Tag Archives: Atlantic Ocean

Salem, Massachusetts: A City Bewitched

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My visit to Salem took me back to high school when we studied the Salem Witch Trials in American History class.  I remembered the terrifying stories about how a group of young women were accused of dabbling in witchcraft and later sentenced to death.  What started out as a night of fortune telling ended up in the execution of twenty innocent lives.  I imagined the fear that must have spread through the community and the mounting distrust among friends and family.

The accusations and devastating deaths during these trials continue to have a large influence in the city of Salem, Massachusetts.  Several locations commemorate the events that draw curious visitors to Salem each year, especially during the Halloween holiday.

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A number of museums document the historical aspect of the Witch Trials of 1692.  Locals agree that these events are much more down-played today than twenty to thirty years ago when the trials were more prominent here.

The city’s identity is strongly reflected in the history of the witch trials.  Neighborhoods have names such as Witchcraft Heights where the school mascot is the Witch and police cruisers even  display the symbol of the witch on a broom on the side of their vehicles.  During the Halloween season, Salem’s influx of visitors nearly doubles when witches and warlocks gather together in celebration of Hallow’s Eve.

Despite all of the superstition and witchcraft, I found Salem to be a city with so much more to offer than its past.  In addition to its beautiful harbors and parks, the city is home to some of the finest restaurants in the state and quite a few landmarks that are worth a visit.

3 Salem Willows Park, MA

My friend, Dave and I were visiting his uncle during our trip to Salem, Massachusetts and since he grew up in Boston, he knew the area quite well.  We started out in the early morning at Salem Willows Park.

Dave had visited here with his middle school class and vividly remembered the witch displays that had been set up close to the harbor.  He was surprised that the historical events of the witch trials which once took center stage in Salem, seemed to be more down-played than when he was growing up in Chelsea.4 Willow Tree at the Willows, MA

Opening in the 1880’s, Salem Willows was a popular recreational area for the locals with a pavilion, an arcade and a number of businesses that lined up along its perimeter.  There were several restaurants and entertainment venues that included a pool hall, bowling alley, and a shooting gallery.

The park is named for its beautiful white willow trees that were planted here in 1801. I imagined that they would provide perfect shade in the hot summer sun and a lovely location for a picnic.

By the 1920’s the Charleshurst Ballroom sponsored big band headliners such as Count Basie and Louis Armstrong.  Entertainment continued in the ballroom over the next 20 years and amusement park rides were added to amuse the children.

5 The Willows Coast, Salem, MA

During our visit, we learned that the Salem Willows had its own signature sandwich, the Salem Willows Chop Suey Sandwich.  Made popular in the 1930’s, it can still be found today at nearby Salem Lowe Restaurant.  Chop suey is a meat, such as beef, chicken, pork or seafood combined with vegetables to include cabbage, bean sprouts, and celery.  Thickened with starch, the meat and vegetables are put on a bun making this the infamous Salem Willows Chop Suey Sandwich.

We completed our visit to Salem Willows. walking along the harbor. Passing the Clam Shack, we enjoyed the smell of the Atlantic Ocean and feeling the cool breeze of the autumn air.

House of the Seven Gables Entrance, Salem

With the whole day ahead of us to explore, we took the five minute drive from Salem Willows Park to the House of the Seven Gables.  Salem native Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote about this family home which was owned by his cousin Susannah Ingersoll, who had lived here during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.

The guided tour provided a lovely historical account of the home as it was owned by three generations of Turners and later the Ingersoll family.   The guide also offered information about the 20th century restoration and how the new features corresponded with the home in Hawthorne’s book.

We enjoyed strolling the property’s gardens and learning about the Counting House where spices from the West Indies were imported to the United States’ eastern seaboard.

Leaving Salem and driving back to Boston, I noticed the Bewitched statue out of the corner of my eye and tried to take a quick photo.  Dave explained that the television show was filmed here in Salem on several occasions during one of its later seasons.

