Each seaport town was built because of its location rich in a history of ship building and living off the water. In today's world each of those seaport towns is trying to resurrect itself to be attractive for people to visit based on that same history but with some unique defining characteristics. Castine has developed an extensive historical walk about town including a walk to the Dice Head Lighthouse. It is privately owned now but the kind owners let visitors walk the steep path down the cliff to the water edge on the point.
Castine's historical walk takes you to the Wilson Museum with Wednesday demonstrations. In the woodshed Temple Blackwood shares his woodturning skills to show how craftsmen would have created similar items years ago.
These are some of the items Temple created but are similar to ones made many years ago using hand tools with no electrical help. Bowls, stools, mallets, candlestick holders, game pieces and toys were just a few of the smaller items as well as pieces of furniture and trim for house exteriors. In fact, for today's young visitors, Temple was turning magic wands since they were Harry Potter fans.
Darren put us to work making a long piece of rope from eight single strands of twine to demonstrate rope making techniques for the ships built in Castine's harbor. We had never made rope before so we learned a new skill. Jay is turning the eight strands and I am working my way up to him with the twisted piece of rope.
In Thursday morning's fog we traveled across the Bay to Searsport to visit their small town with the Penobscot Marine Museum village including several old sea captain's homes, the village church still used today and several boat houses filled with fishing boats, various skiffs and sailing vessels.
The fog disappeared but with forecasts of rain and thunderstorms, we ventured on to a more protected anchorage in Belfast for the night. Belfast is a quiet seaport town redeveloping its waterfront area. We walked on the footbridge recently completed to connect the two sides of town. Priority rides on a mooring in the Belfast harbor behind Jay. The sun is shining bright now!
Belfast is home to some very creative and artsy people shown by the inventive street benches you find as you walk throughout the town. We only show a few favorites here. You have to come and visit to see them all - lots of fun!
Very comfortable form fitting seats...
Even an outboard engine seat for the Captain...
My favorite bench with empty colorful paint cans for support...
We certainly think you'd enjoy a visit to these seaport towns by boat or by car, the towns above and the towns we already shared such as Camden and Rockport. Each one is unique and worth a stop if you come this way.
