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To call 2020 a hell of year you would have to re-define the definition of Hell. A global pandemic, a pending recession (Perhaps even Depression 2.0), rioting and civil unrest and a crazy presidential election. And here we are in November and all those things ARE STILL GOING ON.
Needless to say, all of it has shocked our businesses, schools, government and our lives really, and this site/blog has been no exception. But still, we focus on the future and try to learn from the past if we can. So in this entry of My Adventure with Google Maps, I am going to briefly talk about plans for adapting to this strange new world of 2020 and beyond. And I will discuss them in more detail in the days/weeks ahead. First 1mpressions - I first started thinking about this one last year. Basically, I walked into McDonald’s in Lincoln and recorded the walk with my phone. Then I got thinking about Google Glass and doing reviews which were essentially a customer's first interaction or first impressions of a business. But no actual review from the customer (me), but letting the business, the employees, the owners do the review basically themselves. Naturally. Now I know there were some privacy concerns with glass. The reviews will always take place in public places and this isn’t a legal or criminal matter, so we’ll handle each “review” as it comes. Let’s not look for bridges to cross (or burn) that aren’t there. The prototype of the First 1mpression review is below.
Ride-Bys - Early on during the Covid Pandemic, I started messing around with Dash Cams and while I couldn’t go into a lot of businesses (still can’t actually), I could ride by them and record images of them being closed etc. Setting the groundwork for future reviews, profiles, etc. Then it dawned on me to make “films” of the footage and add other things (like links and stills), creating a ‘ride-by’ review. And the first prototype of that is below…
Total Immersion Reviews - Waaaay back in the year 2018, when I first started getting into doing reviews, (it actually started as an assignment for a class and I found I really loved doing the reviews. So I decided to pursue it as a possible career/business). I begin with Restaurants and Bars, because they are easy, and that's what everyone does. It quickly grew into Historical Societies, Museums, Libraries, Odd Shops and Thrift Stores. So I’m now thinking really upping the game, when most reviewers have a specific restaurant or business they want to review, they travel to the location, do the review and leave. I want to do more. I want to immerse myself into a specific area and review/profile as much as I can before moving on to the next town/city/area. The reason I want to do this is the reason I love to do the reviews in the first place. I'm always looking for stories or information that should be shared with others. It’s a more systematic approach to reviewing and the first town I have chosen is Calais, Maine. Because I want to review the whole coast of the state, I feel Coastal Maine really starts there (That may be proven or disproven, only time will tell.) Total Immersion Reviews starts Now…..
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My last three adds to Google Maps were interesting to me personally, as they took place close to both my hometown and in the area I spent a lot of time in growing up: The family Camp in the Lee and Springfield region in Northern Maine. Like Mattawamkeag, there is a lot of history in this area. Some good, some bad and mostly hidden. You have to LOOK for it, makes me wonder how much has lost over time.
Now I plan on doing FULL reviews/profiles on all three locations. But I’m really excited to dive into whatever research I can find about the Cushman Ridge Cemetery (Also known as the Hanscom-McGinley Cemetery). And see? Early, simple googling revealed that much, it was once called by a different name. And look at the photo below of what “might” be the site from find-a-grave.com. Maybe it did before they started to preserve the cemetery. Cause it looks nothing like that today. That’s all and as always, thanks for joining me on My Adventures with Google Maps. 
Can you see the "story" in this picture? I see potentially dozens.
Millinocket, East Mill and the entire Katahdin region has taken a beaten Economically this last decade. The mills closed in 2008 and it kind of shows when you ride thru the area. However, while doing my Google Maps gig, I have found 3 (and anyone reads this blog regularly knows I like doing things in threes, but anyway) FANTASTIC Bar & Grills /Restaurants /Eateries, whatever you want to call them right in the Millinocket / Katahdin Area!. They are all slightly off the beaten path, which is why I am working on FULL reviews for all 3. But for now they are the spotlight of this week’s blog:
Sawmill Bar & Grill on the Millinocket Road, I’ve mentioned this place a couple times. The place just has a great atmosphere, excellent food, attentive staff, theme, the whole package. Really nice, fun place, still plan returning a lot and “doing research” for a FULL review. River Driver's Restaurant & Pub on the Twin Pines Road, this is about as close to Mt. Katahdin as you can get and still have a great view of it! Food is excellent and they also have several camps/cottages they rent out. Very cool place. Boatman’s Bar and Grill on the Rice Farm Road. This place can be a challenge to find, but definitely worth the effort. Very relaxed, awesome drinks and great deals on food (taco tuesday, etc.) They are actually on Google Maps under their parent company (perhaps), a white water rafting company. IMO, the bar & grill should have it’s own listing on Google. When I went there, it looked like mostly locals. Making a separate listing isn’t hard and could only increase their traffic. 3 great places to eat and drink in the Millinocket region. And a great reason to visit a beautiful area. Check them out soon (Boatman’s will have to wait until next spring, I think they closed for the season in September) and thanks for reading My Adventures with Google Maps! 
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Doug GordonStory Hunter / Archives
November 2020
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