Our Memorable Journeys

Day 3 - Rockport and Camden

Today we took a ride south along the coast to the scenic harbor at Rockport Marine Park. I had read the story of Andre the Seal and wanted to see the limestone memorial statue that was built to honor him. Andre was an abandoned or orphaned but clever male harbor seal pup found in the Penobscot Bay in 1961and adopted by Harry Goodridge, who was then a tree surgeon and the Harbormaster of Rockport, Maine. Harry raised the pup, hoping the seal would become his scuba diving companion, and expecting that the beloved seal would eventually return to the wild when given the opportunity. Andre spent winters at the New England Aquarium, but each spring Andre was let loose in Boston Harbor and made a beeline 150+ miles up the coast to return to Harry in Rockport. He stayed with Harry in Rockport until his death in 1986. The multi-faceted story that developed over the course of their 25-year bond has been well-documented in news articles, books, a 1994 film, and a PBS documentary.

Also located in the park are the ruins of a historic lime kiln furnace where their interesting history is documented. During the 19th Century Rockport was a major supplier of lime to the East Coast. These kilns near the harbor converted limestone rock supplied by local quarries into lime used to make mortar and finish plaster. The burned lime was packed into wooden casks and shipped by schooner to cities all down the coast. In 1817, three hundred casks of lime were sent to Washington, DC for use in the rebuilding of the US Capitol, which had been damaged by the British during the War of 1812. A disastrous fire destroyed many of the lime kilns in 1907, which occurred about the time that cement began to replace lime in building construction.

It’s a short, beautiful drive between Rockport and Camden past village shops and pretty houses with flower boxes and white picket fences. On our way back north we stopped and walked the path to Curtis Island Lighthouse Overlook just south of Camden. The entrance to the path is in a residential neighborhood with only a couple spots where you can pull off the road to park your car. We walked the short winding path through the woods to a fantastic view of the beautiful lighthouse and bay.

We continued on to downtown Camden for lunch and a walk around Harbor Park to enjoy the views. Camden is affectionately known as the “Jewel of the Coast” as it sits at the foot of the Camden Hills and borders the stunning Penobscot Bay. Camden Harbor, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful spots in Maine, is protected by tiny Curtis Island. When gales blow, waves lash the island, but its ledges act as a breakwater built by Mother Nature to keep the harbor safe. From the park you can walk beside the Megunticook River Falls which are tucked just behind the shops and restaurants of downtown.

Just north of town we stopped at Camden Hills State Park and drove to the top of Mt. Battie for a spectacular view of Camden Harbor and Penobscot Bay.

Trip Index

Previous Day

Next Day