FIELD NOTES #13
INLAND FREEPORT,
MAINE
More evidence that distance to the ocean REALLY matters.
Dates
Sep 15 – Sep 22, 2026
Miles to camp
198
(2,197mi travelled so far)
Weather
40-70
Sunny
Symptom Score
32
(baseline: 23)
WOuld we return
Yes
How I Felt
During our stay my average score was 32, which….was terrible, miserable, and other not great words. This is the worst I have ever felt and the longest sustained flare over 20 i’ve had.
What We Did
Our time in Freeport was as amazing as we remembered it from our visits over 10 years ago. While I really struggled with intense symptoms we still managed to have a good time with the boys in the area.
We started with a smart decision to swing by Wicked Woopies where Gabe and Finn each picked up a frozen woopie pie. They have both really taken to them during our time in the Northeast. Afterwards we took our woopie pies and a picnic dinner to Calderwood Trails and Nature Preserve to spend some time by the ocean and walk their nicely groomed wooded trails.
On Friday the boys and I did some “road school” in Portland. We walked the Eastern Promenade down to historic Portland to talk about what it was like to live there in the 1700’s. Afterward we grabbed a picnic lunch in the Promenade, watched the boats go by Bug Light and then headed over to the Southworth Planetarium to watch Dinos at Dusk inside the planetarium. Later on that night we went to the grand opening of the new LL Bean Flagship Store in Freeport. LL Bean has an amazing presence in the area with schools, multiple stores, parks and more. They brought in Kip Moore for a free concert, and he did not disappoint! I have been a fan of his for over a decade and it was awesome to see him in person!
On Saturday we headed back into Portland to hike the trails and see in the waterfall in Fore River Sanctuary which is tucked into the outskirts of Portland. Afterwards we grabbed some fresh bread and bagels from Big Sky Bread Co and took it to a local playground to have a picnic. Once lunch was done we walked down to Past and Future Craft Exchange where Meg let the boys pick out some supplies for a project they have been working on in the camper. Once our errand was done we ran over to the Eastern Promenade so Gabe and Finn could show Meg a playground they wanted to try out.
Sunday was raining all afternoon so the Boys and Meg focused on their project in the camper. Before the rain started we squeezed in a trip to the expansive Pineland Farms which has miles of recreation paths, schools, corn and sunflower mazes, petting barns, and so so much more. The boys had an absolute blast laughing their way through the corn maze and exploring all the animals at the farm. There was even an old fire truck that they could play in!
We are excited to continue exploring all the mid-coast Maine area has to offer the next two weeks!
Our Favorite Moment
Finn and Gabe really getting into doing projects with Meg in the camper
Observations
The Journey Continues
We are visiting 45 campgrounds in 300 days to find a place where our family thrives and my symptoms improve. Follow along as we share what we learn along the way
Graham Simplified
Scorecard
1 / 10
9 / 10
9 / 10
7 / 10
9 / 10
5 / 10
Yes
Overall
6
/ 10
- This campground sits about 3 miles from the ocean shore in Freeport Maine. We decided to camp here because we have seen positive results when we stayed close to the ocean and wanted to see just how close we need to be to see benefits. We got a VERY clear answer, three miles in Freeport is too far.
- This way my most reactive camp yet. Within hours my skin started getting cold. My symptoms went from good to terrible in record time and my symptoms stayed terrible for the longest stretch of days we have seen.
- Our best working theory is that inland Freeport has a strong local source of “X”, which is how we have been referring to whatever combination of factors triggers my symptoms. X is probably some mix of biological aerosols from the wooded, damp, highly vegetated environment. Unlike Jeffersonville, the conditions here have kept the “gate” open almost continuously. Instead of wind, rain, temperature, or other atmospheric changes occasionally reducing my exposure, I seem to be getting a sustained dose day after day.
- This theory, plus home prices essentially eliminates the Northeast. As we can only find small “bubbles” of area where air turn over is enough to allow my system to recover. These bubbles and the limits of our housing budget are likely not enough to find a safe house. I likely need a large enough safe region that most of everyday life happens inside it. If the good environment is only a small bubble, repeated trips outside it could overwhelm the recovery benefit of coming home.
Next we are headed to:
Georgetown, Maine
Here we will test that “bubble” theory by being close to the shore and seeing if recovery time is less than trigger time.
Thinking of you…hoping you find the “ right spot” soon. I enjoy reading about your journey & seeing your pictures 🥰
Thanks Grandma! We are sure trying!!