Top Ten Day

June 1st at Birchwood Motel — Birdsong woke us this morning as did bright blue skies and sunny gorgeous weather. My mom would call this a "top 10 day."

the motel porch and aforementioned blue sky

Here are some favorite things to do around Camden on a top 10 day:

Walk. Have a thrilling outdoor adventure without being an expert hiker or enthusiast. Beauchamp Point and Beech Hill are two low impact strolls with high impact views.

Hike. Head into Camden Hills State Park if you need more of a physical challenge. Ocean Lookout or Bald Rock provide the best reward.

Eat. Great selections for wine, spirits and beer (many locally-produced) available at Rayr Wine Shop, Lily Lupine and Fern and even the little Stop N Go gas station. Grab a bottle of something and drive to Young's Lobster Pound. Order a couple pounds of clams and a couple of lobsters boxed and steamed. Consume immediately on their back deck overlooking the water.

Shop. Come home via Route 3. Stop at John's for a quick ice cream cone and then head into Liberty for  Liberty Graphics tshirts. Cross the street for antique tools and other finds at Liberty Tool.

Sail. End the day with a sunset cruise on one of the many lovely schooners you can pick up right at the public landing in Camden harbor.

Or just be. Our 200 foot long front porch with Penobscot Bay across the way and the beautiful gardens surrounding the motel and farmette provide lovely spots for relaxing after a day's adventure. A couple of bald eagles must be nesting nearby as they seem to make regular passes by the motel. Last week an osprey landed for a drink just a few yards away from where I was gardening!

Sleep. Sound-proofing between rooms, new Maine-made mattresses, ocean breezes and wicked clean rooms with organic housekeeping all provide for a good night's sleep at Birchwood Sustainable Motel.

newly-renovated "cottage-style" room – furniture, mattress, linens all from Maine!