Summer Touring in Maine - an Eclectic Review - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Summer Touring in Maine - an Eclectic Review UPDATED 6/16
Intro
I've been enjoying reading the trip reports in this section - just finished chezp's wonderful adventures in Yellowstone and more, and it gave me the itch to share with the group.
We are in the process of preparing for our annual summer trek North from Florida to Maine, and one of my tasks is to organize and back up photos from last year's trip, so I hope you won't mind that the beginning of this report will focus on the summer of 2011 - I think the info is still relevant.
Both my husband (Lou) and I (Sharon) are retired, and we have spent the past three summers in Maine. Our home base is Camden Harbor, and we live on a boat while in Maine. I'll cover some of our road trips to Acadia National Park and other areas, and perhaps a cruise or two.
Camden Harbor
Camden is a small town in the Midcoast area of Maine, and the Harbor is a beautiful place to spend some time. I'll share some photos of Camden later, but here are a few views of the Harbor:
It's not always this calm, but most of my photos are taken early in the morning or around sunset time, when the tourists and fishermen are not out and about.
In the next post, I'll share some photos of local activities and wildlife. After that, we'll take a road trip to Acadia National Park.
You're making me SO nostalgic! I lived in Camden for 15 years (Union Street, near the Camden-Rockport Archway). Your photos of the harbor are wonderful.
I have so wanted to visit the upper New England area and seeing these pictures increases the urge! We are cruising out of NY to Halifax and St. John and I think we might be able to see Maine as we pass by. I'm hoping so. Can't wait to hear more about your summer adventures.
Incredible pictures! They look like postcards --- love the reflection of the boats in the water. Some day, I'd love for our family to head north for our vacation instead of always south to WDW. (I know --- heresy on these boards!) I look forward to reading your TR to get a better idea of what it's like!
Thanks for sharing,
Carol
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DH, "Commando" (Let's get a move on, folks!) ~ Me, "Pokey" (Just a moment...Look at this cool trinket!) ~ DD, born 4/2005, "Ride! Ride! Ride!" (Roller coaster! Cars! Dumbo!) ~ DS, born 3/2009, "Charge!" (I wanna goooooo!)
You're making me SO nostalgic! I lived in Camden for 15 years (Union Street, near the Camden-Rockport Archway). Your photos of the harbor are wonderful.
Thank you, Laurie. I know just about where you were. Please jump in with suggestions of places to see in the area, as we've only touched the surface. (I'm looking forward to reading about your Alaska adventure).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grammy Grumpy
I have so wanted to visit the upper New England area and seeing these pictures increases the urge! We are cruising out of NY to Halifax and St. John and I think we might be able to see Maine as we pass by. I'm hoping so. Can't wait to hear more about your summer adventures.
That sounds like a great cruise. We're hoping to do it in our boat sometime in the future.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Your photos are stunning. I'm hoping one day to do a tour of New England, so I'm fascinated to find out more about this part of New England.
Thanks, chezp - it's all your fault that I'm trying to share. Your reports on the National Parks and Alaska were so helpful.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great start!
Thanks for stopping by
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Peanuts
Incredible pictures! They look like postcards --- love the reflection of the boats in the water. Some day, I'd love for our family to head for our vacation instead of always south to WDW. (I know --- heresy on these boards!) I look forward to reading your TR to get a better idea of what it's like!
Thanks for sharing,
Carol
I'll try to give an idea of what this area is like - I also had never visited Maine until we decided to move the boat up here to escape the Florida summers. About the photos - I have the advantage of sorting through a summer's worth of photos. I have lots of run-and-gun snapshots as well
I'm making progress sorting through my photos, so here's another update. One of my favorite things about living on a boat in the harbor is watching the little ducks - they entertain us for hours.
OK, that's already too many duck photos, but I can't help but share one more ...
We also see quite a few birds - Herons, Egrets, Cormorants, and Gulls. Not unlike our backyard in Florida, where we live at the edge of the swamp. Unfortunately, the bigger birds do pose a danger to the little ducklings.
Here's an Osprey and a Seal we saw while on a short cruise just outside of Camden Harbor. The Osprey's nest sits on top a large rock right in the bay, and the seal is just one of many who make their home on a bunch of rocks nearby. It was a dreary day, so didn't take lots of photos.
