Decadent Treat from the Sea

Maine Lobster- photo credit Deb Neumann


Broiled Decadence

I was born in the wrong time in history. My absolute favorite treat is broiled lobster tails. Any lobster is good—but I’m addicted to the tails.

Lobster wasn’t always the elite culinary gem it is today. At one time, it was so plentiful it was considered poor man’s food—fed to prisoners and even pigs. Can you imagine tossing a $50 lobster into a pigpen? And yes, I found a website selling Maine lobster tails for $58.99, so I’m not exaggerating when I say a “trash meal” turned treasure.


Maine Lobster vs. Rock Lobster

Every trip to Florida—especially the Florida Keys—includes at least one (usually more) stop for lobster tails. Why Florida? Because they use spiny lobsters, also called Rock Lobsters. These clawless crustaceans pack all their meat in the tail. The tails are larger, firmer, and have a brinier taste than Maine lobster.

Maine lobsters are great, but just using the tail feels like a waste. Let’s boil that beauty and enjoy the delicate claw meat too. Best to use a real Lobster Pot, not just any pan.

Fun fact: When I was younger, I had a lobster license and used to scuba dive for Maine lobsters. I could enjoy a lobster meal anytime I was willing to dive—which was often!

snuba at Turtletown 2020


National Lobster Day

Today is National Lobster Day, so head to your nearest seafood restaurant or fish market for an annual treat of broiled lobster. Restaurants might make it sound like preparing tails is a mystical art, but it’s really quite simple. Just don’t overcook them—nothing worse than a dry lobster tail.

Around here, it’s easy to find Maine lobster tails. Occasionally (though rarely), you’ll spot Langostinos—small crustaceans often substituted for real lobster. They’re tasty, but more closely related to crabs than lobsters. So for today, let’s go with the real thing.

Broiled Rock Lobster tails- Key Largo 2019 photo Deb Neumann


Let’s Cook

Ingredients

  • 4 lobster tails (10 oz each, or adjust cooking time for other sizes)
  • ¼ cup salted butter, melted (½ stick)
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Thaw the tails
    If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge or in a sealed bag submerged in cold water for about 30 minutes.
  2. Preheat the oven
    Set to Broil (500°F / 260°C). Position the oven rack so the lobster tails on a baking sheet are 4–5 inches from the broiler.
  3. Butterfly the lobster tails
    Using kitchen shears, cut down the center of the shell lengthwise (top side only), stopping at the tail fin. Gently pull the meat upward, leaving the end attached. Rest the meat on top of the shell.
  4. Make the butter mixture
    In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Brush generously over the lobster meat.
  5. Broil the tails
    Cook until the meat is opaque and lightly browned—about 1 minute per ounce. (10 oz tails = 10 minutes; 5 oz tails = 5 minutes.)
  6. Serve with melted butter
    For extra indulgence, try drawn butter—it takes a little more effort but yields a clear, golden dip with rich flavor.

How to Butterfly a Lobster Tail


Affiliate Disclosure

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly love—especially when they involve lobster tails!


 

Clowns of the Sea

Puffins, Clowns of the Sea

I love Puffins. Often called Clowns of the Sea, these charming seabirds earn their nickname thanks to their bright, multi-colored beaks, expressive facial markings, and pudgy little bodies. Add in their frantic wing-flapping and you’ve got a heartwarming, almost comical image that’s impossible not to adore. I love them so much that I embarked on a quest to see them live and in person—a surprisingly tricky endeavor on the East Coast of the USA.

Eastern Egg Rock, Maine – 2012

My first attempt was in 2012, when I joined an excursion to Eastern Egg Rock, a 7-acre island in Muscongus Bay, Maine, located about six miles east of New Harbor. It’s home to the world’s first restored seabird colony, including Atlantic Puffins. And it’s where I spotted my very first Puffin. They’re so little! Seeing one in the wild was a thrill, even if fleeting.

Puffin- Egg Island Maine 2012 photo credit Deb Neumann

 

Alaska – 2013

In 2013, I took a cruise to Alaska. I saw whales and sea lions, moose and caribou—even a couple of bears. But when the ship cruised past a raft of Puffins in Prince William Sound, I was curled up in my bunk, battling a bout of seasickness. Strike two on my Puffin quest.

Sea Lions Alaska 2013 Photo credit Deb Neumann

Machias Seal Island, Maine – 2016

Then in 2016, I heard about a National Audubon trip to Machias Seal Island in the Bay of Fundy. Puffins? Yes, please—sign me up! This time, success. The trip was everything I’d hoped for. You can read all about it in my Around Dusty Roads post [linked here].

