Tuesday, September 30, 2008 - To Acadia and safely back to Penobscot

Back from Eagle Lake
View from Bass Harbor Light house
Light House still in operation
Views from Cadillac Mountain


A pond after Eagle Lake
Bubble Pond

Lisa and I set out for Acadia with mountain bikes to ride her favorite carriage trails, drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain then drop me off at a cottage in Soutwest Harbor. The weather was bright and cool, perfect for a bit of riding and sightseeing. We picked up a bike that a friend of hers was letting me borrow. The bike needed a bit of adjusting, so we droppped it off at a shop in Bar Harbor. While that was taking place, we drove to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. It was so clear, we could see forever. We ate a pack lunch and took a few pics, then headed down to the shop. Lisa's favorite ride is to to go around Witch Hole pond, Eagle Lake and then detour to Bubble pond. It was a beautiful and casual ride. The air and water was so crisp and clear. We then drove to Southwest Harbor to locate the cottage I was scheduled to stay at for the next three days. The office was closed, but soon after we arrived the husband drove in. I asked to see it first. THANKFULLY! Lisa and I walked over and discovered it had no heat, was not insulated whatsoever, and had am extension cord brought from the main house to supply electric to one light. It had three beds in a 10' x 10' box. The restrooms and shower were about 100 ft. away. The temps for this evening was going to be in the 30's. She looked at me and basically said, "Come back home with me". I was sooooo appreciative!! and so glad I did not bike here to find this! Anyway, I took her out for ice-cream, we drove around the point to see Bass Harbor Lighthouse, picked up some groceries for dinner, and planned tomorrows events of returning to Bar Harbor to do some painting and riding. We had a good laugh, and both were glad to spend more time together.

Monday, September 29, 2008 - Discovering Weir Island

Weir Island


Stonington

We were pleasantly surprised with a dry morning and the sun trying to peek through the receeding clouds. Two days of rain seem to last forever, even though we made the best of it. Our original plans of exploring Weir Island and poking around Stonington were safely in place. Around 10 am we set off to Deer Isle where we scouted out the best place to put the kayaks in. It was a very short paddle to Weir Island, but it looked very different and smaller because it was now high tide. This turned out to be a very cute island with a camping area for a max of 5 people. There were a few cairns that needed to be disassembled and some trash to be picked up. Otherwise, it was in good shape. We read the log entries of those who visited the island and walked the perimeter. I found a place to write and sketch and Lisa to read and think. We took off an hour later and headed back to get lunch in Stonington. After lunch we strolled the very small working town and visited three galleries. For such a small area, the diversity of work was quite interesting.

The evening was filled with cleaning up the bike, packing and planning tomorrows events. Lisa will drive me and my bags to Southwest Harbor where I have a cottage for three days. Together we will cycle the carriage trails and enjoy the park. I will be saying a temporary good-bye to a wonderful person and new found friend. My time in Penobscot was truly a treasure.

Sunday, September 28, 2008 - Stormy weather at Schoodic Point

Schoodic Point

Winter Harbor

The rain in Maine only adds to the atmosphere and mysterious character of the land and sea. We took advantage of the stormy conditions heading towards the coast of Acadia. Our plans were to drive to Schoodic Point and stand on the rocky shore (beautiful colored granite boulders). There, we were hoping to witness strong, intense waves crash into the rocky coast, sending the water 50 ft. stright up. Clad in our slickers and boots, we stood in the rain with other like minded individuals, witnessing the awe of mother nature as she performed in our presence. The intensity of the waves were not what we had expected, but nonetheless, magificant. The eye of the hurricane is still quite a ways off shore. I am sure conditions will intensify later this evening. We also toured Winter Harbor and the LL Bean outlet in Ellsworth. I purchased a gortex jacket that will be very useful on the rest of my stay in Maine. This was my first time in Acadia. I am very fortunate to have a personal tour such as this. We will come back to Acadia in a couple days when the rain clears out to take a bike ride on the carriage trails (as long as they are not washed out). We returned home and made sushi rolls for dinner. No time for paintng today, although ideas are bouncing around in my head. Good News - There will be a replacement for the painting workshop on October 6th in Rockland! His name is Dennis Porter.

September 27, 2008 - Hurricane Rains in Maine

Pictures are from the opposite side of the bay looking towards the house.

