Yesterday I kicked off Asa’s World Tour of Maine 2025 at Eartha, the world’s largest replica of the Earth located in Yarmouth, Maine. Eartha isn’t the only big attraction in Yarmouth. I also saw a ginormous cross-section of Herbie, the former New England Champion American Elm Tree. Estimated to be approximately 217 years old before succumbing to Dutch Elm Disease in 2010, Herbie stood at a massive 110 feet tall with a 20-foot circumference. Now that’s BIG!
Want to know what else was a lot bigger? Yarmouth! Or more specifically, North Yarmouth. Europeans began settling in this area of Maine in the 1600s, naming it North Yarmouth in 1680 to distinguish itself from the town of Yarmouth in the colony of Massachusetts, which was named for the seaside community in England. Before that this land had been inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years. These two cultures clashed, and the early history of this area was fraught with conflict. Alright, that is putting it mildly, early settlers were forced to flee for their lives. Over time though things settled down, the population grew, the boundaries expanded, and eventually sections split off to form new towns. Yarmouth became an independent town from North Yarmouth in 1849. By the 1850s Yarmouth was a booming shipbuilding community, whose vessels could be seen all along the US coast, and in ports around the world. Today Yarmouth, Maine attracts folks from across the country and beyond to their annual Clam Festival.
Alright, true confessions, Llily Llama is still adjusting to her new role as my tour manager. We missed the Clam Festival, but as she squeaked with “just approximately 100,000 visitors each year to the festival, and being an annual tradition for only 60 years, I need to think bigger!” Perhaps she’s right, I do need to think bigger like Eartha and Herbie. But I did have to point out to her we already visited the park she wanted us to explore that day. Angel Chuck Billy and I visited Yarmouth in 2021 when we took a walk through history at Royal River Park.
So instead she sent me to spend the day at Winslow Memorial Park and Campground, in nearby Freeport, Maine, which as Llily Llama pointed out technically was part of North Yarmouth until 1789. Winslow Park and Campground offers beach access for humans, swimming areas for dogs, playground for children, and a hiking trail.
On the day we visited this very popular campground and park, we followed the trail from the main parking lot, that skirted the shoreline of the peninsula, marveling at the views of Casco Bay.
Spent some time sitting on the dock of the bay, wasting time.
Before finding the perfect quiet spot away from the campsites, where we could sit and watch a couple of seals playing in the water.
Dogs are allowed at Winslow Memorial Park and Campground on-leash. There is a nominal fee for day use, including an admission fee per dog. Dogs must respect campsites, be cleaned up after, and not be a nuisance with excessive barking, or they will be asked to leave. The trails are easy on the paws, but please note that the beach areas and playground are off limits to dogs. However, there are other areas where water access for dogs is allowed. To plan a fun day out, or a longer stay, please visit Winslow Park and Campground.
