Monday was the yuckiest weather day since we started our trip. It was raining and in the 30s when we left Bangor to for Portland and on our drive it started sleeting. Our drive to Portland took us through Augusta, the state capital. I didn't realize how small the population of Maine is; at around 1.3 million people only 8 states have a lower population. Augusta has a population of 19,000. Portland is the largest city at around 70,000. (For our friends in Wisconsin, this is the same population as Eau Claire).
The capital building was actually fairly big and stately and had a large park across the street. Too bad it was still raining and we did have a chance enjoy the park or the grounds around the capital. We went inside and did a self guided tour. It was not nearly as elaborate as Wisconsin's state house. Maine became a state in 1820 and Portland was the first capital city, but Portland was designated a temporary capital. In 1827, Augusta became the permanent capital city and the Maine Capitol Building was finished in 1832. The tour did not take that long, as there were only the house of flags on the second floor, the senate and the house on the third, the outdoor balcony, and the rotunda. The dome could be view from the third and fourth floor. The stone in the building is all from Maine and includes a black limestone floor tiles with fossils and granite columns.
Augusta is about an hour from Portland, so after our tour, we head to our next house sit. We are watching two medium sized dogs. The house in Portland is in a quiet neighborhood. It is a small two bedroom cottage and our host, Annie, is an artists. It is a bit boho and artwork hangs throughout the house. It is small, but not cramped. The dogs are pretty good and not yappy.
We got unloaded once we arrived and then took a walk around the neighborhood. It was cold and sprinkling so it was a quick walk.
Porch Skeletons -- a house on our walk
On Tuesday, Thom took the dogs for a walk in the morning and then we drove to the port and historic downtown of Portland. Many of the shipping and industrial buildings along the port have been restored and repurposed. The downtown was really nice. There are bike and walking trails along the Casco Bay (port area). We walked up to the East Beach and the Eastern Promenade. Although it was only in the mid 40s, there is not wind and the sun was very warm. Perch on the cliff above the bay at the Eastern Promenade is Fort Allen Park. Fort Allen was a built in 1775 during the Revolutionary war. It was rebuilt to guard Portland during the war of 1812. It is now a Civil War Monument and a monument to the USS Maine.
From Fort Allen, you can see Fort Gorges on Hog Island Ledge in Casco Bay which was built 1858. It saw no battles and no troops. You could also see the many island that provide protection to the city of island.
We walked back along Casco Bay and through the historic business district and then had a late lunch at the Brickyard Brewery. We were cold from our walk and there was a nice fireplace to sit by at the Brickyard.
Our last stop before heading back, was a store called Sea Bags. The store sales bags made from recycled sails and they are made down the street near the port. It is a great way to recycle old sails, but the bags are very pricy.
We got back in time for the start of Trick or Treat, but we only had a few Trick or Treaters. It was not like our neighborhood in Middleton, where there are lots of kids each year.
Wednesday, was lighthouse tour day. We drove to South Portland across the Willamette River. The first lighthouse was called the Breakwater Lighthouse at Bug Light Park. The Rotary Club of South Portland Club has been taking care of the Breakwater Lighthouse in South Portland since 1989 as an on-going service project. The Rotary Club of South Portland has a nice article on the history of the lighthouse on their web site. Portland Breakwater Lighthouse was built in 1875 and was modeled on an ancient Greek monument, it was built with plates of cast iron. It was dubbed "Bug Light" due to its small size.
The second lighthouse was the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse. We were able to walk to the lighthouse from Bug Light Park. We walked through the Southern Maine Community College which was built on the site of Fort Preble. Fort Preble was a military fort in South Portland, Maine, United States, built in 1808 and progressively added to through 1906. The fort was active during all major wars from the War of 1812 through World War II. The fort was deactivated in 1950. This lighthouse was built in 1897 and is caisson - style light station. A caisson lighthouse is a type of lighthouse whose superstructure rests on a concrete or metal caisson. Caisson lighthouses were developed in the late nineteenth century as a cheaper alternative to screwpile lighthouses.
The last lighthouse of the day had the most beautiful setting along Cape Elizabeth. The Portland Head Light sits on the rocky shore a Fort Williams Park. Portland Head protects Portland and the adjacent area. The lighthouse was first lit in 1791 and the original tower was 72 feet from base to lantern deck. The keeper's quarters were built in 1790. The quarters were rebuilt 1816 and the current quarters were built in 1891 as a duplex. The lighthouse was raised 20 feet and lenses replace and updated through the years. The park is large and has many other recreational features. Including the living quarters for the fort. There is also the ruins of the lumber baron's mansion. The mansion was used by the army when the fort was in use and left to disrepair when the fort closed down.
View of the shoreline
We headed back to the house and found that Lunabelle Mae (one of the dogs) got sick. Fortunately, it was easy to clean up. She does not seem her normal energetic self. Hopefully, she'll be fine tomorrow.
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