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The highlight of my summer was visiting the remote island, Isle Au Haut, off the rocky coast of Maine. Staying at a lighthouse was on my mother's "bucket list" and I had the blessing of being her companion on the three day trip.
The highlight of my summer was visiting the remote island, Isle Au Haut, off the rocky coast of Maine. Staying at a lighthouse was on my mother's "bucket list" and I had the blessing of being her companion on the three day trip.
We stayed at the Robinson Point Lighthouse, Keeper's House Inn on the shores of Acadia National Park. The fully functioning lighthouse is owned by the town, while the keeper's house is privately owned, and off the power-grid.
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| First views of Robinson Point from the mail boat. Osprey nest near shore as we approached the island. |
We arrived by ferry-the mail boat-from the main land which was an adventure in itself. On the boat was the daughter of author Linda Greenlaw,
boat captain of "The Perfect Storm" fame, who was bringing a book to
her mother to get signed. Another woman on the boat, was headed to the
island to fill the pulpit of the only island church.
Our stay at the Keeper's House Inn for three days and two nights was an amazing retreat. It was so great to be "unplugged" for a few days. Although rustic in many ways, the inn was refined and the accommodations were very comfortable with a cottage type atmosphere of casual elegance.
The hospitality was wonderful and the meals were superb! We dined with gas lamps and candlelight each evening. Hors d'oeuvre were served at 6 pm and an elegant gourmet dinner at 7 pm with sunset views of the lighthouse! After an enjoyable meal and visiting with the other guests we retired to our room and read our books by candlelight and flashlight! It really was fun! We listened to the sound of the ocean from our window as we drifted off into sweet slumber.
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| Pictured are Isle Au Haut Post Office, Isle Au Haut Rural School, docks, Black Dinah Chocolatiers sign, Island Grocery, Isle Au Haut Public Library, Acadia National Park Ranger Station. |
We biked into town one day and brought a picnic lunch, provided by the inn. It was great getting to experience a little bit of island life and learn about the culture of the islanders, a population of 73. It is so remote that their small community has to create their own entertainment. They were planning their annual talent show and road race. The woman who owns the only grocery store on the island was the chair person for those events. The one-room school house is attended by those in K thru 8, which has 3 students enrolled. High school students receive their education off the island so they must board. The post office is the size of a tool shed. There is a chocolatier who is famous for her homemade chocolates. Chocolate is a necessity no matter where you live. And we found the beautiful public library and I was invited me to send them some of my books!
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| Union Congregational Church built in 1857. | |
Isle Au Haut means high island in French. The Union Congregational Church rests upon one of the highest points of the island and was quite a climb to get to. Services are held in the summer, while in the winter worship is provided by the Maine Seacoast Mission who holds services aboard a boat.
Lobstering is the main industry on the island. It was amazing how a lobster boat would appear out of the fog as if out of nowhere. One of the first boats we saw up close was named appropriately, Perseverence, which speaks to the tenacity of the hard working fishermen. We ate our lunch one day from the rocks high up in the forest overlooking a cove. A lobster boat came to check their traps and I zoomed in with my camera. You can actually see one them tossing back a too small lobster. The shells were everywhere, even in the forest, apparently the food of some of the birds and wild animals.
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| Built in 1907, Robinson Point Lighthouse was the next to the last traditional lighthouse built in Maine and was automated in 1934. There were two keepers, Frank Holbrook (1907-1922) and Harry Smith (1922-1933). It is currently solar powered. |
Now I have the lighthouse fever and hope to visit some others.
Have you ever visited a lighthouse? Which one(s)?
