Trish & Anne RV Adventures

We left on a quick trip to Maine on Monday, August 19. We wanted to travel like we were halfway across the country, so we decided that our first stop would be outside of Augusta – that way we could visit the Maine Statehouse – like we have done in many states on our travels. After we arrived at our campsite we had time to drive over to the Viles Arboetum for a walk.

The Viles Arboretum is on 224 acres of land that was once the State Hospital Farm. Several farms were bought over the period from 1835 to 1905, so the hospital farm could provide crops and livestock as well as occupational therapy and exercise for hospital patients. In 1981, the Maine Forest Service began development of the Arboretum. Trees were planted, fences built, and trails were established. In 1982, an independent non-profit corporation was formed, and in 1990 the Visitors Center was built. We walked about 1.5 miles combining parts of the inner and outer loops. Some of the trails were not too recently mowed grass – so we did end up with wet shoes.

They have an apple orchard – but these trees are not the originals. There are several sculptures around: I couldn’t find a placard for the one that looks like a cross between Stonehenge and a clothesline or for the bird one but the one with the two granite pillars is called “Through the Rectangle” by Jordan Smith and, if you have the perfect spot, you can buy it for $14,000

Thee farm had a Piggery that was a large three-story barn on the grounds. For a number of years, the sale of pure bred pigs was a lucrative source of income for the farm. The Piggery burned down and was immediately rebuilt in 1904. After it burned again in 1944, the raising of pigs was discontinued. This picture shows where the building stood, with the fences showing the outline of the building. The hosta garden nearby looked like they must have rabbits, because that’s what our hostas looked like this year.

Part of our walk was over a marshy area on a boardwalk. Saw plenty of frogs and turtles, as well as what looked to be trails of something swimming through the algae. Trish finally spotted an otter playing in the little lake.

We did see a few birds, including this cedar waxwing, as well as the song sparrow and Trish spotted an osprey on a light pole way across the field.

Then it was back to the RV, but oops, we found Deb’s Ice Cream along the way. Once again, Trish had a twist cone that she had never had before. It was a combination of chocolate and peanut butter. She let me have a taste, and it was good. As was my maple walnut. If you are in Randolph, ME, give it a try. Back at the RV could only get one TV channel – PBS – so we had to watch the Democratic Convention.

On Tuesday, we had a reservation for a tour of the Maine Capitol at 10 AM, so it was up and at ’em first thing in the morning. Maine became a state in 1820, and the temporary capital was in Portland. In 1827, it was decided to move the capital to Augusta, a bit more centrally located. (If you don’t remember your history, Maine was a part of Massachusetts until it sought to break away after the War of 1812, because Massachusetts didn’t help in its defense.) Here are a few views of the exterior of the building, it was designed by Charles Bullfinch and construction ran from 1829 to 1831. That’s the Lady of Wisdom atop the dome.

Here are a couple of photos from the Hall of Flags, which is in the center part of the capitol. THese are reproductions of flags that were carried during the Civil War, as well World War I, World War II and the Korean War. In the same area is a portrait of Margaret Chase Smith – she was the first woman to be both a U.S. representative (1940–1949) and a U.S. senator (1949–1973). And there is a bust of Governor Percival Baxter (1921–1925) – who from 1931 to 1962 donated over 200k acres to create and enlarge Baxter State Park in northern Maine.

We were not able to go inside the governor’s office, but we did a look at the waiting area – which was decorated with many beautiful paintings of Maine. Nearby was this fireplace with a sculpture of union soldiers and the triptych above the entrance to the library depicts pine trees and is made from copper from the original dome that was replaced in 2014.

We did get to go into both the House and Senate chambers — as with the rest of the building, the decorations were fairly plain – but the Senate has a great view! The last picture shows 3 of the 4 women who have been Speaker of the House. It was interesting to learn that the Maine legislature creates a two-year budget, so it’s only every other year that they have to deal with the late, long sessions that surround a budget. I also found it interesting that the terms for both the house and the senate are two years, so everyone stands for election at the same time = plus they have term limits of 8 consecutive years – they you have to take some time off – or run for the other chamber.

Here are a couple of shots looking up into the dome — again, you can see how plain everything is.

We got to go out on the balcony that is above the main steps up to the capitol – this is a view similar to the one from the senate chamber.

There is a reproduction of the Liberty Bell on the capitol grounds – these were given out in 1950 to all the states by the Treasury Department to promote a Savings Bond drive. We were disappointed that the Maine State Museum was closed, as was the Governor’s Mansion (the Blaine House) which was across the street. We were told that there are some great gardens there. If we get back here, those are things we will try to see.

Lunch was at a restaurant in downtown Augusta called Otto’s on the River. It was eclectically decorated – yes, those are bejeweled top hats being used as lampshades – but the food was great. We started with their crab dip, which was delicious, and followed up with a wonderful flatbread. We then walked along Water Street, where we saw this great mural, and probably 15 of these painted sturgeon. They were created in 2022 to highlight how many more sturgeon are spawning in the Kennebec River.

Across the Kennebec was Old Fort Western, which is the oldest wooden French & Indian War era garrison in North America – we didn’t go over to see it. The Cushnoc is a brewery, but when I read that is housed in an old Kresege building, I could definitely see it. Then there is the Post Office – it had to be expanded several times because of all the publishing companies that were in Augusta. One of these was Vickery Hill Publishing, which was in the building in the last photo.

After Augusta, we drove down the river to the town of Hallowell – where they have these rainbow Adirondack chairs on the public landing – free for anyone to use – though with the clouds, there weren’t too many takers when we were there. At one spot along the river, we were able to see the dome of the Capitol building. And the town had another mural.

We found another place to go for a walk, the Vaughn Woods in Hallowell. It was about a 2 mile walk around part of the nearly 200 acre property. Although the walk started by skirting a field, the majority of it was through the woods. We crossed over a stream several times – the waterfalls were coming from a dam that you can see in the background. And there were a bunch of these stone bridges of various sizes and sophistication crossing stream beds and wet spots. One spot of the trail comes close to the high school, so there were several groups of cross country runners, male and female, on the trail – I’m sure some of them lapped us.

Then it was back to the RV for some relaxation and a light dinner. Also watching more of the Democratic Convention and playing some Rummikub. That put an end to our time in Augusta.

Until next time, safe travels!