Memorial Day weekend RV camping in Camden, Maine

Memorial Day weekend has finally arrived and we've headed for Camden Hills RV Resort in Camden, Maine. It's our first visit to this campground, quiet not many campers here. They have nice sites (63), wooded like a public park might be, enough trees to provide shade most everywhere. Our site is a full hook-up with cable TV and Wi-Fi internet connection. Lois and Jim have a site right next to us. Also joining us for her first solo camping excursion was E'owyn. The whole set-up here this weekend suits me just fine. There's a pool and a spa, not a lot for kids, just a swing set. I think the appeal here is mostly for adults but maybe with summer time visitors it changes in that regard. The weather began with a mixture of sun and scattered showers which also played out through the night. Saturday morning Carol and I headed for Camden Hills State Park for a day hike. This is a terrific park with camping, hiking, a summit road to one of the parks peaks, picnic areas and beach access. The trail system is quite extensive considering the overall size of the park and if you're interested in spending 2 or 3 days of 3 - 6 hours of hiking this may be a perfect spot. We chose a hike that would take us along the base of the ridge line and then up to the ridge line to get us to the top of Mount Megunticook (1385'). There were no clear sight lines from the peak but further along was a major outlook area where we stopped for lunch and could look out over the town of Camden. While we we gallivanting around the hills and woods Lois and Jim took in some of the sights around Rockland.

Sunday after a hearty breakfast we all hopped in my truck and we headed to Lincolnville to visit the Cellardoor Vineyard. There we indulged in a late morning wine tasting with one of their hostesses. We must have sampled about 8 wines, I think Carol and Lois bought about 4 bottles each. After that we headed to Rockland where we wandered around their downtown section and ended up at the waterfront park where we took a break and the view before heading back to the campground to kick back for the remainder of our stay.

Here were are, ready to finally get out to go camping.

First stop, register at the office.

Our camper is to the left, Lois and Jim are in the middle.

Here's the take off point for our hike.

Carol and E'owyn get started up a rocky slope.

This is the trail that leads us parallel to the
ridge line, about 1.5 miles before we start
up that ridge line.

E'owyn is quite the trail dog, never tired
and wanted to lead the entire way.

The bridge didn't look too promising at
first but the high side was very solid.

This is the water on the downstream side of the foot bridge.

Here we are looking west from the ridge line as
we viewed a series of small mountains across the way.

Yeah, I'll make it up. I tend to linger behind now and then.

There were several variations of trail surfaces, all enjoyable to walk along. Here flat stones had been placed along the way. Other places were packed soils, cut timber, exposed smooth ledge, even some grassy areas. A few of the steep areas were almost like steps. All in all we could make good time and enjoy the woods and views. And E'oywn made sure to leave her mark along the way as dogs do.

The trail people do great work here. As high as our state taxes are the portion that goes to the state parks is worth it. If you can walk you need to get out to some of these places. There is every level of terrain, from strolling to climbing. We're paying for it, might as well use it and enjoy.

I think E'owyn is saying "hey old man, what's keeping you?"

Not exactly nose bleed elevation, high enough for today though.

This is the high point of Megunticook Mountain.

Quite the expedition.

Which way do we go? Ocean Lookout for the
best view of the hike... and our lunch break.

Another timber cut walk way.

The lunch spot on Ocean Lookout.

And here's the view over Camden, the payoff.

Alas, once you get the payoff for the hike you still have to finish the trip by trudging yourself back to the beginning.

Well here is a little bonus. I'll have to look up what kind of flower this is, the blossom is barely 3/4 of an inch, top to bottom. I don't recall ever seeing one before and it was the only one around. I used that little flower symbol on the camera to take this shot. That worked out well.

Made it back to the trail we started from.

One last bridge to cross.

There's the parking lot.

Happy hikers.

This is a bit of the harbor view in Rockland.

Jim and Lois taking in the view.