Travel Buddies: Pete & Joan

Living the Dream, One Trip at a Time

Leg 2!

5-24-2026

We left Portland the day after Liam’s and Madelline’s most wonderful wedding to begin Leg 2, which will take us first to northeastern Maine, then west across Quebec, Canada, and New York, and finally through Lower into Upper Michigan.

Our first stop after Portland was Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, where we went for a great walk with eight of our family members (Kala, Patty, Ben, Krystine, Marcia, Bruce, Luke, and Baby Lily!).

Signage welcoming visitors to the Woods and Waters of Wolfe's Neck, featuring a map of the area and information about exploring ecosystems.

Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park is a lovely coastal park in southern Maine, and a particularly nice contrast to busy Portland. It sits on a narrow peninsula with a bay on one side and a river on the other… so almost every trail leads to water views, rocky shoreline, salt marsh, and beautiful Maine woods of pine and hemlock. This was not a hard hike….more of a gentle coastal walk…perfect with carrying a 5-month-old baby and an aunt with a bit of a knee problem!!  The important part was just being with the family.

Scenic view of a rocky shoreline with trees along the water's edge under a partly cloudy sky.

The park is known for the Osprey nesting area on nearby Googins Island.  We got a brief glimpse (top of the head only!) of one of the parents sitting on the eggs that will hatch in June.

A large bird's nest perched atop a tall tree, surrounded by green foliage.

There is also a lot of tidal shoreline sea life among the rocks. We came upon a pair of recreational clam diggers who are allowed to harvest a limited number of soft-shell clams (“steamers”) for personal use (a peck a day, they said), about 8 dry quarts.   They said regulations can vary by town and season due to tides, conservation, and water-quality closures.

Two men sitting outdoors near a waterway, one in camo clothing and rubber boots, looking downward, while the other stands nearby in a sweatshirt and water-resistant gear. Two baskets with harvested clams or shells are positioned beside them on the ground.

Rubber boots, muddy flats, rakes, buckets, and a lot of patience timed to the tides…very Maine, I would assume!!

A person standing on rocky shore, gazing at a calm water body surrounded by trees on a small island.
This is such a natural environment for Kala!!
Rocky coastline with a clear blue sky and small island covered in trees in the background.

After the hike, we stopped at a Seafood Shack for lunch before dispersing in multiple directions. Pete got that family pic I forgot to take in the more scenic wooded surroundings.

A group of eight people, including an adult holding a baby, gathered around a table in a cozy restaurant setting with wooden decor and a map on the wall.

Then we were off… Kala and the Gulbrands are returning to Portland before catching flights over the next couple of days, Patty is beginning her drive back to Wisconsin, and Pete and I are off to northeastern Maine.

And…so we begin Leg 2 of our journey!

Map showing a route from Chicago through various locations including Michigan, Toronto, Montreal, and ending in Maine, with green markers indicating points of interest.