Maine's Coastal Route 1

While California has Highway 1 along the Pacific coast, Maine has Route 1 along the Atlantic which provides a scenic road trip through port towns, rocky beaches and quaint farms.

I began my trip as far North as Stockton Springs, a community situated on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Stockton Springs is mostly residential with private homes in the acres of woods. Its the kind of place where people tend to their garden, spend afternoons reading in a gazebo and bake homemade berry pies. My gracious hosts offered for my boyfriend and I to stay in the one-room cottage at the edge of the cliff. The country style cottage was cozy with a fireplace and adirondack chairs. Vintage guides to Maine on the coffee table added to the charm. We could literally stand on the porch and throw a rock into the ocean. A full moon made it a bright evening on the water and barking seals kept us company.



After a night on the water, we began the drive down Route 1. The road meandered through hilly farms and coastline as we passed food stands that read "Watermelon: $4" and "Pop's Crabcakes." Belfast was the first stop: a port town full of sailboats and ships on the water. The foot bridge dedicated to the veterans of WWI is a landmark to visit.



Next stop, Camden, a thriving town on the water where many choose to retire. Perfectly landscaped and full of seafood restaurants, coffee shops, used bookstores and boutiques, Camden is a must-see destination. We chose Cappie's Chowder House for lunch where it is a sin not to try the famous clam chowder. The restaurant showcases plenty of nautical memorobilia and the Seagull's Nest bar upstairs is a fun spot for a drink. Be sure to find the footbridge garden maintained by local green thumbs which crosses a canal for a girly photo op. Scenic nooks are in no shortage as Camden also has several man-made waterfalls alongside restaurant patios.



Just past the main street of Camden is the Children's Chapel (pictured above), a colorful garden and pavillion near the ocean. The chapel is an informal spiritual ground dedicated to young people and is popular for small weddings. The grounds are also ideal for a picnic.



Continuing South on Route 1 we passed Rockland and stopped in Boothbay Harbor. Boothbay is more touristy than Camden with salt water taffy, fudge and ice cream vendors. The town revolves around the main dock from which whale watching and reggae boat tours depart. Sherman's seems to have the better Maine souvenirs specializing in stationary and selling the literature of Maine-based authors like E.B. White. Kids will also enjoy the Boothbay Aquarium, a small facility with touch tanks full of creepy crawlers.

While in Boothbay, be sure to drive the extra 5 miles to Ocean Point where beautiful vacation homes and lobster traps are in abundance. Ocean Point is what many people think of when they think of Maine's coast: rocky beaches and waterways full of boats. Route 1 features towns where life is slower, perhaps the way things used to be.

Free Falling

Trip day with Kiwis and Aussies was bound to entail a quest for an adrenaline rush, so the selected activities for our outing were cliff jumping and surfing. We pulled off the road and our guide led us into the woods. At the end of the footpath, the foiliage cleared to expose a giant quarry with cliffs of varying heights from which we could plunge. We took turns pin dropping into the cool water as they do in Sheryl Crow's "Soak Up the Sun" video and then approached the 55-foot monster cliff.





One jumper played some pump-up music (including the 80's song "Jump") from the top of the cliff to encourage the gutsiest to propel themselves over the edge. One by one, peer pressure set in and off they went, geronimo!









After cliff jumping we drove to Kennebunkport for some surfing only to find no waves. The creative minds from the South Pacific had no trouble figuring out the next best thing to do-a game of cricket on the beach. Driftwood served as the stick and wickets and a tennis ball was plenty to get the game rolling. Sure, there were some close calls with the other beach goers but everyone appreciated good fun on the beach.



The day was completed with a trip to The Great Lost Bear in Portland which serves a vast selection of New England microbrews. Wings, burgers and other proper bar food tasted like summer as we sat on the outdoor patio. Cheers to free falling!

Staff Orientation: And Now for Another Icebreaker...

Camp staff orientation, unlike most job trainings, is full of games. Icebreakers to be more specific. Those forced introductions that pressure even the most mellow individuals to be loud extroverts five minutes at a time. I saw it on the staff orientation schedule and knew it was coming-THE ANNUAL NAME GAME. 150 staff from all corners of the world-U.K., New Zealand, China and Australia-gathered in a hot field to play the name game.

