This is Rockland Harbor Breakwater Light.
This is a chart of the harbor.
Clearly pictured are Evenstar at anchor, approximately where the dinghy landing we have been using is, and the lighthouse. The breakwater you see that the lighthouse is on is 7/8 of a mile long. You can see the breakwater here, from the top of the lighthouse. Clearly we all made it in one piece, but I’m getting ahead of myself.We’d decided that Saturday would be a great day to do a few things. Given that we didn’t get off the boat until lunch time that “few” devolved to “basically oneish” which would be to walk out to the lighthouse.
The maps of the area suggest it is about three miles or so from down town out to the base of the breakwater. This feels about right. With great enthusiasm and proper planning we said to each other after lunch “we should probably have brought some water from the boat”. OK then, we’ll pick some up on the way. Sure. At least we made sure none of the kids was wearing flip-flops.
There is allegedly some sort of “Trail” that they show on the maps from downtown out to the lighthouse. If no signs or sidewalks equals a trail than this is an excellent one. But we persevered, well past the last convenience store. Note that this is a sunny, bright day – hot for Maine. But as a group we buckled down and walked. And walked. Eventually we saw a sign that said “lighthouse” and we knew we were at least not walking in the wrong direction.
As we walked down this road we now had several children and adults in need of…facilities…and everyone tired, hot and very thirsty. We passed a sailor from the USS San Antonio (in town for the Lobster Festival) and asked him about the rest of the walk as we were thinking of turning back. He told us “Oh, you have quite a ways to go, then a long walk out the breakwater and there’s no water or bathrooms anywhere. And the lighthouse is closed.”
OK. Well this immediately suggested to us “Let’s go.” Don’t ask way.
Roughly 100 feet from where we spoke to the sailor we saw a sign that said “Restrooms”. Hmm. Several Porta-potties were sitting in the shade on what looked like some sort of park or campus. Quickly I spotted two things of import; 1) we were on a frisbee golf course and 2) there was a guy in some sort of cooks outfit taking a smoke in the trees nearby. We accosted him and found out that we were in fact on the edge of the Samoset Resort, and they did indeed have a cafe where we could get drinks. Double hmm.
Within minutes we were ensconced poolside at the pool bar, enjoying crisp cold drinks and a panoramic view of Rockland Harbor and Owl’s Head. This is one gorgeous spot for a resort, and this place had everything. Golf, tennis, swimming, Frisbee golf and a whole host of activities in a stunning setting up on a bluff. And a waiter gracious enough to keep the water glasses filled. If I ever decide to spend way too much money to come to a resort in Maine I’m coming to this one.
Refreshed and recharged, we sought a shortcut out of Samoset down to the lighthouse. From here our spirits ran high – the children that were dragging their feet before were charging ahead leaving the adults to stroll down the causeway.
This is yet another breathtaking spot. The walk out the 7/8 mile to the light is easy as the rocks are large, flat and pretty even. The lighthouse and building itself are scenic, and the water is clear and the breezes fresh.
Funny, that the walk BACK to town didn’t seem nearly as bad. Of course the ice cream at the end helped.
4 Comments
Sounds like a very successful day, all in all.
thinking of you, love this blog..
just to know, Shacks is Mary Wright.
Hey there…sounds like you are having a great time. Best to Kathy and the kids.
V&K