It is wise if you are planning a trip to Machias to pick a couple of days to be out there, for the sake of possible cancellation due to weather. The North Atlantic seas can be unpredictable at times. You might also have terrible light one day, and nice even light the next. Since the trip starts at 7:00 am and you are back around noon, there is a lot of time to kill in Downeast Maine. Fortunately, this area has a lot to offer photographically.

The town of Jonesport where you depart from is worth exploring. The entire area is filled with blueberry fields, and fields of wildflowers like pictured here. There are also many artisan shops if your shutter finger is a bit weary from the morning's shoot.

The Machias Motor Inn is a very nice motel to stay in while you are there. It is slightly north of Jonesport, about a 20 minute ride in the morning, and is close to many other northern spots worth visiting.

The Great Waas Nature Conservancy Preserve on Great Waas island offers hours of enjoyable hiking through lush forests.

 

 

Also nearby to the North (about 1.5 hr drive), and crossing over into Nova Scotia, Canada is Campobello Island. Whale watching tours drew us here, where you are practically guaranteed to see finback whales in the Bay of Fundy. Minke whales are also spotted here. This particular finback was estimated at 70 feet long!

 

 

Acadia National Park is about 2 hours to the south of Jonesport, a very popular desination, very touristy, but filled with a variety of gorgeous scenery. We only had a short time here, but it was obvious it was worthy of further exploration in the future, particularly for fall color.