Leaving Portland behind with fog finally disappearing we anchored in the cove by Jewell Island, a Maine state park busy on weekends but quiet for us on a Thursday. We dinghied ashore to explore the island trails.
Jewell Island was a WWII base for spotting submarines and enemy ships approaching Portland shores. Many of the building foundations are still present along the trails.
We climbed up the taller observation tower and looked out the top to see the shorter tower in the distance above the treetops. Soldiers would view a target from both towers and note its position in the water and then take bearings to figure its exact location to report to the artillery batteries on the island.
We did see several seals as we left Portland but they are too quick for us to catch with the camera. As we walked along the beach on Jewell ISland, we came upon this seal. We understand they are done raising their pups and begin to molt during the summer. We were hoping that is why this seal was on the shore . We gave him wide berth and left him in peace on the beach.
Jewell Island trails took us to coves and beaches all over the island. One trail led to this pebbly cove.
Friday we sailed on to anchor by Snow Island on Quahog Bay. The nine foot tide level change causes residents to be creative. Their piers and ramps to get to their waterfront landings and boats can be lengthy but rise and drop with the tide as they land on a floating raft. In the winter they can lift the long ramp up to keep it out of any freezing water - pretty functional pier!
Some waterfront owners just tie their boats to a floating raft anchored out in the water in front of their home and avoid the whole pier problem. They use a small dinghy or kayak to get out to their boat.
Lobster boats are most common here. This island work station for a lobster boat holds its floats, traps and barrels to put the lobsters in that they catch.
People living on Snow Island have a fun sense of humor as they built their own miniature Snow Island lighthouse with a mermaid on the rock point.
Taking advantage of a calm day and a good weather forecast on Saturday we picked up a mooring to visit Sequin Island off the mouth of the Kennebec River. It is home to the second oldest lighthouse in the US (Portland Head Lighthouse is the oldest). You can see where we took our dinghy ashore and landed by the Coast Guard boathouse where they used to pull their boat up the ramp into the boathouse. You can also see the long railway where they load and pull up cargo and supplies to the lighthouse high up on top of the island. They still use the rail today.
We climbed up the trail to meet the summer volunteer lighthouse keepers, Greg and Mary. They applied several years ago and were selected to be the keepers for this summer season. They live in the keeper's house and greet visitors, cut the grass and maintain trails on the islands. Every Wed. they go back to the mainland to do their laundry, shopping, errands. They maintain a blog of their daily activities at www.sequinisland.org if you are interested.
We enjoyed walking trails to all points and beaches around Sequin Island.
From this cliff you can see Priority on a mooring in the protected cove from any east ocean winds and waves although it is calm today. On a more blustery day we may not have had the chance to visit Sequin Island. Greg & Mary invited us to visit the lighthouse tonight (Sat) after dark since we plan to stay on the mooring overnight. That will be a treat since we usually fall asleep soon after dark! But we do wake up with the sun about 5:45AM also- we are on the sun's schedule.
