New England Trip, Part Three

Wednesday morning we headed north to Bradley to the Maine Forest & Logging Museum and Leonard's Mills Historic Settlement where, during the summer, people come to see reenactments and learn about the logging process of old. We received permission to explore the grounds on our own, so we enjoyed seeing the different buildings, equipment, and even a covered bridge.

The boys also got to pump and taste well water from an old pump. 

The timing worked out well as we headed back south toward Bar Harbor for us to stop in Bangor and pick up Joe after class got out. We were able to drive around the Husson campus and then headed down to Bar Harbor. This town was a bit of a disappointment because so much is closed during the off-season. 

Still, we did some souvenir shopping and ate at a little locals’ place called Side Street Café. 

Kelly and I had crab cakes and Atlantic salmon, while Chris had a crab melt that he loved. It was good, although not quite the seafood I had in mind to try in Bar Harbor. We went on back home to get packed up for Boston the next day.


Although we had talked about some more excursions Thursday morning, I was so exhausted and, anticipating the four-hour drive to Boston, thought the kids could use some stay-at-home playtime. Kelly heartily agreed so we stayed home and packed while the boys drove the Power Wheels jeep around outside, played in the basement, and so on. When Joe got home we loaded the car (an amazing feat, really) and squeezed in for the drive. All seven of us crammed into their Acura MDX, plus our luggage (Chris and I had quite a bit). Keep in mind that all three boys were in bulky car seats. Really, it was quite impressive. Before leaving Bangor, we made a quick stop at the Thomas Hill Standpipe for some pictures. 

We headed to Boston, stopping along the way in Portland to view the Portland Head Light House and the beautiful coastline. 

Portland Head Light

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow most likely wrote "The Lighthouse" based on the Portland Head Light, which he visited often.

The rocky ledge runs far into the sea,

   and on its outer point, some miles away,

the lighthouse lifts its massive masonry,

   A pillar of fire by night, of cloud by day.

Even at this distance I can see the tides,

   Upheaving, break unheard along its base, 

A speechless wrath, that rises and subsides

   in the white tip and tremor of the face.

And as the evening darkens, lo! how bright,

   through the deep purple of the twilight air,

Beams forth the sudden radiance of its light,

   with strange, unearthly splendor in the glare!

No one alone: from each projecting cape

   And perilous reef along the ocean’s verge,

Starts into life a dim, gigantic shape,

   Holding its lantern o’er the restless surge.

Like the great giant Christopher it stands

   Upon the brink of the tempestuous wave,

Wading far out among the rocks and sands,

   The night o’er taken mariner to save.

And the great ships sail outward and return

   Bending and bowing o’er the billowy swells,

And ever joyful, as they see it burn

   They wave their silent welcome and farewells.

They come forth from the darkness, and their sails

   Gleam for a moment only in the blaze,

And eager faces, as the light unveils

   Gaze at the tower, and vanish while they gaze.

The mariner remembers when a child,

   on his first voyage, he saw it fade and sink

And when returning from adventures wild,

   He saw it rise again o’er ocean’s brink.

Steadfast, serene, immovable, the same,

   Year after year, through all the silent night

Burns on forevermore that quenchless flame,

   Shines on that inextinguishable light!

It sees the ocean to its bosom clasp

   The rocks and sea-sand with the kiss of peace:

It sees the wild winds lift it in their grasp,

   And hold it up, and shake it like a fleece.

The startled waves leap over it; the storm

   Smites it with all the scourges of the rain, 

And steadily against its solid form

   press the great shoulders of the hurricane.

The sea-bird wheeling round it, with the din

   of wings and winds and solitary cries,

Blinded and maddened by the light within,

   Dashes himself against the glare, and dies.

A new Prometheus, chained upon the rock,

   Still grasping in his hand the fire of love,

it does not hear the cry, nor heed the shock,

   but hails the mariner with words of love.

“Sail on!” it says: “sail on, ye stately ships!”

   And with your floating bridge the ocean span;

Be mine to guard this light from all eclipse.

   Be yours to bring man nearer unto man.

Noah and the fog bell

A memorial to the 49 officers and crewmen killed when a German U-boat torpedoed a U.S. Navy  Sub-Chaser in 1945, nine miles southeast of the Portland Head Light. It was the greatest loss of U.S. Navy personnel in New England waters during WWII.

 Nearby, we were able to see several other lighthouses before stopping at a seafood restaurant recommended by a man at the visitor center called The Lobster Shack. 

Portland Breakwater Light, "The Bug"

This place was great—right on the coast, perfect ambiance, large selection of Maine’s staple foods—lobster and crabmeat rolls and blueberry pie! Now we can say we have tried them. Yummy! We piled back into the car for the rest of the drive to Boston, arriving late to check in to the hotel and get some rest. Chris and I were upgraded to a suite, so we enjoyed having the two large rooms with a table and chairs, couch, and giant Jacuzzi tub.