National Park. The motel is beside the ferry (which is now a catamaran) to Nova Scotia.

While Pat won't need the hotels, perhaps someone else may be heading for Maine this summer.

We, too, travel with our dog, so we go to Maine in the shoulder seasons. The rates tend to be a little more affordable and we have a much better chance of finding motels that will accept Sunny. We have not found Maine to be as dog friendly as some areas when it comes to lodging. The parks more than make up for it, though, as most are very dog friendly.

Have a wonderful time!!

Peggy * way overdue for a trip to ME