Maine's Southern Coast: A Final Look

One last look at Maine's beautiful southern coast, and then we're off on a new adventure.

Maine's Southern Coast: Lighthouses, Part 3

We saw two more lighthouses on a beautiful day when we traveled to the southernmost coast of Maine.  We made our way out to Frisbee Wharf in Kittery which is just north of the Maine-New Hampshire border.  There we saw Maine's Whaleback Light and New Hampshire's Portsmouth Harbor Light.

Looking out from Frisbee Wharf in Kittery, the lighthouse closest to you is actually in
New Hampshire.  This is the Portsmouth Harbor Light.

The present lighthouse was built in 1878 and stands 48 feet tall.

Maine's Whaleback Light as seen from Frisbee Wharf in Kittery.

Whaleback Light 

The present Whaleback Light was constructed in 1872 and stands 50 feet tall.

You can capture a great view of Whaleback Light from Fort Constitution Park in New Hampshire.

Maine's Southern Coast: Lighthouses, Part 2

The Nubble Lighthouse and the Boon Island Light are both located in York, Maine.  We were lucky enough to visit them on two separate occasions during our trip--once on a rainy, windy day and once on a dry, partly sunny day.  Both visits were well worth our time.

Located on a small island just off the coast at Cape Neddick, the Nubble Light is a
popular tourist attraction on Maine's southern coast.  Built in 1879, the light is
41 feet tall.

The rocky north side of the island is a great spot for bird watching.

Look closely and you can see the nests of the cormorants. 

The waves and the weather don't seem to bother the birds.

There are several places to sit and enjoy the scenery.

About six miles off shore from the Nubble Light is Boon Island Light.  The present light
was built in 1855, and at 133 feet it is the tallest lighthouse in New England.

Maine's Southern Coast: Lighthouses, Part 1

Two great things about traveling to see a lighthouse: you're pretty much guaranteed a great view and an interesting bit of history.  The lighthouses we found along Maine's southern coast did not disappoint.  Today's photos are from our visit to Portland on a rainy Monday when conditions were just perfect to experience the drama and majesty of the coast around the Portland Head Light and the Ram Island Ledge Light.

Our first glimpse of the Portland Head Light, Maine's oldest lighthouse (c. 1791). It is located
in the Cape Elizabeth section of Portland in Fort Williams Park.

The keeper's cottage is now a museum, the small building on the left a gift shop.

The museum housed several of the old lights that were once
used in the lighthouse.

A British ship, the Annie McGuire, wrecked on these rocks in front of the Portland Light on
Christmas Eve 1886.  The keeper and his family helped get all the passengers safely
to shore.

The original 1791 lighthouse is still in use and stands 80 feet tall.  Visitors are not
allowed inside the actual lighthouse.

The views are magnificent even on a stormy day.

Ram Island Ledge Light is located about a mile offshore in front of the Portland
Head Light.  Completed in 1905, it is 90 feet tall.

Maine's Southern Coast: Kennebunkport's Most Famous Family

Throughout the southern coastal region of Maine, many restaurants and businesses proudly display photos of the Bush family visiting their establishment.  Kennebunkport, summer home of President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, is especially proud of their most famous family. Proud and willing to share tidbits of information about the Bushes, Kennebunkport residents also seem respectful of the family's privacy. During our stay, Kennebunkport was busy preparing for Barbara Bush's 90th birthday celebration.

Walker's Point, the Bush family home, in Kennebunkport

Walker's Point

Because it offers a good vantage point on Walker's Point, the Goat Island Lighthouse in nearby Cape Porpoise
 was home to secret service agents for a time during the presidency of George H. W. Bush.*

First Lady Barbara Bush leaving Gooch's Beach after a walk with her dogs

This birthday banner for Mrs. Bush was proudly displayed in downtown Kennebunkport--
just across the street from the town's democratic headquarters.

* From The Lighthouse Handbook:  New England by Jeremy D'Entremont