May 2, 2010 - Damariscotta Lake State Park

I wake up this morning to rain and hope that the sky will clear up so that I can take another adventure today. My wish came true later in the morning as the rain stopped but was somewhat cloudy. The temperature is to get into the 80s today so I better get started early. My next stop is at the Damariscotta Lake State Park in Jefferson. It is true that I have never been to this destination until my visit today so I will be surprised as to what I will find when I get there.



After a quick stop at Slate's for a muffin and coffee, I head off down the road to find Route 126 in Randolph to head down to Jefferson. I am thankful to have my MapQuest directions on hand because I can get directionally dysfunctional at times. The older I get the more I take after my mother. It is not a bad thing though. I love my mom dearly.



As I drive along, I notice the landscape and what is before me. However, I do take notice of road signs along the way just so I do not get lost. The state park was actually very easy to find. As I pull into the state park, there is only one other car there and the gate is closed. I guess 10:30 a.m. is too earlier for people to be out and about on a Sunday. Oh well.



With my camera all loaded with 400 speed film, I head through the parking lot down to the lake that I can see in the distance. Several picnics tables are lined up over to the left on the hill but I will leave that exploring for later. I wanted to see what was at the beach. By the time that I arrived at the beach, the only things there to greet me were the wildlife and black flies. Oh, I will have to muster through to take a roll of film. Let's see what I can find.


I so wanted to capture the essence of the lake. The calmness abounds. Photographs 1 through 3 as well as 8, 12 and 20 brings forth what I saw on this day. There was actually some birds and ducks frolicking and enjoying the day as shown in Photographs 4 and 7, 14 as well as 15 and 22. As I stand on the beach, there are many picnic tables that align the edge of the park to overlook the calming waters. Not only does Photographs 5, 6, 9 through 11 as well as 19 show the picnic tables and the surrounding areas, it shows what people can leave behind. Of course, I have blackflies who are keeping me company on my journey on this fine day. As I turn to walk in behind the picnic table area, I glimpse a spacious area with perfect grove of pine trees as seen in Photograph 13. I then stumble across what lives in behind the calmness of the lake and its view. Of course, I find fallen trees as shown in Photograph 16 through 18 and 21.

After taking in the views one more time, I wander back towards the parking lot to see what else I can find. To my right, I notice all sorts of playground activities that children can partake in as they enjoy their summers here at this popular place. What fun they must have when they come here for the day. There are even more picnic tables that have not been put in their designated places yet. These are all piled up as shown in Photograph 23. What is that I see? I am not sure. It looks like wires poking up through the dirt in this area. Photograph 24 shows what I saw. As I look down across towards the water, I glimpse a peaceful view. What a place it is to have so many accessible views to such a majestic calm. Photographs 25 and 26 take in what I saw at this time.

I can picture this state park being filled with families during the summer. It is a great location for people with families to come and hang out. The beach is small but I am sure that is fine with the people who choose to come here for the day. Jefferson is lucky to have this state park in their backyard.

As I drive back towards home, I am lost in my own little world of what to do next. Why do I say that I was lost in my own world? Well, I can just say that somehow I ended up on Route 17 heading into Augusta. Okay, so I was not necessarily lost, but I certainly did not come back the same way that I got there. Oh well.