I began to think about how the time difference has changed so much to what Americans will find acceptable or even tolerate today.  While 300 years ago even the mention of witchcraft was once punishable by death, it has become accepted and even celebrated in society today.  Salem makes no excuses for what happened during the city’s witch hunt, but it is quite clear that it has thoughtfully paid tribute to the innocent victims and has made peace to the wrongfully accused.  For a town with a name that comes from the Hebrew word shalom meaning peace,  Salem has come a long way.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Salem?  I would love for you to share your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for reading my post about Salem and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do: 

Salem Willows Park
167 Fort Avenue
Salem, MA  01970
Telephone: 978 741 4600

  • Admission:  Free
  • Hours:  Memorial Day to Labor Day 10AM to 11PM

The House of the Seven Gables
115 Derby Street
Salem, MA  01970
Telephone: 978 744 0991

  • Admission:   Adults $12.50, Students (5 – 12) $7.50, Seniors $11.50
  • Hours: 10AM to 5PM

Where to Stay:

The Hotel Marblehead
264 Pleasant Street
Marblehead, MA 01945
Telephone:  781 639 9999

Where to Eat:

Clam Shack
98 Restaurant Row
Salem, MA  01970
Telephone:  978 741 2526

I was dying to try a lobster roll but knew I had to have something with clams, so I ordered the clam chowder which was spectacular and you can’t beat the price of seafood in the northeast!

“Where witches fly and clams fry”

Salem Lowe Restaurant
197 Fort Avenue
Salem, MA  01970

Order the locally famous Salem Willows Chop Suey Sandwich

What to Eat: 

  • Boston Baked Beans
  • Cape Cod Potato Chips
  • Chop Suey Sandwich at Salem Lowe Restaurant
  • Clam Chowder
  • Fluffernutters – sandwiches made of peanut butter and marshmallow fluff
  • Fried Clams
  • Griddled Blueberry Muffins
  • Hoodsie Cups – cups of vanilla ice cream with a paper lid
  • Lobster Rolls
  • Necco Wafers
  • Roast Beef Sandwiches at Kelly’s Roast Beef

What to Read: 

  • Death of an Empire, by Robert Booth
  • A Patriot Lad of Old Salem, by Russell Gordon Carter
  • Suzanneh Morrow, by Megan Chance
  • I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem, by Maryse Conde
  • The House of the Seven Gables, Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • The Crucible, by Arthur Miller

Photo Guide for Salem, Massachusetts: 

  • The Samantha Statue/Bewitched Statue
  • The House of the Seven Gables
  • The Witch House on Essex Street
  • Historic Salem Homes in the McIntire District
  • The Ropes Mansion  (used in the movie Hocus Pocus)
  • The Salem Harbor
  • The Salem Willows

Ocracoke Village and Harbor, North Carolina

The 45-minute ferry ride from Hatteras is half the fun of visiting Ocracoke Island.  Our family’s annual summer vacations included a day trip to the island for fresh seafood and a visit to see the Ocracoke ponies.  Located on the southernmost edge of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Ocracoke has consistently been voted one of the Best Beaches in the country.

Ocracoke Village is a hub of action with its charming boutiques and waterfront restaurants.  Measuring 9.5 square miles, it is the perfect getaway from the mainland to enjoy the town’s laid-back atmosphere and island attitude.

One of my favorite activities on Ocracoke Island is to visit the  Blackbeard Museum at Teach’s Hole.  The kids loved reading about the island’s pirate history and learned more about the life of  Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard.  They were fascinated by the larger-than-life-sized Blackbeard wearing his pirate’s regalia and the replica of his ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge.

Blackbeard was known for terrorizing the Atlantic seas and the mention of his name would terrorize even the burliest of seamen.  Standing nearly seven feet tall, his bushy beard was the deep dark color of night and it was said that he looked like the devil himself.  Sinking and capturing ships along the coast, he made Ocracoke Island his home base, building a two-story house known as “Blackbeard’s Castle.” Present day maps still identify Teach’s Hole, which is where Blackbeard met his demise on November 22, 1718. Stabbed twenty-two times and shot five, Lt. Maynard ordered his decapitation and his body tied to Maynard’s ship, ending the Golden Age of Piracy.

