Camden is built over a waterfall!

It’s astonishing, really.  Camden was built on top of a rushing waterfall! The town fathers chose a most unusual spot to place their mercantile buildings more than 100 years ago – and they are still there!  A row of shops and restaurants stands above the gushing Megunticook River at the point where it empties into Camden’s busy harbor.

While admiring the scene I was reminded of a memory from many years ago. The first true vacation I ever took included a couple of days in Camden and a visit to Camden Hills State Park.  A young couple from the flat lands of central Ohio, we were enchanted as we followed a rushing stream downward, over a rocky path, through autumn woods, to the point where the water fell over the cliff and onto the rocks below.

Camden seemed little changed when I returned nearly 40 years later. The white steepled churches, the lovely town library, the active Main Street, even the Maine Stay Inn where we spent a night on that long ago trip, are still there, are still the same. White houses line Route 1 as it makes its way out of town, big houses from 100+ years ago, lovingly preserved, proudly standing tall. Beautiful two-masted schooners idle in the harbor, available for visitors’ day trips. Camden is a place where I could happily live – at least in the warm weather months!

Practicalities:

This fine website provides lots of information about where to stay and eat, what to do and  special events to attend in lovely Camden:  http://www.camdenmaineexperience.com/

Friday afternoon walking tours, late June to mid-September.  The tours are free, begin at 4:00 p.m., last for one hour and begin and end at the Children’s Garden of the Camden Public Library on Atlantic Avenue.

Here’s a link to one of the companies offering day trips on old sail boats:.  There’s a blog at that site as well that provides more information about goings-on around the harbor.

Visit Owl’s Head Lighthouse.  This site will tell you all about it!

Events:

Camden celebrates the 4^th of July for three days each summer. Beginning July 3 enjoy  live music in Harbor Park, family events, parades, and fireworks on the 4^thFor more information, contact the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, 207-236-4404.

Camden’s official summer season ends with the annual Labor Day Windjammer Festival, a festival of the town’s maritime heritage.  Schooners sail in from other Maine ports on Friday and the fun begins.  After dark, fireworks officially kick off the weekend, and festivities continue for three days. Click here for more information.

The Camden International Film Festival (September 25–28, 2014) showcases international documentary cinema. The Festival highlights work that shows dedication to craft and a unique and artistic approach to telling a darn good story. The Festival utilizes beautiful and unusual venues in Camden, Rockport and Rockland, Maine. Screenings are followed by intimate Q&A sessions with directors and industry professionals. Activities include panels, workshops, photographic exhibits, musical concerts and exclusive parties. Click here for more information.