Saturday, October 4, 2008 - Northport to Camden - 12 miles

Tippy posing at the summit

Top of Camden Falls
Camden Harbor
Seen its better days, but beautiful in its own way.
Was more brilliant in person.
Paddler in Northern Bay
Looking up at Schoodic Point
View from Mount Battie in Camden Park

Camden Falls - in the middle of town.


I woke up early and did two small watercolor paintings to send out to friends. I left at 9 am to ride 12 miles to Camden. I arrived at the motel early, but the room was set. I was able to unload my panniers so that I could more easily tour the village and the state park. I first went to Camden State Park to climb Mount Battie road to one of the summits in the park. It was only 1 1/2 miles, but very steep. The views were spectacular as promised by someone I talked with in a cafe two weeks prior. My reaction was noticed by a single woman about my age who had just made the hike up. She came over to talk to me and was a resident of the area for 4 years. She filled me in on some of the history, then took my picture. I did some sketching ,then soared down to continue into town. A juried art fair was under 50 white tents, near the library and Camden Falls. Camden was full of color and energy this weekend and blessed with fabulous sunny skies. I was grateful to the librarians for allowing me to store my bike in the foyer for the day while I perused the town. I had a terrific lunch and went in and out of cute, classy stores and galleries. Around 4:30, I decided to change into hiking shoes to climb Mt. Megunticook before dinner. I walked rather fast, to be sure to have a few minutes at the summit, then get down before dark. I met up with a father and son and their pomeranian at the summit, along eith two other guys. I was amazed that such a short legged puppy made it up the rather steep climb. Tippy was perched on the rock with the panoramic view as a backdrop. She looked as if she were posing, so I asked to take a photo of her. I bellied down to the rock and got some pics of her as the rays of sunset highlighted her auburn coat. The others found this amusing, and soon all of us were on the rocks, surrounding the poor pup with camera lenses. I descended just as dusk settled in, but had only to ride 1500' to the motel. It was a great day in Camden!!