Cove Light

Yesterday afternoon, we took a ferry to Great Diamond Island, with friends Bonnie and Paul, for dinner at the Diamond's Edge. It was a warm, sun-filled afternoon and early evening on Casco Bay. After a brief stop at the bar for refreshments and a toast or two, we settled in at a white linen- covered table on the porch, overlooking the cove and the distant sailboats bobbing. We all agreed the word for our sojourn out to the island's restaurant, the weather, the delicious meal and company of best friends was, well perfect. Light was fading fast on our return trip to the ferry terminal, and some low banked clouds settling over the city provided for a stunning fading sunset over the Hill. Light's out!

Theme Day: Postcard-worthy

Today, August 1, 2011, is theme day across the CDPB(city daily photo blog) community. This is the Monhegan Island Lighthouse. This image is both postcard worthy and ready! The island is located 12 nautical miles off the mainland. And yes, you CAN get there from here. I think we've visited it four times, twice for day trips and twice for extended stays. Elenka and J- bring sketchbooks and paints, while I rely on my trusty Nikons. Want to get away from the zaniness and seemingly non-stop fever of that outside world for a day or a week? This would be a pretty good choice.

Rock Formation

On May 3, 2003 the Old Man of the Mountain tumbled from his perch on the side of Cannon Mountain in New Hampshire. The natural stone formation was and still is the state symbol of the Granite State. We took a trip across the state line to New Hampshire when I was about ten, stayed in a hotel for the first time in my life and the next morning in a pea- soup fog, traveled to the base of the mountain. Dad said, "Look up, it's there". But I never really saw it. A couple of years later, we read The Great Stone Face by Hawthorne in Ms. Storer's eighth grade classroom. These two memories came to mind last week when the ferry ride on the Bay Mist took me to the back side of Cushing Island and the indian head formation seen here. This island is privately owned and part of the City of Portland. Can you see it?

Island Bike

Yesterday, as the temperature creeped towards the 90's inland, I hopped on the Bay Mist, one of Casco Bay Lines ferries, and took a short cruise to nowhere. On board, it was sunny and warm but not hot. I'd say, close to perfect. Around noon, I got off at Peaks Island and with views of the city and bay traffic in the background, took in lunch on the beach. It was nice sitting on the rocks in the sun, munching on my tuna sandwich. Heading back to the dock later, I caught sight of this island bike leaning against a signpost. Flashback! I got a brand new, JC Higgins, red bike with silver fenders for my tenth birthday. I couldn't believe my eyes, when I saw it in the driveway. All mine? As memory serves me, it had to be one of my all time best possessions ever. And most summer and yes, winter days, we were inseparable. Hey, I didn't have a dog, but I had an envious bike.

Island Life1

Yesterday, it was a cool but wonderful visit to Cliff Island. The temperature was in the high 50s to low 60s, with constant breeze. At one point in mid-afternoon a light mist began to fall, but no matter we were dressed for the early fall elements. I even brought a pair of gloves along. They say Cliff Island is an hour-and-a-half and a world away from the city, and I'd say that was pretty right on. Fall is here so the summer population is noticeably diminishing from about 200 in the summer to 60 year-round residents. I've posted a few shots to try and give the feeling of island life on Cliff. The remoteness gave the buildings, roads and residents the feeling of life closer to Monhegan than Peaks. I liked that feel. It was a feeling of being away from the world for a few hours, and I liked that too.

www.PearlsSeaSideMarket.com

Red-topped Cottage2

Stone Chimney3

Seaside Market4

Island Window

Just up the street from the main dock at Peaks, this building looks abandoned, but I doubt it. There are plenty lobster buoys, traps, and other sea going paraphernalia around to denote that it's a working building of some consequence.
Trivia Tuesday... Peaks is a far cry from the Hollywood scene, but did you know-
*Hollywood film director, John Ford was known as "The Mayor of Peaks Island" because of his great love of the island. He spent a lot of summers here.
*George M. Cohan tried his productions out at the island's theaters before taking them to the big time on Broadway. Growing up, I couldn't get enough of "Yankee Doodle Dandy".
*Jean Stapleton's first professional appearance in the summer of 1941 was in a production at Greenwood Garden.
I'll dream about 'island life' today... hazy, hot and humid with temps in the 90's. Summer arrives early!

Monhegan2

Road Trip- I first learned about Monhegan in a round about way. In Seventh Grade at Lincoln, I took art with GB, and one of our assignments involved Manana Island, just off of Monhegan and seen in the background here. He read us an article about Ray Eugene Phillips, the Hermit of Manana Island, and asked us to draw a picture of him. Later we hung all the pictures, including a portrait of the hermit. Born in 1892 and educated at the University of Maine, the man led quite an interesting life. Apparently, serving in WW1, and working in NYC for a time in the 20's just didn't inspire him. So he retreated to Manana, built a shack out of anything that washed up, tended a flock of sheep and traveled occasionally to the 'big island' for meager supplies and to see friends. Quite a life... if you can get it. I guess.
*footnote to history--- my art teacher GB, besides trying to teach this 12 year old the finer points drawing and painting... melted down our high school rings and made our gold wedding bands. Designed by E- they are unique, 'one of a kind' and still beautiful!
http://www.myspace.com/thehermitofmanana

Monhegan1

Road Trip-
Monhegan is an island about 12 nautical miles (22 km) off the coast of Maine. We've ventured out there on three occasions, staying once at the Whispering Yew, and another time the Monhegan House was our base of operations. This last time we took the boat from New Harbor for a day trip. Each time, photography and painting were in our plans for the trip. An excursion to the island, is a adventure back in time. Rain or shine, you're never disappointed on Monhegan.

Abandoned 2

This boat is 'adrift' among the sand, bushes and time.

Deckhand 3

A deckhand, aboard the Bay Mist, throws a line. Nice work(and hard... in February???), if you can get it. Beautiful, sunny weather, wonderful views of island life and sometimes, quite stunning views on the decks in sun dresses... if you get my drift! Ha!

Island Approach

Peaks Island is the most populated island in Casco Bay. It is part of the city of Portland and is approximately 3 miles from downtown. It is accesssed by private boat or most commonly by a Casco Bay Lines ferry. It has a winer population of approximately 850, however in the summer months, it swells to 4,000 or 5,000. It is a wonderful island day get-a-way. By foot or by bike, you can make your way around the perimeter loop road and take in island life. Picnic on the outer fringe near Whaleback Rock in the warm sun, and it'll clue you in to why they call Maine: Life the way it ought to be! Or as we did, with friends, one warm summer evening last August, just take the ferry over and take in dinner and a beverage or two at an island restaurant. We enjoy the short hike up the hill to the Inn on Peaks Island. Bon Voyage!