Get wild at Maine Wildlife Park

Maine Wildlife Park in Gray, ME, is operated by the Maine Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. This is a zoo that’s home to about 30 species of animals native to Maine. All of the animals here are either recovering from injuries or for one reason or another can’t survive safely in the wilderness.

The most popular exhibits are the black bears and the moose. The bear habitat is a bit small, which is bad for the bears, but good for the visitors, who have an unobstructed view. Visitors can even feed the bears, from a distance. The moose habitat is quite large and full of trees. This is good for the moose but bad for the visitors. While we were visiting, the mama and baby moose, who’s name is Annie, were resting in their moose house, and barely visible.

The park has some unusual varieties of common animals including a white porcupine and a white raccoon.
I don’t know if they’re truly albinos or just very rare white animals, but they were certainly cool to see.

The Maine Wildlife Park is located at 56 Game Farm Road in Gray, which is near Portland. There are several private and public campgrounds within easy driving distance to the park. The park is open to the public from mid-April through Veteran’s Day. For more information call 207-657-4977.

Photos: Lew Pinsker

Shady Dell where vintage trailers shine

The Shady Dell, in mile-high Bisbee, Ariz., is a place where "midcentury Modernism is alive and well."

There are nine completely restored vintage aluminum travel trailers and you're invited to stay in any one of them.

"Our sleek collection of vintage travel trailers are all perfectly restored to combine mid-century Americana kitsch with the comforts of home in a way that only the 1950s were capable of," according to the Web site.

The collection includes a 1949 Airstream, 1950 Spartanette, 1957 El Ray and 1951 Royal Mansion.

In addition to the period trailers, there is a classic 1947 Chris-Craft yacht permanently dry docked. The 38-foot pleasure boat sleeps two and is said to be popular with newlyweds.

For eating in vintage style, there is Dot's Diner, a 1957 Valentine model that has been restored in art deco style. Built in Wichita Kansas, the authentic diner was originally delivered to the corner of Ventura and Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Los Angeles. It was run by Dot Bozeman, chief cook and bottle washer until 1999. Nowadays, the 10-stool diner serves breakfast and lunch seven days a week. We had Dot's Dog (comes with bag of chips) for under $5 and milk shake with real ice cream for $4.

Bisbee is captivating and full of historic buildings, museums, art galleries, antique shops, hidden walkways and plenty of ghosts. Its close proximity to the Chiricahua National Forest, Cochise Stronghold, and the Ramsey Canyon Nature Conservancy, provides many opportunities for bird watching, rock hunting, biking, hiking or just leisurely explorations of the wonders of southern Arizona’s  high desert area.

For more information:
The Shady Dell
1 Douglas Road, Bisbee, AZ 85603
Phone: [520] 432-3567
Bisbee is southeast of Tucson on Hwy. 80 near the Mexico border.

Photo: Top: Julianne Crane in front of Shady Dell sign. (Jimmy Smith). Bottom: Six of the vintage aluminum travel trailers. (Julianne Crane).

“Lizzie Borden Took an Axe…

 
…and gave her father 40 whacks.”
Do you remember the folk song made popular by the Chad Mitchell Trio during the 1960s?
The house where Lizzie allegedly did the foul deed in 1892 is open as a museum and bed and breakfast. The tour took us through all of the rooms, including the room in which Andrew Borden was chopped, and the guest room upstairs where Lizzie’s step mother was killed.
And by the way, the song was wrong, Mr. Borden died with his shoes on, as you can see in the photo.
  The tour guide, who works as the cook in the house, was very knowledgeable about the case and the trial. The crime scene photos are on display in the very rooms where they were taken, and although the Borden furniture is long gone, the place is furnished with pieces that look a lot like the originals.
After spending a long time in jail awaiting trial, Lizzie was acquitted of the crime, but it is widely believed she was guilty.
If you have an interest in the turn-of-the-century American justice system, in 19^th century history, or just have a morbid curiosity, the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast Museum is a worthwhile visit. Tours are from 11am until 3pm on the hour.
The B&B/Museum is in an urban area, and although there is a small parking lot, parking a big rig might be problematic. Several public and private campgrounds are located within 30 miles of the house. Fall River, MA is relatively close to Newport, RI and Cape Cod, MA, so a visit here might be a side trip from either of those vacation destinations.
Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast/Museum, 230 Second St. Fall River, MA.
508-675-7333
www.lizzie-borden.com
Photos: Lew Pinsker.

Florida Carriage Museum and Resort

If you have an interest in horses, the Florida Carriage Museum and Resort near Ocala is a really neat place to visit. The museum is said to be the largest privately owned collection of antique horse-drawn vehicles in the country.
In addition to visiting the museum, guests can schedule a carriage ride, trail ride, riding lesson, or carriage driving lesson. If you have your own horse, you can rent a stall and ride around the 400 acre property, which is currently undergoing a name change to The Grand Oaks.
The royal carriage in this photo was owned by Emperor Franz Josef of Austria and was a wreck prior to being restored for the museum. The horses in the museum are wonderfully detailed models, but the resort also has a stable full of the real things.



The Grand Oaks is located at 3000 Marion County Road, Weirsdale, FL.  RV sites equipped with 30/50 amp electric and water are available.. For more information, call 352-750-5500 or visit thegrandoaks.com.

Map courtesy Florida Carriage Museum and Resort.  Photos by Lew Pinsker.