Vacation in Maine? Water, woods, the arts and adventure

For me, summer vacation means spending time in a Maine pond where the sound of loons calling is about the most exciting thing that happens all day.

But I do venture occasionally from my little paradise to experience other things the northernmost state in the northeastern United States has to offer, whether it's the coast, a mountain hike, a whitewater adventure or a museum. Here are a few options.

The shore