It was a warm summer day and getting wet was something the kids were definitely planning to do.
The trail starts off with lots of trees and bushes and then leads along an open, grassy area that borders on a golf course. It didn't take long to catch a glimpse of the ocean and the kids took off running towards it.
Usually we make the kids wear sneakers on our hikes. We assumed that they would be getting wet – that was their point in choosing this hike — so we allowed them to wear their sturdy, thick-soled sandals. It was a good choice. As soon as they could reach the ocean, they were in it, sandals and all.
There were some wet, slippery rocks in the water so my husband and I stayed close to them while they were climbing. We wanted to avert any big falls. Despite our best efforts and reminders my 7-year old ended up slipping on some rocks while she was supposedly walking (running as fast as she could would be more accurate) in the water. It wasn't a serious fall but required some antibiotic cream, a band-aid and our family's magic remedy -- gum. The gum seems to have a magical power over my kids' injuries. They don't feel the need to cry as much as they do to chew.
Making sure you have a useful first aid kit is very important when out on the trail with kids. Here's a few of the items we carry in our packs during a day hike:
We also carry our bug spray and sun block in the first aid kit because we use those items a lot. By going in and out of the kit we are more apt to notice what we need to replenish. There's nothing worse than thinking you have something in your bag and then realizing you used it all on your last outing.
According to Peter Wilson, the Property Management Assistant for the Maine Audubon Society, poison ivy is often found on shoreline trails in Maine. The East Point Sanctuary is no exception. He encourages hikers to stay on the marked trails to avoid coming in contact with the plant. Parents should make sure they know what poison ivy looks like so you can avoid it. While we were out on our hike we stayed on the marked trails and did not encounter any poison ivy.
Discovering snails was one of the highlights of this hike for the kids. There were also several types of seaweed that the kids loved to touch because it was "slimy." We also found tons of seashells and interesting rocks.
The Wood Island Lighthouse was visible from the trail and I was directed by both kids to take photos of it. They waved to a group of sea kayakers making their way along the shore and all the sailboats that likely couldn't see them. They didn't seem to mind.
After a leisurely picnic we continued along the trail at the shore. The rocks got to be more challenging than we thought our kids could handle. We opted to climb up onto the grassy part and make our way back to the trail head along the dirt trail. Older children looking for a challenge could likely have hiked further down the rocky coastal trail. There are several outlets from the rocks that lead back up to the main trail. Navigating the coastal trail is fairly easy.
We spent about two and half hours on the trail. Most of that time was spent climbing rocks around the shore.
Our hike along this ocean trail on a hot summer day kept us all cool and comfortable, which always makes being together on the trail much more fun.
Trail name: East Point Sanctuary
Nearest town: Biddeford Pool
Region: Southern Coast
Length: 1.8 miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. The trail to the shore is easy but once at the shore, there are large rocks to climb through if you want to continue along the coast.
Elevation gain: at sea level
Other:There was on-street parking Lester B. Orcutt Boulevard for about 12 cars. Parking is limited.
Hazards: There is poison ivy along the trail as well as brown tail moth caterpillars. Directions:Take Route 208 toward Biddeford Pool. After 0.6 miles, turn left at the T intersection, then bear right through two forks to Lester B. Orcutt Boulevard, following it to the point. The gate entrance is on the left side.
Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram Aug. 3, 2003
