Taking It All In

I never tire of what I see of Maine from the water, and today I paid special attention knowing that it’s the last boat outing of the season.

The destination is North Haven, one of the more than 3,000 islands off the coast and one of the 15 or so that can still claim a year round population.

North Haven has the feeling of having been there for a very long time.  The post office, the American Legion hall, the church have seen generations come and go.

The permanent population is less than 400, but in the summer that number swells considerably with the return of families who’ve had  seasonal homes on North Haven for years.  Getting there can be done only by boat or ferry, and if you take the ferry you don’t want to miss the last one.

This day was a quiet one on the island.  Most of the people from away are gone and residents are getting ready for the oncoming winter.

A shop or two is still open

and the island eatery is serving its last sandwiches and ice cream.  As you can see, the choices are limited!

Lobstermen and women are still at work, and at the end of the day they take time out for a few laughs and easy conversation about the day’s haul.

Leaving the island behind and heading back to Rockport Harbor, I take it all in.  

The Camden Hills are hazy in the distance,

islands are lit by the afternoon sun,

the wind turbines on Vinalhaven sing their song,

the shoreline makes me think of a painting.

Best of all, ahead, Indian Island is welcoming me home.  This is the picture I will see in my mind through the winter months.

Sharing the fun at Seasonal Sundays and Blue Monday 

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So Long Summer!

Labor Day has come to be celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. In high society, Labor Day is (or was) considered the last day of the year when it is fashionable for women to wear white.^[7]

In U.S. sports, Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. NCAA teams usually play their first games the week before Labor Day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day. The Southern 500 NASCAR auto race was held that day from 1950 to 1983 in Darlington, South Carolina. At Indianapolis, theNational Hot Rod Association hold their finals to the U.S. Nationals drag race.

In the U.S. most school districts that started summer vacation in early to mid-June will resume school near this day (while schools that had summer begin near Memorial Day will have already been in session for about 3 weeks).

Sadly, in Maine Labor Day does mark the end of summer, an all too short season here.  With that in mind, folks make every effort to enjoy what may be the last of summer activity.

 Some will take a final sail on a schooner

or kayak to a favorite spot.

 Some will explore one of the many coastal islands

looking for a special treasure.  

Some will gather with friends for a picnic,

camp in a tranquil spot

while others hike an island or mountain trail.

Some will wait in line for a lobster roll as they travel through Wiscassett. 

Some may just take time to smell the flowers.

Fireworks may light the night sky causing crowds to oooh and ahhh.

 As for me, I’m wearing my white jeans one more time and making sure the black ones are ready for tomorrow.  No matter where you are, here’s hoping you are enjoying your day.  

Joining Outdoor Wednesday 

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How We Explore Maine’s Islands

Here’s a bit of trivia for you.  There are roughly 3,000 islands off the coast of Maine.  If you connected them all and included the coastline, Maine would stretch all the way to Key West.  There was a time when about 300 of the islands were inhabited, but as times changed and boats became faster people moved to the mainland where life was easier.  Now, only about 15 of Maine’s islands can claim a permanent population.

If you are going to explore the islands, a boat is a must.  For many years we were sailors, and while we still love the idea of sailing, once we decided we wanted to explore as much of Maine’s waters as possible we became stink potters, a term describing power boaters.  Initially, the sound of engines was troublesome, but once I realized how quickly we could move from place to place the noise became less of an irritant.

Our boat is called Pipe Dreams, which aptly describes the years we dreamed of spending more time in a place we had fallen in love with.  She is a powerful craft, and we have not only cruised the Maine coast but have taken her to Boston and New York and up the Hudson River to Burlington, Vermont.  She’s also been south to the Chesapeake, another boater’s playground.

We’ve had many a picnic aboard.  Lobster rolls are always a favorite.

Munchies are good for an afternoon cruise

and when there’s an overnight trip there’s no problem making a yummy dinner

or breakfast to be enjoyed aboard.

On our island explorations,  the tablescapes are not ones that would make Martha Stewart proud,  but that doesn’t take away from the taste of what is served.  In fact, there’s something kind of nice about living simple on board and enjoying the experience.

Joining the fun at Outdoor Wednesday

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Kayaking…..Just Plain Fun

Kayaks are just plain fun.

With a little practice anyone can learn to use one.  A few “how tos” and this seven year old had the technique down.

She was quite proud of her paddling skills.

Kayaking is fun on lakes, rivers or open water.  The coast of Maine has many islands, and kayaks can be a great way to move from mainland to island or among them.

It is not unusual to see them pulled up on shore while kayakers explore the island or enjoy a picnic.

When the fog hangs low over the water, it is likely the kayaks will be stacked and waiting for a better day.

Fun yes, but kayaking is also a great way to exercise.  I’d love to have you join me.

Linking to fun Ks at Alphabet Thursday

A little something extra.  Many thanks to all you readers who have wished my mother well with your prayers and kind words.