It was strange to be sitting in the rain, when I noticed something in the Harbor - yes, a crazy seal was swimming around right next to all the boats (you'll have to take my word that it is a seal - it was raining too hard to get a different lens). It wasn't the only one we saw - the fishing charters and lobster boats dock not far from where we saw this guy (there isn't much commercial fishing done out of Camden these days, just a few boats):
More wildlife may show up as the journey continues, but I will say one of our goals is to see a Moose this summer (2012).
There's quite a lot to do in Camden and the surrounding areas. One of our favorites is watching the large schooners go in and out of the harbor. They range in size, and you can do everything from a sunset sail to a week long cruise.
On Labor Day weekend, they hold the Windjammer Festival, and we counted over 12 large ships in the harbor. The town bustles with activities - food stands, crafts, demonstrations, and a pirate party. You can also tour several of the larger ships.
There are also large arts and crafts festivals during the summer. These are held in the beautiful park overlooking the harbor:
Mt. Battie State Park is just a few miles outside of town. The views are stunning, although it was overcast on the day we took photos. Good hiking trails as well.
The Fourth of July brings more activities, including free concerts in the park and a fireworks show above the harbor. The first photo shows the park as it's being setup for a concert - there are concerts throughout the summer, not just on the Holiday.
The Camden Public Library is an interesting building, and where they host readings by local authors and other types of events.
My favorite activity of all - stopping by the Smiling Cow on Main Street to shop. They make the best Maple Walnut Fudge!
There are plenty of dining options, although many of the eateries close down after Labor Day. One of our favorites - Paolina's Way, a small Italian Restaurant with delicious thin crust pizza and seafood specials. They specialize in organic dishes, made mostly from local products.
This is just a sampling of activities - I didn't start out to write a Chamber of Commerce advertisement for Camden; it turns out there's just a lot to like about spending the summer in this small town.
Next up: A Short Day Trip to Rockport, Rockland, and Owl's Head...
Your photos are some of the best I've seen of this very photogenic area! I have to say that the beauty of the harbor never ceased to thrill me. I lived there during the years that the famous seal, Andre, lived down the road in Rockport Harbor and he used to visit us in Camden Harbor a lot.
I'm sure you know all the wonderful drives in the area. I used to love to hike or drive the "back way" from Camden to Rockport-- down Bay View Street through the beautiful dirt roads by the Belted Galloway farm, stopping to feed the donkeys next-door some apples, spending some time at the gardens around the Children's Chapel looking at the views. Gosh, I hope it's all just the same as when I left! Certainly in the shots of the harbor and of the Smiling Cow it all looks reassuringly the same!
Everything looks lovely! Your pictures look almost like paintings! What kind of camera do you use?
Looking forward to hearing more about Camden!
Thanks! For these photos, I was using a Canon 7D. I am still experimenting with processing my photos and have a tendency to overdo it (but try to save y'all from most of that). Some of the painterly effect can come from the time of day the photos are taken, and also an occasional light tough of the HDR effect.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Your photos are some of the best I've seen of this very photogenic area! I have to say that the beauty of the harbor never ceased to thrill me. I lived there during the years that the famous seal, Andre, lived down the road in Rockport Harbor and he used to visit us in Camden Harbor a lot.
I'm sure you know all the wonderful drives in the area. I used to love to hike or drive the "back way" from Camden to Rockport-- down Bay View Street through the beautiful dirt roads by the Belted Galloway farm, stopping to feed the donkeys next-door some apples, spending some time at the gardens around the Children's Chapel looking at the views. Gosh, I hope it's all just the same as when I left! Certainly in the shots of the harbor and of the Smiling Cow it all looks reassuringly the same!
That's very nice of you to say, Laurie. I just became interested in photography a few years ago, but am having lots fun. Yes, we've taken the back route to Rockport, but only on paved roads so far
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
More great pics!
Thanks!
I'll do a couple more updates tomorrow. Not trying to scream through the report, but we head out on Monday for our Road Trip to Maine ...
That's very nice of you to say, Laurie. I just became interested in photography a few years ago, but am having lots fun. Yes, we've taken the back route to Rockport, but only on paved roads so far
Oh, dear... the road that goes right along the rocks at the shore is paved now? I feel like such an old-timer! I'm sure it's still beautiful, though.
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I'm hoping one day to do a tour of New England, so I'm fascinated to find out more about this part of New England.
for our vacation instead of always south to WDW. (I know --- heresy on these boards!) I look forward to reading your TR to get a better idea of what it's like!
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