Your Weekly Guide to Life in Midcoast Maine

BY KELLY MICHAUD, EDITOR

Sweat is dripping from your face. Your skin is sticking to every surface. You've been to every store in search of a fan or an air conditioner.

July has arrived.

And with it, so has a surge of heat and humidity. The mercury has climbed since June and now people are scrambling toward cool or air-conditioned locales.

But those in the Midcoast area are at an advantage with the ocean at their side and a few lakes in their backyards. Pack up your kids, family dog or just yourself and head out to the water.

For the first time since living in this area I ventured to one of the coast's sandy spots. Driving past the Owls Head airport I found Crescent Beach, which is more than 3,000 feet long. There is very limited parking at this beach and when my sister and I arrived the few spaces in a grassy area had already been taken. So we did what quite a few other cars had done and parked on the side of the road and walked to the beach. When the tide is out, there is a fairly spacious area with compact sand. On the edges of the beach are rocks that have been rounded and softened by time.

The beach wasn’t as crowded as I expected it to be and surprisingly, the ocean’s temperature was bearable. I eased in at first but soon realized that it wasn’t that cold and was quite refreshing. It was better than any fan or air conditioner.

The coast has quite a few safe ocean spots that visitors and locals should take the chance to dive into this summer. Here are a few:

Birch Point State Park, Owls Head (locally known as Lucia Beach): It offers views of Penobscot Bay and a sand beach for swimming. There are no lifeguards. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Contact information: 941-4014.

Damariscotta Lake State Park, Jefferson: Fine sand beach for swimming with lifeguards. Also has a group use shelter, picnic tables and grills. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Contact information: (207)941-4014.

Lake St. George State Park, Liberty: Swimming with lifeguards in this "crystal clear" lake. Bathrooms, campsites, hiking, fishing and boat and canoe rentals also available. Open May 15 through Sept. 30. Contact information: (207)589-4255.

Moose Point State Park, Searsport: Tidal pools, trails, picnic area and views of Penobscot Bay. Open Memorial Day through Sept. 30. Contact information: (207)548-2882.

Popham Beach State Park, Phippsburg: Follow Route 209 for 14 miles from Bath to Phippsburg. Then follow signs to the park. Sandy beach with surf depending on weather conditions. A sandbar exposed at low tide becomes a path to an island off the beach. 400 parking spots available; the beach is closed to cars after the parking lots are full. No snack bars. Lifeguards on duty. Fort Popham is two miles farther on Route 209. The day-use fee is $2 per person, age 12 and older. Open April 15 through Oct. 30. Contact information: (207)389-1335.

Some information from Mainetoday.com