Buck’s Harbor: A Favorite Destination

On a lazy, hazy day Maizy is ready for a little cruise, so off we go to Buck’s Harbor, a peaceful and protected cove perfect for an overnight stay.

The getting there is one of the most beautiful passages on Penobscot Bay.    Cruising along , we pass islands with the most descriptive names: Pond, Butter, Eagle, Horsehead, Beach, Deer.  Each has its own character, and several are among my favorites to explore.

As we near Buck’s Harbor, way in the distance is the bridge that separates the mainland from Deer Isle.  Perhaps this is Maine’s version of the Golden Gate.

A little closer, sitting on a rocky island, is a single dwelling that once housed a lighthouse keeper.  Like most other lighthouses in Maine, it is no longer in operation.  Still, I love thinking of them as guardians of the sea.

Entering Buck’s Harbor, we find we are not the only ones who think this a great spot.  Thunderstorms are forecast for later tonight, but all will be safe as the harbor is protected on all sides by land.  If you look at the differences in the sky, you can see those storm clouds brewing.

Like many places in Maine, Buck’s Harbor has an interesting history.  It is the setting for many of Robert McCloskey’s children’s books including Blueberries for Sal, Time of Wonder and One Morning in Maine.

It is home to the Buck’s Harbor Yacht Club, built around 1912 and the third oldest yacht club in Maine.  Interestingly, its  burgee was the first private flag to be carried through the Panama Canal.

Aside from the yacht club, there’s not a whole lot in the town closest to the harbor, but what there is is quintessential Maine. There’s a real throwback general store where the motto is “We want to be the best little market in Maine”.  I can’t tell you whether or not it’s made it, but I can tell you it has some really good homemade cookies!

Should the boat need stocking, there are also some good eats there.

There is a sweet little Methodist church which is why spending Saturday night here is a must.   Dogs are allowed to attend Sunday morning service, so Maizy can go, too.  I don’t know what it is about that church, but it feels so very right.

We managed to get ashore before the rains came, but when they came it was a downpour with lots of thunder and lightning.  The storm lasted more than 2 hours which meant a very leisurely dinner at Buck’s, not a bad deal at all.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little visit to Buck’s Harbor.  It’s a simple place where one can be surrounded by the beauty of nature and the charm of a very unspoiled Maine town.    As the sky clears and stars pop out one by one, illuminating the sky with sparkling diamonds, it seems the perfect place to be. 

i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind