Day 8 - Akureyri - Shopping, Food, and Drink

Akureyri

After days in the remote but beautiful Westfjords, it was almost a relief to show up in a town that had more than one place to eat.  It even had a stoplight!  We enjoyed the bustling northern town of Akureyri by shopping, going out for drinks, coffee, and meals.  Continue reading to hear about our adventure...

Columnar Basalt Cliffs in Hofsós.

Day 8 - Akureyri - Shopping, Food, and Drink

After leaving Holar, we decided to diverge from our Ring Road (Rt 1) path and take a coastal route to our next guesthouse.  We drove Rt 76 to Rt 82 back to Rt 1 to get to the town of Akureyri. It was a fairly dreary day, so we didn't make many stops, but enjoyed the mountain and coastal views from the car.

Our tour guide recommended the picturesque swimming pool in Hofsós.  Even though we weren't in a swimming mood, we decided to check it out since it was on the way.  The swimming pool was indeed in an ideal location.  Even though we didn't soak, we marveled at the tall cliffs made of columnar basalt.  Amazing!

Views along our drive to Akureyri

Local microbrew I enjoyed.

We arrived in Akureyri midday.  Nicknamed "The Capital of the North", Akureyri was a sight for sore eyes.  We hadn't realized we'd missed civilization.  Suddenly there were stores, restaurant choices, and museums!  We checked into the Gula Villan guesthouse - a sweet 1800s home converted into an adorable guesthouse and hit the town on foot.

At the Bautinn restaurant, we enjoyed a late lunch of local dishes (I had the fish hash and Einstock beer).  This was followed by walking and shopping for gifts around town.  We stepped into the Múlaberg Bistro and Cafe for coffee, hot chocolate, and cake.  We ended the night with cocktails at Hotel Kea's bar.

After long days in the Westfjords, we retired to our guesthouse for an early night.  It was fun to be in a town!

Hot Chocolate from Múlaberg Bistro and Cafe

Posing with troll sculptures on the streets of Akureyri.

Cocktails at Hotel Kea.

READ ABOUT THE NEXT DAY HERE: Day 9 - North Iceland - Whales, Waterfalls, and Nature Baths

Please leave comments or questions below, or visit us on our Facebook page at The Freelance Adventurer for more photos and stories or visit us on Instagram @FreelanceAdventurer.

Guest Post: Best of the Best - Portland, Maine

As fall begins, consider squeezing in a visit to tourist-friendly Portland, Maine. Planning a trip after Labor Day ensures you beat the crowds. Here are the places you need to know for the best day experience.

Eastern "Prom" - Portland, Maine

Walk: Portland Trails*: Back Cove Trail

Distance: 3.5 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Parking: Free at lot across from Hannaford on Preble Street Extension

The Back Cove Trail is a loop trail (3.5 miles) which boasts beautiful views of the Portland skyline, the occasional marsh wildlife such as Great Blue Herons, and perfect for walking, running, and biking. The terrain is with mostly flat except along a stretch that parallels I-295. There are benches and water fountains (seasonal) along the trail.

*A network of trails in greater Portland, free for public access. Full map here: http://trails.org/our-trails/

Hilltop Superette Counter

Lunch with a View: Hilltop Superette @ 135 Congress St.

Fare: Deli style sandwiches, pizza ($1.79 slices), and hamburgers

The 80-year-old store has been recently raised back from the ashes as it was nearly destroyed by arson last year (previously Colucci’s). Now the local market (opened July 2014) is bustling in the Munjoy Hilll neighborhood. The menu boasts local produce and breads from Borealis Breads. I highly recommend the Italians, especially the Spicy Superette if you like a little kick. Grab a bag of chips to share, drinks, and walk down the street towards the Eastern Promenade for a picnic style lunch with a view of Casco Bay and surrounding islands.

Infinity Beer Barrels

Beer: Bunker Brewing Company @ 122 Anderson St.

Summer Hours: Thurs & Fri 5-8pm, Sat 12-5    Call before stopping by

Website: http://bunkerbrewingco.com/

This microbrewery was established in 2011 and has quickly made a name for itself. Nestled off Anderson St. in a 1920s era brick garage in the developing neighborhood of East Bayside. You will experience a small artisan brewery that founders Chresten Sorensen and Jay Villani believe to be the future of beer. If you appreciate a good pilsener try their Machine Czech Pils (flagship brew). The Peninsula Pale Ale is a local favorite. Feed your competitive edge and challenge your party (or locals) to a game of corn hole just outside the garage.

Dinner: Corner Room @ 110 Exchange St.

