Just Up The Road: A Year Discovering People, Places, and What Comes Next in the Pine Tree State

I love scavenger hunts. As soon as I read the subtitle of Just Up the Road I had this hope that the book would contain tons people and places I could discover for myself. I was not disappointed. I started a comprehensive list of places to go, activities to try, and restaurants in which to eat. In all, Diehl mentions twenty-three places to hike, thirty-seven activities beyond hiking, and twenty-three restaurants. She also includes a smattering of black and white photographs and fifteen stories of Maine from the perspective of others. Quoting Maine in other people's words was a touch of humbleness I didn't expect. While I wanted to call this a guide to Maine, it is most definitely not. There are no maps of the places mentioned. There is no contact information. No hours of operations, emails, or websites. It is a strictly a travelogue/memoir with perfect inserts of Diehl's opinions, past triumphs, and future dreams with husband, Andrew and daughter, Harper. As an aside, the decision to include Monhegan Island was a no-brainer in my mind, but then again I am uber-biased. Diehl does an excellent job avoiding trope and superfluous flowery language about my hometown. Nowhere in her description does she talk about the magical light or spell-bounding beauty. Blah, blah, blah. She even avoids talking about fairy houses. Bless her heart.
While Diehl is heavy on hiking, she does not seem to be into music. For great places to see music I would add Camden's Opera House, Rockland's show more Strand, Portland's State Theater, and Brownfield's Stone Mountain Arts.
Confessional: I wanted to see Home Café in Rockland, the Orono Bog on Bangor, the Rockland Breakwater, or Newscastle Publick House in Newcastle. Just a few of my favorite Maine places beyond music venues. show less

I lived in CT for 17 years so reading this book by Chelsea Diehl was so enjoyable! All of New England was my playground and I could easily relate to the wonderful time she had taking a year off to explore the state of Maine and it's terrific scenery and great hikes and places to eat!
In some of her explorations her husband Andrew accompanies her and in others her young daughter Harper. The author's love of adventure, fascination with nature and devotion to culinary treats grabs the readers interest and easily convinces readers to vist Maine.
There are anecdotes from other Maine visitors included now and again and Diehl has convinced me to head back to Maine next year to check out some of her 100 choice spots. Of course, I intend to bring this book along on my trip as well as visit some of my own old haunts in CT!. I'm not much of an oyster eater so I have this in common with Diehl, but I do like fresh fish and Asian food and know I would love the many delicious bakery items she mentions so I'll have to bring my Tums along!
The most appealing part of this travel book is the way the author includes so many of her personal feelings about everything. Her sweet soul dominates the info and the way she feels about her beautiful state of Maine will definitely charm any reader!

Diehl took a year away from the business she started to find and document 100 adventures in her home state of Maine and to see where it took her, both geographically and internally.

This is more travelogue than memoir, and heavily focused on hiking. If the reader is interested in a personal story, this book is less interesting than others marketed as memoir. If you've spent time in Maine and want tips for less-popular spots, this fits the bill.

Enjoyed this fun romp through Maine. I grew up in Massachusetts, went to school in New Hampshire, have an Aunt whose lived in Maine her whole adult life, and my grandparts are buried in the far north of Maine. One of my favorite vacations was an off the grid trip to the Isle au Haut. Lots of great ideas for other road trips and adventures. I am considering buying additional copies to give to family members over the holidays.

A good read if you're looking for a travel guide to restaurants and attractions in Maine. I enjoyed experiencing these places through the eyes of the author. It's fun to see how your home state can still captive and surprise you.