Delusions of Grandeur

SWISS BLISS: LUCERNE IN MAINE

The original structure that is the heart of the Lucerne Inn was built in 1818 above the unearthly beauty of Phillips Lake, surrounded by what appear to be alpine mountains—a trick of the eye. Travelers stopping by exclaimed that the site immediately brought to mind their native Lucerne, Switzerland. No one has ever disputed this. Most of the rooms have replaces to go with their stunning views. Especially during COVID, this scenic destination at 2517 Main Road in Dedham (you can’t miss it as you travel from Bangor or Bar Harbor) strikes us as a lovely breath of fresh air. It must have been for Amelia Earhart (imagine this resort as viewed from the sky) during a 1934 stop. Innkeeper David Silverman con rms the visit with newspaper photos.

A change at the inn renowned for its elegant dining is creating some buzz this summer. “A man pulled into our parking lot,” Silverman says. “He told me, ‘I’ve been driving by here for 45 years and never stopped, but now that you have the new casual patio [dining], here I am.’

“It’s called Rian’s Pub, our daughter’s middle name,” Silverman says. ink scallops wrapped in bacon, clam chowder, chicken quesadilla, fried haddock. All with Switzerland at your feet.

Because it’s a true alpine retreat, the Inn has an extensive wine list. Overheard: “ is is such a sweet place. Only in Maine can you discover the Alps and have fresh lobster at the same time.”

CACTUS FLOWER: THE DESERT OF MAINE

Okay, Lawrence of Arabia. is Freeport bon-bon is not a true desert, because these 40 glacial acres of sand that have swallowed up a farmhouse and a springhouse across the centuries enjoy the rain in Maine along with the rest of us.

But it’s a whale of a fun tourist attraction. e scienti c among us can attend lectures about how this geographic anomaly came to be. Blame it on the Tuttle family, who neglected to rotate their

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