Camden Excursion

The recent hype about
"staycations" - staying home and enjoying Maine this summer - got me thinking about day trips from Portland.

One of my favorites is to get up early and head up the coast for breakfast - Mae's Cafe in Bath is a perfect stop. From there, I like to continue on Route 1 to Camden to hike Mt. Megunticook. I always stop at the Market Basket located on Route 1 in Rockport for picnic supplies to enjoy when I crest the top of the mountain. This cute deli features homemade breads, desserts, meats, cheeses, wine, jams and other gourmet picnic provisions. Pick up a couple of extra loaves of Honey Wheat Bread - it is fantastic - even better than Big Sky's version.

If you find yourself with no means to carry your picnic supplies up the mountain, stop in at Maine Sport Outfitters, as we did on our most recent trip. They will outfit you with a new backpack, water canteen, and whatever else you might need for your hike. Not only do they have all the outdoor gear you would ever want, they also carry the Horny Toad clothing line for women (my favorite brand of comfortable weekend wear).

With breakfast in the belly, shopping complete, and lunch provisions tucked away in your backpack, continue along Route 1 through the quaint town of Camden. About a mile outside of town on your left is the parking lot for Mount Battie and Mount Megunticook. It's a state park, so you'll need to pay a few dollars for each person. We park 1/4 of the way up the mountain(if you park at the bottom, the first 1/4 mile of the hike is just along the road) and choose one of the two hour hikes.

When you pay to enter the park, the attendant will give you a map detailing various hikes that range in difficulty and hours needed to complete. It's peaceful and beautiful walking through the woods, catching glimpses of the ocean here and there. The last part of the hike on the trail we selected (I believe it was the Scenic Trail) was fairly steep and rocky, which made the final ascent to the top that much more rewarding. The views from the top are breathtaking, with the town, elegant church steeples, and the harbor filled with windjammers spread out below. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic lunch, relax, and catch some rays.

With Portland only 1.5 hours away, an overnight stay in Camden certainly isn't necessary. But, if you decide to prolong the trip and spend the night, The Camden Harbour Inn is a nice spot within walking distance of the town, and with views of the harbor. Best of all, they house one of my favorite restaurants, Natalie's.

What's your favorite day trip from Portland?