Take my money!
Although I thrive on our usual “roll by the seats of our pants” style of unplanned travel, I also enjoy an occasional event or trip for which all we have to do is pay a fee and show up on time, because someone else has done all the legwork and planning for us.
And that is exactly the experience we had last month, at the Escapees Downeast Maine Hangout in Sullivan.
Hangouts are a brand new addition to the Escapees slate of social events for RVers, and since we already counted the program directors as friends, and knew we’d be in the right part of the country, we registered for the Hangout in Maine as soon as we heard about it. Also? I’d never been to Maine!
The week’s schedule was packed full of events. None were mandatory; all were thoroughly researched; and all were described in a printed packet containing detailed instructions on locations, times, and any additional fees.
I think you’ll see pretty quickly how that 8 days in August felt so much like summer camp to us. In roughly chronological order:
1. We went on a group excursion to a historical site.
2. We went to a lobster bake.
The folks at Bar Harbor Lobster Bakes were very patient about helping out us newbies, plus there were instructions on our place mats.
3. We went blueberry picking.
4. We went biking.
And speaking of breath, I don’t think I’ve ever experienced cleaner, fresher air than we did in Maine. The sea! The pines!
Aaaahhhhhh.
5. We sang camp songs and other hits at karaoke night.
It’s about a skunk.
Let us all give thanks that there is no video or audio of this moment.
(Photo credit: D. Goldstein)
6. We went hiking.
We obediently flashed the official Hangout sign — the Hawaiian “hang loose,” or shaka — when we saw the camera.
(Photo credit: D. Goldstein)
7. We admired the sunset from atop a mountain.
8. We went on a boat tour.
We saw harbor seals, harbor porpoises, bald eagles, osprey, cormorants, and two historic light houses.
9. We got ice cream!
10. We went to a local festival.
Tim and I celebrated this one by running in the annual 5-mile race, which benefited a regional cancer charity. We also treated ourselves to some home grown goodies.
11. We went kayaking.
Have I mentioned that we had a lot of excess calories to burn?
12. We saw real live lumberjacks in action.
It’s a bargain, it’s family friendly, it’s entertaining as all get out, and let me just add that lumberjacks sport very pleasing physiques. Very.
13. We stayed in a campground.
The owners are friendly and attentive, and the campground boasts views of both bay and mountains.
We’d go back!
14. We obeyed the directions of our camp directors.
(Photo credit: D. Goldstein)
15. We shared potluck meals with our fellow campers.
And it made sense to bring the state’s most famous CRUSTacean to brunch.
(Photo credit: M. McIlraith)
And that wasn’t even all! I didn’t post pictures of the campfires, blueberry recipe contest, craft class, outdoor movie night, star viewing, or all our new friends (44 people in 25 rigs).
We even left with mosquito bites on our legs, just like summer camp when we were kids.
Oh, and you’d better believe we signed up for another Hangout. Next year: Mexico!
Disclaimer: This blog was neither solicited nor compensated by the Escapees RV Club, nor any business mentioned or linked to herein. All opinions are our own; all mistakes are Emily’s (and I’ll correct them if you ask nicely, after I finish smacking my forehead and sighing grumpily).
Nicely done. Great pics also. I need lessons to do what you have done.
Marge Smith
Thanks, Marge. We enjoyed getting to know you!