Gadabout Maine

If only you could smell through a screen🪻🌺

I visited McLaughlin Garden and Homestead yesterday for opening day of their annual Lilac Festival - and wow, what a dream.

If you find yourself in Maine this long weekend, add this little adventure to the activity list. Running through Monday, May 27th, is the topic of my bonus newsletter out today. Link in bio ⬆️

Puzzle Mountain Bakery is officially open for the season! As always, bring cash (or use Venmo) for the sweetest Honor System stand in all the land.

I came home with so many goodies from - including my most favorite treat: their Maple Cream Cookies!

📍Newry, Maine

Why oh why did it take me so long to hike the Morse Mountain to Seawall Beach trail?

Finally visited this perfect 4 mile out and back trail — and it’s the topic (along with a coveted bagel shop) of my newsletter out today. Link in bio ⬆️

📍Phippsburg, Maine

May, without a doubt, is my favorite month to hike in Maine. Few reasons why:

1. The weather is perfect. Still crisp enough for relief, warm enough to not carry a million layers.
2. It’s still so quiet! Summer hasn’t kicked off yet and the crowds are at bay.
3. And, perhaps most importantly for a magnet like me: there are not nearly as many bugs!

If you’ve been itching (not literally, no bug bites this month!) to get your hiking boots laced up - May in Maine is the time to do so.

These photos are a scattering of some of my favorite trails across the state. But want to know one of my absolute *favorite* trails to encourage you to get outside? Head to the link in my bio - latest newsletter is titled “A Mountaintop Pool”

Choosing to ignore the ❄️ on the forecast this week and instead dreaming of watching a sunset at one of my favorite spots in

The trail down to the rocky cliffs for prime sunset viewing is just 0.4 mile - but the small parking lot for Bass Harbor Head Light fills quick, so be sure to snag your spot early.

PS: on my last visit, while waiting for the sky to change, I was pretty captivated by this pup! He’s perfect! If he is yours - please let me know so I can send you this pic 🫶🏼

📍Bass Harbor, Maine

Have you found a mini print vending machine in Maine yet? So far, I’ve secured a martini, olive, popsicle and egg print 🍸🫒🍳

If you missed my newsletter from Friday, I shared my recent trip to The Thompson Ice House Harvesting Museum in South Bristol, Maine - where each year, a group of volunteers participate in a re-enactment of ice harvesting that began over 200 years ago.

Not only is continuing to maintain this tradition incredible - it’s the community that shows up to support that is the beating heart of this cherished yearly event.

This year, I got to help poke & prod the chunks of ice along a channel created in the water - pushing them along to the conveyor belt where they whip down into the ice house. These blocks can weigh up to 300 pounds!

There are plenty of tasks for anyone that wants to get involved (kids of all ages are encouraged to help!) - plus hot chocolate and treats for observers on the sidelines.

And what happens to the ice that gets harvested? Much is used for the Annual Ice Cream Social in July, of course! 🍦

To learn more about how to participate in this slice of Maine history, a perfectly preserved Maine tradition, head here: https://gadaboutmaine.substack.com/p/the-ice-harvest

With 3,000 feet of water frontage, this 1 mile loop trail is the perfect, snowy, easy trail for a winter stroll.

I’d recommend pursuing the Seal Cove Preserve Trail counter clockwise - you’ll wind through the woods filled with white pines and loop alongside the shore of the cove, taking in fresh and saltwater wetlands.

📍South Bristol, Maine

While the stories from my time in Aroostook County made it into my book, these pictures did not. The short time I got to spend in The County was, without question, my favorite part of my year of adventures.

🍺 I got to meet with Caleb Buck - one of the four brothers running He gave my family a private tour of their facility where they churn out exceptional quality malt for our ever evolving craft beer scene. He spent hours with us - despite it being the middle of a work day. We ended the tour by strolling through their mustard fields and hanging with his Grandma, spending time and telling stories.

🦊 We toured the plant. Rhett Fox, the owner, has worked at the plant for over 20 years and spent the better part of his morning showing my daughter how to turn potatoes (harvested right up the street) into his addicting snacks. He sent us home with gigantic bags filled with piping hot chips.

Today’s newsletter celebrates Aroostook County and its people. Even during my condensed trip, it was so abundantly clear through every interaction how much The County’s people were getting it right, this whole life thing.

It’s my favorite essay/memory from my book. I hope you’ll check it out. ♥️

https://gadaboutmaine.substack.com/p/fireflies-beer-and-chips

I’m not trying to rush winter along or anything… but upon searching for a photo today, I stumbled upon these from my Tops'l Farm trip. I did have a *slight* longing for my hair to smell like a campfire and have sticky fingers from too many s’mores.

Soon enough ☀️

There’s just not much that I love more than an Honor System Bakery. Add in a hike after consuming some pie and I’m a happy lady. 🥧🥾

It’s my perfect happiness combo - and in yesterday’s newsletter I wrote about a bakery/hike pair that makes for for the perfect mini adventure.