Fare: Italian Kitchen & Bar

Happy Hour: Mon-Thurs  4-6pm (complimentary tapas to pair with drinks)

Late Night Menu: Thurs-Sat ‘Til 11pm

Website (menu): http://www.thecornerroomkitchenandbar.com/

Corner Room Restuarant

An open kitchen restaurant invokes a warm and cozy atmosphere with house-made pastas, pizzas, antipasti, and artisanal breads made from local ingredients. Small patio available for dining. The Corner Room is one of the four “Rooms” restaurants owned by chef Harding Lee Smith.

Dessert: Bar of Chocolate @ 38 Wharf St.

Fare: Wine, Dessert, and Espresso Bar

Hours: 4pm-12am everyday

Walk down Exchange St. to Wharf St. and the Bar of Chocolate after dinner at the Corner Room. This the perfect place to visit after a nice meal and its hidden in plain sight! Wharf Street is in the absolute heart of the old port and is one of the few historic cobble stone streets remaining. The Bar of Chocolate is small and cozy and always has excellent locally made treats stocked in the dessert case ranging from flour-less chocolate cake to blueberry pie. Pair your desert with your favorite wine, cocktail, or tea/espresso for a wonderful cap to your day.

MEET THE EXPERT:  Jenny Galasso - Portlander

Jenny is a blogger and local to Portland, Maine.  She is an expert on Maine adventures, restaurants, and hidden gems.  View other posts that feature Jenny by clicking keyword "Jenny" on the side bar.  

Farm to Table - Exploring Southern New Hampshire

Apple picking in NH

Matt and I decided to spend a Sunday morning exploring some local farms in Southern New Hampshire.  We drove to the town of Lee (1 hour, 20 minutes from Boston and 25 minutes from Exeter, NH) where we visited two farms - an apple orchard and a winery.  We wrapped up the date with a late lunch at the Stone Church Pub in Newmarket, NH. 





Here is how to recreate this adventure...

One peck bag at DeMerrit Farms

DeMerrit Farms - DeMerrit Farms is located on Rt. 155 in Lee, New Hampshire.  It is a GREAT place to visit if you have children and families because they have a country store, petting
zoo, playground, wagon rides, and around Halloween - a popular haunted house (in evenings) called "Haunted Overload".  Even though we don't have kids, we still loved walking through the orchard, picking apples, and petting the goats.  The staff was very knowledgeable and I was able to get a Peck bag and fill it for $15.95.  We got a diversity of apples including Honey Crisp, Empire, Cortland, Red Rome, and more!  So far, I've enjoyed them in pies, crisp, and just snacking.  I highly recommend a trip to DeMerrit Farms.

Moonshine from Flag Hill 

Flag Hill Winery and Distillery - Flag Hill is the largest winery in New
Hampshire (although very small by West Coast standards).  It is also located on Rt 155 in Lee, New Hampshire, and about 5 miles from DeMerrit Farms.  Flag Hill is also a distillery.  Matt and I arrived around 11:30 am and participated in a tour of the facility ($5 charge), followed by a tasting.  They allow you to taste up to six of their wines or spirits.  They make everything from "White Mountain Moonshine" to "Cranberry Liquor" to classic whites and reds.  The tour was enjoyable and the staff knowledgeable and friendly.  I have to admit, I left with a few bottles in my hand.  The property is beautiful and a must see if you are touring Southern New Hampshire.

Inside of Stone Church

The Stone Church - The Stone Church is just what it sounds like - an old church - except this church has been converted into a pub and music venue.  Their motto is "Craft Beer.  Live Music."  On this Sunday afternoon, we watch a German brass band play for their Octoberfest celebration while enjoying a delicious lunch off their pub menu and craft beers.  I highly recommend the venue for good music, food, and drink.  One note - beers are on the pricey side - at least $6 a brew.




We had a wonderful day exploring some local farms and wrapping up with music and lunch at the Stone Church.  It just goes to show that you don't have to travel far from home to find adventures. 

fallen apples

Portland, Oregon - Biking, Beer, and Baristas

Downtown Portland, Oregon Sign

This week, I have returned to my hometown as a tourist...visiting my family and showing Matt (a New England native) a taste of Oregon.   Our first full day in the great state was spent in the city of Portland. Portland is a unique and thriving city - I was eager to show Matt the place that I called home for so long.  Our tour guides were my sister, Kelly, and her boyfriend, Chris.  They did a great job of showing us a glimpse of Portland that included traveling by bicycle, trying local beers, and trying coffees and foods in the city.   In one day, we got an excellent taste of this funky and passionate town.

 Here is how to recreate this adventure...

Biking:

Kelly and Matt lock up our bikes at our first stop.

Portland, Oregon has an AMAZING bike culture.  It is celebrated, supported, and possibly expected that you are a bicycle enthusiast.  As a result, there are excellent bike lanes, bike "boulevards", special stop light signals, and bike parking all over the city.

Matt, Kelly, Chris, and I left their house in the "Cully Neighborhood" and cycled via a bike boulevard (a through-way street that are heavily trafficked by bikes and has a slower speed limit) to Northeast Alberta Street.

