Kennebunk, Maine

June 11-13, 2016

It was dreary by the time we set up in the Red Apple campground. We drove along the coast through the “Kennebunks”: Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Kennebunk Beach. We took a picture of a house on a little cape and later confirmed that it was indeed the home of George H. W. Bush.

Bush Compound, Kennebunkport, Maine

Sunday was gorgeous. We drove south nearly to the New Hampshire state line and started up the beach. First stop was Fort McClary State Historic Site, an interesting mid-19th century era fort with great views of the harbor. The fort was deemed obsolete before it was completed: Blocks of granite remain scattered around the property. But, the installation was used enough that the wooden stairs in the officers’ barracks were very worn.

Blockhouse at Fort McClary

Whaleback Light in the harbor

Harbor view from Fort McClary

Unused granite

                Well-worn steps in the officers’ quarters

Kittery hosts a farmers’ market on Sundays so we stopped and bought sausage, cheese, yogurt, spice rubs and gluten-free crab cakes, all locally-made.

I was prepared to hate the “Wiggley Bridge” at Stedman Woods Nature Preserve near York Harbor. The AAA guide book describes it as “a restored suspension bridge spanning the York Harbor”. I am afraid of heights but this was a pedestrian bridge, it didn’t wiggle much, it wasn’t high, and there wasn’t a torrent of water flowing beneath it. It was picturesque and led to a charming walk through rhodendron-decorated woods with overlooks to the bay.

                 Dave on the Wiggley Bridge

The Cape Neddick (also called Nubble) Light is a little further up the road. We snapped a bunch of pictures as we approached and were delighted to discover we could drive almost to the lighthouse itself. This is one of the most photographed lighthouses in Maine. We contributed at least our share of flash drive storage.

Nubble Light

Near Wells we stopped at the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. An interpretive trail through uplands overlooks marshes and barrier beaches. Jane was pleased to find pink lady slippers, Cypripedium acaule, along the trail. Dave liked discovering columbines, one of his favorite wildflowers from Colorado.

Salt marsh at the Rachel Carson Preserve

Salt marsh at Rachel Carson Preserve

                Orchids in the wild:  Pink ladyslippers, Cypripedium acaule