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The rest of the camping story
July 7, 2008
Ok, so Friday was a tough day. I guess looking back it wasn't quite so bad. All I had to do was hike uphill (both ways it seemed) 5 miles through bug infested forest and muddy bogs. I take that back, it was nasty.
Saturday however, was a gift from God. A late breakfast. Gorgeous blue sky and sunshine, mind you Friday was the same but my head was in the trees and eyes on the trail so I didn't pay much attention. The highlight of the day was water, especially after hot sweaty Friday.
Albany Mountain reflected in Crocker Pond</span>
First, we headed to Angevine Park in Bethel to play in the mountain fed creek. The kids also splashed a bit in the pond but I'm more of a creek gal myself. Oh, and Angevine Park had the most beautiful public restrooms, seriously. You really notice those things when you've been using outhouses. After a picnic lunch at the park we headed into the village of Bethel for an outdoor art show and pit-stop at a cafe.
Cooling off in mountain creek at Angevine park in Bethel, ME</span>
We spent the latter part of the afternoon and suppertime at Screw Auger Falls in Grafton Notch State Park. Lovely, lovely, lovely. More cold refreshing water. The kids and Damien explored the rock formations in Bear River past the main section of the falls. My job was to take photos. We plan to return to this less visited area of the park sometime after a hot hike and actually swim in the pools beyond the main falls (behind the rock Damien and kids are climbing on).
Rock Climbing in Bear River at Screw Auger Falls</span>
Damien prepared supper on the rocks of the upper falls, complete with freshly baked wild blueberry pie. Ok, he didn't bake the pie, we bought it on our way to Grafton Notch at Puzzle Mountain Bakery, a roadside shack (literally) on Route 26. The pies are actually baked on-site in a cabin set back aways from the road. Speaking of food did I mention yet that Damien plans and prepares all our camping meals. What a great guy! Seems he really wants me to enjoy myself.
Happier Camper at Screw Auger Falls</span>
And I did, once I got over Friday's frustrations. On the drive home we wrestled with a couple questions. How does a family:
- pursue a life of adventure with a beach bum mommy?
- keep true to their non-chem, non-toxic products policy and still enjoy the Maine woods without being eaten alive?
Any ideas or kick-insect-butt repellent recipes welcome.
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Samantha on July 8, 2008, 4:10 p.m.
Other than your Friday disaster (which really does sound rough) this looks so beautiful and sounds like such a nice hiking/camping trip. I would love camping so much more if my dear hubby would jump in and take charge of the food. I hate dealing with cooking while camping, so much so that we have actually picked up pizza to bring back to camp, lol!
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laura - dolcepics on July 9, 2008, 1:20 a.m.
The good stuff is always more expensive!
Awww, your camping photos look so nice. My family went camping all the time growing up. I miss it.
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Andie on July 8, 2008, 2:39 p.m.
Beautiful photos! Sorry I have no suggestions on the bug repellent. Maybe google it??? a.
renee on July 8, 2008, 8:41 p.m.
Damien started researching as soon as we got home. He's eager to work out solutions to all the discomforts so I'll be gungho for the trip next month. Looks like we'll continue to try Bite Blocker. We've used it before but didn't bring enough with us. I brought some of my homemade stuff but it failed miserably :( So we were forced to go buy a ridiculously overpriced bottle at the health food store for $18.00. Didn't work very well either. That's the long story behind the bug frustrations!