Five Things to Love About Maine

It's at 195 Log Cabin Rd., Kennebunkport; 207-967-2800; admission $8 for adults, $5.50 for children ages 6-16.

Go Candlepin Bowling

Here's a pastime that's very particular to Maine (and the rest of New England, plus Canada). Think traditional bowling, but with a much skinnier pin (hence, the name "candlepin") and a much smaller and lighter ball.

	Candle Pin Bowling

The result? A kid-friendly game (they don't need help hoisting or aiming anything), but an incredibly challenging one. As a former league bowler, I found it almost impossible to get any action with the pins -- since they're skinnier, there's a lot of space between them.

Put another way, even with three throws per frame (or "round") -- yet another distinguishing feature of the game -- I couldn't easily make a spare.

You'll find alleys scattered throughout the state; the Maine State Candlepin Bowling Association makes note of several.

We chanced upon the Oakland Park Bowling Lanes in Rockport (732 Commercial St.; 207-594-7525) on our own during a sleepy Sunday night. A nice bonus: The alley featured a vintage pinball machine, which beckoned to be played.

Whoopee Pies

Forget lobster: This is the real culinary find in Maine. After all, Maine lobsters are shipped and sold throughout the country. But whoopie pies? I've yet to see a single one in all my years of living in South Florida.

	Whoopie Pies

True, we're not talking anything fancy -- a whoopie pie is little more than a circular version of a Devil Dog, with two slabs of chocolate cake sandwiching a middle layer of creamy -- or, in some instances, marshmallow-y -- filling.