Around Town
Last winter
was one we will enjoy reliving with you throughout the summer.
We enjoyed every bit of our abundant snowfall by snowshoeing as
much as possible and we even encountered a rather large moose
in the woods near our house. This winter has also made some private
snowplow drivers very happy as they kept our driveways clear.
The last time we enjoyed a snowy winter it was followed by a warm,
dry summer and that is just what we are anticipating this year.
The cold
temperatures made working in the barn even cozier as we greased
blocks and prepped for varnish work later in the spring. We find
if you do this with windjammer tunes at a good level it keeps
up our enthusiasm. Surprise sat securely
at the Wayfarer Marine
dock appreciating the white shrinkwrap cover we created to keep
all the accumulating snow off her deck. After a brief trip to
the Caribbean to visit with old friends and remember some wonderful
cruising days, we started spring projects which included putting
some oil on that deck. Since this is the 90th anniversary of the
launching of Surprise we have lots
of memorabilia on board from her famous past to share with you.
In addition to some interesting anecdotes people have kindly shared
with us about passages from the Bay of Fundy to the Caribbean,
we have several fine black and white photos depicting special
moments in her history.
As many
of you have already found out, Small
Wonder Gallery nearby our table at the Public Landing has
exclusive rights to prints of a recent painting of Surprise passing
Curtis Island Light. Just next door to the Gallery is the Chamber of Commerce building
chock full of literature to keep you busy and informed while in
town.
One of the
consistent comments we hear from visitors is how much they enjoy
the small-town village atmosphere of Camden. As you walk along
Main Street there is a pleasant assortment of quality shops where
you can enjoy everything from fine art at Camden
Falls Gallery to vintage antiques at Starbird. You can stop
for lunch on the deck of Marriners or the Camden
Deli or hop across the street to the Boynton McKay Food Company
for a creative menu popular with the locals. And, of course, the
Smiling Cow is a seasonal
spot that has become a favorite for all ages from toddlers to
grandparents.
Along Mechanic
Street is the River District where you will find many shops and
restaurants including the Camden Bagel Cafe, the Owl
and the Turtle Bookshop, the Knox Mill Grill and the Tavern
at the Falls.
Camden Public Library by
Paul H. Brenner
While you
are shopping take the time for a stop at the Camden
Public Library which is an architectural delight with its
natural-light gazebo shining on the downstairs renovation. Upstairs
at the Library you can enjoy some breathtaking harbor views as
well as nautical prints and ship models while you take a break
in their delightful reading room. Many of our terrific inns and
bed and breakfasts are within walking distance of all the village
attractions. The historic district is just north of town and the
Library where strollers can see the gracious Captain's homes that
feature widow's walks where the wives of sailors watched longingly
for their ships to sail in. These homes have been lovingly preserved
for all to see. A popular oasis is Abigail's
Inn, where guests enjoy Beth's scrumptious breakfast while
Kipp adds his quick wit as he gives guests lots of historical
highlights of their home and the area. They are ably assisted
by sons Colin and Brennan and their mascot Roscoe the greyhound.
Next door is the lovely Windward
House , where the youthful enthusiasm of owners Kristi and
Jesse generate five-star reviews from their guests. And across
the street is the gracious Hawthorn
Inn, also just a leisurely walk to the village and the Library
. Maryanne and her husband Bill offer rooms with private deck
in the main house as well as their carriage house. The inn has
become very popular as a perfect setting for weddings. You cannot
miss the architecture of the Maine
Stay where guests can also stroll the gardens as they await
breakfast or afternoon tea served up by Bob and Juanita from a
vintage black stove.
On the other
side of town, Michael Salmon and his wife Mary-Jo, owners of the
Hartstone Inn even
offer fine dining to the public by reservation. Superlatives were
invented to describe dinner at the Hartstone. Their second popular
cookbook, "In the Kitchen with Michael Salmon" contains
spectacular photography guaranteed to inspire you to create his
award-winning cuisine. There is also a nice story with photos
about Surprise. Michael was recently
selected to cook at the James
Beard House in New York City, which he will be doing again
this fall. Congratulations, Michael !
As you travel
south along Elm Street you see the Blue
Harbor House which is one of the oldest buildings in town
operating as an inn. You will enjoy the Scottish accents of your
hosts, Annette and Terry as much as their hospitality. Another
historic lodging just across the street is the Capt.Swift
Inn which recently added luxurious and spacious suites to
accommodate larger families. Nearby are the Inns
at Blackberry Commons where travelers enjoy Jim Ostrowski's
delectable breakfast prepared with herbs from his backyard garden.
Just to the east of Elm Street are two delghtful B&B's just
off the beaten path. Thc Camden
Hideaway is located on Pleasant St. just behind the yellow
Montessori School. It is owned by Michael and Mary Jo of the Hartstone
Inn and has been beautifully renovated by them. Around the corner
on Belmont Ave., the Belmont
Inn, has a new owner! Bruce and Shery Cobb have passed the
reins to Anita Zeno who reports that all the guest rooms, common
areas and gardens are being enjoyed by many guests already. Welcome,
Anita.
