On the western shores of Penobscot Bay in Maine, you will fall in love with the quaint coastal town of Camden. Home of the lookout tower on Mt. Battie and many notable locations from the 1957 movie, Peyton Place, Camden Maine and its surrounding towns are packed full of interesting and beautiful places to visit.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to Camden by one of its native sons, a dear friend of mine who knows the area very well. There is nothing better than to see a place for the first time with this kind of local guide. He promised me the best blueberry pie in the whole world as my “birthday cake” for the event. He and I both LOVE blueberry pie. You can pick up wonderful home made baked goods at many of the small local stores here and your goodies will even come with a label signed by the local citizen who baked them.

We ate at the famous Lobster Pound Restaurant at Lincolnville Beach, just a few miles north of Camden. The food there was outstanding, reasonably priced and even came with a breathtaking view of Penobscot Bay. Although the name is similar, it is not related to the Massachusetts Lobster Pound chain.

Heading south along the coast, we stopped on the way to Rockland to visit the famous Belted Galloway cows at Aldermere Farm in Rockport. Cows may not sound interesting, especially with so many other sights to see, but these cows are special. Pay a visit and you’ll see what I mean. Aldermere Farm offers some gorgeous scenery and I had my camera out the entire time we were there.

In Rockland Maine we visited the over mile long Rockland breakwater and the harbor walk around the north end of Rockland Harbor.
Some other worthwhile visits would be the Maine Lighthouse Museum right on the harbor in Rockland, and the Farnsworth Art Museum. The Farnsworth is known for its Kosti Rahoma photographs and art of the Wyeth family, Louise Nevelson, Robert Indiana, and others.

Heading south of Rockland we passed the Knox Mansion in Thomaston. It is a replica of the home built by General Henry Knox, George Washington’s Secretary of War.

Continuing down the coast you’ll come across the towns of Owls Head and Spruce Head. Both places have lovely lighthouses and be sure to visit the Owls Head Transportation Museum where historic vehicles and engines, still in running condition, are demonstrated every weekend.

As you can see, this was a wonderful birthday trip for me. Camden Maine and all of the surrounding towns in this area are so worth the trip. I came away with a real appreciation for the beauty and historic value of the western coastline of Penobscot Bay.