2004 Maine Coast Vacation

Spent about 8 days camping out again in the Maine woods on the "Quietside of Mount Desert Island" at the end of August. This time I had my 12-year-old nephew, Spencer M. with me, so it was a different vacation from the ones I've spent in the past (more active / less reflective). This was his first time to the state of Maine and I'm glad to report (although hardly surprised) that he fell in love with the place. We did lots of beachcombing, island exploring, biking through Perkins Cove and Bass Harbor, slept in the car twice on top of Mt. Agamenticus (on our way up to and then on the way back from our key destination, Mount Desert Island). Did some fishing (didn't catch anything) took "Hummer" out onto Long Pond and then into 3 different harbors (Bass Harbor, Northeast Harbor and Bar Harbor). Got quite a distance out into the sea. Spencer used a kayak that Sue McIsaac (the owner of Quietside Campground) graciously lent us for the week. Oh, what a thrill (again) to be able to answer the "call of the sea." We must have traversed about 15 miles+ of blue water off M.D.I. It's an exciting (and eerie) thing to see 2-foot-wide reddish-purple jellyfish floating a foot or two beneath the ocean surface and to continue feeling the internal heave experienced while riding the ocean's swells — weeks later! Cool.

Bass Harbor Light
Far in the bosom of the deep,

O'er these wild shelves my watch I keep;

O ruddy gem of changeful light

Bound on the dusky brow of night,

The seaman bids my lustre hail,

And scorns to strike his timorous sail.

Sir Walter Scott

Spencer was a bit shook by a VERY large fish that passed silently under his kayak — shades of Psalm 107:24: They saw the works of the LORD, His wonderful deeds in the deep. Did some souvenir hunting/gathering, had lobster 3 times (that would be me, not Spencer) — twice at 2 Bar Harbor restaurants and once as take-out from a lobster shanty in Kennebunkport). Spencer tried it but didn't really care for it, although he did bravely pick a live one up out of a tank and then cautiously placed it back in without incident. Cooking out at the campsite was a treat and a lot of fun: can't beat having scrambled eggs, bacon and grits — or hotcakes (sometimes with blueberries) — and blueberry-flavored New England coffee for breakfast made in the Maine woods. Dinner was either hamburgers or grilled cheese sandwiches, along with fresh Maine corn-on-the-cob, or eating at some fast-food joint up in Ellsworth. We discovered peanut butter and tortillas for lunch by observing another visitor making one at Bass Harbor Light and found some raspberry-flavored and blueberry-flavored honey sticks. Even had a glass of blueberry soda! Ever try teaberry leaves? Found some at the campground and marveled at the fragrance.

Every night ended with a roaring campfire (as well as one during our first morning there), as Spencer loves starting 'em. Don't forget the roasted marshmallows, which allowed us to end almost every evening with a sugar high. Mosquitoes? Numerous and aggressive but deter-able with DEET or smoke from the campfire. Weather? Fantastic! Bright and sunny everyday (except for one overcast day) — "severe clear" as the pilot would say — and it only rained the morning we had to leave.

Saw 4 lighthouses: Nubble Light, Portland Head Light, Bass Harbor Light (represented in the animation above) and the Bear Island Light (outside of Northeast Harbor). What a treat to wake to either the mournful sound of the Bass Harbor Light foghorn off in the distance, or the sound of the campground's chickens and rooster clucking and crowing in a little ways away (sometimes they'd come over to visit our campsite to see what they could find in the ashes of the previous night's campfire. While exploring Bar Island I determined to completely submerge myself in the somewhat icy ocean waters and after wading out a bit from shore managed to discover afresh why Maine locals say that only tourists try to go swimming. T'was refreshing indeed. Had a good supply of fresh Maine blueberries (brought some home) as well as some pure Maine maple syrup.

Found an old wooden lobster trap in excellent condition for $5.00, and at a really great antiques store in Southwest Harbor I bought a 3rd (annual) hurricane lamp. Enjoyed our somewhat regular runs to the Southwest Food Mart and occasional off-island trips to Wal-Mart. [ As Spencer was wildly wheeling a shopping cart alongside me through Wal-Mart's aisles, we suddenly came upon a woman in a wheelchair who looked directly at me and stated rather matter-of-factly: "Like you never did that when you were young." That spun my head a bit! ] Said it last year, and I'll say it again: vacations really don't get any better than this. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for allowing us this awesome opportunity and privilege to witness the awesome glory of Your work in creation and for the the grace and favor You gave us in going on this expedition. Pictures posted here