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Lobsters & Penobscot Bay ~ A Summer Visit to Camden,
Maine
by Susan Fogwell
(Camden, Maine)
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.
Penobscot Bay
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.
High Tide Inn
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.
Camden Harbor
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.
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