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The
Rudine TeamMAINE’S
EASY 18 LIGHTHOUSESby
Ken Rudine
Photographs
by the author |
| West
Quoddy Lighthouse near Lubec, Maine |
The
Kancamagus Highway brought us down from the higher elevations of the White
Mountains. The trees became greener as if spring was happening just as we
past. We came upon a tourist info center as we reached the Maine border. The helpful
attendant mentioned that just up the road is where “that car” hit Stephen King.
Fortified with local trivia and maps, we advanced into unknown territory.
The
plan was to start in the north at Calais on the St. Croix River and then
finish in the south heading back to Texas. We followed
the water to find West Quoddy Lighthouse near Lubec. It is our country’s
farthest north and east point; they call this area “Down East”. Located at latitude
of ~45 degrees, half-way between the equator and the North Pole influences the
tides which are 20 to 28 feet. When day was done, from our room at Machitas we
watched the tide go out. Maybe 18 hours later, when we left, it was still out.
While
at Bar Harbor we drove the 27-mile scenic road in Acadia National Park.
Reading about this area stated that Longfellow never visited the Acadian area
of Louisiana. That pretty well challenges what I learned six decades ago about
the Evangeline Oak and Longfellow’s home in the Bayou Teche country. (See Evangeline)
At
Rockland we were told a story about the light keeper’s Springer Spaniel
named Spot. The dog was trained to pull the rope sounding the fog bell when he
became aware of a boat approaching. Boats would answer with a whistle or bell
and Spot would bark.
Pemaquid Point, one of the lights seen the
next day, greeted us with blooming Lupines growing on the side of the road reminding
us of spring and Texas Bluebonnets. Three days later photographing Cape Neddick,
where a wedding party was posing for photos, we were met with 55 degrees and a
55 MPH wind. Reminding us we are still 2400 miles northeast of Texas. |
MAINE LIGHTHOUSES:Our
visitation order:
West Quoddy,
Lubec Channel Light,
Egg
Rock,
Bass Harbor,
Dyce Head,
Fort Point,
Rockland Breakwater,
Owls Head,
Marshall Point,
Pemiquid Point,
Doubling Point,
Spring
Point Ledge,
Portland Breakwater,
Portland Head,
Ram Island Ledge,
Cape Elizabeth,
Cape Neddick and
Whaleback.
Traveling
Maine? Find Hotels Locally |
Lubec
Channel Light, Lubec -
Typical of a lighthouse style aka "Sparkplug" Light
|
| Rockland
Breakwater, Rockland Harbor |
| Marshall
Point, Port Clyde |
| Spring
Point Ledge, South Portland |
| Portland
Head, Cape Elizabeth |
Following Maine maps
and signs can be difficult so after this trip we bought a GPS which we now always
use. We recommend you use a GPS to find these lighthouses. For your convenience
the coordinates of each light can be found at http://www.etravelmaine.com/activities/maine_lighthouses.htm
Copyright Ken
Rudine,
Published July 22, 2009
Traveling
Maine? Find Hotels Locally |
| Leo
Magni, is a Rockport neighbor who is a talented artist working in oils. Here Leo
shows his work-in-progress painting of my West Quoddy, that has since been finished
and sold. | |
|
