Maine 2015
 
 

Day 05

July 31

 
   
  It's pretty foggy out this morning but I am just loving the temps compared to the high nineties back in the Holler. I go out and get Frost uncovered for the adventures of today.  
   
  And you can't beat home cooking - especially when I don't have to do it! Fali and Charlie have graciously decided to do the breakfast cooking and I have graciously decided to let them.  
   
  Today we are headed out to see the launch of two newly built lobster boats, constructed in a garage on the property where we are staying. A gentleman is walking his poochie dog this morning, so I am careful not to spook either one of them on the way out.  
   
  The launch site is just down the road from the cabin, so it doesn't take us long to find it. But it seems these 'launchings' are a pretty big deal up here and parking space is precious.  
   
  Miss Cathy Strout, our 'landlord' and mother of one of the ship builders, lets me a get a shot of her T-shirt ....  
   
  that was made for the occasion. I get a bit of education when I learn that both of these ships are build with 'infused' technology. Apparently this means that all the substructure is infused Fiberglas, so there is no wood or metal structure used at all.  
   
  One is called the 'Halestorm' and ...  
   
  the other one is called the 'Deborah Sea'.  
   
  It seems as if there are still some things that need to be sorted out before the launch. So a group of us decide to head over to Beals Island, the location of a beautiful fishing village just off Jonesport originally settled by Manwaring Beal back in 1775. It's a nice ride over ...  
   
  with several stately New England houses along the way.  
   
  And we can see lovely harbors along the way also.  
   
  This is a major lobstering and fishing area with serious boats anchored in most directions we look.  
   
  We are greeted by two signs when we get on the island proper, and I take special note of the one that says 'frost heave'. If you haven't hit a serious frost heave on a motorcycle, you can't appreciate the saying 'it just about jarred the fillings out of my teeth.'  
   
 

Randy had told us about this particular boat which says 'Free for taking'. But since I don't have a trailer hitch on my ST, I think I'll pass. And as a former New York mayor once said about 'good deals' such as this -

"Two elephants for a dollar is a good deal if you need the elephants and you have the dollar."

 
   
  We find a good parking spot in the main harbor area and go off to do a little 'exploring'.  
   
  The main harbor quite pretty and quite busy and you can see that this is all 'business' fishing that goes on here.  
   
  Looking out from the pier, you can see the other nearby islands.  
   
  It seems kind of strange that they would anchor their craft that far out from the pier, but they obviously are a lot smarter about such stuff than this hillbilly will ever be.  
   
  By now, they should be pretty close to launching those new lobster ships, so we head back over the hump bridge to the launching site.  
   
  We pass by another beautiful New England church that appears to have served the area for many years.  
   
  When we get there, they have just put the first ship into the water.  
   
  It's a very interesting rig that it is launched from, complete with a remote control that the driver uses to manipulate the various moving parts on the trailer.  
   
  It's obviously not his first rodeo although he looks to fairly young. But then young gets younger every day for me.  
   
  Up on top of the pier structure, I see a lovely cottage across the cover. The privacy and the isolation of it sets my mind to wandering and wondering.  
   
  Randy tells us that we need to make a run up to great dairy dip that he knows about in the area. And who am I to resist the call of ice cream?  
   
  We pass another stately old church and this looks like is also has a nice parsonage attached to it, obviously built in the day when craftsmen build buildings.  
   
  After a nice run along the ocean inlets,  
   
  we arrive at our destination. And it must be good, if the crowds are any indication.  
   
  Randy goes for some strange concoction in a cone, but I get the largest chocolate milk shake that they make. And it is so good that my tongue wants to beat my brains out.  
   
  While we are suffering through our cold concoctions, one of the new Polaris Slingshots pull up. I don't know if it's a car, a trike or exactly what it is. But it is definitely interesting to look at.  
   
  When the last slurps and licks are taken, Randy gathers up the chickens and we all head for Schoodic Point, passing by some beautiful scenery along the way.  
   
  This particular park still has part of a historic wharf standing and ...  
   
  the inlet appears to be a popular spot for sailing.  
   
  Randy gives the signal and we're all off and on to Schoodic Point.  
   
  The point is at the end of Schoodic Peninsula, which is part of the larger Acadia National Park. The peninsula itself covers almost 2,300 acres and most of it was was once owned by John G. Moore, a Maine native and Wall Street financier.  
   
  It's a pretty place, especially if you enjoy ocean views and such.  
   
  But there are places we need to be soon enough, so we're back on the road after a short break.  
   
  It's a nice run back to the cabins and it's nice to follow Randy instead of being in the lead as I often find myself.  
   
  As we pass this spot, I wonder if this was the one Fats Domino sang about.  
   
  Soon we are close to our cabins, so we split off as Randy heads to where he needs to be for the evening.  
   
  Randy and Della, as on their many kindness, has offered to haul folks back and forth from the cabins and campground to her parent's cabin on the inlet. These two fellers look pretty suspicious, so I keep a close eye on them.  
   
  This is the big 'feast' night, and what a feast it is. Not only do we have freshly made pies on the docket ...  
   
  but freshly caught lobster. Della's brother is kind enough to show me how to properly dismantle these creatures. This is the first time I've ever 'attacked' a whole lobster, but I manage to do what needs to be done.  
   
  Randy's also got a great fire going as if they haven't already done enough as superb hosts during this event.  
   
  With a belly full of lobster and pie, my eyelids begin to follow the sun as it sets over the inlet. When the call comes for anyone that wants to head back, I decide I'd better take advantage of it. It's been a great day of food, fellowship, and fantastic sights but my weary head finds the pillow quite quickly and the mental lights go out.