Camden, Maine | Lobsters | Visiting Camden, ME

Lobster Bound: Camden, Maine
By Susan Fogwell

Camden, Maine is the quintessential New England coastal town. It’s nestled
among steep mountains that reach the deep blue Penobscot Bay. Lobster
boats bob in the bay and schooners dominate the harbor. The movie, Peyton
Place was filmed there in 1958 and since then, the main street has virtually
remained unchanged.

Other notable movies such as “Man Without a Face” with Mel Gibson and “In
the Bedroom” with Sissy Spacek were also filmed in this story book town.

The High Tide Inn is conveniently located one mile from Camden Hills Park,
home to Mount Battie and 6,000 acres of hiking trails. The inn was originally a
former summer home. The white clapboard house was built in 1904, and is
perched on a hill with seven acres of wide-open space. A vast blanket of grass
slopes gradually down to meet the lapping water on their private rocky beach.

Steps away from the main house, I checked into a charming cottage. A vaulted
ceiling with exposed wooden beams gave it a rustic and cozy feel. At each
window geraniums, petunias and begonias spilled out of the flower boxes.
Near the cottage, a wildflower garden flourished with Black-Eyed Susans,
Queen Anne’s lace and Golden Rod. Among the colorful flowers, I spied an
iridescent green hummingbird buzzing backwards. As I looked out the
window, it was hard to tear my eyes away from the unparalleled view of the
boundless bay glistening in the sunlight. For anyone wishing to
escape the rat race, the High Tide Inn fits the bill.

Breakfast is served in the main house on the large glass enclosed porch in
sight of the bay. Victoria, the baker makes fresh popovers and assorted breads
each morning for the guests. It’s not uncommon to see the resident cat
meander through the dining area, which adds to the homey atmosphere.

Looking out from the porch, lounge chairs with yellow umbrellas are
displayed on the sloping lawn. I can’t think of a better place to relax on a
warm night and watch for shooting stars.

Small shops, art galleries and restaurants line Main and Bayview streets,
which run through the center of town. For alfresco dining, I headed over to
Bayview Lobster.

Located in a prime spot, on the dock
and overlooking the harbor, I was
easily enticed in to ordering a lobster.
With picnic tables covered in red
and white checkered tablecloths,
Bayview Lobster is casual and fun
with a picture postcard view. You
won’t have to crane your neck too
much; you’ll be up close and personal
with wooden masts of 100 foot 18th
century schooners. Camden handles
more than 16 million pounds of lobster
each year. More than any other fishing port in the world.

If you’re in the mood for a lobster roll, head to Cappy’s, a cozy pub style
restaurant, which serves one of the best in town -- not to mention their clam
chowder. While strolling around town, stop in their bakery for a pastry and
cappuccino.

Lastly, you can’t go to Camden without having a picnic lunch on Mount Battie.
Soak in the most spectacular view of the 30-mile long bay and surrounding
islands with a lunch from the Camden Deli on Main Street.

To cap off your getaway to Camden, drive to nearby Lincolnville and catch a
ferry to the remote island of Islesboro. With a permanent population of 600,
the island is away from the hustle and bustle of Camden. It’s one of the few
places left that is not commercialized, and remains much as it was in the early
1900s. You can idly spend a day hiking the coastline and possibly catch an art
show. It makes for a perfect ending to an idyllic place.

For more information visit:

The High Tide Inn
Us Rte. 1
Camden, Maine

Islesboro Ferry
Lincolnville, Me
(207) 789-5611

Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce
www.visitcamden.com
(207) 236-4404

About the author:

Susan Fogwell is a flight attendant for a major international airline. She writes
about her worldwide adventures for various publications and ezines. While
growing up, she spent her summers on Lake Cobbosseecontee in Winthrop,
Maine.

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