While you
are walking about town don't forget to take a stroll up Bay View
Street enjoying the restaurants , shops and views culminating
in the newly-restored Camden
Harbour Inn graciously sitting at the crest of the hill overlooking
town and harbor. Raymond Brunyanszki and Oscar Verest who hail
from the Netherlands added a delightful European theme to their
grand ocean view rooms as well as their popular restaurant, Natalie's
which serves a creative and delicious menu year round.
When you
travel north on the edge of town you see the driveway to A
Little Dream . This lodging features everything from warm
hospitality to ocean-view rooms that are so perfectly appointed
guests must force themselves to go outside. Bill and Joanna give
"attention to detail" new meaning, from their breakfast
to their room decor. Nearby on the hillside is Timbercliffe
Cottage where recent owners, Karen and Dave continue to create
lots of enthusiasm as guests discover this little gem, which also
has some spectacular ocean views.
A short
drive north along Route One gives you the opportunity to turn
down some winding paths leading to the shore where you can enjoy
the hospitality and view at the
Inn at Sunrise Point, a AAA Four Diamond resort also known
for its hearty breakfasts by the Bay. New owner Daina Hill is
looking forward to greeting returning guests. Nearby is the Victorian by the Sea
where new owners Jean and Rob Short serve wonderful breakfasts
while guests enjoy the spectacular view of Penobscot Bay and Islands.
We wish Greg and Ginny Ciraldo well as they shift gears and devote
their efforts to Abbington's
Seaview Motel and Cottages. Just down the road, The
Inn at Oceans Edge has completed a pool for their guests and
their dining room, The Edge, is popular with anyone anxious for
a dining experience with a breathtaking view. A bit further brings
you to Lincolnville Beach, where you will find the Spouter
Inn which has dramatic ocean views from every room. Your host
Grant Lippman might be the tallest innkeeper in the area! When
you are returning to town take the turn at Camden Hills State
Park and catch the view of the islands from Mt. Battie, which
rivals any sight along the coast. On nearby Mountain Street in
Camden (Rt.52) guests staying at the cozy Swan
House can enjoy the hospitality of Ken and Lynn Kohl, as they
sit in the sunny breakfast room adjacent to the Park. Guests can
take a short hike from the inn's back door to sample the trails.
Back at
the harbor, as the sun gets lower, the locals gather on the benches
at the Camden Public Landing to swap some stories and critique
the day's events.
When the
warm summer weather arrives the waterfront eateries from Bay View
Lobster to the newly-rebuilt Waterfront
Restaurant docks are always popular. There are new owners
at Peter Ott's Steak and Seafood and they are adding youthful
enthusiasm to their new menu. We wish former owners, Keith and
Carolyn May, "fair winds" as they enjoy their cruising
retirement.
The larger
inns like the Camden Riverhouse
and the Lord Camden Inn
have spent the past few years carrying out expansions and
renovations. Dave Dickey at the Riverhouse has added an extended
stay facility right on Mechanic Street. The Lord
Camden Inn has completely renovated all their space and now
offers luxurious accommodations in the center of town. We have
toured the inn and it is beautifully done. A new addition to the
lodging scene downown is The
Inn at Camden Place, on Tannery Lane right behind the Bagel
Cafe. J. P. Fecteau invites you to come by and check it out.
The 2008
Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville
Chamber of Commerce book, "The Jewel of the Maine Coast"
is now available! It is packed with information about our area
and is a beautiful guide. Many of the photographs were taken by
our web site consultant Jim
Dugan and the layout is done by
Tim Seymour Designs. We feel it is one of the best area guidebooks
in the United States. For your free copy, just call the Chamber
at 1-800-223-5459.
2008 Edition
We recently
joined the Penobscot Bay
Region Chamber of Commerce, which is based at the Maine
Lighthouse Museum in Rockland. When you are in the area we
urge you to visit this fabulous venue to experience the largest
collection of lighthouse memorabilia in the country.
We started
our sailing season this year (our 25th) on Memorial Day weekend.
Our trips began on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 10:30 am. and will
continue until October 15. Whether this will be your first sail
with us or your twenty- fifth, we will try our best to make your
sailing adventure a memorable experience.
We leave
you with a quote from one of Maine's most famous authors who often
deals with the strange and macabre except when he is talking about
his home state. In a commencement address last year he said to
the graduates....
" Stay in Maine...If you
leave Maine, you'll miss it. It slips into your mind. It becomes
part of your dreams and inhabits your heart."
We hope you find out for yourself just what Stephen King meant.
If you are planning on spending a week or more in the
Camden area, take a look at Harden
Hill House, our cozy village home that is available for rent.
It is so close to downtown that you can park your car when you
arrive and not have to get in it again until you are ready to
leave!
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