Machia Seal Island Puffin 2016 photo credit Deb Neumann

 

Puffling Season

So what got me thinking about Puffins today? I stumbled across a story from Iceland, where residents of a seaside town were reportedly throwing baby Puffins into the sea. The headline was alarming, so of course I had to dig deeper. Turns out, the town’s streetlights confuse fledgling Puffins—called Pufflings—making it difficult for them to find the ocean when they leave the nest. Since Puffins spend the next 3–4 years at sea before returning to land to mate, this disorientation could be disastrous. Thankfully, the townspeople created a Puffling Patrol, gently collecting the confused chicks and helping them reach the water safely. A beautiful example of community compassion and wildlife stewardship.

Puffin Photo credit Deb Neumann

Conclusion

From Maine’s rocky islands to Iceland’s glowing coastlines, Puffins have a way of capturing hearts and stirring wonder. My journey to see them has been filled with detours, discoveries, and a deepening appreciation for these quirky little seabirds. Whether flapping frantically through the air or bobbing serenely on the waves, Puffins remind us that joy often comes in small, feathered packages—and that sometimes, the best adventures begin with a little obsession and a lot of heart.

 

Puffin Hide and Seek- photo credit Deb Neumann


 

 

Natural Wonders of the USA part 4

Natural Wonders List Continues

We’ve got 50 Natural Wonders to go through and we’ve only covered 12 so time to continue on. Besides, My life is boring. Who wants to hear about my issues with Medicare and unemployment.  Beautiful sights to see are far more interesting.

13. MAINE – Cadillac Mountain

Maine is one of my favorite states. It’s got lighthouses and rugged , scenic coastline. It’s even got Puffins but you need to take a special trip across the Bay of Fundy to see them.  Fun fact- tides in the Bay of Fundy are the highest in the world! They can reach an incredible 53 ft.! Now which thing is the Natural Wonder for Maine? 

Photo credit- Deb Neumann 2016

 

According to the list its Cadillac Mountain at Acadia National Park . During certain times of the year, it is the first place to see the sunrise in the US.

Photo credit- Joe St Jean- 2012

14. New Hampshire – Flume Gorge

Staying on the East Coast we’ll head to New Hampshire. That’s the Live Free or Die State. Another excellent state to explore with the beautiful White Mountains, The Kancamagus Highway and lovely lakes, streams and waterfalls.  The Flume Gorge is located in Franconia Notch State Park , Lincoln NH. Yes I’ve been there. Its an uphill walk with lots of stairs but I survived it and so can you. It’s beautiful. Very primal.

Photo Credit Deb Neumann 2011

15. Hawaii – Diamond Head

You are talking my language now. I love Hawaii although Diamond Head is on Oahu which is my least favorite of the main Hawaiian Islands. It’s the most cosmopolitan. If you miss crazy traffic and City life then Oahu is the island for you. Diamond head is the image everyone has of Hawaii. You know that post card image with high rises, white sand and a mountain.

28,842 Diamond Head Images, Stock Photos & Vectors ...

We drove up into the crater but did not climb the stairs to the top. I liked snorkeling in  Hanauma Bay more than I liked Diamond Head. 

16. West Virginia – New River Gorge

You got me on this one. I haven’t been to West Virginia so I haven’t been to New River Gorge.

The picture is gorgeous and I’d love to capture something similar but when I googled the New River Gorge Bridge it seems the thrill seekers have taken over. They banned bungee jumping after an accidental death deemed bungee jumping as unsafe but they still allow base jumping and rappelling!  No thanks. I admit I like an adrenaline rush as much as the next person but I still want to be safe!

That about wraps up todays post. More to come next time.

Is Maine an Option?

A Spring Vacation in Maine?

I saw a chance to reserve a cabin in the Maine woods in May. I’ve been to Rangeley Maine before. There’s not much to do except enjoy the scenery and hike. You might see a moose or deer  or if you’re really lucky a fox kit.

 

Little fox on side of road

I spent a week in Mane in June one year so I jumped at the chance to make the reservation. Now I’m having 2nd thoughts. For one thing I’ve added Banner to my household and he can’t go. If he was a dog he would be welcomed but cats are not allowed. I’m not sure I’m ready to be separated  yet.

 

The second reason is that Maine has reinstated it’s COVID quarantine for people from MA. If I have to be quarantined for 2 weeks I might as well stay home.

My last reason for questioning this decision is snow. Rangeley Maine is in the middle of the state right in the mountains. It’s a beautiful place but will it still be snowbound in May? Perhaps some more research is needed.