In this area, we visited the Community Cycling Center - a nonprofit that provides bike programs, workshops, camps, and a full service bike shop for the community. Our biking continued throughout the day making it to Voodoo Donuts, the Portland Waterfront, the Pearl District and back to Cully.  It was refreshing to tour a city without the constant fights in traffic, search for parking, and navigating busy streets.  By bike, we were able to slow down, take our time, and wander - how true travel should be.  See the google map at the bottom of this post to trace our +17 miles around the city.

Community Cycling Center Non Profit and Bike Shop

Beer:

Upright Tasting Room

Craft beer and microbrews take on a new meaning in Oregon.  Everywhere you look there are new beers being designed and shared.  We only got a chance to visit two of the +30 breweries in the town.  The first brewery stop was the Upright Brewery.  Upright is a small operation.  A friend had told us about it- saying we would have to go into a cafe, take the elevator to the basement, and at the end of a hall is the brewery/tasting room.  He was right.  This small, one room brewery had a number of beers to try.  I enjoyed "four" - their wheat beer.

Rogue Ale 

We also enjoyed our time at the large (and well known) Rogue Brewery.  Their substantial restaurant in the Pearl District was crowded and bustling.  Kelly, Matt, and I tried some awesome beers and also enjoyed their food.  Oregon Craft Beer Month was conveniently underway which gave us some discounts and new brews to try.

During the day, we had a few other food and drink stops including The Bye and Bye - a vegan restaurant (very Portland) that had a great beer selection on tap.  If you love craft beer and breweries, Portland, Oregon is a must see travel destination.

Vegan Kraut Dog at The Bye and Bye Restaurant 

Barista:

Portlanders LOVE coffee.  For many, it's more than a morning wake-me-up - it is a hobby.  In the same way Portlanders take their beer seriously, you can find many coffee shops with knowledgeable baristas who are well versed in the subtle flavors, history, and fine art in a good cup of Joe.  Kelly took us to the shop "Barista" in Northeast Portland.

Coffee is King

The Barista website claims they serve "Exceptional coffees from the world's finest roasters, prepared by the most skilled baristas in Portland, Oregon."  That said, we had to try a cup.  Before entering, Kelly advised, "Ask open ended questions about their coffee.  They know a lot about it and love to share."  She entered and asked the hipster-looking barista what he could tell her about that day's house blend.  The gentleman was extremely knowledgeable about his product and truth be told - it was an awesome cup of coffee.

Voodoo Doughnut

What goes best with coffee?  Doughnuts of course!  After coffee, we biked over to the Voodoo Too doughnut shop where you can get strange donuts such as: "Bacon Maple Bar", "Cock and Balls", or a "Fruit Loop" Doughnut.  I stuck with the store's traditional "Voodoo Doughnut" which was delicious and humorously filled with red jelly.

Our guide, Kelly, takes us over the
Broadway Bridge by bike,

Our day of biking around with Chris and Kelly allowed us to experience life as a Portlander for the day.  Even though I spent my childhood just outside the city, I got to experience new (and more adult) adventures in the City of Roses.  I recommend a trip to Portland - especially if you like Beer, Bikes, and Baristas.

What you might realize is - whether it's bikes, beer, or coffee - Portlanders are a group of passionate, knowledgeable people.  They take something - like bike commuting, a morning beverage, or a afternoon bar tab - and turn it into a work of art.  THAT is one reason why Portland is so special.

Map of our Route - Courtesy of Google Maps

Please leave comments and questions below.

Strawberry Banke - A Trip to the Past

Strawberry Banke Museum, Portsmouth, NH

To honor our country's independence, Matt and I began the July 4 holiday at Strawberry Bank Museum - touring historic homes and conversing with reenactors of the country's early years.  Independence Day was the perfect day to visit the historic village because they pull out the stops including an actual naturalization ceremony, demonstrations by traditional craftsmen, and a plethora of role-players for the event.

Strawberry Banke buildings and village

Matt and I traveled through many colonial buildings and historic areas to learn more about the town of Portsmouth and this time in American History.  Some of the highlights included visiting the 1800's

Colonial Reenactors wash laundry

houses for architecture and furnishings, visiting the 1943 store for accurate pricing and merchandise, and touring the grounds of old Strawberry Banke...later to be know as Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

I highly recommend a trip to Strawberry Banke Museum.  This is the second time I've been on the July Fourth weekend, and it's a wonderful stop for anyone that loves history and learning.  It also is fantasitc for kids.  There are many hands on exhibits including chances to play with toys, sit in furniture, talk to role players, and play.