The rainy trend will continue through Monday morning. My hosts, Fred and Lisa have been so gracious, and invited me to stay in Penobscot until the rain clears. Sam and I took an early misty morning walk to the end of the dirt road where the "haunted house" stands. She is a happy dog, especially when there is plenty of water in the stream along the sides of the road for her to gallop. This is also my favorite time to walk. Breakfast was on the table when we returned (what a life!!). After some computer time, I packed up my paints and drove the Toyota to the haunted house. I lifted the hatch and sat on the tailgate for protection from the rain. A terrific set-up. I was there for two hours, until I became more suspicious of spooky noises. Footsteps in the woods became louder, but I was unable to see what or who was making them. I did my best to ignore the sounds, but then a clear and close call from a coyote sent a chill down my spine. Within seconds, a repeat of the same call sounded. I quickly jumped off the tailgate and packed up to return to the house. Fred and Lisa were occupied with their own projects, so I took another walk in the opposite direction. We have been invited to dinner at their friends' house on Toddy Pond in Orland. I love rainy days like this, when they seem to last forever and time is not part of the equation.
I just learned today that there is no television in the house!! I have not missed it and didn't even think to ask!! This is a TRUE adventure!!

Friday, September 26, 2008 - Good day for a (car) ride

Touring Penobscot and surrounding Islands

I rose early and took a peaceful and pleasurable walk with Sam, a delightful English Spaniel. Sam and I strolled down a dirt road, bordered with thick pines, towards the water. Wildlife of all sorts is abundant. We saw deer, turkeys, woodpeckers, geese and blue heron. I was on the lookout for the black bear and moose that are in the immediate area. Lisa told me that during the summer, while her son was pounding on something in the garage, he turned around and there was a moose, curious of the sounds he was creating. A black bear had also come from the woods and crossed the lawn on the water side.
I decided to cook dinner for Lisa and Fred, so I set out to Blue Hill, 8 miles away, to the grocery store. I was shopping for the ingredients to make crab cakes and ginger squash soup. On the way back, around the corner from the house, I spotted a gallery and stopped in. It was a fabulous find! http://www.larsonstudio.com/
David Larson just passed away this past spring. His wife, a very skilled weaver, continues to operate the studio and produce her own work. After I viewed the work, she brought me upstairs to show me their residence and his studio. They transformed a huge, old building that was once a working canning factory, into a living and gallery space. I am very inspired by Davids work. All of the imagery was from his imagination, depite the extreme detail of individualized figures. The element of imagination in the work is strong and has a dark, mysterious quality that is predominent. He seemed to be a master of the glazing process and influenced by the masters. Overall, though, his work exposes contemporary human issues and dilemmas.
Carole seemed to need some help with cleaning up and hanging some paintings, so I gave her a hand. She also shared a couple of events fro their life and a mini "shrine" she created, devoted to her husband. She became weepy during this time, but it did not stop her. David loved driftwood, so attendees to a huge party in his benefit (after his death), brought Carole unique pieces that she displayed with her favorite photos of him. I feel so very fortunate to have met her. I gave her a hug and my number in case she need any more help.
The rain was coming, so we decided to take a driving tour of Deer Isle. We meandered through the hilly countryside and lobster fishing villages. I was reminded that We went to the furthest point of Stonington, a charming working village. We also found a great access for Lisa to put in her kayak to explore Weir Island, one that needs a steward. We will come back Sunday or Monday to paddle here.

Another surprise was that we ran into Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. We toured the campus which was on a cliff overlooking the bay. The contemporary, but fitting structures sprawled over the rocky and treed landscape. The season has ended, although working artists are here for a week to explore new mediums and concepts. We all sensed a quiet, yet highly creative and productive aura here. I can imagine what it would be like to be a student during the teaching season! My colleagues NEED to come here!!

We returned just in time for me to prepare dinner. Thankfully, everything was tasty and satisfying.
Sadly, I received a message from the workshop coordinator in Rockland. Serge Hollenbeck, the elderly instructor, fell and will not be able to lead the workshop. I was so looking forward to meeting him and becoming a student of his wisdom. I will still stay in Rockland for a while during that week and paint as much as possible, as well as see the sights.

