vacation...
For the first time in many, many years I am taking a vacation. I'll be flying from Key West to Portland, Maine to spend some quiet time with friends and family not seen in too long. This will be my first trip north of Miami since 1997, when I ventured as far north as Daytona Beach for a Christmas holiday! I've bought long pants and a warm jacket to deal with August nights in Maine.
A good part of the trip will be spent on Haskell's Island, off the coast of Harpswell. It is about one-third the size of Key West and, as I recall there are only five dwellings there. No electricity, water from a well or from the rainbarrel, travel by foot!
There are a couple of seemingly differet ecosperes on Haskells Island. There is a large tidal marsh that nearly bisects the lowest land area. At full moon tides it foes, indeed bisect the place. The island is primarily granite and shale cliffs that jut out of the water. Once above the fens,there are lots of birch trees (which are one of the things that I miss down here in the southern climes). There are also massive old pines and several old oaks. On Great (or Birch) Point there are blueberries and, on the very end, a gazebo like building in which to sit on the rawer days to study the ever changing waters of the Merkaneeg Sound. There are numerous paths and trails for hiking through the spine of the island. On the far-side, Ship's(or Shipwreck)Cove is found. This is on the windward side and there are many stories of shipwrecks here. There is ample jetsom in order to fuel the fantasies. On this side of the island is also "sea urchin pool", a semi-protested tidal pool where the bravest of us children would skinny-dip in the summers of our innocence.
By following the paths, often brushed by giant fiddlehead ferns, one comes across a meadow like area about half-way up to the highest point. There are many different varieties of wildflowers here as well as an old, old stand of rhubarb (which was used for pies long ago). There used to be the remains of an old barn here, but they were difficult to find, even as a child.
Highest Point is perhaps some hundred and something feet above sea level and even as a kid it was an arduous climb. I can remember in 1961 or 1962 climbing with Dad to observe a total eclipse of the sun. From atop, one can see for miles. I think that on an exceptionally clear day, Mt. Washington, the highest peak in New England, can be seen far to the west.
South Point is a rocky, windswept spit that was rarely visited as a child. Though I do remember walks towards the place where we would go through yet another meadow (ancient and not quite overgrown) where rumors and history tells of of cows which used to graze there. South Point itself is typical of the many windswept, rocky points found along the coast of Maine.
So, with a couple of good books, some warmer clothes, and a sense of well-being, I'll be trading for a smaller island for a week. This may be my last trip up North. Life has a way of moving on and, as I grow older, moving on more swiftly. I cannot say at this juncture that I am dissatisfied with all the many turns of events. For, at this time of my life, I am happier than I've been for most of the rest of it. I seemingly have "found myself" - a task that I set out to do nearly forty years ago.
More on that at a different time. Now is the time for more mundane things like laundry and packing, like a doctor's office visit, paperwork and inventories to finish, and a multitude of other silliness that "must" be attended to before I go away...or go home. Life is a miracle and a wonder at every turn and I love it.
Love and Peace from Key West.
A good part of the trip will be spent on Haskell's Island, off the coast of Harpswell. It is about one-third the size of Key West and, as I recall there are only five dwellings there. No electricity, water from a well or from the rainbarrel, travel by foot!
There are a couple of seemingly differet ecosperes on Haskells Island. There is a large tidal marsh that nearly bisects the lowest land area. At full moon tides it foes, indeed bisect the place. The island is primarily granite and shale cliffs that jut out of the water. Once above the fens,there are lots of birch trees (which are one of the things that I miss down here in the southern climes). There are also massive old pines and several old oaks. On Great (or Birch) Point there are blueberries and, on the very end, a gazebo like building in which to sit on the rawer days to study the ever changing waters of the Merkaneeg Sound. There are numerous paths and trails for hiking through the spine of the island. On the far-side, Ship's(or Shipwreck)Cove is found. This is on the windward side and there are many stories of shipwrecks here. There is ample jetsom in order to fuel the fantasies. On this side of the island is also "sea urchin pool", a semi-protested tidal pool where the bravest of us children would skinny-dip in the summers of our innocence.
By following the paths, often brushed by giant fiddlehead ferns, one comes across a meadow like area about half-way up to the highest point. There are many different varieties of wildflowers here as well as an old, old stand of rhubarb (which was used for pies long ago). There used to be the remains of an old barn here, but they were difficult to find, even as a child.
Highest Point is perhaps some hundred and something feet above sea level and even as a kid it was an arduous climb. I can remember in 1961 or 1962 climbing with Dad to observe a total eclipse of the sun. From atop, one can see for miles. I think that on an exceptionally clear day, Mt. Washington, the highest peak in New England, can be seen far to the west.
South Point is a rocky, windswept spit that was rarely visited as a child. Though I do remember walks towards the place where we would go through yet another meadow (ancient and not quite overgrown) where rumors and history tells of of cows which used to graze there. South Point itself is typical of the many windswept, rocky points found along the coast of Maine.
So, with a couple of good books, some warmer clothes, and a sense of well-being, I'll be trading for a smaller island for a week. This may be my last trip up North. Life has a way of moving on and, as I grow older, moving on more swiftly. I cannot say at this juncture that I am dissatisfied with all the many turns of events. For, at this time of my life, I am happier than I've been for most of the rest of it. I seemingly have "found myself" - a task that I set out to do nearly forty years ago.
More on that at a different time. Now is the time for more mundane things like laundry and packing, like a doctor's office visit, paperwork and inventories to finish, and a multitude of other silliness that "must" be attended to before I go away...or go home. Life is a miracle and a wonder at every turn and I love it.
Love and Peace from Key West.
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