Speaking of Banner

Banner is growing like a weed and is a really good kitten most of the time. He leaves me alone to work either sleeping or playing with his toys. That’s amazing! But he did discover the jigsaw puzzle so that project had to be boxed up before the pieces were lost. A few now have kitty teeth marks!

We discovered Cat TV on YouTube.  When he gets particularly feisty I put the video on. If I add sound it really makes him crazy . He goes after the speakers so we usually watch “silent” TV.

As you can see Banner can be distracted too but comes back strong. Can you hear him purr? He is quite proud of himself.

He can also be entertained by just watching the curser or the letters on the screen as I type.

 

We’ve Played this Game Before

We’ve Played this Game Before

Have you ever seen those games of lists on Facebook. You know the ones. They ask you things like how many of the following list of books you’ve read or how many classic films you’ve seen. There’s even a list of foods you hate! Well I was trying to visit all 50 states but I kind of got off track. So let’s play another version of the game called How Many states have you visited?

Rules of the GameWe've Played this game before

For a state to count you must have spent time there. You can’t count changing planes even if you do have a long layover. No you need to spend at least one full day there. Even better is a weekend or a vacation. For example, I had changed planes in Washington DC many times but I couldn’t cross Washington DC off the list until I spent a long weekend exploring the National Mall and looking at frozen cherry blossoms. If I truly want to experience the Cherry Blossoms I’ll need to go back but I can put a check by Washington DC.

The List of States

  1. Alabama – No
  2. Alaska – Yes- Breathtaking and majestic. Loved the glaciers
  3. Arizona – Yes- Sedona and Red Rock Country. I took my first helicopter ride in Arizona.
  4. Arkansas – No
  5. California – Yes but not for vacation (I spent 3 days in San Diego at a business convention)
  6. Colorado- No
  7. Connecticut – Yes (I spent a weekend in Old Saybrook but I don’t remember why)
  8. Delaware – No
  9. Florida – Yes- Love Florida, too bad it’s going to be underwater because of Global Warming. I go often to enjoy it while I can.
  10. Georgia – Yes The Georgia Aquarium is huge and don’t forget to go to the World of Coca Cola
  11. Hawaii –  Yes  Oahu, Big Island and Maui. Still need to go to Kauai. Best time is February when the whales put on quite a show. I also snorkeled with Manta Rays and watched Kilauea prepare to blow her top.
  12. Idaho – No
  13. Illinois- Yes But I need to go again. It was a business trip to Chicago, one of the first times I’d ever been on an airplane (a long time ago) I don’t remember much.
  14. Indiana – No
  15. Iowa – No
  16. Kansas – No
  17. Kentucky – No
  18. Louisiana – Yes, New Orleans. Great food!
  19. Maine – Yes Saw my first wild Moose there
  20. Maryland – Yes Went to the Navel Academy in Annapolis when my brother was a midshipman.
  21. Massachusetts – Yes I guess I can say Yes. I live in Massachusetts
  22. Michigan – No
  23. Minnesota – No
  24. Mississippi – No
  25. Missouri – No
  26. Montana- No
  27. Nebraska – No
  28. Nevada- Yes – Vegas Baby!  Great Shows Great Food Fun Times
  29. New Hampshire – Yes I explored the White Mountains
  30. New Jersey – No
  31. New Mexico – No
  32. New York – Yes My childhood home plus I have visited Niagara Falls several times
  33. North Carolina – No
  34. North Dakota – No
  35. Ohio -No
  36. Oklahoma – No
  37. Oregon – No
  38. Pennsylvania- No
  39. Rhode Island – Yes- Walked the cliff walk and visited the Mansions. Even went to a black tie ball in one
  40. South Carolina- Yes My brother’s wedding
  41. South Dakota – Yes That was an awesome vacation- So much to do there!
  42. Tennessee – Yes – Stayed in Gatlinburg and visited Pigeon Forge. Skipped Dollywood
  43. Texas – Yes – San Antonio. Stayed right on the River Walk
  44. Utah – No
  45. Vermont – Yes Maple Syrup anyone?
  46. Virginia – Yes Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Garden Christmas Town
  47. Washington State- Yes Spent a week on a business trip in Seattle. Took pictures from the top of the space needle and visited Chihuly Gardens
  48. West Virginia – No
  49. Wisconsin – Yes Say Cheese. Actually My brother’s retirement party from the Navy was held in Kenosha
  50. Wyoming – Yes One of my favorite places. Jackson Hole (Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone)
  51. Washington DC – Yes, On a frozen , icy weekend (as mentioned above)

Now Its Your Turn

What does your list look like? How Many states have you visited? Which of my “No” States should I visit next?