Need help finalizing Maine trip - please

We%26#39;re trying to decide when to visit. We%26#39;ll be driving from upstate NY to the Camden area (app. 8 hrs), and then heading up to the Millinocket area. This is an ';extra trip'; that we%26#39;re squeezing in (we just returned from a trip to Venice/Sanibel, Florida) to celebrate our 30th anniversary and both of us turning 50 this coming year (ouch). This will be a budget visit to get a taste of lobsters and moose. We%26#39;re considering Yardarm Motel as our first stop, with plans to spend the next day taking in the fishing/lobstering ports. The next stop is tentatively either Katahdin Cabins or Pamola Motor Lodge, as a base for moose hunting. Our hope is to come home with many great photos and memories. All we need from the lodging is a clean bed and shower. We%26#39;re hoping to see mooselets (calves) and mommies in the water. Is June a good time to visit, or would we have better luck in July? Do you have loons in either area? Is Sandy Stream Pond the best bet for photographing the ';Gentle Giants';? Is the Appalachian Trail Cafe still a good spot to go for inexpensive home cooking? Should we bother bringing the Kayaks? Any insiders tips/suggestions are very much appreciated.

Need help finalizing Maine trip - please

sue6389,

I don%26#39;t know much about millinocket, but I can tell you that there are plenty of Moose (among other things) around Grand Lake Stream that time of year as well as lots of places to camp/kayak, the fishing there is also very good and the lakes and islands are endless.

Need help finalizing Maine trip - please

Sandy Stream Pond is an excellent place to go, its an easy walk in and there are 3 viewing areas, keep walking around the lake and you%26#39;ll locate them. I have been there many times and always see moose, 2 years ago we were fortunate enough to see a mom and her calf at the 3rd viewing area in a stream.

My advise though is to arrive very early in the day, once the parking lot is full thats all they will allow for the day. Great swimming/picnic area at the entrance to the park on Togue Pond. Have fun :-)

Greetings sue6389! First off FLATTERED that you are considering staying with us! Guess if you check our references here on tripadvisor itself you will see we rock! June OR July is a great time to see moose - being somewhat ';locals'; ourselves now we know the best places to try %26amp; spot moose either while seriously hiking - light hiking - or road viewing! Sandy Stream Pond is EXCELLENT for moose watching - especially early in the morning! Did you know that you can call the Baxter State Park HQ %26amp; reserve a parking spot at the Roaring Brook Parking Lot? That way you do NOT have to arrive at the BSP Gatehouse at 4am (or earlier!!!). Makes it nice for a slightly relaxed pace - still want to be on the SSP Trail by 6:30am or so for best moose viewing at the ponds along the trail though. And the AT Cafe is having a grand re-opening on 5/5/07 with new owners. Prices %26amp; food quality should be great - will let you know ourselves next week if you wish. Its a fav of ours too. And YES on the kayaks! Togue Pond - beautiful loons - smooth water - gorgeous Katahdin views. Nuff said there! FYI - we offer our guests free mountain bike useage with helmets while they enjoy their stay - nice for sightseeing around town or doing some light trail riding if your up to it. Hope this info was some help - regardless of where you stay - have a GREAT visit to our neck of the woods!

Hi sue6389 June is a very good time to see moose with there young (calfs). Moose calf in early May so in June they are still small and lighter in color then there mothers. You may want to concider taking a guided moose tour with one of the companies in the area. Some do them by water canoe/kayak and others by van, all top notch operations. They know where they are so this saves you the time of searching. Also if you do not bring your kayaks there are outfitters in the area that rent them for around $25 for the full day. What ever you decide there is plenty of woods and water around to explore.

Thank you all for your help. It sounds like we are right on track with our plans, and hope to book our rooms this coming week for mid-June. Katahdin Cabins, you just clinched my vote with your warm welcome and great advice. It sounds like the perfect spot for us! Please do let us know what you think of the AT Cafe. The people that contribute to this forum are great - thanks for taking the time to help - it definitely makes a huge difference in the quality of our vacations.