A Foliage Trip to Camden, Maine

Autumn seduces me with its bold color, bounty of apples, pumpkins and gourds, and fresh air tinged with chill, scented with woodsmoke and decaying leaves. I love to wrap a wool sweater around me, put on my favorite knit hat made especially for me by a close friend, and head out for a walk, crunching my way across the fallen leaves. My family and I made a foliage trip to Camden, Maine this weekend, driving leisurely along winding country backroads — hubbie pulling over frequently so I could take photographs of mountains, valleys, historic graveyards and old, white clapboard farmhouses of course…Camden is a quaint, scenic seaport town nestled around a harbor dotted with sailboats, schooners and lobster boats. The picturesque village is filled with historic homes and inns, unique shops, bakeries and gourmet provisions markets, arty venues, coffee shops and restaurants. It is one of our favorite places in Maine.The public library, built near the base of Mount Battie, offers lots to explore — gardens (with my favorite crimson-colored dahlias), an outdoor amphitheater and gorgeous skylight window. Our children watched the goings-on in the library wing beneath the ground. Fascinating architecture.We hiked to the top of Mount Battie. Oh, the view on a perfect mid-October day!…I have loved Edna St. Vincent Millay’s poetry since I was 19. Camden was her hometown. There is a plaque on a rock at the top of Mount Battie dedicated to Edna, as she often hiked to its summit as a young woman, and wrote her poem Renascence from its peak, overlooking the harbor.At the crest of the mountain this time of year you will find the earth covered in stunning, ruby red wild blueberry bushes. I was mesmerized by their glow.We played in the fallen maple leaves just before enjoying hot mulled cider and supper at a restaurant overlooking the water. Happy Autumn my friends! XO