Hello America!: 2017-09-10

Camden Maine August 31

Our dream to embark on this journey began in 2010 when we drove a 31' class C to Anchorage, Alaska. The freedom and adventure we experienced on that trip had us discussing what if, how and when could we actually be able to attempt a nationwide trip. Soon we were enrolling in RV forums, blogs, clubs and newsletters. Visits to RV shows and cruising RVTrader were regular events. Our dream was a small to mid size class A motorhome. In January 2016 we took the plunge and purchased a 2010 Winnebago Vista 32K privately and our trip planning switched to a higher gear.

Our home for the trip - 2010 Winnebago Vista 32K

We are both very interested in nature with a liberal dose of history thrown in for me, so soon we were mapping out a route starting in the Northeast. Sites were chosen with input from several RV friends, RV forums and the internet, we also searched for National and State Parks/Forests, which are our preference for sites. Of course Cooper and CJ insist on dog friendly sites. We have enjoyed Camden Hills State Park in Camden, Maine since our first trip with our hybrid camper in 2011. This would be our launching point.

Maine ahead!!!

Starting off on our big journey Wednesday August 30th, we opted to split the initial drive of 600 miles to Camden, Maine into two days. Based on posts from others, we spent our first night on the road at Cabela's parking lot. All went well and of course we picked up a few items while there! The next days' drive of 200 miles to Camden allowed us to depart after the 8AM traffic and arrive at Camden Hills State Park by 1:30 PM to begin our 11 day stay.

Camden Hills State Park

Camden is a harbor town on Penobscot Bay and for the last 24 years home of the Windjammer Festival. Windjammer Festival on Labor Day weekend is a hertiage days festival with activities filling all three days. You can start by viewing the schooners as they arrive in the harbor, followed by the crew talent show capped off by a very nice fireworks show over the harbor.

Camden Harbor at sunrise

Friday Night fireworks over the Harbor!!

Saturday morning features the Rotary Club pancake and sausage breakfast and not to be missed, lobster crate race. Lobster crates are packed with seaweed for buoyancy, tied in a line and attached from dock to dock. Participants race across the bobbing crates trying to pass as many as possible in two minutes without falling in to the harbor! Rescue crews are on hand in the water and ready to assist when needed. Speed, balance and agility are of the essence in a successful race. Some topple after a few crates and a select few run out of time after surpassing 200 crates! Much fun to watch!

lobster crate race action, run fast and light!

concentration

Other items are pirates, schooner trips, water rescue demonstrations and the build a boat race. All of this is very nicely done.

here is where most the activities will take place

The next few days allowed us to visit the Camden Snow Bowl-site of the toboggan championships in February. Camden Snow Bowl

just outside of town is the site of the National Toboggan Championships!

looks official

toboggan run

starting point for the brave!

Other activities during our stay included dinner on the dock at sunset, watching the new church steeple raised into position, a trip down to Brunswick to visit the Joshua Chamberlain museum, many, many dog walks around the campground and the ever popular going to the laundromat.

Friday the 8th provided a nice diversion as we came out of French and Braun with our morning coffee and blueberry muffins. Across the street the were getting ready to lift the new steeple in place.

starting around 7:30 Friday the 8th. The crowd grows by the minute.

I was informed that the fiberglass steeple weighs 7000 lbs!

fortunately a very calm day

almost done two hours later. They checked and triple checked before moving to the next stage

Nicely Done!

Downtown Camden is very quaint with lots of interesting shops and places to eat. There is something for everyone.

Cooper and CJ remembered the Magic Mailbox from previous visits stocked with dog treats!

On Saturday the 9th I trekked south along US1 to Brunswick, Maine, home of Bowdoin College and Joshua L. Chamberlain. Chamberlain is a well known Civil War general and Medal of Honor recipient. He spent much of his life in Brunswick as both a student, professor, College President and State Governor, most of that time in the same house that today is a museum. The Chamberlain Museum is easy to get to off US 1 and contains many personal items from the man and his career.. A docent provided a very in-depth tour.

View from the front. This was originally a one story house that was moved during the 1860's and then raised and a new first floor put underneath!!!

some of Chamberlain's Civil War items.

Also a nice day trip is down to Rockland and spending an hour or two at the Lighthouse Museum.

Maine Lighthouse Museum Rockland, Maine

Mount Battie

Across US 1 from the State Park Campground entrance is the access to the bay. you can drive down or walk. The last 100 yards is a foot path through the woods to a nice overlook. You can sit there and view or...climb down closer to the water's edge and see some rugged Maine Coast up close.