As I crossed into Maine, my first destination was York, about a twenty minute ride north of Portsmouth. The Nubble lighthouse had recently been added to my hit list, so I headed in that general direction.
It was a beautiful Indian summer day, but the brisk wind and the waning late-afternoon sunlight was causing the temperature to drop like a rock.
When I got to York Beach, the last of the die-hard beach goers were wearing sweatshirts and fleeces with their bathing suits. Unlike the Gulf of Mexico, the water temperature here, at its warmest, is barely tolerable.
Another ten minute drive around the coastline brought me to Neddick Point, home to the Nubble Lighthouse.
I was disappointed that the lighthouse was not accessible, but it was low tide and I managed to get fairly close to take pictures.
At 41 feet, it was one of the smaller lighthouses I had visited, although according to Google, there are many that are even shorter.
FYI- at 210 feet, Hatteras is the tallest lighthouse in the United States. You can find my photos of the Cape Lookout and Ocracoke Island lighthouses, also located in North Carolina, in an earlier post entitled ‘This House Rocks’ .
The wind was whipping now, as judged by this gull’s ruffled feathers and I deemed it was time to move on.
I had randomly selected an airbnb in Biddeford, Maine for my lodging, and I set out to locate it.
The town’s textile industry origins were evident in the unfussy, bordering-on-shabby feel, but I liked its lack of pretension.
Although the house was quite large, it was wonderfully warm and cozy. I slept like a baby and woke up raring to go.
My thoughtful hostess had advised me to begin my sightseeing journey with nearby Biddeford Pool.
As I drove around the continuous coastline, I was awed by the beauty of this tiny village.
The beachfront actually wraps around Biddeford proper and converges in a vast marsh, called “the Pool” by the locals.
My senses full of this wondrous place, I headed southwest toward Kennebunk, another recommendation from my hostess.
The ride was predictably delightful; replete with plenty of colorful photo opportunities.
And just like that, I was being welcomed to Kennebunk! I found a place to park and set out on foot to explore.
The outlying Kennebunk municipality includes about a dozen constituent villages, along with the 9,000+ acre Rachel Carson Preserve, beaches, nature trails and blueberry fields.
Honestly, I was utterly charmed by the beauty I had experienced today!
There’s so much more to see, but it’s after 3:00 PM and I have miles to go before I sleep. I head east on Rte. 9, toward the coast again.
I hoped to photograph one of Maine’s oldest lighthouses on Goat Island, visible from Cape Porpoise. If I am successful, can I say I did it on Porpoise??
So tranquil- such a charming place.
As I crossed the causeway to Bickford Island, I found myself in the quintessential fishing harbor.
Tragically, the two young men to whom this bench is dedicated disappeared in icy water here in December 2012.
https://www.capecodtimes.com/article/20130106/NEWS/301060328
Heartbreakingly, their remains were discovered off the coast of Kennebunkport four months later in March 2013.
View of Goat Island from the pier.
Unfortunately, my attempt to photograph Goat Island Light (circled), was thwarted by distance. Internet photo provided below. The brick lighthouse is 25′ tall.
Chowder House, one of two restaurants overlooking the harbor. I liked the colorful fence characters.
As I prepared to leave this rugged little island, a majestic flock of migrating geese caught my attention and camera focus.
When I realized that Kennebunkport was just a few miles away, I decided to check it out.
Far from the churches in town was this quaint chapel on Turbats Creek Road.
Walker’s Point, the George H. W. Bush family summer home on Ocean Avenue is a popular spot, as witnessed by the cars lining the road as I approached.
The 18+ room house sits on a promontory that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean.
I was told by a bystander that the blacked out windows facing Ocean Ave. were monitored by the Secret Service. Therefore, the picture taking may have been reciprocal.
The ruggedness of this coastline was different from what I had previously experienced.
The dappled late-afternoon sunlight was doing amazing things for my photographs.
My skills don’t do these seascapes justice. It was magical!
This appears to be a typical house for this exclusive area. https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Kennebunkport_ME/Ocean-Ave
Low tide and another jetty to climb on… Giddyup!
As the setting sun reflects on the water, I reflect on my time in New England. I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey as much as I. Heading to Israel next. Love and light!
Oh Marie, what a spectacular piece!!! I want to go there too. You bring such life to your writing with your command of the language and your spectacular photos!!! Thank you for sharing.
Your photos are absolutely beautiful. You having such a life journey…Blessings
Beautiful!