It's crazy that this is the first review!!! This state is…read morejust wonderful. Picture perfect with portland being a perfect hub for some nightlife excitement if needed. I can also honestly say this state has some of the best restaurants for both food and over all experience I have ever been to. I plan to experience as much this state as I possibly can.

The Maine State Capital area in summer is a tourist destination dream! The Capitol Building, and…read moreBurton Cross building where the House and Senate work passing bills and making laws, is open to the public totally free. The building has a rich history and houses local art, crafted by Maine artists, as well as beautiful displays that showcase Maine's iconic history. Be sure to visit the exhibits located under ground in the tunnel that connects the two buildings, you will be impressed with the incredibly we curated displays showing Maine's classic wildlife like the white-tail deer, coyote, and of course moose! You will have to go through security and metal detectors before entering the Capitol Dome. It's fast, and the guards are friendly and always talkative and cheerful to visitors. Make the Hall of Flags a must see on your visit. It's home to the grand stair case (think Cinderellas Castle!) here you can look at, and photograph Maine's military collection of flags dating back to the Civil War with portraits of each of Maine's Governors looking over you. From the Hall of Flags you will have spectacular views of Capital Park. Insider secret, go up the grand staircase and there is an open patio where you can sit in the sun and rock in their old fashioned rocking chairs! The grounds are immaculately landscaped and seasonal flowers bloom with colorful magic. You will also have a view of the Governor's Mansion - which does offer tours by appointment. As the writing of this review the Mansion is closed as it undergoes security and grounds upgrade. Be sure to check out the nearby eateries you may catch the Governor having coffee at the Downtown Diner or getting pie from Slates Bakery in Hallowell. Be sure to visit the Capital area if you're in my state, take lots of pics, and enjoy summer in Maine!

I always knew that I'd celebrate my 1,000th review with an homage to the greatest state in the…read moreunion. For you see, I am unconditionally and irrevocably in love with the state of Maine. There are few labels I wear like a badge of honor, but "Mainer" is one of them. I was born and raised here alongside fellow salt of the earth people who are proud of their Yankee sense of ingenuity. Mainers are independent, fiercely protective of their home, and frequently distrusting of outta statahs (I am; don't get me wrong, we're friendly [looking for directions? don't be surprised if a Mainer stops what they're doing to take you to your destination themselves] but guarded). We have something incredibly special here... mostly unspoiled and unlike any other part of the country. Yes, we now have one of the best food cities in the entire world, but we didn't always and we're a whole lot more than just the lists we make. Maine is... An original when it comes to eating locally and eating seasonally. The best jams, jellies, pies, baked goods, and produce I've ever had have come from honor system farm stands and tables on the side of the road. Blueberries. PYO, of course, but bonus points if you've got a special spot in the wild you pick at (same goes for apples and fiddleheads). Lobster. But not just those rolls you stand two hours in line for. We're talking traditional lobster bakes that you do yourself in your backyard just because you can. Let me know when you've eaten the entirety of two lobsters, a pound of potato salad, a bucket of steamers, half a dozen ears of corn, a slice of blueberry pie, and washed it all down with a Moxie and called it a typical Saturday night. (Yes, I've done this. Yes, more than once.) Baked bean suppahs at the local church. Angus King. Period. Joshua Chamberlain. Do you even know Jay Chay, bub?! This fella saved the Civil War. And if you don't know the story about him, a bunch of pissed off Maine men, and the Battle of Little Round Top... we can't be friends. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. "Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: God is not dead, nor does He sleep. The wrong shall fail, the Right prevail, with peace on earth, good-will to men." Mic drop. Knowing that no power line is safe to touch. Evah. Where directions start with "it's down the road" (it could be... it could also be a hundred miles away, too). Going upta camp (even if it's "down the road"). Where the first rays of sunlight touch the U.S. each and every day. Nature in all her most majestic forms: lakes and rivers and ocean ad mountains and hills and valleys and beaches and meadows. Who could want anything more? It's the best backyard in the world. Really hot in the summer and really cold in the winter. Actually, we have more seasons than anyone else: winter, mud season, spring, construction season, summer, tourist season, leaf peeping season, and autumn. Also... "There's still meaning in the magic of Christmas, in the state where the Christmas trees grow. Where neighbors still drop by with cookies, breads and pies, and warm themselves besides the kitchen stove. It's the spirit of sharing, giving and caring, hanging wreaths upon the neighbor's door. That's the spirit of Maine at Christmas time from her mountains to her great Atlantic shores." Yeah, I went there. **takes deep breath*** I realize this list is making me sound a little crazy and you should know I could probably go on and on and on and on, and who knows - maybe I'll add more to this as I think of it. Maine is my home. It's where I grew up, it's where I returned to after traveling across the US and Europe, it's where I choose to live because I love her. Unconditionally and irrevocably.