by Barb, stuck in Boston because she’s selling her house, but soon to be spending more time in Maine!
We hope many of you, both authors and readers, will be coming to visit us soon at Books in Boothbay at the Boothbay Railway Village on July 8, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. If you’re coming, you may be wondering, what shall I do while I’m in the Boothbay region?
We have lots of fabulous things to do. Eat lobster by the water. Take a tour boat or a kayak. One place my husband Bill Carito and I always recommend is the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden. We’re members, so we go frequently. We always go when our family is visiting because our granddaughter loves the place so much. There’s a wonderful children’s garden with plenty of activities, but lots of wonderful spaces for adults, too.
Lea Wait and I both live on the peninsula (at opposite ends). Lea’s written about visiting the gardens both in summer and in winter.
The last time we were there was in mid-June. You’d think it would be a not-great time. The wonderful flowering bulbs and bushes are done, and the annual flowers not yet out, especially with the cold, wet spring we had this year. Nonetheless, we had a terrific visit.
Here are some of Bill’s photos from the day. I hope you’ll consider coming for Books in Boothbay and take time afterward to tour the garden.
Fairy houses
Frog
Turtle
[All photos in this post are by Bill Carito. If you like them and want to see more, you can friend him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bcarito and follow him on Instagram at billcarito and bill.carito.colorphotos.]
Kait Carson
Charlene D’Avanzo 
Absolutely — love the gardens! And haven’t been there yet this year. I’ve been remiss, and your post has reminded me how much I’ve missed.
Maybe we can make a trip later in the summer.
Wonderful photos and your granddaughter is getting cuter every year…I’m going to try to get up there this year for this event. We’ll see.
I would be lovely to see you there, Mary Anne.
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at Books in Boothbay. Diane will take our weekend guests to the CMBG before or after they peruse the book tables. You are so right, it will make for a lovely day. Oh yeah, and we’ll plan to find some lobster, too!
Sounds like a perfect day. Can’t wait to see you.
Barb, thanks! Wonderful pics. I have been working weekends at the gardens since June and find I go a bit early to make the rounds of whatever is flowering ….next. And because the ocean warms the fall air, fall blooms there really last longer. Locals’ tip: Park by 8:50 and be some of the first ones there at 9 AM. See you at BooksinBoothbay. And…and…Boothbay Region Land Trust has some great trails for all abilities. Info in their website. And special in-town picnic spot? The lawn and picnic tables at the Maine State Aquarium overlook the outer harbor and are lovely. (Of course petting sharks in the tanks also can’t be beat.) Love my home port….
My husband has done the guided hikes on several of the trails and really enjoyed them. See you at Books in Boothbay!
We went last year after Books in Boothbay and it was fantastic. What an amazing place!
Kate
I’m so glad you went!