DRIVING TO CAMDEN,MAINE
Why Camden? Why Maine? I decided that I wanted to live in a summer environment very unlike Dallas. I chose Maine, and then the midcoast because the average summer temperature was 70 degrees;the towns and villages along the coast were small;there were a lot of cultural activities during the summer months;and I have never been to Maine.
I departed Dallas on July 1st for the 30 hour drive to Camden, where I had rented a house for July,August and 1/2 of September. Along the way, I stopped in Pennsylvania to spend time with family.
Coastal Maine towns have maintained their identities in the face of considerable pressure. The region has taken pride in its low-key practical approach to life. Town meetings are the preferred form of government. "Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without" is the mantra that aptly sums up the lifestyle - very opposite to the designer-outlet ethos filtering in. Today a Coastal Mainer might have been a former editor of the "New Yorker", an investment advisor working from his office at home, or an artist who in his former life built a tech company. All of this makes for an interesting and very approachable mix of people. I've made new friends in the very short time I have lived in this community.
CAMDEN
A quintessential coastal Maine town at the foot of Camden Hills. The village of Camden sits on a picturesque harbor that no Hollywood movie set could improve on. Many of the mansions still dominate the town's shady side streets (although many are now B&B's).
ROCKPORT
Rockport is the "sister" town to Camden. Two miles away, it sits on a bluff above the historic harbor and many photo opportunities. The Center for Maine Contemporary Art is a gallery for local artists - painters, sculptors and craftspeople is also in Rockport.
ROCKLAND
Located on the southwestern edge of Penobscot Bay, Rockland was built around the fishing industry. Rockland is a new entrant to "tourism" - the largest contributor to GDP along the Coast. Noted sculptor Louis Nevelson grew up in Rockland. In 1935 philanthropist Lucy Farnsworth bequeathed a fortune to establish the Farnsworth Museum, which is the most respected little art museum in New England. Most of the painters and sculptors have connections to Maine. Three generations of Wyeths (N.C.,Andrew, and Jamie), Rockwell Kent, Childe Hassam, Maurice Prendergast and Robert Indiana are present in the museum collection.
PORT CLYDE - MONHEGAN ISLAND
Port Clyde is located at the tip of a long finger of land about 15 miles south of Route 1. It is still a charming fishing village. This is also where one can access the 45 minute ferry ride to Monhegan Island. Monhegan was visited by Europeans as early as 1497. The wild, remote island was settled by fisherman. In the 1870's artists discovered the island and stayed - George Bellows,Edward Hopper and Robert Henri. The island possesses a mystical sense of tranquility. All of the trails lead to magnificent vistas that look down to the rugged coast. This is a perfect destination for hikers.
BELFAST
The northerly stretch of Penobscot Bay is rich in history, especially maritime history. In the mid 19th century, Belfast and Searsport produced many ships, along with the captains to pilot them on trading ventures around the globe. In 1856 , 24 ships of more than 1,000 tons were launched from Belfast. Searsport at one time had 17 active shipyards. Now there are many shops and galleries that are occupied by regional artists. The Belfast shipyards are readying for 600 skilled craftspeople, and an addition 600 workers to restore and repair the wooden boats. This is a lost art, although many still have wooden boats.
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