Camden Hills State Park--Down by the Water

After hiking back down from Bald Rock Mountain, I drove down to the coastal section of Camden Hills State Park.  There was a short trail in the woods along the shore.  There was also a spot where I could go down on the rocks.  Not the same as Acadia--but still fun to sit on rocks as the waves came in.

Bald Rock Mountain

After driving back down Mt. Battie, I drove around to the trail to Bald Rock Mountain.  The trail was a good challenge--but do-able.  I ascended quickly--in hopes of being able to meet up with a group from church.  When I got there, the view was nice (including Cadillac Mountain in the distance)--but there was no group.  As it turns out, they had gone up Bald Mountain (which is a few miles away--but in the same general area)!  There ought to be a law about naming mountains . . . .

Mt. Battie: Fortress Above Camden

On Labor Day, I went out to Camden Hills State Park.  There is a campground and lots of hiking trails.  Due to time constraints, I drove to the top of Mt. Battie which has a fortress lookout at the peak.  It has a wonderful view out over the bay--including a view of Camden.

Boothbay Harbor

After kayaking, I traveled over to Boothbay Harbor.  It is a nice small village with some shops.  Similar to Camden but a bit smaller.  There was a footbridge across the harbor, leading to the Lobster Shack--where I had a crab roll (very tasty!).

Getting on the Water: Kayak

For years, I have had an irrational envy of people who have kayaks on the top of their cars--especially when I've been at Ohiopyle.  There are many, many kayaks in evidence in Maine.  I've wanted to see whether I would prefer kayaking or canoeing--given the state of my knees.  L.L. Bean has a kayak discovery class in which you get instruction and spend over an hour on the water--all for $20!!!  I went on the trip.  It was fun.  We paddled out past a blue heron and an osprey--out into Casco Bay.  The wind shifted, so our return trip took longer and was significantly harder.  I was in an open cockpit canoe, so my knees were fine.  Alas, my back was pretty uncomfortable by the time I was done.  Also, kayaking is different than hiking in this way--the waves actually work against you.  In hiking, the trail does not push back.

I didn't get any pictures while on the water, but these are some L.L. Bean kayaks--as well as a family kayaking in Boothbay Harbor later in the day.

Another long walk--to Smiley

The next day, I took another very long walk--going past Smiley Avenue (and our hoped-for house).

A Walk in the Woods--Perkins Arboretum

My car was set to enter the shop on Monday, so I spent the weekend on foot.  I walked from my apartment up to campus (about 50 minutes) and then walked on some of the paths through the Perkins Arboretum.  Yes, you can see the college library from the rugby field--that's just the kind of place that Colby is.  It was a very good long walk--complete with a teepee at the end.

Fun at L.L. Bean

I stopped at L.L. Bean on the way home and was amused by some of their decoration.  The sunset was also quite nice.

Gilbert's Chowder House

On my return to Maine, I stopped at Gilbert's Chowder House in the Old Port of Portland.  The chowder was nice--as was the breadbowl.