Mid-Coast Bays and Islands

Castine

Under the Elms

Castine, on the eastern shore of Penobscot Bay, is watched over by Dyce Head Lighthouse. Since the 1620s the area has been occupied continuously by settlers from France, Holland, England and then colonial America. The French came to maintain control of “Acadia”. The British occupied the town during the War of 1812. Prior to the Civil War prosperity came from fish, salt and shipbuilding. The wealth from this time is reflected in the many imposing homes along major town streets. Throughout the town there are over 300 well cared for American Elm trees most over 160 years old.

The Maine Maritime Academy is now located in Castine.

     

Dyce Head Light                                                             Each lobsterman has a unique buoy

    Unloading the daily lobster catch                                           Walking the rocky shore

 

Monhegan Island 

Nine miles off the coast is 1 ½ mile by ¾ mile Monhegan Island. We previously visited in the early 1970s and were anxious to again explore its challenging terrain. A mid-morning departure from Port Clyde allowed us sufficient time for one full day on the island. Even as we arrived in the harbor neither of us had any reminder of our pervious visit when we had stayed for one night. The extensive system of day hiking took us on narrow, rugged and rocky trails with wet areas, tree roots, steep climbs, sheer drops and dense growth.  Typical New England mountain terrain but all in this very small area.

   
The village                                                                          Cliff walk

      
Ocean view                                                                 Quenching our thirst

 

Rockland

Rockland, one of Maine’s largest fishing ports, is known as the Lobster Capital of the World. Shipbuilding, fishing, granite quarrying and limekilns have contributed to the area history and economy. We stopped in Rockland to walk the granite breakwater, a 1 mile pier extending into Penobscot Bay leading to Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.

    
Rockland Breakwater

               Waterfowl                                                    Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse

 

Time to Explore

 

Traveling slowly through the small coastal towns has allowed us time to stop and enjoy a variety of local activities.

 

In South Bristol we watched as a sailboat was being prepared for annual maintenance. The young couple that live on the boat had sailed it boat from Florida to this port which was near their hometowns in Maine.

 
Preparing for maintenance - Click to play this video

 

At the Rachael Carson Salt Marsh Preserve we watched two young boys as they explored a tidal pool, catching hermit crabs which they thought they could use to create an aquarium. Wonder what their parent thought about that idea.

 
Exploring a tidal pool

 

We camped one night in Camden Hills State Park and in the morning hiked to the top of Mt. Battie for a view across Penobscot Bay.

 

Camden Harbor from Mt Battie

 

Where else but in St. George would you find a dragon.

 

St. George slaying the dragon

 

One quick, unplanned stop was at a remote crossroad in Sedgwick - Strong Brewery, both a food truck and brewery.

Strong Brewery

 

There are reminder everywhere of the need to be cautious about spreading the Covid virus.

 
Distancing in Maine

 

We now leave the coast for the Maine mountains and the Moosehead Lake area for some hiking and a lake cruise.

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