Several 18th century residences along the village date back to the time of Blackbeard.  The British Cemetery  was established when British ships were sunk by German submarines along the shores of the island during World War II.

In 1998, Fort Ocracoke was discovered about two miles from Ocracoke Village.  Previously constructed  as a Confederate fortification for the War of 1812, the octagon-shaped structure was built on Beacon Island in Ocracoke Inlet. Destroyed by the hurricanes of 1933, the fort has submerged into the Ocracoke inlet, although a memorial marks it location.

Quite a few outdoor activities include kiteboarding at Kite Point Beach, fishing at the various inlets and hiking the nature trail at Springer’s Point, a favorite hideout for Blackbeard.   We enjoyed finishing our active day at Ocracoke Harbor to gaze out on the fishing boats, sail boats and ferry transports running back and forth to the mainland.  Before sunset, we found a seat at a local restaurant to watch the sun disappear into the horizon before taking the ferry back to the mainland.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Ocracoke Island?  What was your favorite activity?  I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my day visit to Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Blackbeard’s Exhibit at Teach’s Hole
935 Irvin Garrish Highway
PO Box 1718
Ocracoke, NC  27960
Telephone:  252 928 1718

  • Admission Fee:  Adults: $4 and Children, ages 7 to 12: $3   Children under seven are free with an adult and senior rates, 64 and over, are $3.
  • Hours:  Open Wednesday through Saturday 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM.
  • Amenities:   Gift shop and exhibits
  • Length of Visit:  1 hour
  • Tips for Your Visit:  The museum is only open in the afternoon.  Small children may be fearful of the Blackbeard figure.

Where to Stay:

The Castle B&B
155 Silver Lake Drive
Ocracoke, NC  27960
Telephone:  252 928 3505

Where to Eat:

SmacNally’s Bar & Grill
180 Irvin Garrish Hwy
Ocracoke, NC 27960
Telephone:  252 928 9999

One of my favorite pastimes in the Outer Banks is to order peel ‘n eat shrimp.  I ordered a half a pound and some fried okra.  I was in southern cuisine heaven.

What to Eat: 

  • Seafood along Irvin Garrish Highway for large shrimp in July when they are in season.  You can purchase them either plain or seasoned. Check out Ocracoke Seafood Company at 416 Irvin Garrish Highway.

What to Read: 

  • Blackbeard the Pirate:  A Reappraisal of His Life and Times, by Robert Earl Lee

Photo Guide for Ocracoke Island

  • The Outer Banks Scenic Highway that runs along the island for photos of the wild mustangs
  • Ocracoke Harbor
  • Ocracoke Island Lighthouse

The Currituck Beach Lighthouse, North Carolina

Standing at the base of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, I noticed the impressive, ominous tower of bricks reaching 158 feet towards the Carolina sky.  My family and I had stopped at the historic Corolla Village to climb the 214 steps that leads to the gallery deck for phenomenal views of the North Carolina coast.

We could see the lighthouse from our summer rental home and the children were fascinated with watching the lights at night.  Counting the seconds as the glow circled back to the house, the kids giggled at each passing of the light and jumped up and down in excitement.

It was a hot summer day and although the lighthouse cast a shadow as if to protect us in line, we realized it was going to be steamy climb on the inside. Slow and steady we climbed each step, reaching the tight circular deck at the top.  From here we would be able to experience gorgeous views of the Outer Banks that reached all the way to the Virginia state line.

The metal, spiral staircase was secure but made us feel weak in the knees.  The distance between each step was shallow, so we were more cautious to ensure that we would not trip nor lose our footing.  Windows had been inserted randomly giving us a breath of fresh air to carry on with our climb. The breeze felt great but we could feel the sweat dripping through our clothes and we had not yet reached the top.