You know how it goes-sit in a circle, say your name and then the names of all those introduced before you. Brad, Zach, Miguel, Barry, Mark...I can't believe I get paid to play games like this one. Eventually the most overachieving icebreaker enthusiast names everyone in the circle.

But the name game isn't the end of icebreaker mania. Next on the schedule is the "Apache Relay" which involves a series of four different icebreakers in small groups. These icebreakers are for points. I don't know why introducing points makes one uber competitive, however I experienced a new allegiance to my team and we fiercely approached each challenge. We play knockout (which I haven't played since middle school gym class), spell words with our bodies, hold hands and move a hula hoop around the circle and dance/freeze on the basketball court. To watch grown men partake in these icebreakers with such conviction is truly a treat.

More mandatory team sports follow with special leagues for competitive tug of war, ultimate frisbee, kickball and soccer. Vicious battles over the rules for kickball are fought, since, after all, it is camp staff orientation. At this point in training, few staff are aware of their actual duties or job descriptions for the summer, but at least everyone has been exposed to a good kickball game.

The "Counselor Challenge" is the next round of foolery, during which team representatives partake in wholesome contests like jalepeno-eating, chubby bunny, boat races and strength challenges. The jalepeno-eating has the most entertainment value, thanks to the facial expressions that occur when contestants are eating jalepeno pepper number 16.

And when the games are complete there are two final tests to be completed: the swim test and the van test. Most job trainings do not require a group of 150 international strangers to don a bathing suit and jump in a lake together, however, this is camp and we do just that. For a search drill we link arms and walk across the lake in a serpentine. Where is the video camera when you need it? For permission to use the waterfront, we line up on the docks and take turns swimming about 25 meters to the other side. This feels a bit like walking the plank and one overzealous swimmer in his red speedo does a full warm up series during which he lies on the dock and practices a scissor kick.

The van test requires staff to drive a 12-passenger van about 100 yards on the single lane camp road. One of the Maine state troopers administers the test to Americans and Kiwis alike. I am amazed that this simple test is all that is needed to drive a van full of children, especially when most staff are from parts of the world where driving occurs on the left side of the road!

In a couple of days, the camp staff will become the caretakers of 400 kids. Surely the icebreakers will have prepared us for that.

The Final Stretch, Climbing Katahdin

School is out for summer and during the last weekend before the kids arrive at camp, I took a trip to Baxter State Park in Northern Maine with my boyfriend and an Aussie couple. The goal: to climb Mt. Katahdin. At 5,267 ft., the summit of Katahdin is the highest point in Maine, and the hike to the top is the final stretch of the Appalachian Trail. With visions of moose, mountain terrain and Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods," our expedition began.

We packed the roadtrip vehicle, an ancient 15-passenger blue van, with supplies for a comfortable night in the woods. At Baxter State Park, we experienced the less rugged side of camping, staying in spacious lean to's situated privately along Katahdin Stream, complete with picnic tables and fire pits. The price is right. For only nine dollars per person, the three-sided lean to's are large enough to sleep four to five people and are completely leak proof as they sit elevated from the earth and have large sloping roofs. Lean to's must be booked in advance through Baxter State Park.

After setting up camp, we took a short drive on the single-lane gravel road scanning every waterway for moose (and hopefully not black bears.) No sightings yet. Forest vegetation arched over the road. The day was cool but the guys in the car insisted on stopping at the natural waterslides so they could ride the shallow and frigid waterfalls that flow over eroded rock.

We settled in our lean to's along Katahdin Stream as the rain fell and tested how well the structures sheltered us from the elements. It was perfection. During the afternoon rain, we sipped wine, fed chocolate to the chipmunks and remained warm and dry. Later we dragged out our hillbilly horseshoe game and had a mean tournament, girls vs. guys. Graduation party games such as these make for fantastic camping activities.



Pasta with a spicy veggie sauce was made over the bunsen burners and we dressed the dinner/picnic table with a white cloth and candles. Very cushy for camping. We roasted corn on the cob and s'mores at the campire and listened to the rushing stream at dusk.



After a restful cool night in the open air, we rose early for our hike. Granola, O.J., coffee and watermelon fueled us for the trail. The morning was sunny and crisp, a perfect day for hiking Katahdin.

