Sail on Ye Stately Ships

Next Stops:  Wales, MA and Holtwood, PA

You will all be happy to know that we received our first Downers Grove mail package sent by Kevin Keefe (thank you, Kevin).  I honestly didn't think it was going to work given the number of USPS people I spoke with in figuring it out.  But they came through for me!!!!

Once the rain stopped yesterday we were able to see some of Portland with our tour guide, nephew Kevin Sloan.
Casco Bay is absolutely stunning.  We saw this view from the East Promenade:

A park bench just for him...

We moved on to the Old Port - a quaint area of shops, bars and restaurants.  After a great dinner at Gilbert's Chowder House, we stopped at Portland Lobster Company for a little live music.  It was a Grateful Dead cover band, so interesting people watching.

Today we decided to take a self guided lighthouse tour.  Kevin was able to join us! All 6 lighthouses are within 20 minutes of Portland; pictures of 5 of them below.

This is one of the Two Lights and was built in 1828.  It currently resides on private property.  I couldn't get a good shot of the twin, but we did see it in the far distance.

The above lighthouse is the Ram Island Light. It was built in 1905 and operational until 2008 when it was purchased by a private individual charged with the upkeep.

This famous Portland Head Light is Maine's oldest and is still operational.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow sat here and was inspired to write the poem The Lighthouse  - noted in the title of this post.

The Spring Point Ledge Light is located in South Portland and was built in 1897.

Finally, this is Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, nick named "Bug Light" due to its small size.  It was built in 1875 and is now the symbol of South Portland.

Another lovely fall day in New England!