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Leaving

First, let me say how lucky I am to live in two places that I love, but leaving each one is hard.  This time of year finds us leaving Rockport to return to Houston, and I  take with me memories and images that keep the place alive until we return.  There’s

the morning sound of lobster boats leaving to tend traps

the dirt road and the rocks on which we picnic

the natural beauty of unspoiled places

the quirky, interesting people I meet along the way

Pipe Dreams and the days of island exploration

Most of all I take with me friends, their laughter and spontaneity.

Yes, I will miss it all but only for a while.

Are there places you hate to leave?

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Take a Peek

Schooners with their tall masts and multiple sails catching the wind are a common sight on Penobscot Bay, and each year over Labor Day weekend Camden, Maine’s Windjammer Festival celebrates the area’s maritime heritage.  Many of the big ships are open to the public and you can get a feel for what life on one would be like. Of course, their across the ocean sailing days are over, and most operate as day sailers taking people out for two hour cruises.  There are those, however, that cruise the midcoast islands for five to seven days.  After seeing the quarters, I’m not sure that’s for me.   Take a look below deck and decide for yourself if this is where you’d like to spend a few days.Down the ladder to the galley where everything is compact and efficient.  How in the world does the crew prepare meals for a large group in such confined space?  Somehow they manage, and word is that the on board food is quite good.

Here’s the bunk with its very thin mattress on a wood frame and to my nose a lingering odor of mildew.  Anyone expecting cruise ship luxury is in for a real surprise!

Maybe you get used to that or find good reason to stay on deck!

Despite the close quarters and lack of luxury, many people are drawn to these excursions as the long-term cruise schooners seem to always have passengers looking, I guess, to have that great adventure. Considering the beauty of Penobscot Bay and its many islands, I doubt they are disappointed.  One thing’s for sure:  the passengers are scruffier on return than when they left and never have I heard any complain even when the weather was less than perfect.

We Got Mussels….

……lots and lots of mussels!

Sometimes when we are island hopping, we come across one that has just the right kind of rocks, and they are loaded with mussels. For the same reason that I like picking blueberries or blackberries or a tomato from my garden, I love harvesting (is that the right term?) mussels.  And it’s even better when Hallie joins in. She’s a great collector!  We fill our pockets with as many as we can, proud of ourselves for our great haul and looking forward to the yummy meal we will have when we get home.

Hope you are enjoying your summer Sunday.

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Simple Perfection

Entertaining is not about perfection; it is about connection.

As much as I love interesting/beautiful tablescapes, this quote couldn’t be more true.  Being at a table with friends sharing laughter and good times and making memories is high on my list of favorite things.

On this night we gathered on an island  accessible, as so many Maine islands are, only by boat.  It was a beautiful evening, perfect for being outside and enjoying pre-dinner snacks.

Deviled eggs….my husband was in heaven!

Inside the long table was set simply with blue and white plates and pitchers filled with fresh cut flowers.

Note the vintage tablecloths, each one different.  My uncoordinated self loved that!And the chairs….can you tell each is unique?Dinner appeared on a long table where everyone served himself.

Simple food, much of it fresh from the garden….how can it get any better.The wine selection?  I’ll take what’s in the box.

With today being Thursday, don’t forget to visit the wonderful offerings at Tablescape Thursday. And, Friday check in at designs by gollum for some tasty treats.

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Life is Good!

Another beautiful day on the water.

The boat rests at anchor.

One of my favorite Maine islands in the background.

It’s time to relax and let the afternoon sun shine on our faces.

A bottle of wine, a few nibbles….what could be better?

Life is just a bowl of cherries!

To see some real tablescapes, click on Tablescape Thursday.

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More Isle au Haut

Isle au Haut is one of the few Maine islands with a year round population.  At the last census, there were 20 families totaling 79 people living there.   I wonder how much that number will have changed this time around.  The only way to access Isle au Haut is by boat, either your own or the mailboat that runs out of Stonington.

So, how do people make a living there?  Judging from the number of lobster boats in the harbor, it appears that most, including author Linda Greenlaw, are fishermen.

There is a general store for necessities,

and during the summer months an inn is open, along with is a food wagon at the harbor, a gift shop operated by Barbara Greenlaw

and Black Dinah Cafe which serves its delicious chocolates, pastries, ice cream and beverages.

If there’s more I haven’s seen it.

Isle au Haut is a graveyard for worn out  and abandoned vehicles.

I guess it’s just too hard to get them off the island.

Even the ones that are still running are old and well used.

Garbage comes to the dock on the back of pickups where it is transferred to a boat that will take it to the mainland for disposal.

Even in such a small community, there seems to be ample entertainment which goes to show people can make a life no matter where they live.

On the rugged, unsettled part of the island are hiking trails leading to magnificent vistas of the Atlantic Ocean.

Standing there with the sound of the ocean crashing oven rocks, I am awed by the wonders of creation and once again ackknowledge how lucky I am to spend part of my life in this wonderful place called Maine.

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