From Boothbay head north on Rt 27. About one mile after passing the Boothbay Railway Village turn right onto River Road. This is a small back road that follows the Damariscotta River to the twin towns of Newcastle and Damariscotta. (Really one small town separated by a river. The history of the area is fascinating.) The name "Damariscotta" means "the meeting place of the alewives" (a small herring like fish) in the language of the Passamaquoddy Indians who lived in this area a thousand years ago. In the spring you can still see spawning alewives at the reversing waterfall just north of the village.
After you have seen Damariscotta, turn south on Rt 130 and tour another area steeped in history, the Pemaquid peninsula. Another Indian word, Pemaquid means the "long finger." This finger which points toward Portugal, is separated from the small town of South Bristol and Christmas Cove by "John's Bay," a body of water named after Captain John Smith who explored here in 1614.
Rt 130 will take you through Bristol, New Harbor and ends at the Pemaquid Point light house. After you take a few pictures of the light house and the crashing surf, head back to New Harbor and then turn right on Rt 32. If you like to walk, try one of the paths through the Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve. This area tends to be a bit buggy in the spring, but the bugs aren't nearly as distracting in the fall and winter. The next town is Round Pond. If you are ready for lunch try the Anchor Watch inn which is not an Inn, but it is a good restaurant. Continue north on Rt 32 until you reach Waldoboro and Rt 1. Turn right and follow Rt 1 north.
The next town east of Waldoboro (about 5 miles) is Warren. Now you have to make a choice:
1. If you want to see Thomaston, Rockland, Owls Head or Port Clyde - stay on Rt 1 north. You might enjoy stopping at the State Prison, they have a Prison Craft Shop where you can find ship models and furniture which have been made by the prisoners. Turn south on Rt 131 and follow it through St George and on to Tenants Harbor and Port Clyde. From Port Clyde you can take a mail boat to Monhegan Island. If you want to make the trip call (207) 372 8848 for reservations. This is a great side trip, but you must be there by 10:00 AM to get on the 10:30 AM ferry. The return ferry leaves at 4:30 pm. (For folks who know this area, there is no need to mention the Olsen House, Birch Point Beach, The Owls Head Transportation Museum, the Owls Head Light, the Farnsworth Art Museum, etc, etc... but you can't do everything in one day. )
2. If you want to come on to Camden, turn left on Rt 90, go 11 miles, turn left on Rt 1 (north) and you are here.
The Camden Maine Stay is located on the west side of Rt 1, in the High Street Historic District, two blocks north of the village.
