Oh my aching bones!
A few days ago my neighbor mentioned her family {and their little dog} went hiking in Camden Hills State Park. She said they took the Mount Battie trail, so I looked it up.
A half mile hike. Easy peasy. And look, according to the park’s website, you can ride a bike on the trail or even wear snow shoes, so we should do this I told the HH… and we should bring Lucy along too.
I mean if they neighbor’s dog {who is about the same size as Lucy} could do it, we could all do it too, right?
What could possibly go wrong, right? A HALF MILE. C’mon. It will be fun.
And so yesterday, we hopped in the car and headed to the park {we decided to leave Lucy at home though so it was just the two of us}. Did I mention this was the first time I had left the house since my in-laws left 13 days ago?
I don’t even know how that happened. But I think we can add that little tidbit to the I could be totally happy on an island and not leave for months or get cabin fever column.
Yada yada yada… we get to the trail head and the HH asked me if I brought the map.
Mavis: It’s a half mile hike. There are signs. And painted markers on the trees. Map. We don’t need no stinkin’ map.
HH: Did you bring water?
Mavis: No. IT’S A HALF MILE WALK.
HH: You should really bring some water.
I just rolled my eyes and started up the trail.
Well, I don’t know what happened, but to make a long story short, we took a wrong turn somewhere and what started out as a half mile hike turned into probably a 3 mile hike and by the time we found someone with a map we were pretty beat.
But we survived. And the view from the ocean lookout {1,300 feet elevation} of Camden Harbor was spectacular.
Today though, there will be no hiking. No gardening, no strenuous activity whatsoever because I’m calling it early and declaring today a pajama, hot tea and pot pie for dinner kind of day.
Fall. It’s the best time of the year. Even on those days when all you do is stay inside. 🙂
I hope you have a great {and restful} weekend,
~Mavis
Camden Hills State Park
280 Belfast Rd
Camden, ME 04843
sb says
We had a similar “1/2 mile hike” one day in the New Mexico mountains, long story, 5 hours later and being picked up by a car and taken back to the campsite – needless to say we slept well that night. Good times! Lesson learnt!
Jeanine says
I had to laugh…I bet you both had a hard time walking the next day. Been there, done that! But, I must say your pictures are beautiful of the park. I have done a LOT of hiking in my day. Hiked 200 miles along the Pacific Crest Trail. It was one of my most loved events in my life. Every year we hike to Wamapa Falls, 5 miles+ At Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park. Talk about a leg killer. But still, we love Mother Nature and all it’s beauty. Good for the Soul.
Mary G says
I often rely on my husband who, unlike me, has a great sense of direction. We recently went on a hike that was a mix of field/farmland and woods and we got turned around. That can be quite unsettling. Those trail markers–or blazes–are super critical when there is snow on the ground and the trail path gets harder to discern. What a lovely view you had, though. That’s may favorite kind of hike–when it provides you with a marvelous view that you wouldn’t have without the effort.
debbie in alaska says
you only do that once before you bring the map, water, and back up supplies, and let someone know where you are going. We’ve definitely all been there.
Kay says
What about a compass? Debbie we lived in the bush of Alaska for many years where we were always prepared. Even if it was just a short hike or riding three wheelers or snow machines. Or flying out for supplies. You understand.
Gigi says
In addition, my parents started carrying a whistle in the event they need help.
LoriSA says
I am glad you both made it safely home! It is a BIG DEAL getting lost where I live (in BC), so I am careful to be prepared for hikes. One thing that I do now, is take a quick picture of the map at the entrance (if I don’t have one) with my cel phone.
On a side note, I also take a cel photo of where I parked my car in a large/ or underground parking lot, as well as the stall number (and license plate) in case I need to pay at a kiosk. I can’t seem to just rely on my memory 🙁
Teri says
Beautiful view and your photography is beautiful! I guess it’s a good thing you didn’t bring Lucy this time. Maybe next time 🙂
Alison says
Reminds me of my trip to Muir Woods this summer – we kept making wrong turns – think we ended up doing about 8 miles that day! At one point at the top of a hill after climbing about a million steps I asked someone how the walk down was and he said I hope you have good knees – my response “yup! just got a new one!!”. A great day overall, sometimes its good to be pushed when you don’t have a choice!
LindaT says
I have actually been to the top of Mt Battie. We were staying in Camden and did all the touristy things, though I’m from Greene, Maine (between Lewiston and Augusta. ) We loved it in Camden, and if the real estate wasn’t so darned high would probably have moved there! Maine is still home to this SW Ohio gal!
Susie says
“…a 3-hour tour, a 3-hour tour…”
Lace Faerie says
My older sister used to do search and rescue up on Mount Rainier. She said each rescue she and her team made was a result of “it’s only a half mile…”
She taught me to always take water and a loud whistle, bring layers and always, always let someone know where you are headed and when to start worrying!
Vivian says
I was at the top of Mt. Battie last week! What a fantastic view! We took the easy way up-in the car! Camden is a lovely town and has a WONDERFUL ice cream shop with very different flavors. We tried to have lunch at a waterfront restaurant that we had been to before but they were closed that day. We had the dog with us so we had take out from a lovely deli and ate at the tables at the visitor center, right on the water. Beautiful day!