A move and a hike

Swells coming into Boothbay became unbearable for a couple of nights.   Swells from the south, a little wind from the west, and we were beam to the swells. Not good! Back and forth, 10-15 degrees to the right, 10-15 degrees to the left, and all over again. Relentlessly.  After Barb and Jim left, we spent one last night, and raised the anchor at the crack of dawn - almost. Yesterday we had a nice 10 mile sail took us to the Sheepscot River and into Ebencock Harbor.  We are blissfully anchored in gentle rocking water.

En route, we passed 3 lighthouses, in order of leaving Boothbay.

The first is Burnt Island Light.  We hiked this small island last year.

Next, at the entrance to the Boothbay harbor, the Cockolds Light.  This is now a private residence, a B and B inn actually.  You can rent the entire lighthouse (2 suites) for 2 nights for $1500.  It would be lovely!

And last, at the entrance to Ebencook Harbor, the Hendricks Head Light

Today we hiked Indiantown Island.  This 60 acre island is half held by the Boothbay Region Land Trust and half by a private landowner who generously allows hikers to pass through his land (staying on the trail, of course!) to get to a beautiful viewpoint on the south end of the island. An archaeological dig concluded that the Native Americans used the island extensively.  Shell middens were excavated as well as centuries old remains.  Local fishermen in the colonial period used the island as an important base.

We took the dinghy to the landing dock this morning to start our 1.4 mile hike.

 The trail meandered along the waterfront and through the woods for the hike.

An old stone wall, covered with moss, dates back to probably the colonial period.

We passed by two enormous pine trees, with the most un-pine tree trunks we've ever seen.  I did some research, and these may be Scots Pines, but I sure am not positive.  Any help?

Here is Luke for a size comparison.

Early Maine summer has everything still in bloom - Lambs Ears.

The tips of spruce trees are covered with new, bright green growth.

This small pine cone is oozing sap.

Mushrooms are abundant.  This little white one still has a scattering of dirt from it's push through the soil.

The view from the southern point is beautiful.

On our way back, we made a small detour to walk out onto rocks.

My favorite is the little ground squirrel.  This rascal stood motionless, certain we couldn't see him.  Ground squirrels hibernate from September to March in the warm burrows they dig in the ground.  Light sleepers, on warm winter days (they have those in Maine??) they emerge from their burrows to search for food.

Tomorrow we'll move the whopping 1.5 miles to Five Islands.  Friends Gloria and Mike live nearby and we plan to see them on Wednesday.