Kayak Review for Camden Harbor

Camden Harbor is, to me, the quintessential image of coastal Maine. It's a place we go to often for breakfast, shopping, and just because it's a nice place to be. While there is a public boat launch, the parking is quite a distance from it, and there are no facilities. But for kayakers, that's no problem; just go to the public beach a few minutes from the town center. There are restrooms by the parking area.

(Oh, and might it be appropriate to mention here that ever since we started kayaking, there's been a steady refrain of "I want to kayak in Camden Harbor"? -D)

Here are two views of the beach/launch area:

It's a steep drop to the beach and for this reason we have to take off a half kayak in the rating.

The interior of the harbor is to the left which opens to Penobscot Bay to the right.

Heading into the harbor.

The outer harbor area.

That's the library in the background.

There are always 2 or 3 masted schooners at dock.

There are some massive yachts here.

Not a bad cottage!

The homes are are quite beautiful.

Heading out into the bay.

Better not start a fire in that fireplace!

 More photos are posted in the Pages section of the blog. Clearly, this is a beautiful place to visit. You can dock and take in the wonderful restaurants and shop the quaint stores. Of course, many things here are pricey, but most of the shops carry high quality, often locally made, items.

KAYAK RATING FOR CAMDEN HARBOR: 4.5

NOTE: The video is a little shaky. Waves will do that.

Kayak Review for Lower Damariscotta Lake

There is a public boat launch off Rte 213 in Jefferson, maybe 10 miles south of the state park on the west side of the lake. Plenty of parking, but, as of this writing, anyway, there's no toilet facility on site. There is a pad where one might have been located, but it stands empty. Hopefully, this will be corrected, as it is the only negative we can find to this location.

Quiet, peaceful, and picturesque are the words that come to mind. There are power boats on the lake, but they are not any kind of nuisance. This end of the lake is narrower than up by the park, making it easy to get from shore to shore. There are lots of little "nooks and crannies" to explore.  This is a location worth several visits because it's just a pleasant place to be.

KAYAK RATING: 4.5 KAYAKS

It really needs a toilet facility!

Kayak Review for Seven Tree Pond

"Seven Tree Pond stretches across 528 acres from Union to Warren. It’s a natural part of the St. George River, which flows toward saltwater in Thomaston Harbor. The maximum depth of Seven Tree Pond is 45 feet, with a mean depth of 24 feet. The water quality is below average. Round Pond is located entirely in the town of Union. Its 255 acres is accessible via canoe by paddling up the outlet from Seven Tree Pond. With a maximum depth of 34 feet and a mean depth of 17 feet, the principal fisheries are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white perch and chain pickerel." ( http://blog.mrlakefront.net/2012/04/01/the-ponds-of-union-maine-seven-tree-crawford-and-round-pond/ )

We like this pond. It has a small beach, decent facilities (port-a-potties, but they're in an actual building, are changed regularly, and don't stink), and picnic/grilling areas. As you can see from the map, Seven Tree also accesses Round Pond; a trip we have yet to take, although we did cross under the bridge today, so I suppose we were technically there.

Seven Tree has a nice energy feel, and there is "stuff" to look at.  Of course, as with most Maine lakes/ponds, there are loons. There is also a public boat launch. For some reason we were mobbed, literally, by mosquitoes during set up. This was really the first time we've ever encountered such a problem; it wasn't an issue last year. Might have been the time of day, since were were there before the sun was really out full bore.  As it got higher, the mosquitoes got fewer!

KAYAK RATING: A SOLID 4 KAYAKS

Kayak Rating for Pemaquid Pond

We were not impressed. There was just something about the place that was creepy. The water was brackish, which, admittedly, could have been due to the recent rain, but it had an odd salt marsh/swampy feel. Deb kept saying she expected a stone hand, dripping seaweed, to emerge and grab her.

The "facility" - read outhouse - was in deplorable condition; we really didn't want to use it.  The toilet seat was thrown on the ground outside, and what was left was covered in ... well, let's just say Deb gagged and refused. The watershed volunteer who was there checking boats for invasive plant life, who was a really nice guy, said it had been that way for a while ... at least since last year.  Yuck.

At a glance, the pond itself looked pretty. There were people fishing, but there was not much to see.

Very little chance we would ever go back.

There is a public boat launch.

Just don't use the outhouse.

KAYAK RATING: 2 KAYAKS

 Maybe 2.5

Pemaquid Pond

Bremen, Damariscotta, Nobleboro, Waldoboro, Lincoln, Maine
MIDAS 5704

Area (acres):	1537
Perimeter (miles):	23.8
Mean Depth (feet):	20
Max Depth (feet):	61
Delorme Page:	7
Fishery Type:	Coldwater + Warmwater
Invasive Aquatic Infestation:	None known
Water Quality:	Average

Lake St. George Kayak Rating

St. George Lake

St. George Lake is the fourth largest lake in Waldo County, Maine. It is in the township of Liberty, on the western side of the county. Lake St. George State Park is on the northwest shore of the lake. Wikipedia

This is another very picturesque state park. There is a very nice swimming area and many places for campers. There's a boat ramp just past the park entrance, if you're heading west, but you can launch kayaks from a small cove just to the right of the beach. It takes a few awkward steps to actually get down into the water but it's certainly doable and convenient.

 It's about a two-foot drop off, so watch your step.    

You can see the folded blue WindPaddle on the front of my white kayak. It was a windy day, so it got its first workout. There's an earlier post on that subject, along with video.

 The boat ramp

 Beach area

The park has it's share of wildlife including ducks, geese, and loons.

 There are still many sights to see on Lake St. George, and we'll be happy to revisit.

KAYAK RATING FOR ST. GEORGE: 4 KAYAKS

Kayak Rating for Damariscotta State Park

A very pleasant, picturesque, and enjoyable lake with facilities, swimming, and very vocal loons.


 

Damariscotta Lake State Park is a protected area in Jefferson, Lincoln County in Maine's Mid-coast region. The park encompasses Damariscotta Lake, which is 12 miles long.

KAYAK RATING: 5 KAYAKS                

The park has a clean swimming area, well-maintained "facilities", and lots of picnic tables and grills, making it a great place for a family outing. While there is no actual boat launch in the park, they do allow kayaks to be launched just to the side of the roped-off swimming area. There are public boat ramps on the southern end of the lake, and residents do have their share of motor boats but, overall, the traffic is not too heavy.

 Entrance. Folks 65 and over get in free. Adults $4

 Parking

 Beach. Launch area just past the trees.

 The swim area is roped off.

 Part of the beach

 Loons abound on the lake

We'll be on this lake a number of times this summer. It's only seven miles away and much more to explore.