Thursday, September, 25, 2008 - Painting and Paddling in Penobscot

I awoke this morning early and once again, caught fog lifting off of the water. I grabbed my traveling watercolor set and block and did a quick sketch from inside the glass door. It was just a bit too brisk to be outdoors. My host Lisa and I made a fabulous baked french toast dish with carmelized apples for breakfast. YUM!! After, I set up for oils on the deck as the sun shone across the water. I almost completed a painting by the time we set off for the days events. The plan was to meet a friend and kayak to the two islands that Lisa is the steward. The names are Sellers Island and Little Hog. We put in near Harbor Island set off. The islands were not far off the coast, but we were out for the entire afternoon. Lisa checks for litter left from campers, damage from camp fires, and dismantles any cairn that was left behind, etc. The rule is to leave no evidence after visiting the island. She enters her observations in a log book that is placed and protected in a tupperware container tacked to a tree. She does this on a volunteer basis because she cares and it is also a great excuse to get out on the open water. We packed a lunch and I brought painting supplies. I did a small watercolor while on Little Hog of Sellers Island across the way. We walked on the rocks around each of the islands because of the low tide. This has been, for me, the best representation of the Maine coast so far. Experiencing the coast by kayak is like riding a bike through beautiful landscapes. All the senses are awake and stimulated. The sights, sounds, smells and feel of the sun and breeze on the skin all combine to create a whole experience. The slower pace enables every experience to have a lasting and memorable impression.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008 - Belfast to Penobscot - 35 miles

Another day of warm sun, clear blue skies, and clean, fresh air. I have been so fortunate with this weather pattern. Although, the rain will be arriving just in time for the weekend, when I plan to be touring Acadia. Rain has not held me back before, so it will not hold me back now. I left a very comfortable Inn aound 9:15 am after a hearty breakfast and a bit of sketching. I wanted to back into Belfast to visit Waterfall Arts and another recommended gallery. The Arts center had two very good exhibits. A local artist named Paul Oberst was showing a series on the theme of the "temple". He is primarily a scultor and also created large relief pieces. A very simplified shape of a temple repeated as an image through the exhibit in varied sizes and media. He used mainly found objects and a large amount of text in his pieces. The text was usually stamped or directly from the pages of a book. The other exhibit ws on Altered Books. Both were inspiring.


I began my ride on Rt. 1 until I reached Orland. I stopped in a few places, one being a great country bike shop. The large owner was dressed in overalls and a flannel shirt. He was comical to say the least, but he new his stuff. I left Rt. 1 after 20 miles and turned south onto Rt. 175. I was again greeted with steep hills coming out of nowhere. The country roads were not very heavily traveled, so I felt comfortable pulling over many times to take photos. I pulled over at a newly painted green picnic table at the side of the bay. It was so pristene and quiet, I had to paint it. I reached my hosts' home @ 2 pm. The "water theme" is continuing, for they have a house right on Northern Bay. It is gorgeous. The tide was at it lowest, with the boats dry-docked in the bay. Within an hour, the water had filled a canal region. We had taken out her sunshine yellow Boxter, with the top down of course. She took me for an hour and a half drive (I admit it did feel nice to be in a car seat again) along the coastal region. We went through Blue Hill area and saw the "reversing falls". This is where the tide goes both ways, creating a white water effect. Many white water kayakers come here for an exciting ride. We also went to Naskeag Point. This is a working fishing area where lobsters, mussells and clams are brought in. We will come back here tomorrow and kayak. My host is a steward for two small islands, so tomorrow I will go with her to see if everything is as it should. When we returned home, the bay was back up to high tide and the boats seemed "happier". We put together an amazing pizza for dinner and enjoyed the star lit sky as darkness settled in. We both caught a glimpse of a shooting star as well. My suitcase had arrived, so I will get back to oils tomorrow morning I hope.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008 - Oakland to Belfast - 50 miles

Me at the harbor in Belfast

The "foot bridge" over the river

Views of Bar Harbor

On the way to Belfast

One of many climbs

One of many wide open farms on "top of the world"

I left Oakland around 10 am and was prepared for a hilly ride today. My ride brought me out Rt. 137 for most of the way right into Belfast. I was brought through the Maine countryside of wide open farms that seemed to be on the top of the world. I crested many high top ridges after climbing long, steep inclines. My granny gear got quite the workout today. The climbing was well worth every turn of the crank for the views were so incredible! I rode through towns such as China, Freedom and Knox. I made it to Belfast around 2 pm. I breezed down the hill towards the harbor. I spotted a food co-op and new I could get a good lunch and munchies there. It was a fabulous and fully stocked store, that if I was not on my bike, I would have shopped much more. I had a huge sandwich made with organic vegetables and homemade chips. While I was eating at the outside picnic table, two sets of curious locals came over to me. We exchanged conversation, with which I also received some valuable advice. After lunch, I made my way further down near the water. I sat and painted on a rock for a while. I needed to locate a place to stay this evening, so I crossed a foot bridge that spanned over the river to Rt. 1. I found a nice place overlooking the water. I was also fortunate that the desk attendant let me use his laptop to transfer photos and update this blog. I am fortunate because, while I am typing in the dining area, a poetry reading is taking place. The poet has written many poems about artists such as Fairfield Porter. I am enjoying listening to her. She also told me of a couple great galleries in Belfast that I will go to tomorrow.