August 1, 2012 - Camden and Rockland, Maine

Our "adventure" today entailed more driving than usual for a day trip.  Camden is 104 miles from our "home base", which doesn't sound like a lot unless it is on two lane roads through coastal towns!  It didn't take us long to realize that in New England we have to double the time we would ordinarily think it might take!  But, it is always a beautiful drive! 

Our first stop was definitely spontaneous...the Maine State Prison Showroom in Thomaston.  Needless to say, the sign caught our eye and we had to stop!  You won't find one of these in South Carolina...state law prohibits it!

We drove through Rockland on our way to Camden, with plans to stop for the Annual Lobster Festival on our way home.  Rockland is also the home of the Farnsworth Art Museum and Wyeth Center, which showcases artists such as Andrew Wyeth who were inspired by the Maine landscape.  The Maine Lighthouse Museum is also in Rockland.



Camden was as beautiful as everyone told us it would be!  Shady streets are lined with elegant homes and spired churches and lots of shops and restaurants border the waterfront.  Mt. Battie overlooks Penobscot Bay, which is where Pulitzer Prize winning poet Edna St. Vincent Millay was inspired to write her first volume of poetry.



On our way back to Rockland we stopped at Rockland Breakwater Light.  While Glenn rested in the park, I walked the mile of breakwater to the lighthouse...something that seemed like a fun thing to do at the time.  It would have been if it hadn't been so hot in the direct sunlight with no breeze (I think the tide was changing!)!



The Lobster Festival in Rockland had just started it's five day run at noon so it was not in full swing when we arrived.  The live entertainment and crowning of the "sun goddess" would be starting at 8:00...too late for us considering we had to drive 85 miles back to Portland (remember...2 lane coastal roads) and the "girls" would be waiting for dinner and some outdoor exercise!



 

Anyway, while we knew we would not be able to really "sightsee" in these towns the way we wanted to, it was definitely worth the trip and both towns, as well as a few others we drove through are on our list of "places we want to return to"!

Click on the links below to see all of our pictures from today's "adventure".

https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August12012LindaCamdenAndRocklandMaine?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKuexpWPv4C1HA&feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/104959812223133937279/August12012GlennCamdenAndRocklandMaine?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLagw6yjm_eYQw&feat=directlink