We left Old Orchard Beach at 6:45 am to start our drive home. Most of the drive was with relatively light traffic. then we got south of Scranton on I-81 and spent 45 minutes going about 4 miles...road construction. This delay put us into another jam down in Harrisburg, 15 more minutes added. Anyway, we got home at 7 PM after a relatively easy 613 mile drive. We're glad to be home and the kitties are glad to be home.
Thus we end another vacation and blog. Where to next? Who knows?
Favorite stop on this trip: Quebec City
Best Food: Red's Eats in Wiscasset, ME - Lobster Roll
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Day 41 (October 1, 2009) – The Final Day
Wood Island Lighthouse
President George H.W. Bush Compound - Walkers Point
Cape Neddick (Nubble) Lighthouse
Portsmouth Harbor LighthouseToday was our final day of “real vacation” as tomorrow we head for home. We had a good day of seeing the remainder of the southwest Maine coast. Our journey started in Old Orchard Beach and headed towards New Hampshire. We made it as far as Kittery, but did not cross into Portsmouth, NH. Our first stop was Wood Island Lighthouse, or as near as we could get as it is on an island. From there we headed south and stopped near Walker’s Point. You can park a car at the viewpoint for only 15 minutes, but it does give you a nice view of the house. Former President and Mrs. Bush are in residence as he was on TV last night with the dedication of a monument from the local folks. No we did not see them. By the way, I am referring to the senior George, George H. W. Bush. I can see why they like the place. The drive along this part of the coast is very picturesque when you can see it. There are many really big places along this area. Kennebunkport is very upscale.
From there we drove on to Cape Neddick (Nubble) Lighthouse. This was the last Lighthouse automated in 1987. The lighthouse is located on an island just off shore and is not open for tours. I guess it has something to do with the bucket suspended from a line that is the only access the island. This part of the coast has many nice beaches and houses of every type along the road. Our final stop near Kittery was old Fort McClary, which gives a nice view of the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse. At this point we decided to call it a trip and head back to the campground via I-95. A fitting end as our final stop was a lighthouse viewpoint. Tomorrow we beat feet towards dear old Virginia and home.
From there we drove on to Cape Neddick (Nubble) Lighthouse. This was the last Lighthouse automated in 1987. The lighthouse is located on an island just off shore and is not open for tours. I guess it has something to do with the bucket suspended from a line that is the only access the island. This part of the coast has many nice beaches and houses of every type along the road. Our final stop near Kittery was old Fort McClary, which gives a nice view of the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse. At this point we decided to call it a trip and head back to the campground via I-95. A fitting end as our final stop was a lighthouse viewpoint. Tomorrow we beat feet towards dear old Virginia and home.
Day 40 (September 30, 2009) – A More Perfecter Day: Lighthouses and Trains
Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse
Portland Head Lighthouse
Portland Breakwater Light (“Bug Light”)
Maine Narrow Guage Train Ride
Narrow Guage Parlor CarWhat could make a day more perfecter than lighthouses and trains in the same day! The day started out inauspiciously as we headed north…er…east…er…OK, back towards Portland to see the sea. Old Orchard Beach reminded us some of ocean City,MD without the Boardwalk. It has big time amusements, shops of all kind, etc. As we drove up the coast we had great vistas of the backsides of motel, hotels, condos, etc. A we drove further the coast became totally residential with houses of all kinds. Our first stop was Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is surrounded by posted private property and can only be seen from a few hundred yards away. The light is the strongest on the Maine coast and can be seen from 27 nautical miles away.
Our second stop was the one I was looking forward to, Portland Head Lighthouse. This is the one you see in all the photos, paintings, etc. The Lighthouse is located in Fort Williams Park a former army base. Although the day was gray, the lighthouse was beautiful. There is an excellent museum in the old keepers house. The lighthouse is still operational with modern lights. Visibility of the light equipped with a powerful airport beacon only improved visibility of the light to 23 mi from the 21 miles with the Fresnel lens and oil lamp. Progress?? From here we had a pretty good look at Ram Island Ledge Lighthouse. The rock ledge upon which it is built is submerged during high tide. Our final stops were at the Portland Breakwater Light (“Bug Light”) and the Spring Port Ledge Light, both small lights marking the entrance to the harbor.
Since we were so close we decided to drive into Portland to look around. We missed the new Cunard “Queen Victoria” by one day. Apparently she gives new meaning to “big.” Anyway, as we drove through the waterfront I noticed some narrow gauge RR tracks. We spotted the sign and in we went to the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum. There were 5 narrow gauge railroads in Maine that operated until the mid-forties. In this case, narrow gauge means 2-foot wide tracks. We signed up for the train ride that took us a short distance along the shoreline to the old swing bridge (30 minute ride up and back). The museum has several old narrow gauge coaches to inspect. They used a diesel locomotive today, but on weekends they run a coal fired steam engine. We had been chatting with the engineer and afterwards he took me on a private tour to the engine shed to see their 3 steam locomotives. One is operational. One is being rebuilt with goal of complete restoration in about year. One was operational until about 10 years ago, but needs restoration.
Our second stop was the one I was looking forward to, Portland Head Lighthouse. This is the one you see in all the photos, paintings, etc. The Lighthouse is located in Fort Williams Park a former army base. Although the day was gray, the lighthouse was beautiful. There is an excellent museum in the old keepers house. The lighthouse is still operational with modern lights. Visibility of the light equipped with a powerful airport beacon only improved visibility of the light to 23 mi from the 21 miles with the Fresnel lens and oil lamp. Progress?? From here we had a pretty good look at Ram Island Ledge Lighthouse. The rock ledge upon which it is built is submerged during high tide. Our final stops were at the Portland Breakwater Light (“Bug Light”) and the Spring Port Ledge Light, both small lights marking the entrance to the harbor.
Since we were so close we decided to drive into Portland to look around. We missed the new Cunard “Queen Victoria” by one day. Apparently she gives new meaning to “big.” Anyway, as we drove through the waterfront I noticed some narrow gauge RR tracks. We spotted the sign and in we went to the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum. There were 5 narrow gauge railroads in Maine that operated until the mid-forties. In this case, narrow gauge means 2-foot wide tracks. We signed up for the train ride that took us a short distance along the shoreline to the old swing bridge (30 minute ride up and back). The museum has several old narrow gauge coaches to inspect. They used a diesel locomotive today, but on weekends they run a coal fired steam engine. We had been chatting with the engineer and afterwards he took me on a private tour to the engine shed to see their 3 steam locomotives. One is operational. One is being rebuilt with goal of complete restoration in about year. One was operational until about 10 years ago, but needs restoration.
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