To read more about Five Acre Farm and a gorgeous loop trail that includes access to a remote island at low tide - check out my latest newsletter:

https://gadaboutmaine.substack.com/p/honor-system-rewards-take-two

Ice skating, cocktails, fire pits, tacos, board games and a toasty barn. Also know as Sip’N Skate nights

If you missed my latest newsletter, head to the link in my bio to read all about this family friendly, perfectly hygge way to spend a Maine winter evening. ⬆️

Next Sip’N Skate is February 8th - and I’d put some pep in your step if you’d like to go! Few tickets remain.

❄️ ❄️❄️
📍Buxton, Maine

Did you know that on Wednesdays & Thursdays you can pre-order (incredibly delicious) pizza from for pick-up on Fridays from 4-8PM?

And that you can take said (incredibly delicious) pizza next door to to enjoy with your cocktail/wine/beer of choice?

And that today is indeed Wednesday & if you want to make your Friday night the best you should reserve your time slot today with for their Pepperoni, Cheese or Oyster Mushroom, Mozzarella, Thyme & After Glow Goat Cheese Pizza?

🍕 that’s your pizza psa for today 🍕

Join me on Friday, January 19th from 4-6PM at J.Plum Home at their new location in Lisbon Falls! There will be bubbly, shopping and of course, books.

If you are in the area, I’d love to meet you!

Took a mini adventure to the gorgeous this past week!

For details on my stay & info on their newly dreamed up Thermowood Panorama Sauna + Alaskan Cold Plunge Tub - head to the link in my bio to read my latest newsletter ↑

📍Poland, Maine

Not one for showing my face often around here, but I wanted to take a moment to extend a thank you for the past couple months. The support and pure kindness I have received since my book launched in October has been beyond comprehension.

Writing “Just Up The Road” was, honestly, pretty therapeutic - it served as a launching pad and a way to hold myself accountable as I navigated a major career switch. I wrote it, really, for me - so getting the sweet feedback, the congratulatory DMs and the “I relate to this so deeply” emails is still so wild/unexpected/hard to fully soak in. To everyone who has bought it & every store that has stocked it & every pop-up that’s been hosted: THANK YOU.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. ♥️

Here’s where I’ll be (along with lots of books!) for the next two weeks - I’d really love to meet you!

✨12/7 (tonight!): 6PM-7PM✨
Maker’s Market
I’ll be signing books at the table (+ drinking a cocktail, duh)

✨12/8: 6PM-8PM✨
Book Signing at Books-A-Million in South Portland

✨12/10: 10AM-2PM✨
Maker’s Market with
(I’ll have so many gorgeous gift-wrapped books!)

✨12/14: 4PM-6PM✨
Book signing at office (April Cohen Team/Duston Leddy) in South Portland

📸: thanks to for this shot from the holiday market!

It's Christmas By the Sea in Camden this weekend (Dec 1-3!) If you are ready to get into the holiday spirit, be sure to kick it off first at The Norumbega for their Holiday Pop-Up Market on Friday, December 1st from 2PM-5:30PM!

I'll be there signing books - and would absolutely love to see you! There are incredible vendors attending + the bar will be open!

Join us at the The Norumbega this Friday, 12/1 from 2PM-5:30PM!

Incredible vendors, gift wrapping, wine tastings + the bar will be open! 🍸🎁 If you haven’t made it to the The Norumbega yet - this is the perfect time for a visit to see it gorgeously decked out for the holidays.

I’ll be there with lots of books and would love to see you in Camden!

A museum filled with intricate beadwork tucked inside a bead store with billions of beads = the perfect adventure and activity for those *what-should-we-do-today* days.

Gain some inspiration from the beadwork on display in the museum, then pop back into the bead store to create your own jewelry.

To read all about my visit to & - head to the link in my bio for the latest newsletter ⬆️

I'll be on 207 on NEWS CENTER Maine tonight talking about my book, Just Up The Road! Tune in at 7PM to check it out!

207 | newscentermaine.com | newscentermaine.com 207 news and features from NEWS CENTER Maine in Portland and Bangor, Maine

Lately, all I want to do is stroll by the sea. 🌊🥾

In my last newsletter, I shared some of my favorite walks up and down the coast that land at the ocean. Some of my tried & true favorite trails with perfect sea-view rewards at the end.

Here’s a few of my favorites pictured here:

📍East Point Sanctuary
📍Wells Reserve at Laudholm
📍Two Lights State Park
📍Hermit Island Campground
📍La Verna Preserve
📍Barred Island Preserve
📍Great Wass Island Preserve

To learn a bit more about them, head to 11/1 newsletter here: https://gadaboutmaine.substack.com/p/get-to-the-sea

“JUST UP THE ROAD is my love letter to Maine, written during a year when I was given the remarkable gift of time. A year when I allowed myself to live without a label, without classifying who I am, and what it is that I do. A year when I gave a warm embrace to my imposter syndrome and then promptly left it at the door. A year when I really got to know my neighbors, listened more deeply, and leaned into adventures that intimidated me.”