There were signs at each window that labeled the thickness of the lighthouse at each stopping point.  With walls measuring 5 foot 8 inches at the bottom, the depth of the walls tapered off to 3 feet towards the top.

We loved the fact that the Currituck Beach Lighthouse had not been painted so the one million bricks were exposed.  Compared to the other Outer Banks lighthouses, Currituck Light was the last major brick lighthouse built on the shores of North Carolina.

It seemed like eternity but we finally reached the top and were met with a stunning view and a gentle breeze.  We carefully stepped onto the gallery and realized once again, we were weak in the from the height and instantly grabbed onto the rail.  Cautiously walking the circular overlook, I too found myself white-knuckling the banister but soon become more comfortable enough to loosen my grip.  We couldn’t get enough of the breeze and the spectacular panorama of the Atlantic Ocean, the Currituck Sound and the beautiful homes along the coast.

On the sound side of our view, the Whalehead Club stood out with its daisy yellow color and delicate dormers.  The Currituck Heritage Park was beautifully landscaped with Carolina foliage and was home to native birds, such as the osprey.

I was fascinated with the untouched natural habitat that had not yet been commercialized by local real estate. I learned from the lighthouse curator that the area had been preserved from further development and generations of visitors will have the opportunity to experience this view.

Around the corner of the platform, the  children were searching for the rental house where we were staying.   The group of homes made it somewhat difficult to confirm, but it was fun to watch how easily the kids were entertained.

The Currituck Beach Lighthouse was completed in December of 1875 and lit by the first lighthouse keeper, Nathaniel G. Burris.   We learned that the lighthouse is known as a first order lighthouse meaning that it has the largest of seven Fresnel lenses.

Since 1939, the beacon’s light has been automated, illuminating at dusk and ending at dawn. It can be seen for 18 nautical miles.

For more information about the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, visit the museum and lighthouse exhibits on the ground floor.  Learn more about the Fresnel lens, the shipwrecks and history of the lighthouse keepers.

Check out the website for the lighthouse to learn more about upcoming events such as educational series, wine tastings, historical sessions, and a Halloween event.

Email the lighthouse directly at info@currituckbeachlight.com or call 252 453 8152.

What to See and What to Do:

Curritick Beach Lighthouse
1101 Corolla Village Road
PO Box 58
Corolla, NC  27927
Telephone:  252 453 4939

Where to Stay:

Inn at Corolla Light
9606, 1066 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC  27927
Telephone: 252 453 3340

Where to Eat:

The Oceanfront Grille
1197 Franklyn Street
Corolla, NC  27927
Telephone: 252 453 4748

The Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops were drizzled with teriyaki sauce, which I ordered as an appetizer.  For my entree, I wanted to try the Filet Mignon as well as the Crabcake which was available as a combination meal.

What to Eat: 

  • Crab Benedict at Sam and Ornies on Nag’s Head
  • Frogmore Stew Steamer Bucket from Armstrong’s Seafood in Nag’s Head
  • Donuts at Duck Donuts
  • Carolina Barbecue at Pigman’s BBQ on Nag’s Head

What to Read: 

  • Hatteras Blue, by David Poyer
  • Early from the Dance, by David Payne
  • Surf Men by C.T. Marshall
  • Murder at Hatteras by Joe C. Ellis
  • Return to the Outer Banks by Diann Ducharme

Photo Guide for the Outer Banks

  • Pea Island Wildlife Refuge for capturing local birds
  • Jennette’s Pier to photograph local fishermen and beautiful sunrises
  • Ocracoke Horses
  • Triangle Shipwreck at Kill Devils Hill
  • Shipwreck artifacts at Seagreen Gallery
  • The Cape Hatteras lighthouse at Cape Hatteras
  • Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Outer Banks, North Carolina

Protecting the treacherous coastline of the Diamond Shoals, the Cape Hatteras Light Station is the most famous of the lighthouses along the Outer Banks. With an impressive height of 208 feet tall, it is the tallest brick beacon of light in the US offering spectacular coast views that extend from Avon to Hatteras Village.  It was at the insistence of Alexander Hamilton, who grew up on this dangerous coast that insisted on the building of Cape Hatteras lighthouse.

