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 strollingaround 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.
TM
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 strollingaround 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.