TDY Gouge - Maine

Bangor International, ME - We had to divert in to here twice to get maintenance. The Maineacs (ANG) are extremely helpful. Met us at the plane with airstairs, U-Drive, and hotel reservations at the Holiday Inn. On the outbound leg they we able to hook us up with canned flight plans since the Coronet Shop is there. Ops stocks a full supply of Maniacs paraphernalia if those stickers aren't enough. You can't get flight lunches but if you stop by the commissary they make really good sandwiches at the deli. The only place we ate was Capt Nick's which has decent seafood. Customs here is hit or miss - we just got back from 90-days in the SWA and the customs jackass wanted to crawl up our ass with a microscope. ~The MAINEiacs in Bangor really ROCK! when it comes to service. If they know you are coming, they will go out of their way to take care of you. Before I got off the jet, the bus had arrived, the fuel truck was there, and the bus driver had our hotel keys and a car for us. You can't beat service like that! The Holiday Inn Odlin Road and the Ramada across the street from it are nice places to stay. Both of them have great bars for the weekend nightlife, but The Ramada has a slightly better crowd. Dinner down at the Sea Dog is great, and Captain Nick's is a decent place to eat, as well. I highly recommend a trip to South Harbor to see the rocky coast and enjoy the area. When lunch comes around, head just slight southeast to Thurston's which has lobsters straight off the boat on their own docks. A simple lunch of a whole 1 1/2 pound lobster boiled and served with a coke and some butter will run you around $12. These guys supply the stock for the lobster place in Bangor, but the prices for them are a bit pricier if you buy them direct. I recommend you head downtown in Bangor and get some lobsters from the local guy. He'll package them up in a cooler and give them to you so they will keep for about 30-48 hours and make the trip home for a lobster dinner with your family. He charged us roughly $7/pound for some awesome large lobsters. Holiday Inn 207-947-0101 was nice. Has a wireless internet access for free. Good restaurants near by and a great pool. Access to Golds Gym next door as well, no cost.

Brunswick NAS, ME -The Q is nice here and better than what you might get in town. The cabs will take you the few miles to downtown and are only $6. Go to Joshua's or Macmillans on a weekend night and its a good time. Talk to the locals about Lobster. There are some seafood company's that deliver to base ops in a hurry, but your best deals will be at the dock from locals. Best months June-October. $4.99/lb approx. ~On base is supposed to be nice, but if you have to stay off base the Parkwood Inn is nice. Just a few minutes from base, and the rooms are quiet and comfortable.