Aka the time we accidentally went to a reggae festival
So far this summer we have exclusively explored the mountains, but this camping trip we shifted direction and headed to the coast. Thomas Point Beach Campground, in Brunswick Maine was our destination.
Thomas Point Beach is a quirky campground set on a bay in MidCoast Maine. From the moment I arrive I feel like I’ve been transported back in time. It’s super clean, well maintained and down right beautiful, but without a doubt reminiscent of the past. From the playground straight out of the 1980’s to the funky large art pieces scattered throughout, this campground has character.
We reserved the stage site. It’s set back off of the road and is an expansive area with no other campsites near by.
We set up and then went on a bike/scooter/skateboard/walk around the campground to explore. With a paved and mostly flat road that loops around the campground, it’s ideal for any sort of leisure activity on wheels. We saw the playground and the beach. The kids approved of both.
The Playground
After dinner we went to the playground. The kids hadn’t played on a playground since the start of Covid in March.
To say that they were happy would not even come close to describe their reaction. Elated, euphoric, ecstatic about sums it up. Not to mention the Thomas Point Beach Campground playground is like a time capsule to a playground of yesterday. Nostalgia is high on this one. It includes all things a proper playground of the 80’s should include. Equipment currently deemed as a bit to risky to avoid lawsuits and insurance claims but honestly things built the way they should. There is no plastic on this playground, no soft mulch, only strong sturdy metal. The see saws actually “see saw” and are not just little animals with saddles on springs. The great thing is the stuff is well maintained and doesn’t feel old. It’s built to last. They don’t make stuff like this anymore. Wow, I sound old.
The Beach
After staying at the playground for a bit we headed down to the beach. The Thomas Point Beach completely changes with the tide schedule. When the tide is in it’s a calm, shallow swimming area perfect for kids. When the tide is out it becomes a muddy, expansive beach area to explore. Clams, crabs and horseshoe crabs are abundant. It’s mucky, sucks your feet and toes in and the kids love it. We played for a while and then headed back to our campsite.
Glowstick Fun
I got creative with some glow sticks. First I stuck one in a small water bottle for each of the kids to create a lantern. Then I stuck one inside a beach ball to create a lighted ball. The kids played for a while and then we all went to bed.
Fairy Treasure Hunt
The next morning we ate breakfast, and Jamie took the kids to play on the playground for a bit, while I set up a treasure hunt for them. I drew a map and wrote some clues that I hid around the campsite. I tucked the map inside the fairy house Anika had built immediately upon getting to our campsite. The map was from the fairy thanking Anika for the house and it explained using it along with the clues she would find throughout the campground would lead to a treasure.
Popham Beach
After the hunt we left to go to Popham Beach. They have limited the number of people allowed in at once and it was relatively empty for a hot August day. With a little walk we easily found an area to ourselves. The kids played in the water for a couple of minutes and then ended up in the sand to try out their new buckets.
After sometime at the beach we left and headed back to the campground for dinner, more playground time and bed.
A Morning Hike
The next morning we headed out for the day to explore the area. I thought we were getting coffee and donuts, but Jamie had other plans for us. He found a nearby hike, The Cliff Trail in Harpswell, a two mile loop though the woods and cliffs. It was beautiful and despite not quite being prepared for it the kids did great. We got back to the truck and ate some sandwiches. Then drove down towards Bailey Island to drive for a bit and take in the views of the coast line.
Since coffee and donuts didn’t make it into the morning we decided on some ice cream. We stopped at Island Candy Company.
Surprise Reggae Festival
Back at the campsite we all rested for a bit and then ate dinner. We had learned earlier on in the day that we had inadvertently camped at Thomas Point Beach the weekend that they were having a Reggae festival. We knew that events like this happen regularly here, but figured since we are in the middle of a pandemic we didn’t need to check the calendar. Turns out we were wrong. The next two days a “drive in Reggae festival” was going to be hosted at the common area. People could drive their cars and park and sit in them while enjoying the music.
Oops. Not exactly the camping experience we had planned. But we rolled with it. The really really loud music that easily reached out campsite began around 4 pm and continue well until 11 pm. We took the kids over for a bit and sat in the back of the field behind the, 7 or so cars that showed up, so they could listen for awhile. And we all enjoyed it to a point.
We learned Reggae music puts out a really positive message about being good to each other and supporting each other. That was lovely. A Reggae festival is probably not something I would seek out to attend at this point in my life, especially during a pandemic; however, it was fun to accidentally stumble upon it.
But…..Around 9:30 PM, when Anika, the little girl who never wants to go to sleep, looks at me and says “I’m so tired I just want that
music to stop”, you know we’ve had our fill.
The next morning thankfully everyone slept in a bit. 7:30, woo hoo!!
The 1970’s Motorhome
My dad had plans to arrive today and spend one night with us camping. The kids were so excited to see him and particularly excited when he rolled in with his 1970’s motorhome. This beautiful vintage beast provided hours …literally hours….of entertainment for the kids. They explored every inch of it. My dad commented on how even the way you roll the window down in this thing was amazing to them.
We spent the day at the campsite visiting with my dad, playing in his motor home and eating the snacks he brought. Finally around four the kids wanted to go down to the beach so we headed down for awhile.
After a swim, the music started and day 2 of the festival began, that’s right there were two days of it. We decided to go check out the food trucks for dinner. There was Jamaican food that I though was quite delicious. I got jerk chicken with a mango salsa and some sort of spicy rice with beans.
The music lasted late again but the kids were so worn out by the time we finally got them to bed that they were able to fall right asleep.
Headed Home
The next morning we woke up, packed up and headed home.
This camping trip was not entirely the serene coastal camping experience we were planning on this week, but still fun nonetheless. I think it’s safe to say some pretty epic memories were made.