I remember when I was young our family would visit the Outer Banks over the summer.  I enjoyed the moments we spent at the beach, but a visit to the Cape Hatteras was a vacation pilgrimage.  During each visit, we would climb the 257 steps to the top and look out into the ocean and the sound.  We considered it one of the highlights of our Cape Hatteras trip.

Our family experienced a once in a lifetime event at Cape Hatteras in 1999.  Watching the historical move of the lighthouse, inching its way across the sand, was a week we would never forget.  My grandfather even bought the t-shirt to prove he was there.

Due to storms and hurricanes, the beach was gradually eroding, threatening the stabilization of the structure.  It was feared that the lighthouse would eventually collapse into the Atlantic Ocean, so it was decided that it should be transported about 2,900 feet inland.

The Cape Hatteras Light Station is open seven days a week from Easter to Thanksgiving. National Park rangers provide guided tours to the top for a small fee.   Over 175,000 visitors drop in on the famous lighthouse with its familiar black and white barber pole stripes.  Operated by the National Park Service is the Hatteras Island Visitor Center and Museum of the Sea in close proximity to the lighthouse.  There are several exhibits, the visitor center, ranger programs and a bookstore as well as a .75 mile nature trail  to Cape Point and a shaded picnic area nearby. For many visitors to the Outer Banks, spending time at Cape Hatteras is a family tradition with fond memories of their visit to this fabulous coastal destination.

Have you visited the Cape Hatteras Light Station?  What were some of the highlights of your trip to the Outer Banks!  I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my time spent at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
46368 Lighthouse Road
Buxton, NC  27920
Telephone:  252 473 2111

Where to Stay:

Hatteras Island Inn
46745 NC-12
Buxton, NC  27920
Telephone:  252 995 6100

Where to Eat:

The Captain’s Table
47048 NC-12
Buxton, NC  27920
Telephone:  252 995 3117

We had already eaten lunch up in Corolla, so we thought we would enjoy a small meal to tie us over for dinner.  I was excited to try the fried oysters, taking advantage of the local seafood.

What to Eat: 

  • Crab Benedict at Sam and Ornies on Nag’s Head
  • Frogmore Stew Steamer Bucket from Armstrong’s Seafood in Nag’s Head
  • Donuts at Duck Donuts
  • Carolina Barbecue at Pigman’s BBQ on Nag’s Head

What to Read: 

  • Hatteras Blue, by David Poyer
  • Early from the Dance, by David Payne
  • Surf Men by C.T. Marshall
  • Murder at Hatteras by Joe C. Ellis
  • Return to the Outer Banks by Diann Ducharme

Photo Guide for the Outer Banks

  • Pea Island Wildlife Refuge for capturing local birds
  • Jennette’s Pier to photograph local fishermen and beautiful sunrises
  • Ocracoke Horses
  • Triangle Shipwreck at Kill Devils Hill
  • Shipwreck artifacts at Seagreen Gallery
  • The Cape Hatteras lighthouse at Cape Hatteras
  • Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo

Bodie Island Lighthouse, Outer Banks, North Carolina

Driving south towards Ocracoke on Highway 12, I caught a glimpse of the Bodie (pronounced “Body”) Island Lighthouse in the distance.  I was halfway there, but decided to take the side road to have a closer look.  Towering over 156 feet, there are 214 steps to reach the top with spectacular views of the Albemarle Sound, the Oregon Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean.  The lighthouse recently reopened in 2014 after an extensive renovation and is the third lighthouse to stand in this place.

Bodie Light initially opened in 1872, under the recommendation of Lieutenant Napoleon L. Coste who was tasked with deciding the placement of lighthouses along the North Carolina Coast.  It was his opinion during his 1837 examination that “more vessels are lost there than on any other part of our coast” resulting in Congress’s decision to allocate funds to the project.