Part memoir, part travelogue, Chelsea Diehl writes of her adventures across the state of Maine from Aroostook, to the Western Mountains, to the southernmost coast. Each destination reveals a new cast of colorful characters, delicious plates of food, and gorgeous scenery that all play a part in her attempt to reorient herself in a new phase of life. Delightfully witty, relatable and thoughtful, JUST UP THE ROAD is a must read for anyone who’s ever faced the question “What’s next?”

www.islandportpress.com

Last week threw me a book launch party (with providing all of the delicious food & drinks) in celebration of “Just Up The Road”

This is not the first time has gone completely out of their way to support me - and I imagine it won’t be the last. To say I’m thankful for their entire team would be the understatement of the year.

It was the brightest, most beautiful night in what would become one of the hardest, darkest weeks for our community. From rich laughter in the early evening, to crushing tears by bedtime. Looking back, it seems like a mirage of joy.

That night we celebrated Maine. There were deep hugs, new friendships formed, old ones rekindled. In the middle of the party - I paused for a second and grabbed my husband’s hand. “How lucky are we?” I asked him, referencing our strong community, the love spilling out of the rooms.

I still deeply feel that way. More so, even.
____

» In my bio, please find the link for the Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund to directly support victims and families & to support broad organizational recovery efforts.

wood fired sauna + hot tub + deep tissue massage 🔥

At one sweet spot, Riverview Sauna & Spa, tucked in the woods in Bowdoinham, Maine.

More in the latest newsletter out today. Link in bio ⬆️

The first handful of copies of my book have landed! Hooray! ✨ I’m feeling so many things today - gratitude being at the top of the list.

If you pre-ordered through already (thank you!!) those should start shipping out over the next week or so. If not, link in bio if you’re ready to snag your copy!

Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way ♥️ Here we go!

If you haven’t found yourself yet in the lush plant sanctuary that is - this weekend looks like the perfect time for a visit ☔️

Create your own terrarium, peruse the massive selection of house plants and enjoy a glass of wine + snacks from their onsite café.

The owners are so friendly & helpful and it’s truly one of my favorite places to tuck in for a few hours with friends.

Pop in anytime without a reservation - or grab a spot in one of their workshops, like the Mason Jar Terrarium Workshop this Friday, the 6th at 7PM! Grab a spot on their website 🌱

📍Portland, Maine

Hands down, one of my favorite parts of writing this book was getting to interview folks from all across Maine. Scattered throughout the book’s pages, weaved in and out of my adventures, are over 15 interviews with artists, park rangers, entrepreneurs and so many more wonderful humans.

I asked the same four questions to each person - one of which was: Why do you call Maine home?

✨Here are just a few snippets of some answers to that question:

“When you ask other people what they love about Maine, it’s usually easy for them to rattle off a few things - but there is always something they can’t articulate. And maybe that’s the secret. Maybe what we love about Maine is something we can’t articulate.” -

“Home should be where you're happiest, where you're supported, where you learn and grow, where you're surrounded by grounded and hard-working people, and where people prioritize our environment... and for me, that's Maine.” -

“It's the state that lures you here and the people who keep you. It’s the place that holds my heart.”-

→ If you haven’t pre-ordered yet, you can do so through the link in my bio! And if you have: thank you, thank you, thank you. ♥️ Pre-orders will begin to ship the week of 10/16 through to the week of 10/24!

It’s tough to even caption a stay - to find the right words to properly illuminate the beauty, preserved rich history and adventure that awaits on House Island.

I did my best to capture my stay in the latest newsletter out today (link in bio to check it out ⬆️) - but is one of those places that you can’t fully appreciate or grasp until you immerse yourself in it.

When you begin to plan for next summer’s adventures, without hesitation, I’d suggest putting on your list. I know I will.

Second Saturday Burger Nights are a chance to celebrate the season’s bounty, connect with your community, listen to live music, and enjoy farm fresh food and local beer.

The last one of the season is Saturday, October 14th! For full details of what this incredible farm offers during these nights and beyond - check out my latest newsletter. Link in bio ⬆️

📍Scarborough, Maine

It’s taken her entire lifetime to cultivate - 7 years and 3 months to be exact - but I’m proud to say: my daughter is an excellent hiker.

I’ve developed an arsenal of little motivators to get her to the summit (read: bribes, mostly) - but what I look for most when selecting a trail for our family is an “attraction” to motivate little legs.

This could be observation towers, waterfalls, intricate bridges, etc.

Or: a trail that leads to a rock quarry where little (and big) rockhounders can dig for special stones!

Mount Apatite is our new favorite family trail - and I wrote all about it in the newsletter out today.
Link in bio ⬆️

📍Auburn, Maine