The greatest thing about camping

After the kids spent some time choosing the choicest selection of purple, gray, and speckled rocks, we decided to explore a short hike callled Dicken's Falls. 









The girls pretending to be shocked by the caution sign.

 You know what is the greatest thing about camping? Having nowhere to go and nothing to do if you don't want to. After we returned from our little adventure we returned to the campsite, trying to figure out why we were so exhausted. Maybe it was because we finally let ourselves relax. How often in our daily lives do we push ourselves, just trying to get through the checklist of our day? How often on our vacations do we come back so exhausted that we need to recover because we tried to see and do everything?

It was such a good feeling to fall asleep and know there was no specific place that we needed to be. Of course, I woke up with that groggy feeling that you have after a big Shabbos schluf, but it was worth it. I gave the girls an arts and crafts activity to start working on while we got the campfire and dinner process going again. We passed our time sitting around the fire and savoring our last night in this beautiful National Park and talking about our next destination. Tomorrow morning we would pack up our camp and head north towards the island (and province) of PEI, Prince Edward Island. 

Maine: The Pine Tree State

I have only known two people from Maine...they were both Jewish, coincidentally. Maine is down-to-earth, practical, independent, and a little off center.

What is so great about Maine? Well, for one thing...it's really close to Canada, which makes it an easy trek across the border. If you're coming from Canada, get your camping stuff on the US side. It's half the price. America is also a great place to stock up on kosher food. Yes, even in Maine. Maine doesn't have a large Jewish population, but so much of the food in America is kosher anyway.

One reason I love Maine, and what distinguishes it from other places, is the total quiet and isolation which can be found there. According to the Maine Forest Service, "Maine is the least densely populated U.S. state east of the Mississippi River. It is called the Pine Tree State; nearly 90% of its land is forested".
Where do I sign up?! 

For the first family camping trip we took to Maine, we decided to stay in the cute little town of Freeport, which was conveniently located to Portland, Scarborough, and Old Orchard Beach. We were newbies, and we didn't want to venture too far out. We mainly used our campground as a base for all the activities and day trips that we wanted to take. 
                                                  
A friend of mine suggested I check out Recompence Shore Campground.  We chose one that was near the ocean and it's outgoing and incoming tides. Tidal pools; neat! It was kind of surreal to walk on the bottom of the ocean floor. 

Some larger campgrounds have their campground maps online. Recompence even allows you to scroll over individual sites and see the short description of each site. Here is lovely site #92.

It is a well managed campsite with friendly staff. You can get wi-fi near the front by the campground office. They also stock basic supplies that you might need...eggs, milk, firewood, etc.

If you want to camp at Recompense, don't make the mistake that we did and camp far from the flush toilets. My kids were underwhelmed with the whole portable toilet thing. And honestly, so was I.  It's important that you know your limitations. I have reserved a campsite at Recompense in 2012 in their new section of the campground, located not too far from the shower house (read: toilet), so I will update you.

If you have younger children, they will enjoy the farm animals at Wolfe's Neck Farm which is on the adjoining property. Be forewarned that your kids might ask you to start raising chickens or start a small goat herd. 

Okay, here is the real reason why I love Freeport.  It's home to LL Bean's flagship store, and it's open 24 hours a day/365 days a year. OH yeah! And Ben and Jerry's is right next door. You can eat your Ben & Jerry's and lounge in the adirondack chairs in front of LL Bean's home store. A consumer's paradise.


They even have a pond inside and do demonstrations on how to catch a fish.Can you imagine being hooked day in/day out? Poor fishy.

Their camping section was incredible, but alas, LL Bean is known for their quality, not for their prices.

If you need to go to the mikvah while you're in ME, don't seriously think about going in the ocean. REALLY! It's 55 degrees F in the summer. Bangor and Portland each have mikvahs.  Same goes for orthodox minyanim.