After a great start to our week, we jumped back in the car to our next destination CAMDEN. It’s only a 2-hour drive from Kennebunkport but, of course, we had to take the scenic Route 1 which adds a little extra travel time. We hardly noticed it since we were still riding high on our Maine momentum. As any true antiquing aficionado knows, you can’t pass up at least one visit to a Maine Antique shop. OK, maybe it was more like two or three but it was hard to pass up. If you have the time and appreciation, be sure to check them out. You’ll find plenty along Route 1.
THE HoLY DoNUT…. the name says it all. Once you bite into one of these bad boys, OH MY, it’s as if they were sent from heaven! There are actually three locations. Two in Portland and one in Scarborough which was along the route down to Camden. A drive-thru no less! They are handmade with an impressive list of flavors and their “secret ingredient”? Fresh Maine potatoes. You can’t leave Maine without trying one of these. We were good and only ordered two. Blueberry (a must) and Chocolate Sea Salt. They also have Gluten-Free and Vegan options.
…. a quick stop for lunch at McLOONS Lobster Shack in South Thomaston. They offer outdoor seating but this popular spot can get busy. It’s worth ordering and just eating in your car if you can’t secure a table. It’s located across the oldest working Lobster wharf where you can watch the Lobstermen unloading their catch of the day. Yes, we ordered the Lobster roll, Lobster chowder AND the Blueberry pie - be sure to have them warm it up. Somehow we managed to pass on the Whoopie pie although I regret not trying it now, but I managed to snap a pic. They were humongous!
We have arrived in CAMDEN, Maine. Now if you are looking for a property with a Relais & Chateaux vibe similar to the White Barn Inn, I can fill you in on an option but we opted for more of a B&B vibe for this portion of the trip. You have a few options to choose from in this area, some better than others. Availability was limited during our visit since it was high season but we came across the Whitehall Inn, in the heart of downtown Camden. You can also walk into town from here which is perfect after being on the road for so many hours. Whitehall Inn also did a really great job of honoring the social distancing & sanitizing protocols. We felt right at home here and if it wasn’t for the fact that there was so much we wanted to see and do, we could have spent all day on the front porch rocking chairs.
Once in Camden, you are a short drive away from ROCKLAND known as the “Arts Capital of Maine”. This was a place my late father-in-law would visit to paint so it held a special place in our hearts. Pictured below, is there pandemic-inspired street closure complete with a painted mural and seating - just in time for some social distancing interaction.
Maine showed tons of support for the front line heroes and the Black Lives Matter movement. We definitely felt the love here.
One of the dining highlights of our trip was here at PRIMO, a restaurant in Rockland, Maine. Primo serves up farm-to-table cuisine with a Mediterranean touch. Occupying a huge house, they offered some outdoor seating as well as indoor dining. Chef Kelly is an award-winning chef and a Long Island, NY native so we had to check it out. We heard only positive reviews about this restaurant and were happy to hear that they were ready to receive guests under strict social distancing guidelines during the dates we were visiting. This was our first and only indoor dining experience in months. If you can score a reservation here during your stay, be sure to dine at Primo - you won’t regret it.
MOUNT BATTIE TRAIL- after all that eating, you need to work it off with a hike up Mount Battie and be sure to go all the way to the top to take in the stunning views. There are a few trails to choose from so be sure to enter through the Camden Hills State Park entrance, they will provide a map with detailed information.
That glorious feeling of reaching the top of the mountain overlooking the panoramic views. A necessary break before hiking back down.
After our afternoon hike, we drove to the next town over, Lincolnville for yet another lobster lunch. Surprisingly, we weren’t tired of lobster yet…. P.S. those onion rings - Yowza! Somehow, Maine had a way of making fried food feel like a “light dish”- LOL.
SUNSET SCHOONER SAIL… we saved this for our last evening in Maine and it was a perfect way to end the trip. The peace and perfection of the calming sea is still etched in my memory. The pictures simply don’t do it justice.
This is what seven days in Maine looked like for us. There is so much more to do and see in this state and trust me, we will be back!