The weekend of 17th August Marie and I decided to spend three days in Maine camping. Initially we were just planning to cross the border and camp along the Chain of Ponds, only a half hour away, but after checking for availability found that most places were still booked up. After all it was still the middle of summer and a weekend to boot. Eventually we found a rather nice place in Searsport, three hours drive across the border. The campground, Searsport Shores Camping, was right on the warm salt water of Penobscot Bay, near the town of Belfast, and we found it clean and friendly. As we had brought our kayaks with us it was the perfect spot to enjoy them. It was raining the first day but the water in the bay was calm that morning when we set out, the clouds gradually dispersing. We were, I was told afterwards by the owner of the campground, very lucky to have seen and heard a whale blowing in the distance near Sears Island as we paddled about. The next day was hot and sunny when we kayaked down to the village of Searsport, pulling up onto the rocky beach there for half an hour before returning to the campground. Ben rode back with me and thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Later that afternoon we walked the beach for a mile or so to Moose Point State Park, picking up at the high tide line a boat bumper, some rocks and a fishing lure. On Monday we said goodbye and made our way slowly back home, stopping of at Cathedral Pines Campground in Eustis, an hour from our house on Flagstaff lake, to see their facilities and to find out when the best time would be to book for the following summer. New Years Eve we were told - people start lining up to book the choice spots as soon as the office opens on January 1st! We also checked out Natanis Point Campground, the nearest one right across the border in Coburn Gore but it was full of ATVs and wouldn't be as quiet as the one in Eustis. We were home for supper, another great Maine weekend in the books. We are so lucky to live where we are, to be able to reach the coast in such a short time and to enjoy Maine hospitality. Thanks neighbours! gws
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| view of Penobscot Bay from the campground |
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| me enjoying the morning from a fallen oak |
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| low tide on a rainy day |
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| Ben enjoying the fresh air and seaweed at low tide |
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| Ben and a new friend at the campground |
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| view of Moose Point State Park from the campground beach |
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| A beautiful day to beach comb |
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| washing up in the camper |
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| Marie and Ben heading out for Searsport village |
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| Hamilton wharf, Searsport |
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| Moose Point State Park |
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| Flagstaff Lake, Eustis, Maine |
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| Cathedral Pines campground on Flagstaff Lake, Eustis, Maine |
