What were we thinking?
I am not sure how I decided that we should work at a boys youth camp. Fortunately, Mike was on board. We had looked at a few camps but decided on Camp Timanous which is north of Portland, Maine after interviewing a few places. He will be the maintenance man and I will be one of the nurses.
We arrived a week before the boys are scheduled to arrive and settled into our cabin. We are up on the hill behind the infirmary and campers. Our cabin has a refrigerator, microwave in the kitchen with air conditioning in the bedroom and is four times larger than our trailer. Our meals are served in the dining hall with the boys and laundry picked up on Tuesdays.
The head of the camp has the office on the left and the infirmary is behind it to the right overlooking Panther Pond which is a huge lake.
The counselors are enjoyable and witty but have needed medical attention of their own. My first day, I had to take a counselor to the Ready Care for treatment. His difficulties were above my pay grade. Doc fixed him up and in no time he was back at work.
There are a number of counselors from England. One of the girls said she could tell who they were by looking at their legs. They are red and swollen from the bug bites. They have not been exposed to Maine's bugs and react pretty badly from the bites.
Many of the counselors that come from overseas travel with Trek America before or after their contract across the US. They are having the time of their lives. Some work in the kitchen, as naturalists or photographers while at camp.
Many of the counselors that come from overseas travel with Trek America before or after their contract across the US. They are having the time of their lives. Some work in the kitchen, as naturalists or photographers while at camp.
There is plenty to do to get ready for the campers but we had Sunday off and decided to head to Portland for the day. Once the campers arrive, I will only be able to leave once a week for any extended period of time.
It really isn't a bad place to spend time even if I can't get away more often. They can contact us by walkie talkie if we are needed while away from the infirmary on a walk or kayaking.
Portland, Maine
Our last visit to Portland, many years ago, was brief. This time after walking around, we opted for a lighthouse boat tour.
We spotted this osprey while leaving the harbor.
Civil war armory
One of the over 100 islands in Casco Bay
The fog was rolling in and the lighthouse faded rather quickly in the fog.
Another armory
Fort Scammel (Portland's Ellis Island) served as a first checkpoint for immigrants coming to America once Ellis Island became overwhelmed.
Pocahontas, the smallest lighthouse at 6 feet tall and registered with the Coast Guard is on Diamond Island.
The fog drifted in and out at times.
We plan to take the ferry with our bikes to Peak Island while here.
Each lobster fisherman's buoys have specific colors. We weren't able to watch them pick up their traps since it was Sunday.
Lunch!
It will be interesting to see how this camp works out for us. But 7 weeks, good pay, nice housing and meals provided, it should be ok. Hopefully, the campers and counselors will stay healthy and happy. Fingers crossed.....
