Sewall’s Orchard

On Sunday we managed to fit in an outing to Lincolnville. We both have a lot going on, Sam with his commissioner duties and me with all my extracurricular activities. But a fall outing is a very good idea before the colorful leaves fall and the winter weather sets in.

We like to go to Lincolnville (an hour-and-a-half drive) once a year in the fall to get a gallon of apple cider vinegar at Sewall’s Orchard. We could arrange to get this vinegar closer to home, or buy a different brand. But it wouldn’t have the same feeling as seeing the location where the apples are grown and watching the press in operation. Bob Sewall is a legend – read about him on his website here and in Down East Magazine here.

We purchased our vinegar and added a half gallon of apple cider. Then I asked Mia if there was anywhere to walk around there. Without hesitating, she gave one answer. “Yes, you can walk up the hill and see over the Camden Hills to the ocean from the top.”

Without hesitating, we walked through the yard, found the path up the hill, and started climbing. The top of this hill is 900 feet above sea level and the path is very steep. But I didn’t experience “complaining mind.” I just kept putting one foot in front of another. We rested as needed. Before we knew it, we were at the top.

This peak is known as Levenseller Mountain. We could see Mount Megunticook, trapping clouds at its summit. We could see the little hump of Ducktrap Mountain and beyond, the island of Islesboro and the ocean.

Sam said “It’s a miracle. The world didn’t have to be like this.” I listened to the speech of the oak trees, leaves rustling madly in the stiff breeze.

We headed down and drove home. It’s a lot to get for the price of a gallon of vinegar.