In the morning I got up early, had breakfast, and headed back to Kennebunkport to complete seeing Parson's Way, Walker Point, and Cape Porpoise. I was on Maine Mall Rd more than 22 miles away from my destination. But at least I had slept well.

I drove down Ocean Ave again and stopped at every possible spot. It was just after 8:00, and only joggers were outside. I had no problem parking for brief periods to take photos in very bright morning sun.

There were beautiful searoses growing between the wall and the ocean. The sea was very quiet this morning. That was actually a disapointment because I had wanted to see the surf crashing at Spouting Rock and Blowing Cave (seen below).

A guide says that Parson's Way is a "beautiful oceanside walk beginning near the Colony Hotel beach on Ocean Avenue by the mouth of the Kennebunk River to Walkers Point... Kennebunkport's most strikingly dramatic stretch of coastline." You walk directly across from the Bush estate at Walkers Point. Capt. Mike told us later that "41" lives there now and "43" comes to visit.

I continued on north toward Cape Porpoise and stopped at Paddy Creed Hill Rd to take the picture of the little shack with the lobster buoys on it. The sun was just perfect on it.

I drove on to Turbat's Creek and to the tiny village at Cape Porpoise. I followed Pier Rd to the location you see at the top of the page. This is a beautiful tiny harbor. The lobster company runs tours from this pier, so I went down to hear instructions and see the lobster traps. They pulled out in just a few minutes so I headed back. It was time to get ready for the 10:00 departure of the Atlantic Explorer.

This time we had a calm day and plenty of sunshine. Capt. Mike gave us lessons in the local lobster trade. Lobstermen put out 800 traps maximum under current state law. It used to be an unlimited number allowed. Each day he will check about 1/3 of his traps for lobsters. Traps have 2 compartments. The "kitchen" where lobsters come in to get the bait out of a small bait bag tied inside. After they eat, they try to leave by the second compartment called the "parlor". This is a false exit. The lobster finds it cannot back up and out of the trap. So it is said that the lobster eats in the "kitchen" and ajourns to the "parlor".

Lobster measurements are taken with a state approved tool. From the front of its head to the back of the carapace must measure between 3 1/2 and 5 inches. Anything under or over this measurement must be thrown back. Grooves left in the ocean floor by Ice Age glaciers have made great hiding places for the lobsters. As a result, they thrive in Maine.

This lobster boat is heading out with lime green buoys on the stern. Each lobsterman has his own signature buoy colors for quick identification at sea. You can see that this boat docks at the pier with the weathered red shack because there are the same lime green buoys with the traps.

We were heading for Bumpkin Island, so named because it looks like a bumpkin---a pile of old rags that might be found on the deck of a ship. Sailors thought this particular island looked like a pile of rags from a distance especially when the weather was bad. There are at least two other Bumpkin islands on the East Coast.

Bumpkin Island is where Harbor Seals like to have their breakfast in the morning and return there later in the day to sun themselves on the rocks. Sure enough, there they were out there with their heads bobbing in and out of the water. They were as interested in us as we were in them. I don't have good pictures because they ducked under the water every time I raised the camera.

The Lobster Company of Kennebunk has a representative sitting in this shack selling lobsters wholesale to large buyers and lobster packing firms. The lobsters are alive in crates under the shack. This is the easiest and freshest way to do business.

This is the Goat Island Lighthouse. It is the last manned lighthouse on the coast and was vacated only in 1990. It's fully automated now. Security for "41" and "43" is given as the reason for the change.



Mike's nephew took this photo of me on the back of the Atlantic Explorer.

When we docked after our trip, I raced to the library in Kennebunk to see the obituary that had been found the day before. They were to close at 1:00. The results were perfect. I'm not sure whether my mother had ever seen this notice in the paper. Her father died when she was fourteen. Now at least I had some information about someone I've never met. His body was returned to Topsham, so I am glad that I did not spend time searching Kennebunk cemeteries.

I have good copies of this information now, and it completes some of the family story.

I was able to reach Plymouth MA by 5:30

... and the East Bay Grill at 173 Water St. for dinner with 5 other Stetson people.

Fly Home

Sunday