September 5 and 6, 2022:
A day of rain dampened our exploration, but we needed to use the day for laundry and other things. The next day was expected to clear about 2 PM, so we set out to see a couple lighthouses. We had a SHORT time at Bug Light without any rain. Bug Light continues to light today. (Flashing white light for 4 seconds.) Because of the dreary day, you can see it flash.
Bug Light was originally a wooden structure built in 1855. The breakwater was extended and a new lighthouse was constructed at the end of it in 1875. The new lighthouse was made of curved cast-iron plates whose seams are disguised by six decorative Corinthian columns. Thomas U. Walter, who designed the U.S. Capitol east and west wings and its current dome, was Bug Light’s architect. While demure in stature, Bug Light exudes elegance. Wooden sheds and a six-room house for the lighthouse-keeper were added incrementally as needed as seen below.
In 1897, after Spring Point Ledge Light was built and lit, the houses around Bug Light were demolished and the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse keepers tended to both lighthouses. They had to row to and from Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse! The light was fully restored in 1989 and reactivated in 2002. It continues as a private navigation aid today.
Two cruise ships were docked at a cruise ship terminal across the harbor to the left from Bug Light.
On the other end of the parking lot was a memorial to the Liberty Ships and those who were part of making them here during WWII. It was a pretty cool “stumble upon” discovery.
Remember Rosie the Riveter?? Well, now meet, Wendy the Welder!
I noticed another Light on beyond the Memorial, so I walked towards it to get a better view. It was Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse – a “spark-plug” style lighthouse.
We went back to the car and drove to a better vantage point of Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse – complete with remains of Fort Preble (1808). It was adjacent to Southern Maine Community College. Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is the only caisson-style light station in the United States that visitors can walk to, although we didn’t. We didn’t see the stairs to get over the wall till looking at our pictures later. Plus parking wasn’t exactly OK for a longer time where we were. We weren’t sure how to get closer with a car, but we wouldn’t be able to go inside today. Tours are only available on the weekends during the summer.
I’m really enjoying the discovery of these lights and lighthouses and how unique they are from one another.
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse was started in the summer of 1896, with its lantern lit for the first time in May, 1897. While the Portland Breakwater Light (Bug Light) effectively marked the entrance to Portland Harbor, it was not enough to alert sailors to the treacherous ledge here. The lighthouse had a galley (kitchen) and two bedrooms. One bedroom for the head keeper and second one for the assistant keeper. No families could stay here. Being out in the water, the cast iron bell that warned of the dangerous rocky ledge was also imperative to help keep vessels from hitting the lighthouse since the keepers lived here! The breakwater that you see today was completed in 1951.
“Step Into History” with this full-color comic book (pdf) about the lighthouse. It is pretty cool!
The characteristic of Spring Ledge Light is a flashing white light for 6 seconds with two red sectors. You can see the red in my picture above.
September 7th: The weather was much better today. We set off to see Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse, and the Portland Head Light.
We had to take a picture of the Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse from the area near the ocean. This was the best view we could get because the property is now privately owned. It was disappointing, but at least we got this vantage point.
As we were walking along the rocky coastal area, we felt sure what we were seeing beneath our feet and in front of us were fallen trees. In fact, I was taking the pictures below thinking it was an old growth tree that went down ages ago and became petrified. What do you think?
Seeing it now everywhere here …and at our next stop, we learned it was quartzite and dark grey phyllite accumulating in alternating layers. It is common for people to think it is petrified wood. 🙂
So what else shall we do? The Lobster Shack was right there! Yep, we got a lobster roll box to share for lunch. It included one small lobster roll, coleslaw and fries. The views were great though!
From here we went to the Portland Head Light. WOW! What a stunning setting. Fort Williams Park and its 90 acres is part of this location! We were able to get pictures from many different vantage points of Portland Head Light, and more as we took a nice walk along the bluff.
The original tower measured 72′ from the base to the lantern deck and was lit with 16 whale oil lamps beginning January 10, 1791. A one story keeper’s house to replace the original one was built in 1816. The new one was 34′ x 20′ with two rooms, a cellar, and a porch in the rear. By 1865 the tower was raised 20 feet.
The current Keepers’ home was constructed in 1891. As a two-story duplex, it was home to the keepers and their families till 1989. August, 1989 the automation of the lighthouse took place. The US Coast Guard continues to maintain both the light and the fog signal.
BONUS!
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow often came here to visit his keeper friend, and spend time on this rock being inspired for his poem “Lighthouse”. I sat where Longfellow sat. 🙂
Views from the cliff walking path.
Looking out into Casco Bay, beyond Portland Head Light, we could see another lighthouse. It is Ram Island Light. Ram Island Ledge Light was built in response to a number of accidents in this area due to the dangerous submerged rocks. Plans began in 1900, but it didn’t get completed till 1905. It was a no-frills conical, granite tower. A primitive, skeleton style pier was included. The light was automated in 1959.
Thursday, Sept 8.
We decided to get up early to go to the beach for the SUNRISE. It was gorgeous! Glad we went!
A little beach time this afternoon at Old Orchard Beach.
It was a pretty quiet day at the beach. The carnival area adjacent to the beach and much of the stores and restaurants on the pier were closed weekdays now that it is after Labor Day. But that also meant the bathrooms were free! Evidently, there is a Jeep Fest this coming weekend, but we will not be around for it.
We still enjoyed the sunshine and a walk along the beach. exploring the pier – even though most businesses were closed.
We found a place close by to play pickleball Thursday morning and again on Friday since our travel day on Friday would be very short. We got in some really good games. It was amazing to watch this guy play pickleball in his “agility” wheelchair! He only played a few games, but what an inspiration.
Friday, September 9 was our travel day to Moody Beach Thousand Trails, but since the destination was so close, we decided to get up early to check out another sunrise, (and play pickleball) before we head down the road.
We stayed at the Pinehurst RV Park that was included in our Encore Trails Collection. The pool and hot tub looked really nice. It was quite busy on Monday. Tuesday we thought we’d go hit the hot tub and possibly the pool. Whoops–no water in either one! Evidently, the pools area only open from Memorial Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. That’s why it was so busy yesterday! It was Labor Day.
Tomorrow we go to Moody Beach Thousand Trails for 4 nights! Yes, we’ll STILL be in Maine.