The scenic drive from Rockport (last post) led me to the town of Camden where I was welcomed with free parking everywhere. A walk down the streets could make you feel you’re stepping right into a movie set.
But the stunning view came later when I drove up to the summit of Mt. Battie in the Camden Hills State Park. There at the highest point of the town, a panorama of Penobscot Bay and its surrounding countryside was fully displayed:
That was the same breathtaking view a young aspiring poet Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892 – 1950) beheld, inspiring her to write the famous poem “Renascence”. Her epiphany at the top of Mt. Battie set off a poetic expedition which eventually led the Poet to the literary summit of a Pulitzer in 1923. There on the mountain top was this plaque honoring ‘America’s finest lyric poet.’
“And reaching up my hand to try,
I screamed to feel it touch the sky.
I screamed, and—lo!—Infinity
Came down and settled over me…”
– lines from “Renascence”
Every time I feasted my eyes and mind, my stomach would in turn crave for my attention. So after a lingering at this inspiring site, I went down the slope back to town and found my way to the popular Cappy’s Chowder House. There I had the best chowder of my life: A Lobster/Oyster/Mussel/Seafood Chowder, yes, all of them in a Cappy’s cup for $9.99
A good finish to a rewarding day.
***
Follow my New England series:
- A New England Fall Foliage Road Trip
- Historic Concord
- Lobster, Lobster
- Scenic Drive from Rockport to Camden
- Camden: A Gem of a Town
- Orange is the Primary Colour
- Finally, Fall Foliage
- Vermont: More Than Scenery
- Serendipity on Route 7
Ripple Effects 
Oh my goodness. That chowder! Yum! Love the photos. Looks like a very cool town to visit.
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Ti,
Now thinking back, I should have ordered a bowl rather than just a cup of Cappy’s chowder. 😉
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That view is stunning. Wow!
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It was, Michelle. I’m sure you’ll find inspiration there. 😉
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Oh, good… you did enjoy the sights and food in Camden and the view from Mount Battie! My husband still wears his polo shirt from Cappy’s and The Grand Harbor Inn is one of my favorite hotels anywhere!
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JoAnn,
Camden is a place I’d like to revisit. Cappy’s too. You’re fortunate to be living so close to there. 😉
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With a chowder like that, I might’ve skipped all those scenic views! Or taken it in a to-go-cup and enjoy both 😉
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nikkipolani,
Hey, that might have prompted you to create your own kind of seafood chowder. 😉
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Wish I were there with you…. 🙂
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Oh yes, you’ll love it there.
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Free parking…what a treat. You have me craving a trip to the Northeast! Beautiful photos of those grand views!
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Ellen,
They sure know how to attract tourists to come back for revisits. 😉
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hi Arti,
Many years ago (decades), when my husband and I dropped his son off at Dartmouth College (NH) for his freshman year, we took the same trip as you through Maine and the surrounding area in the fall. Priceless!! You loved what i loved, beheld what i beheld (view from Mt. Battie to boot) and ate at many of the same local spots. Reading your posts is a lovely deja vu. 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
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Heather,
It’s ripples generated like yours that are so gratifying. Good to have someone share similar experiences and pleasures. Thanks for stopping by the pond and throwing in your two pebbles. 😉
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I thought the chowder was a cup of tea, and then I saw the next picture.
I hope one day I will be lucky enough to go to the East Coast and have some chowder.
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Denise,
Soups and chowder usually come in two sizes, cup and bowl. I should have ordered a bowl after tasting this delicious chowder. Hopefully one day you might be able to come over to N. Am for a visit. 😉
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I thought you were talking of Camden in London for a moment until I saw your photos they couldn’t be more different ☺️
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Charlotte,
O I should have included the short code ME, for Maine. Have been posting a series of my road trip to New England in the last week. I’m sure the two Camden’s are very different. 😉
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What a cute town and a gorgeous view!
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Yes, Stefanie, you’ll enjoy it here. I’m sure there’s something that you’ll like at the restaurants, non-lobster items. 😉
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Quaint little town. (I first thought of Camden in London too but knew where you were traveling)
You’re still giving me ideas for next summer! 🙂
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Lots I haven’t explored yet, Emma. And love to visit Camden of your country too. 😉
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If you were in my country, you’d be in Paris, not London. 🙂
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Of course! Sorry. But I’d love to explore Paris too. I’d seen so little the last couple of times I was there. Would love to explore the southern parts too. I was in Provence a few years back but only for a short time. Would love to stay there for a longer while. 🙂
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Corsica is a place to visit. It’s more than beautiful.
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That chowder sounds to die for! And so beautiful, those remarkable views. I wasn’t familiar with the St. Millay poem. It is perfect. I can’t imagine how wonderful it was to be that close to the big water. To be able to look and as far as you can see, water and sky. I haven’t had that experience for several years and I miss it.
Your photos are terrific. The overcast sky may have reduced some of the “awe” factor — but definitely not all of it — and the light made things so beautiful to shoot!
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Jeanie,
As a matter of fact, I wasn’t familiar with Edna St. Millay’s poem either. But with a plaque honouring her right there at the top of Mt. Battie, I must research on her I told myself. And for that chowder, you won’t believe those were all inside what looked like was a tiny cup. Now I miss it. Want to go back and try a big bowl!
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You’re making me hungry!
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