Monhegan 2016

 

I have only ever been to Monhegan in June.  While I would like to go some other time of year, there is just so much to love about June on the island.

 

There are the incredible blues of sea and sky.

The riotous blooming of flowers everywhere!

The quaint beautiful scenes around every bend.

 

The weather-beaten shingle buildings, which to my mind are the perfect shade of gray.  (We stayed in the square cottage to the right, in the photo looking down on the cluster of houses.  Mom and I shared a room which was half the second floor, J had a smaller room on the third floor. It is a perfect spot, right in the center of the island.)

The fun of beach combing in the morning when the tide is low. (That little speck is J finding all the blue sea glass.)

there are beautiful amazing views from every hill top, every curve of the road.

Is it any wonder I can’t keep from going back whenever anyone suggests it or is willing to go with me????

Here are a few phone shots of our view from the cottage

 

And one of the view Friday morning when I went up to the Inn to get early coffee.

 

We had a wonderful time, although I was heartily sick of hills by the time we left!  I just never get sick of the beauty that is everywhere, and we were SO lucky with the weather.  I have been there when it down poured the whole time, and this was better.  🙂 I did do a bit of knitting when we sat on the porch, and in the evening after supper – finished up one baby hat and started another.  But that is another tale.

This time tomorrow…

I will be ON Monhegan Island.  Mom and I are going over in the morning with my visiting-from-Missouri stepbrother J for a quick trip  – 1 night, 2 days.  It won’t be long enough, but it will be perfect while we are there. A is staying home with cats, stepdad B is staying home with the dog.

I will be packing my bag tonight, and like the old children’s game, in it I will put (not in order of importance):

• A change of clothes
• pajamas
• an extra pair of socks (if there is mud anywhere on that island, I will step in it)
• a jacket and a hat
• a toothbrush and toothpaste
• a book
• a camera
• sunscreen
• phone and phone charger
• at least two knitting projects

I told A I wasn’t sure if I had room in the day pack for all my toys.  🙂  She pointed out I was only going for one night.  That is why I can fit these toys, I don’t need to bring too many clothes! And if I could bring that spinning wheel, I would.

Here’s a photo from last year to remind you how lucky I will be tomorrow…

I’ll write more when I get home – there is more fibery goodness to share… plus updates on summer pop-up shop.  But for now I have to get ready for the trip to the blue island. Maybe I will bring those pretty pink socks…

Another summer trip to Monhegan Island

I love this place, but it isn’t for everyone – Mom thinks she doesn’t need to go again next year.  Stepdad would have been OK not going this year. A didn’t go this year.

They all think there is nothing to do.

I agree.  It is why I love it! All there is to do is wander around and take photos, look at the beautiful scenery, listen to the birds, soak up the fresh air and sunshine, and eat really good (if expensive) food. (And even knit!)

Of course if you paint, there is plenty of that to do.  And there are galleries to explore.

This year, we stayed at the Island Inn, because it would be easy for a non-walking stepdad to get to, and because it has private baths. Plus it has that porch…and lawn.  You’ll see – here are my photos – from the dock in Port Clyde, past a famous little lighthouse and an immature eagle, to the island, then through two days there and back across the Gulf of Maine to home, with a brief slow down for seals on a rock. I loved every minute of it.

Our ferry, the Elizabeth Ann

The last of Port Clyde and the mainland we will see for a couple of days

Marshall Point Light – famous for being the lighthouse Forrest Gump runs out to touch in his transcontinental run.

A young eagle just sitting on a rock, hanging out.  Not close enough for a great photo, unfortunately.

Here we come!

Almost there….

I love all the gray houses perched on the rocks

Incoming boat is an important event each day, and most of the island trucks are on hand to meet it, to haul gear and supplies to local hotels and cottages.  But not people – unless you are completely infirm, you walk to your destination.  No bikes, no mopeds, ne rental cars, in fact, I don’t think there are any cars at all – just pick ups, four wheelers and golf carts.  And pickups have the right of way, because they belong to people who are working hard for a living.

Here’s our hotel – the Island Inn.  Our rooms are on the backside – nice and cool as they face east.  We had our dinner and breakfast here, but had lunches out while wandering the island.

The view from my third floor window, across the “meadow”.  If you can spot the flag on the left horizon, you can find the place we usually stay – it is the first building under the flag.  Up and over a very high hill, that we knew we didn’t want to walk up and over this trip.  And we didn’t.  Zipping up it in a golf cart is an entirely different proposition, however!

 

These shots are the view from the hotel porch, where we spent long restful hours, rocking and knitting. The island across the harbor is Manana.  It’s looming and stark, but it’s rocky bulk creates a safe harbor for Monhegan boaters and fishermen.

The lighthouse, and the next few shots are the view from the hill it sits on.

In this shot, you can see the Inn where we stayed – it is the big mansard roofed building in the center of the picture.  Our rooms were on this side, which faces east.  We got to see the sunrise over the hill.

This is one of my favorite little island houses

I do love poppies – and gray houses, and of course, blue, of any kind.  Any wonder I love this little garden?

Monhegan’s School – a dwindling year round population means that keeping it open is a big commitment.  But without it, you lose the families.  So the community makes that commitment, and by all accounts, it is a great school – K-8.  It sits on a rock (of course) but there is a little flower garden under the window.  I love that there are little gardens all over this island, tucked wherever there is some soil on the rock.

Back to the hotel lawn to await our ferry – of course, some knitting while we wait – I even have Mom knitting out in public these days – and knitting with lace weight yarn – her first time.  I, of course, had socks on the needles – I cast them on for the trip, because I knew they would be the perfect island project – not too heavy or complicated.  I knit most of a sock, so I am glad I had them.

Seals on the rocks on the way home.  An hour on a  ferry is a good transition from Island life to real life.  IT is a culture shock to get off the boat, into the car and drive home.  I do dream that someday I will be able to live there for a long time, but I know it is just that. And I keep dreaming it anyway.