Old Buildings in Strawberry Banke

More information:

- Day to go:  The museum is seasonal (May 1-Oct. 31).  It's best visited on a fair weather day when you can wander through the many gardens and grounds.
- Cost:  General admission is $17.50 for adults and $10 for kids.  Family rate is $45.  Active military and their families are free.  One nice thing is that general admission is good for 2 consecutive days, so if you are visiting the area and get tired or need a break, you can always come back the next day.
- Parking:  Strawberry Banke has a parking lot, but on the July 4 weekend, I recommend parking at one of the many public lots in Portsmouth and walking over to the grounds.
- Food:  Multiple food carts are present on the July 4 weekend on the grounds of the museum, but these are usually not there.  Patrons are welcome to bring a picnic lunch and eat on the lawns, or step out of the museum to eat somewhere in town.  Matt and I visited the Portsmouth Brewery a few blocks away for snacks and beer.

A cool beer on a hot day

Please feel free to leave comments and questions below!

Maine Boatbuilders Show

Maine Boatbuilders Show

Matt and I decided to play the role of wealthy boat buyers for the day and attended the Maine Boatbuilders Show in Portland, Maine on Saturday, March 16.  The show cost $15 for admission and displayed endless rooms of vendors and boats from local craftsmen.

I'm on a boat

I really enjoyed the chance to walk on the giant yachts and luxury boats.  I figure it's probably one of the only times I'll have that opportunity.

I was disappointed not to see handcrafted kayaks in the mix.  As an avid flat water paddler, I'd love a chance to talk to local kayak and canoe makers.  Still, it was great experience and I enjoyed learning about the local talent in boatbuilding.


After our sail aboard the boatbuilders show, Matt and I headed over to Duckfat Restaurant for lunch.  This is the third time we visited this popular local eatery.  Duckfat has a menu of panini, fries, and salads - most featuring gourmet ingredients.  Their belgium style frites are fried in duck fat and served in the traditional paper cone.

Poutine at Duckfat

Matt and I especially love their poutine - a French Canadian dish of fries, gravy, cheese curds - and at Duckfat, toped with a fried duck egg.  We also enjoyed a panini of pork belly and slaw.  It was all delicious. 

Duckfat also serves canned and bottled beers.

Aword of warning...Duckfat is a popular eatery and even groups of two should plan a 15-45 min wait on a weekend.

The boat show and Duckfat lunch was a great way to spend a cold day in Maine.  Perhaps we will make it a yearly date!

Southern Coast on Dwellable

Beer, Fly Fishing Film Tour, and more Beer

Enjoying a local brew at the Fly Fishing Film Tour

Before you ask ... No.  I do not fly fish.  In fact, I have very little interest in it.  However.... I love nature, I am passionate about conservation, and I have a great appreciation for the sport.  I have read enough books like "The River Why" and seen enough movies like "A River Runs Through It" to know that the sport, nay, the ART of fly fishing is a sacred and beautiful thing.  So, this weekend, I tagged along with Matt (and his friend Chris) to the Fly Fishing Film Tour, and knew, without a doubt, that I would enjoy it.

The film tour was being shown in many spots in the United States.  We went to a viewing in Brunswick, Maine at the Frontier Cafe, Cinema & Gallery .  The cinema included rows of tables where you could order food and drinks from the attached cafe and enjoy them during the show. It was a great experience.

Lion's Pride Pub

Even though I do not fly fish, I really enjoyed all the films shown at the festival.  Movies ranged from a tale of three brothers bonding over a lifetime of Michigan fishing, to the story of D.C. city folk discovering the abundance of fishing opportunities in their backyard, to an adventure of exploring Thailand's hidden rivers on the back of an elephant.  My favorite was the film "Turning Tail", which chronicles the decline and conservation the Atlantic salmon.  The film, by Gray Ghost Productions, takes place mainly in Maine, which is why I was particularly drawn to it.

Prior to our film-tour-adventure, we went to a hidden gem of a pub called "The Lion's Pride Pub and Restaurant".  It is located on Rt. 1 in Brunswick, Maine.  The Lion's Pride is the sister pub to "Ebenezer's", in Lovell, Maine, which has been awarded "Best Beer Bar in the World" for 5 years in a row by Beer Advocate.

The Lion's Pride specializes in Belgium style beers (although it carries others as well).  Don't expect to see Budweiser, or even Sam Adams on the menu.  In fact, if you are an average Joe like me, don't expect to recognize ANY of the beers on the menu.  That said, their beer menu comes with descriptions, and it's an adventure in itself to sample unique and rare brew from around the globe.  It should be noted that beers are pricier then your average bar - with one drink averaging around $7-$10.  Even if you are not knowledgeable about beer, you'll still enjoy this unique experience.

Beautiful Glass Taps at the Lion's Pride Pub

Matt and I had a great day in Brunswick, Maine.  Although we weren't on our typical outdoor adventure, we still got to celebrate the outdoors through the Fly Fishing Tour and a good drink at the Lion's Pride.