lulu
No place has ever captured my heart like the coast of Maine where exploring the islands is an ongoing treat.
No matter how many times I see the same sight, it never fails to thrill me.
With more than 3000 islands off the coast, there is no shortage of ones to explore.
A few of the uninhabited ones are protected by individuals or organizations desiring to keep their natural beauty.
Roughly 14 islands boast a year round population, seldom more than a few dozen though that number may increase dramatically come summer and the return of folks who enjoy a different lifestyle.
Maybe you’d like to find out for yourself what the coast of Maine is all about.
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
Joining
Morning. First one up. Quiet. Gray skies over the hills.
Time with a daughter. Sharing laughter remembering funny things.
It’s not always easy to be a mom or a daughter. In The Nix is a line reading “The things you love the most will one day hurt you the most.” Sad that loving can be a painful part of relationships.
Thoughts on a day becoming brighter as sun begins to move clouds away. Maybe a metaphor for love being stronger than pain.
Our room was beautifully appointed
with spectacular views of the lake and mountains.
So, what’s special about the Moosehead Lake region? It is all about the outdoors-fishing, canoeing, kayaking, hunting, hiking-in a pristine environment.
Speaking of hiking, the Appalachian Trail runs through the region and ends at nearby Mount Katadin.
It’s not likely I’ll ever do the entire 2100 mile trek, but I have a bit of it under my belt!
For campers, the area has several state parks with ample campsites.
Some folks had seasonal touches which made “roughing” it seem rather homey.
Like most of Maine, the population is sparse, and Kotadjo states it best!
It’s said that moose outnumber humans 3:1, but we saw nary a one. Only a lone deer crossed our path.
When we got to Kotajdo, it was about lunch time and there wasn’t much on the road ahead of us. That meant stopping here where an enterprising soul provided staples for hunters and fishermen and served a few sandwiches.
. We were the only people there whose dress gave us away as visitors. When our Texas license plate was noted, there was some surprise we weren’t driving a pickup!
The Moosehead Lake region is unspoiled, and every effort is made to keep it that way. Whenever there is a proposal to increase development be it residential or wind farms, it meets strong resistance. 
While that may not seem like progress, it is one of the reasons Maine is one of this country’s gifts when it comes to natural beauty.
Early October means putting Pipe Dreams into winter storage and that symbolizes the loss of something I love about being in Maine.
Among my happiest moments are those when we leave Rockport Harbor behind and go exploring. Sadly, this is the last outing and the memory will have to last through the winter.
As we venture out, I see sights that are so familiar yet manage to look different every time. In the distance overlooking Penobscot Bay is Beech Hill, today shrouded by mist.
Heading out to the bay we pass Indian Island with its now inoperable lighthouse. Changing light and shifting tides always make me think I’m seeing it for the first time.
Our plan is to spend the night on the boat so we go to Perry Creek, a favorite spot. It’s a popular boating destination, but tonight the summer crowd is gone and all is quiet except for a soft breeze blowing through the trees and the sound of water gently lapping against the hull.
That makes it very easy to relax while the hubby and I enjoy predinner snacks and a game or two of backgammon. Yes, life is good.
We called it a day beneath a star filled sky, but we woke to a world blanketed in fog and with its own kind of beauty.
Close by a heron lingered patiently as if waiting for it to clear.
After a while a gull left its perch to check things out.
We sat munching a simple breakfast and watching the tranquil morning unfold around us.
Times like this are such special gifts, but nothing lasts forever so when the fog cleared we headed back to Rockport Harbor, and I savored every glimpse of places that I love.
After scanning the cruising guide and choosing an island to explore, it is not hard to imagine that magic moments are ahead.
It is always magical to head out on a calm sea beneath a sky so blue and clear it almost seems unreal.
With children on board, it is a magic moment seeing the excitement over “driving” the boat ably assisted, of course, by Otto the auto pilot.
Once arriving at the chosen island and securely anchoring, 
it is a magic moment watching a child making his first effort at rowing the dinghy ashore.
A magic moment is hearing shrieks of laughter as cold water washes over bare feet
and sharing a child’s excitement at finding a walking stick and pretending to be an explorer.
It is magic to find an abundance of sun warmed and sweet raspberries and eating them as fast as they are picked.
A magic moment is the sun shining on a child’s face as he dozes and dreams of the just finished adventure.
Folks in Maine like their gardens. The blooming season may be short, but it is alive with color and texture that enhance the state’s natural beauty.
It is unusual to pass a home, no matter how modest, that doesn’t have a neatly manicured yard and some blooming things.
In addition to individual gardens, there are several public spaces that are delightful. A popular one is the 
The gardens have something for all ages, and I have to admit that I have a hard time getting past the children’s area.
It is filled with energy provided by vibrant colors and activities that keep kids entertained for hours.
When children need a break, there are quiet spaces filled with games and books.
For overwhelming beauty, there is no place like the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden in Seal Harbor .
It is full of vibrant color, and the buzzing of bees fills the air.
There are calm areas perfect for quiet reflection.
This is a private garden open one Thursday each month from July through early September. 
In nearby Northeast Harbor is
Most of its blooms are gone by early July, but that doesn’t keep the garden from being a delightful place for a relaxed stroll.