It began yesterday evening with the much-anticipated surf-n-turf banquet for the National Tribal Environmental Council. Penobscot-style. Lobster and moose.

"Where is the moose?" one may ask. It's in the Moose Straganoff, of course.

Desert was a homemade blueberry pie, that was 95% blueberry, 3% crust, and a garnish of whip cream and strawberries.

This morning I walked to the 2 Cats restaurant for the french toast that had been recommended by locals.

What makes the french toast at the 2 Cats unique is that it is cut from baguettes.

Then it was off to Indian Island, home of the Penobscot Indian Nation (photos later).

Since Indian Island is close to Bangor, we decided to pay a visit to Stephen King's home and see why his fence is a local topic of conversation.  As fate would have it, it was raining.  That didn't stop us from posing in front of his house and the 3-headed dragon.

On the way back we stopped at a convenience store. As I perused the beer fridge, I came upon a very oddly-named beer: Double Bag.  How now brown beer cow?

Back in Bar Hapbor, our attention turned to dinner.  And lobster.  And beer.  Off we went to Geddy's.

Q: How does one get to Geddy's?

A: Look for the giant glowing moose on the roof.

We started with grilled Spam on the Halfshell.  Everyone together... "Spam! Wonderful Spam!"

Continuing my survey of the local brews, I had a light brown called Moose Breath which, luckily, tasted much better than it's name.  This was followed by a very smooth pale ale.

Others opted for the Blueberry Beer.  I was expecting purple beer.  What they got was beer... with blueberries. Bobbing blueberries.

While visiting Japan, I enjoyed salmon and squid pizza so I jokingly said, "I think I would like to try lobster pizza."

I was directed to page 3 of the menu: Lobster Newburg - pizza with Newburg sauce, topped with lobster, mushrooms, and scallions.

Now all that's left to do is digest.

Bar Harbor has a unique and charming feel.  Perhaps that is because the tourist season has yet to begin.  Most of the stores and restaurants are still closed.  Everything here is one-of-a-kind.  Coffee shops, art/craft stores.  Nothing mass market.  I found a restaurant called 2 Cats Restaurant and Inn.  I have heard from locals that the waffles and blueberry pancakes are very good.  Given my love for waffles and cats, it seems like a perfect combination.  Unless they include cat hair for realism.  I'll walk into town one morning and see.

The welcome reception for the National Tribal Environmental Council's annual conference (http://ntec.org/) was held at the Abbe (pronounced "Abby") Museum of Maine's Native American Heritage http://www.abbemuseum.org/ in Bar Harbor.  What an unexpected find!  Not only is the collection extensive and varied, but the facility is quite remarkable. I was impressed with the children's activity room.

The current exhibition is called "Twisted Path: Contemporary Native American Artists Walking in Two Worlds" http://www.abbemuseum.org/pages/exhibitions/exhibitions-overview.html#.  It showcases modern art by native artists; "personal stories about tribal identity and balancing life in a complex world."

The museum contains a circular room called Circle of the Four Directions.  The room was designed and built for the museum.  Circles have a deep significance in native culture.  The space not only showcases art, but is also used for music, traditional events, and even poetry.  When not in use, the room also serves as a contemplative space. 

Shear white panel overlap in the vertical space creating the impression of clouds or perhaps even sails.

The centerpiece is an eagle in flight carved from Moose antlers, with a Medicine Wheel.

After a private tour by one of the museum's currators, we we treated to delicious hors d'œuvres.  Though, after my third trip back, it would be more accurate to call it a meal.

As I left the reception, the sun was setting behind a church and bell tower across the street from the museum.