The first hour of the hike is perhaps the most beautiful as the trail meanders through the lush Maine woods along rushing water. Hikers pass Katahdin Stream Falls and steal views above the trees of the surrounding mountains. The hike is steep and rocky and eventually approaches the tree line. At the tree line, the trail becomes all boulders and the adventure transitions from a hike to a climb. This stretch separates the men from the boys. All fours are needed to climb the rocks and at the top of the boulders is an even steeper section of smaller rocks. I take a shower in bug spray. We joke about the mythical Flying Redneck Beetle, eat chocolate, trail mix and fruit and then press on. I am truly challenged by the the trail.



Finally we come to the plateau-the almost, almost there part. The trees have disappeared and all that surrounds hikers are sweeping valleys and rocky summits. Mossy rocks sit along the path and triangular rock mounds guide hikers to follow the vague path. The people at the summit are still tiny specks but gradually get larger. I blame my heavy breathing on the altitude. My hamstrings are happy to be on a gently sloping plateau.



We summit. Fuel up on more trailmix and enjoy the views. There is no civilization in sight, just pine trees and forest, lakes and mist, vast valleys stretching close to Canada. We take the token group shot at the Appalachian Trail/Katahdin Summit sign. The Aussie girl and I hope for a helicopter to appear and handle our dissent. We look out onto the Knife's Edge, the mile long trail some gutsy hikers tack on to the end of the hike. The Knife's Edge is only a couple feet wide for stretches with steep rock faces on either side. Gnarly.



The way down from Maine's highest point was hard on the knees but the scenery was even more enjoyable as the hiking became less strenuous. Down, down, down over the boulders and into the trees. Sunburned and bugbitten but feeling well-worked. At the waterfall, wicked with sweat we took a dunk in freezing water. The dip was brief but refreshing, a satisfying end to the adventure.

The post-hike refreshments were set up in the parking lot behind the van. Coffee, crackers and hummus never tasted so good. Our crew was absolutely beat and the lactic acid began to build in our muscles. We did it-we climbed the legendary Mt. Katahdin. And on the van ride home we finally saw what we were looking for-a moose!

Heaven for the Post-College Male: The Makings of an Ideal Guy's Getaway

While camp is the idyllic setting in which kids can be kids, it is also the perfect place for guys to be guys. In fact, the more time I spend at boy's camp, the more I am convinced that it doubles as a Club Med for grown men. Take the increasing popularity of family camps for example, which offer adults the amenities of a full service summer camp. The appeal of camp for "big kids" is prevalent enough that Budget Travel magazine now publishes listings of its favorite family camps as young and old take to the bunks for a proper vacation.

Still, more than anything, camp is a guy thing. The stuff of dreams.

My marinade is better than yours...With over 30 grills and full BBQ gear at my camp alone, how can one not feel manly. The longest grill on site is about six feet wide meaning countless cuts of red meat, hot dogs, hamburgers and shish kebabs on any given night. Firing up the "barbie" is surely one road to male bonding and when the grills are off, someone else in the dining hall is cooking for you.

And now for the brewski...It can't be a guy's getaway without beer. Just outside the camp, the town of Waterville, Maine houses a few good watering holes, my favorite of which must be Mainely Brews Tavern. Located on the ground level of the area's historic post office, Mainly Brews offers a variety of their own brews including a refreshing blueberry ale. Guys will want to join the locals for Quiz Night on Thursdays at 7 as they test their Trivial Pursuit skills and compete for glory.

Pyrotechnics abound...Gathering around the campfire is an unmissable tradition of being at camp, but making the fire as large as possible is perhaps even more important to the guys. Even those who rose through Boy Scouts enjoy pouring gasoline to achieve the biggest baddest fire possible. There is plenty of opportunity for that at camp.

Testosterone and some healthy competition...Whether it was lacrosse, football or tennis in highschool, camp offers sports facilities at the level of a country club. Waterbugs will enjoy the boats, jet-skis and feel macho doing wakeboard moves on the lake, while land animals can throw fast-balls under the lights of the Fenway Park-style baseball field.

Pumping the tunes...The camp uses the massive speaker system to play the trumpets at reveille and page kids to come to the office for discipline, but guys can hook up a killer playlist and jam anywhere on the premises (as long as the neighbors don't complain.)

And here's to being lazy...Nothing is ever further than your old college dorm room was from the cafeteria. Camp is just acres wide, and with golfcarts to ride, guys won't need to exert themselves after a late night.

Sounds like heaven for the post-college male.