Unfortunately, the first lighthouse built on the site met with many challenges from the purchasing of the land and lack of experience to complete the project.  At 54 feet in height, the initial lighthouse was not only leaning, it would have cost more for the repairs than to start from the ground up.  This lighthouse project was abandoned in 1859.  That same year, a second lighthouse was constructed in close proximity to the first light reaching 80 feet in height.  Unfortunately, with the start of the Civil War, Confederate troops destroyed the lighthouse in fear that Union soldiers would use it in battle.

The lighthouse that stands today on the 15-acre site is north of the original lighthouses and was completed in 1872.  Surrounded by saltwater ponds, marshlands and maritime forest, it too had its problems as geese were known to have been flying into the lens and adequate grounding had not been installed to absorb the electric from lightning strikes.

The lightkeeper’s quarters was completed in 1872 as well, but due to its isolating location, the family lived off site during the cold winter months.  Eventually, there would be an improvement to access on the island and the families would live at the Keepers’ Quarters year around.   Once the light was electrified in 1932, the former keeper’s quarters was eventually converted into the visitor’s center.  Public tours of the lighthouse are permitted each year by purchasing tickets online.

Have you visited the Bodie Island Lighthouse?  Did you climb to the top to see the spectacular views?  I would love to hear about your visit if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my visit to Bodie Island Lighthouse and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Bodie Island Lighthouse
8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse Road
Nags Head, NC 27959
Telephone:  252 441 5711

  • Admission Fee:  There is a fee for climbing Bodie Lighthouse:  $10 for adults (13+) and $5 for children 12 and under.
  • Hours:  Visitor’s Center open daily from 9AM to 5PM, with the exception to Christmas; Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing;  Open 3rd Friday in April through Columbus Day
  • Amenities:  visitor center, lighthouse climb
  • Scenic View: Spectacular views of the Hatteras coastline from the top of the lighthouse
  • Length of Visit:  less than 1 hour
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Wear comfortable shoes and be careful climbing the lighthouse

Where to Stay:

Scarborough Inn
524 US-64
Manteo, NC  27954
Telephone:    252 473 3979

Where to Eat:

Fish Heads Bar & Grill
8901 S. Old Oregon Inlet Road
Nags Head, NC  27959
Telephone:  252 441 5740

What more can you want?  Ocean views, seafood and a variety of craft beers?  Starting with the conch fritters, I enjoyed the light breading on the outside, yummy conch on the inside with a side of Napoleon Complex Pale Ale from Wicked Weed Brewing in Ashville, NC.  For my main meal, I decided on the crabcake without the bun and it was prepared perfectly!  I ordered the Pineapple Cider from Austin Eastciders Collaboratory from Austin, Texas, which had a refreshing tropical taste.

What to Eat: 

  • Crab Benedict at Sam and Ornies on Nag’s Head
  • Frogmore Stew Steamer Bucket from Armstrong’s Seafood in Nag’s Head
  • Donuts at Duck Donuts
  • Carolina Barbecue at Pigman’s BBQ on Nag’s Head

What to Read: 

  • Hatteras Blue, by David Poyer
  • Early from the Dance, by David Payne
  • Surf Men by C.T. Marshall
  • Murder at Hatteras by Joe C. Ellis
  • Return to the Outer Banks by Diann Ducharme

Photo Guide for the Outer Banks

  • Pea Island Wildlife Refuge for capturing local birds
  • Jennette’s Pier to photograph local fishermen and beautiful sunrises
  • Ocracoke Horses
  • Triangle Shipwreck at Kill Devils Hill
  • Shipwreck artifacts at Seagreen Gallery
  • The Cape Hatteras lighthouse at Cape Hatteras
  • Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo

Rockland, Maine: Kayaking out to Owl Island Lighthouse

When I learned I would be attending a pharmaceutical conference in Boston, I called my friend Kristen to see if she wanted to meet me in Mass.  Instead, she graciously invited me to their beautiful home in Rockland, Maine for the rest of the weekend.  They were preparing to move to Chicago and asked if I would be interested in a day of kayaking and sightseeing.  I couldn’t turn down this amazing opportunity to spend time with her and her husband, so I added a couple of days to my business trip.

