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THE LEAF-PEEPER SPECIAL
This is a two hour trip - at a poky pace - through a mix of hilly forest, farm land, a few small villages and past numerous lakes and streams. We call it a "Leaf-Peeper" tour because it is great fall foliage viewing, but it is also a wonderful summer excursion.
From the Camden Maine Stay turn right on Rt 1 south.
At the flashing light by the Camden Library turn right on Rt 52 north. (2 blocks)
Follow Rt 52 north past Lake Megunticook into Lincolnville Center.
At Lincolnville Center take Rt 173 to Searsmont. Local legend has it that Ben Ames Williams used Searsmont as the model for his novel Fraternity Village.
In Searsmont turn left on Rt 131 south. Less than one mile south of Searsmont you have to make a decision. You could follow Rt 131 all the way to the village of Union, or turn right and head toward Union on the Appleton Ridge Road. The ridge road offers wonderful views of Liberty and Hope (don't we have great names for our towns?) but is not paved all of the way -- take it if you don't mind driving in the dirt.
At Union turn left on Rt 17 east.
Drive three miles to East Union and then turn left on Rt 235 toward Hope village. When you get to Hope turn right on Rt 105 which will bring you back to Camden.
BOOTHBAY TO CAMDEN
From Boothbay head north on Rt 27. About one mile after passing the Boothbay Railway Village turn right onto River Road. This is a small back road that follows the Damariscotta River to the twin towns of Newcastle and Damariscotta. (Really one small town separated by a river. The history of the area is fascinating.) The name "Damariscotta" means "the meeting place of the alewives" (a small herring like fish) in the language of the Passamaquoddy Indians who lived in this area a thousand years ago. In the spring you can still see spawning alewives at the reversing waterfall just north of the village.
After you have seen Damariscotta, turn south on Rt 130 and tour another area steeped in history, the Pemaquid peninsula. Another Indian word, Pemaquid means the "long finger." This finger which points toward Portugal, is separated from the small town of South Bristol and Christmas Cove by "John's Bay," a body of water named after Captain John Smith who explored here in 1614.
Rt 130 will take you through Bristol, New Harbor and ends at the Pemaquid Point light house. After you take a few pictures of the light house and the crashing surf, head back to New Harbor and then turn right on Rt 32. If you like to walk, try one of the paths through the Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve. This area tends to be a bit buggy in the spring, but the bugs aren't nearly as distracting in the fall and winter.
The next town is Round Pond. If you are ready for lunch try the Anchor Watch inn which is not an Inn, but it is a good restaurant. Continue north on Rt 32 until you reach Waldoboro and Rt 1. Turn right and follow Rt 1 north.
The next town east of Waldoboro (about 5 miles) is Warren. Now you have to make a choice:
1. If you want to see Thomaston, Rockland, Owls Head or Port Clyde - stay on Rt 1 north. You might enjoy stopping at the State Prison, they have a Prison Craft Shop where you can find ship models and furniture which have been made by the prisoners. Turn south on Rt 131 and follow it through St George and on to Tenants Harbor and Port Clyde. From Port Clyde you can take a mail boat to Monhegan Island. If you want to make the trip call (207) 372 8848 for reservations. This is a great side trip, but you must be there by 10:00 AM to get on the 10:30 AM ferry. The return ferry leaves at 4:30 pm. (For folks who know this area, there is no need to mention the Olsen House, Birch Point Beach, The Owls Head Transportation Museum, the Owls Head Light, the Farnsworth Art Museum, etc, etc... but you can't do everything in one day. )
2. If you want to come on to Camden, turn left on Rt 90, go 11 miles, turn left on Rt 1 (north) and you are here.
The Camden Maine Stay is located on the west side of Rt 1, in the High Street Historic District, two blocks north of the village.
MONHEGAN DAY TRIP
From the Camden Maine Stay take Rt 1 south to Rt 131 in Thomaston and then head east toward Port Clyde. You will need to take the Laura B from Port Clyde at the first sailing (7:00 AM) or the second trip at 10:30 AM. The 11 mile trip takes about an hour and twenty minutes. Coming home you will need to take the 4:30pm. To make a reservation call the Monhegan Boat Line at (207) 372 8848.
If you want to get settled at the inn and then go into the village for dinner head north on Rt 131 to the junction of Rt 1. Turn right and then stay on Rt 1 north through Rockland to Camden.
Another option is to enjoy the sunset at the Marshall Point Light House which is only a mile from the public landing in Port Clyde. You will see the light as you enter the harbor and the road back to it is well marked. Now head north on Rt 131 for about five miles and stop at the East Wind Inn in Tenant's Harbor for dinner. You can call (207) 372 6366 for a reservation or just drop in.
If you take one of the earlier boats you will be able to make a few more stops. Go north on Rt 131 through Tenant's Harbor to St. George where you will turn right on Rt 73 toward Spruce Head. If you want to walk along a very quiet, sand beach, I recommend a stop at Birch Point State Park. You will see signs for the park on the right side of Rt 73.
Continuing north on Rt 73 you will pass the Owl's Head Transportation Museum where you will find a superb collection of vintage cars and aircraft.
Next stop should be the Farnsworth Art Museum in the center of Rockland. The Farnsworth has a great collection of "Maine Art" and an entire building housing an extensive collection of paintings by three generations of the Wyeth family.
Next stop - the Camden Maine Stay. |
