Trip Overview:

• Campground – Private – Sandy Pines Campground Sandy Pines Campground
• GarlandsontheGo Campground Rating 1-5 – Solid 5
• Harvest Host/Boondocking – Trombley Gardens, Milford NH Trombley Gardens
• Miles From Home – 322
• How Many Nights – 5 nights
• Month/Weather – Mid September/mostly rainy with few bits of sun
• Favorite Places visited – Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge 
• Favorite Eats – Cape Porpoise Cafe, great sandwiches! Cape Porpoise Cafe

After a successful Harvest Host overnight in Milford NH at Trombley Gardens Harvest Host/Trombley Gardens with some of the BEST ice cream ever, we made our way towards the coast.  Trombley Gardens had a great shop with fresh produce, prepackaged homemade food and animals to see on the property.  Oh and A FIELD OF SUNFLOWERS!

Arundel? I thought we were going to Kennebunkport!

When we booked our September vacation at Sandy Pines Campground – Kennebunkport ME we didn’t realize we would be staying in the lovely town of Arundel!  

Arundel is located a smidge northeast of Kennebunkport.   From Goose Rocks beach to Cape Porpoise there are multiple options for food, spectacular ocean views and the protected marsh land.   The town of Arundel had a lot going on, with only 4000 residents it seems simpler and more quaint than Kennebunkport.  Of course no one can argue that Kennebunkport is a sea coast treasure However for us,  we certainly enjoyed the proximity to the beaches and Kennebunkport without being in the middle of the end of summer craziness.  

Shopping or a wildlife refuge?

There really is not a choice, with camera in hand its the wildlife refuge everytime for this traveler!   The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1966 along the coast of Maine to protect the salt marshes and estuaries for migrating birds.  It covers 50 coastal miles, and over 5000 acres from Cape Elizabeth to Kittery Maine. We explored the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge at a couple different points.  The closest to where we were staying, Timber Point trail was a short easy 1.13 mile walk with the Biddeford Little River and ocean on one side and the marsh on the other. We only saw 3 other people on the trail. It was quiet and there were interpretive signs along the way pointing out fauna and history.  At the end of the trail were some historic buildings that we didn’t know were there when we started out.  We were pleasantly surprised by these buildings that they were not damaged by vandals or the ocean.  NOTE:  The parking is very limited, five spots in total, the trail is wheelchair friendly and dogs are NOT allowed. For more information:  Timber Point Trail

Historic Buildings on the Timber Point Trail – The Ewing House

Located at the southern most tip of Biddeford Maine, on Timber Point The Ewing House designed by Charles Ewing in 1930 as a summer house for his family was sold to Fish and Wildlife Service in 2012 and became part of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge.  It is also on the National Register of Historic places.

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge Main Entrance

While we didn’t see much for wildlife this was a short level mobility friendly walk along the “inlands” and salt marsh.  The walk was very peaceful that was interesting to learn how the inlands and fresh water and the salt march work together to provide a nutrient rich environment for shellfish and birds alike to flourish.  NOTE:  Leashed dogs are allowed on this trail.  Parking was more ample then at Timber Point Trail head.  Interpretive walk, make sure to get the guide that explains each stop! Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge

Sandy Pines Campground  Review

The campground is one of the nicest we have ever stayed in.  I am not sure if it qualifies as a “resort” campground but it sure feels like it to us.  It is the best laidout  campground we have seen to date.  Started in 2017 it is fairly new and very well kept.  

We had the place to ourselves on the weekdays as you can see! 

Click on the link above to see the stats and prices.

Being Flexible is Important

This trip was about relaxing and spending time together, the weather helped with that as we had many days of rain.  By the end we left a day early because of a hurricane coming in that would hit around where we were.  It was the right move, home was sunny and we could enjoy our last day of vacation outside.  

All in all it was a fantastic time away!