The exhibit lasted a couple of days and soon I was taking I-95 north to US-1.  I began the three hour drive making a stop in New Hampshire (no tax for alcohol) and soon arrived on the Penobscot Bay.

Waking early, we ate a robust breakfast and loaded up the kayaks.  As we made the short drive to the harbor, I took in the gorgeous scenery along the coast.  The sunny weather and mild breeze made it the perfect day for exploring the bay and Rockland Harbor. 

The water was as smooth as glass when we paddled out towards the Atlantic.  Passing the sailboats in the harbor, the sounds of sea gulls could be heard in the distance.  We continued paddling as our route hugged the shore and I couldn’t wait to reach the lighthouse.

The peninsula was covered in pine trees and small islands of beachrock emerged from the Atlantic to offer a resting place for a siege of herons.  They hardly noticed us as we quietly sailed past them.

The stroke of the oars brought us closer to the peninsula where the Owls Head Lighthouse came into view.  With its stubby base, this gorgeous light stands 80 feet along Midcoast Maine.

Standing along the edge of Owls Head, the lighthouse was first built in 1825.  South of Rockland, the light aided sailors with navigation along the shores of Penobscot Bay.

Consisting of the lighthouse and keeper’s house, Owls Head sits along a rocky outcropping. It was said that the former light keeper’s dog, Spot had been trained to pull the rope on the station’s fog bell and bark to keep passing boats from running aground,

Panoramic views of the coast and nearby islands are worth a visit to Owls Head Lighthouse, especially during the early morning sunrise.

It was a spectacular day to kayak the Atlantic off the coast of Maine.  Once we returned to Rockland, we would prepare for dinner at one of the local lobster stands.  For seven or eight dollars per pound, we were sure to enjoy our fresh catch of the day.

Have you visited Owls Head Lighthouse or kayaked around the area?  Let me know about your experience with a quick not in the comments section below.  Many thanks for checking out my amazing kayaking excursion and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do: 

Owls Head Lighthouse
186 Lighthouse Road
Owls Head, ME  04854
Telephone:  207 594 4174

  • Admission Fee:  Lighthouse Climbing Tours:  From Memorial Day to Columbus Day; Free, donation of $3 suggested
  • Hours:  Monday from 1PM to 4PM and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00AM to 4PM
  • Scenic View:   The view from the top of the stairs is stunning.
  • Length of the Tour:  ½ hour to 1 hour
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Wear comfortable shoes to climb the stairs of the lighthouse.

Where to Stay:

Strawberry Hill Seaside Inn
886 Commercial Street
Rockport, ME  04856
Telephone:  800 589 4009

Where to Eat:

The Lobster Shack
346 Main Street
Rockland, ME  04841
Telephone:  207 390 0102

What to Eat: 

  • Blueberries
  • Clams
  • Corned Hake – a meal made of salted pork with potatoes, onion and vinegar
  • Crab
  • New England Clambake
  • Crab Cakes
  • Fiddleheads – a fern that grows near fresh bodies of water
  • Lobster
  • Lobster Rolls
  • Maple Syrup
  • New England Chowder
  • Ramps – wild leaks that grown near fresh bodies of water

Books to Read: 

    • Bull Mountain, by Brian Panowich
    • That Camden Summer, by LaVyrie  Spencer
    • The Poacher’s Son, by Paul Doiron
    • High Tide at Noon, by Elisabeth Ogilvie
    • A Seal Called Andre: the Two Worlds of a Maine Harbor Seal, by Harry Goodridge

Photo Guide for Owl Harbor, Maine and surrounding area:

  • The View from Owl Harbor lighthouse
  • Windjammer on Penobscot Bay

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