Since I was a little tyke I’ve been fortunate to enjoy vacations in Maine, and to have also lived there for three years in Bucksport. It’s only fitting that I post some of my favorite places in and around Maine.
Before I get into that, I feel I need to pay homage to my Maine connection with a little history. Hopefully you enjoy reading – if nothing else, it’s good for me to document as our older generations aren’t getting any younger.
My story begins on my father’s side.
Both of my grandparents were born and raised in Maine. My grandfather hailing from Presque Isle in the north, and my grandmother from Old Town, just north of Bangor.
In 1948, my grandparents met at Dow Air Force Base (now the Bangor International Airport) at a social. And as folks would say, the rest was history. They went on to marry two years later, and shortly thereafter began traveling the world. My grandfather was a 25-year US Air Force veteran, which allowed them to travel extensively. As with a lot of military families, they lived all over – Texas, Connecticut, Europe, South Carolina, and California.
Gerald and Althea Keene – Engagement 
The Keene’s Circa 1961 – Holland 
The Keene’s Circa 1968 – Greece 
The Keene’s Circa 1960 – Germany
Later after retiring from the Air Force, my grandparents opened The Campers Store in East Orland on Route 1. There they went on to welcome countless travelers for the next nine years. The store had cottages for overnight stays, lobster traps and buoys stacked sky high, and they sold countless gallons of gas and steamed Maine red hot dogs.
Although the store was sold before I was born, the stories, frequent visits with our relatives, and having lived there has kept our connection to the Pine Tree state strong; it’s one that I’ve hopefully passed down to my daughter.
In my upcoming posts I’ll highlight some of my favorite spots in Maine, most of which are in the “Down East” region, and some others within driving distance, great for any visit to Maine.
Wonderful story both in writing and pictures
I was the little one in the European photos. It was wonderful traveling throughout Europe on a motor scooter with my parents. When they opened “The Campers store” in Orland Maine I became hooked on Maine. My parents sold auto gas and diesel,
had five cabins for rent, sold lobster traps, lobster trap pot bouys, and fishing netting. I can remember dads newspaper ad “Exxon gas 32.9 cents per gallon: Free steamed hot dog with fill up”. I was so proud of my parents who lived the American dream…..serving their country, then working hard as business owners to make a living. It was their hard work ethic and passion for people that taught me how to serve and how to live life with strength and joy for life.