Update 23: Rockport, Maine

Update 23 : Rockport Aug. 21-24

On our short drive to Rockport we passed over this new bridge.  Upon our arrival, we set up camp in the trees and went in search of dinner. The place suggested by the campground sat next to a boat launch, diners ate outside and a small building provided the kitchen. The limited menu didn't offer the guys much to eat, so we kept driving. We drove clear down to Port Clyde at the bottom of this peninsula without finding a place to eat.  Our journey took us back to the Rockland Cafe....in Rockland, Maine.   Rockland, Rockport and Camden city limits nearly bump into each other.

Camden's colorful storefronts, interesting shops and yummy restaurants beckon the tourist to stop here for awhile. And we did! Large Victorian and Federal homes line the streets leading to downtown. Many of the old homes now house B & B's, Inns, and business firms. These well maintained structures create a lovely entrance to town from either end.

Immediately north of the downtown shops, the terraced city park overlooks the harbor. People sit on the park benches visiting and eating ice cream cones.

In the harbor four 3 and 4 mast ships await tourists who want a 4-5+ day cruise adventure. These dark masts pierce the sky above all other masts. Their thick girth adds to their distinction. Each sported a large tent like tarp near the front deck.  Several other tour boats of typical tour boat size provide 2+ hourly cruises.  The bustling harbor includes pleasure boats of all sizes from very large yachts to canoes, some fishing boats also sway against their moorings.

Lynn and I enjoyed popping in and out of the shops along Main Street. Derrille and Jay noticed that several shops stood on stilts above a river that flowed under the town's north end to the harbor. Beside one of the shops,we stopped to look at the river. From here we noticed a bridge further up the river and went to find it.

Around the corner and over about a block we found the flower bedecked bridge. Flowers cascaded from hanging pots and flower boxes from one side of the river to the other turned the span into a colorful rainbow garden.

Across the bridge, tall sunflowers tower over the visitors. Huge pots held more flowers.This "rainbow" creates a shortcut to downtown Camden  from the Riverhouse Hotel who sponsors the flowers show each year.


We walked across the bridge enjoying the experience of a flower bridge. Ducks below the bridge  quacked loudly for attention and to be fed. Realizing we had nothing to give, they paddled off down the river.

We explored other streets and lanes before going to Cappy's for lunch. The Sunday brunch menu allowed Derrille to order a Sunday special of blueberry French toast. To our surprise the French toast came out in a crock and closely resembled a blueberry cobbler. Derrille said it wasn't what he expected, but it was tasty, as was all of our food.  Jay had spied some raspberry pie in a deli down the street, but we were too full from lunch to partake of any dessert. We'd done a little shopping, lots of looking, seen the harbor, found the bridge, and ate good food in a quaint New England town ...awesome day so far..

From there we drove to Rockland to the Maine Lighthouse Museum. The museum's 4 o'clock closing time didn't allow enough time for a good visit so we put it off until tomorrow.  Instead we drove to the lighthouse on the other side of town. A one mile breakwater runs from the mainland out across the harbor entrance. 

The Rockland Breakwater Light

sits at the very end of the breakwater . To create the breakwater, pyramid making sized blocks of granite were placed three abreast from the beach to the lighthouse. The blocks sit next to each other but at varying heights. The uneven surface of the blocks requires concentration to move across them safely.

 Fishermen cast lines out for mackerel.  Lobster buoys polka dot the sea with color as they bob with the waves. Seagulls search for starfish and urchins dinner.

This lighthouse provided a bigger living space in the keeper's house, than others we have toured. Immediately next to the keepers white board house the brick lighthouse sends out its beacon. We climbed to the top and went out on the walkway around the light. The wind blew our hair and the sea salt filled the air as the sun began to set. What a great reward for our two mile walk!

The next morning we arrived by 9:30 AM at the Maine Lighthouse Museum. A video explains the creation of the Fresnel light and its use in lighthouses. Exhibits tell of the history and politics of lighthouses. Several models of lighthouses and keeper uniforms stand on display.

This little museum houses the most Fresnel lights of any museum. The lights  come in rankings called  first to sixth order. The museum has samples of each order, except for the first order light.  There is only one available and it is currently in use, not to mention its enormous size, 12 foot size and 1200 pounds,limits the ability to move it from its current position. Other sections of the museum are dedicated to specific people, especially women who worked as keeper's, the lifesaving part of the keepers job, the Coast Guards involvement, and any aspect involved with lighthouses.  They had a lovely gift shop too.

Lynn didn't feel well this morning and left the museum to get some air. She and Jay returned to their RV. Derrille and I set off to explore the other cities on the agenda. On our way to Waldoboro we passed Moody's Diner. The parking lot overflowed with cars on this Monday about 11 am. Considering this as a sign of good food, we asked a local girl at the gas station about Moody's.  She replied, "Why it is THE place and everyone in Maine knows about it, just ask anyone."  We found her enthusiasm fun.  The road to Waldoboro made a big "U" off the highway. The buildings along the narrow main street stood several stories high. Tourists spots were absent so we continue our westerly drive.

 Soon the highway traffic stopped.  We considered the possibilities of road construction, or an accident.  The line didn't appear to be moving when the sign indicated a left turn would take us to Booth Bay Harbor. So we turned and once again headed toward the end of another peninsula.  Booth Bay Harbor looked like fun. Boats filled the harbor.

Some of the shops we'd seen in Camden were open here also. This town catered to tourists.  We drove around looking for a place to park and eat our lunch. As with so many places you could pay $10 for parking and then go to a spot near the water. Around the harbor nice homes or restaurants claimed the land.  We finally found a Veteran's Memorial Park where we could park for free, overlook the harbor and eat lunch: Although we did have to share the parking lot with the tree/shrub cutting crew.

Back to the highway west, the traffic moved, but slowly. We got in line and crept into Wiccasset. The tour books listed this as the prettiest little town in Maine. Maybe it was when someone awarded them the title, or maybe if it wasn't overcast. We didn't agree.  Also amazing was the lack of road construction or an accident. Apparently just enough people were crossing the highway to bring traffic to this standstill. Maine takes stopping for crosswalk traffic very seriously.  While crossing the bridge approach to town, we noticed a crowd of people on the right side of the highway. As we neared that spot "the crowd" was in line for a food stand up the hill about a block and around the corner.  We don't know what is served at    RED'S EATS. but it must be good.

Wiscasset became our turn around spot and we headed back.

Next spot:  West Scarborough, ME