Wonderful Weld & Wilton
Please be sure to look up to see when these places are open and if there are any COVID restrictions. In fact, it would probably be a good idea to call any that you plan to visit just to be on the safe side.
On a lovely cool spring day in late April, the Undiscovered Maine team took a “trade mission” trip to visit the Weld-Wilton area. We visited the phenomenal Mt. Blue State park as well as some terrific businesses. Here is the itinerary so that you can enjoy a visit also!
We left the greater Bangor area early in the morning. Our first stop was Skool House Variety: 32 School St, Weld, ME 04285, (207) 585-2595 to get coffee, snacks and the important restroom break. This used to be the elementary school for Weld and the owners actually attended here as kids! If we had had more time, I bet this nice husband and wife team would have shared some great stories about the elementary school and the area! The owners were so nice and they had everything you would want for your hiking in Mt Blue State park!
After a break to refresh, we headed up the road to the Center Hill Nature Trail; a short (half-mile) loop located on Center Hill (1,658 ft), inside Mount Blue State Park, off Center Hill Road This trail begins and ends at the parking area for the Center Hill picnic area, and includes excellent views of Mount Blue, Tumbledown Mountain, Webb Lake, and the surrounding lakes and mountains. It is a wonderful way to experience Mt. Blue State park and there are lots of other trails if you are interested in more hiking.
After the nature trail, everyone was ready for some lunch, so we went to Salt & Pepper and Sugar Too 843 US-2, Wilton, ME 04294 | (207) 645-7035. This local restaurant has been a favorite for many years. The new owners brought a combined 30 years of culinary experience, transforming it into a lovely, inviting place with delicious dishes, many made with locally sourced food! We all loved the food and the owners, who sat down to talk with us and were delightful!
Afternoon: A few visits to some terrific small businesses in Wilton!
MaineStone Jewelry: 
346 Main Street, Wilton, ME 04294, 207-778-6560, info@mainestonejewelry.com This was a really fun visit. 
The owners have mined the famous Maine tourmaline stones for many years and Ron uses his great artistic talent to create beautiful exquisite jewelry from the stones. Tourmaline comes in all colors and every piece he creates is unique! They also support local artisans
with jewelry and other unique items in the store including rocks, gems, local pottery and even fossils that are millions of years old! Despite the seemingly small interior space, be prepared to spend a lot of time looking at all of the beautiful Maine-made items including the rock and gem “museum” in the back room.
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Ambition Brewery 
295 Main Street, Wilton, ME 04294, 207-516-1466, info@ambitionbrews.com One of the owners spent some time in England and developed a taste for “malty English” craft beer. Take a look at just a few of the unique flavors.
One secret to the wonderful flavor is the pure water from the Souhegan river as well as the interesting flavors in the beers such as birch sap, Moxie and Chaga to name a few! This is a fun place to stop into, enjoy the beer, the river view and the experience of this great small town of Wilton!
Finally, on the way back to the Bangor area, we visited a terrific goat farm and creamery: Abraham’s Goat Farm & Creamery, 1000 Elm St, Newport, ME 04953, (207) 368-2165, abrahams.gfc@gmail.com The owners and workers love what they do, they love the animals and say, “our animals are treated 
as part of the family, free to roam over our 60-acre property, in a natural and humane environment.” If you want to see a beautiful local Maine farm and buy some delicious goat cheese, yogurt or kefir as well as pizza made in their wood-fired oven, stop by and visit the farm stand.
Packing List
Aroostook/DownEast/Western:
The weather in Maine can be unpredictable. Therefore, here are some ideas to be prepared. Wear comfortable clothes and dress in layers, Maine is very casual, so you probably will not find any restaurants that require formal attire.
Spring/Summer/Fall: clothes, comfortable sneakers or hiking shoes for walking, sun hat, sunscreen, sweater or jacket, insect repellent, toiletries, and phone/camera
Winter: clothes (layers), ski pants highly recommended, winter boots, jacket, hats, scarves, gloves, warm socks, toiletries, and phone/camera. Please pack a helmet if you are participating in snowmobiling, skiing, or snowboarding.!