Favorite Beaches: Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve

Tucked into a quiet little cove just east of New Harbor on Route 32 is the Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve. What's not to love with the salty air, ocean blue views, wading (or diving!), creatures, rocks--the Maine coast! It is named for Rachel Carson, a scientist, environmentalist, and influential writer, who had a home in Southport, two peninsulas south. She researched the ocean (including at this very salt pond) and the negative affects of DDT. Her books and articles changed views on the ocean and conservation and effectively helped to see DDT banned.

There are other places in Maine with her name attached to it, but this one was dedicated to her in 1970 after the area was donated to the Maine chapter of the Nature Conservancy, which she helped start, in the 1960s. It wasn't until recently that I learned there are wooded trails on the other side of the road, but I have not had a chance to explore those yet. 

The salt pond at low tide.

From the rocky beach is a view of the ocean, peninsulas on either side, and the large tidal pond for exploration. It's not a big area or marked by a parking lot or large sign. If you blink you might miss it as trees and roses edge the road obscuring the view of it, although after it in either direction are ocean views, cottages, and rocky beaches more visible from your car, and to me they are quintessential Maine. Parking is along the road. Its not the most accessible place for all. There are steps over the embankment to the beach where you can sit and ponder, listen to the waves, stick your toes in the water, hum to a hermit crab or snail, look for sea treasures, or build a rock cairn. 

This season's visits have included foggy and sunny days as seen in my photos, wading, looking for pretty rocks, and breathing in the salt-laden air. Summer in Maine is the best time to visit the ocean.

Read more about Rachel Carson's legacy on the Nature Conservancy page. 

The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells, York County (more south), is also a beautiful natural environment open to visitors. 

Triptyph of the salt pond and rocky beach.

Maine Seasons: Owl Hunting and a Winter Walk at Ocean Point

Even though I grew up in the Midcoast, there are many parts of it that I have yet to explore or even visit once! One such place is Ocean Point, East Boothbay! I had never even heard of it until a Boothbay native friend told me how beautiful it is. The more recent attraction is the Snowy Owl that has been sited the last two weeks in the neighborhood. This is supposedly rare to see in the U.S., but the Cornell Lab "All About Birds" website seems to indicate they often come south from their breeding grounds in the Arctic this time of year. 

Ocean Point Preserve.

So on a mild 40-degree Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we went owl hunting, but we did not see her, although my friend had earlier in the morning. We did get to enjoy a lovely walk at Ocean Point preserve. The walk is less than a mile (.9) through lovely woods with a place to bird watch at the marsh and/or Tibbetts pond. Or you can do the short, short walk of .2 miles that leads straight along the pong to the marsh lookout and avoids the more narrow forest trail. It has been such a mild January that the ice only partially skimmed the pond, so no ice-skaters! One part of the woods has many blow-downs. 

No owls of any kind in the preserve, so we drove along Grimes Cove that looks out to Linekin Bay where the owl has most been seen. I was wowed by the views in this summertime community of ocean-front cottages, mostly on raised supports, not foundations. I had no idea this place existed in the Boothbay region, although it reminds me of many other ocean-front communities in southern Maine.

Looking out to Linekin Bay.

There is on-street parking along the water, which I'm sure fills up fast in the summer months. I will pack a lunch, blanket, and book and come enjoy the views again when it is warm enough to stay a while. My son said he felt like he could see forever. While there are long ocean views, there is also a great view of Southport (another ocean-front town that I only visited last summer for the first time) and the Burnt Island lighthouse. We did see many people out walking, a few toting cameras. This owl has caused a stir and a lot interest for photographers! 

I am thankful to live in this beautiful state and to be having such a mild winter in the midst of Covid-19, so that we don't have to be more housebound than usual this time of year. Get out and walk, if you can!

The Boothbay region has many more walks to enjoy! See the Boothbay Land Trust website. 

For more on the owl, read the linked local report.

My friend graciously allowed me to use one of her photos!

Snowy owl sits on a railing in
Ocean Point, Boothbay, January 2021.
Photo courtesy Jean Duncan.

Maine Seasons: Fall Walks and a Real Pet Cemetery

Mackworth Island, Falmouth, Maine

Big creepy tree on Mackworth Island.

Just in time for Halloween, I wanted to share the walk I took a few weeks ago when it was still a warmish early fall day. Mackworth Island in Falmouth, Maine, is a beautiful, easy, and not-too-long (1.5 mile loop) walk with ocean views, forest glens, beaches, a fairy house wood, and a real pet cemetery. Yes, indeed, and that brings to mind how...

Maine is famous for horror writer and philanthropist Stephen King, who wrote Pet Sematary, published in 1983. Not being a fan of horror, I have never read it, although anyone who pays attention in Maine knows most of the names of King's horror novels. They are legendary books and movies in Maine's cultural memory. 

Mackworth Island was deeded to the state of Maine by another famous Maine son and philanthropist, Governor Percival Baxter. He grew up in Portland and inherited the bulk of his family's wealth made in canning. (His father, James Phinney Baxter, started Portland Packing Company with William Davis in 1861.) Percival Baxter attended Bowdoin College like his father and brothers before him. Baxter served in the state senate twice and state house of representatives, and then he became Maine's 53rd governor. He is one of the most recognizable names of famous Mainers. Baxter also gave the state his "cottage" on Mackworth. The state started the Baxter School for the Deaf on Mackworth in 1957. It was housed and run on the island until just a few years ago. It did indeed look dreary, run-down, and out of use, and I was not aware of its history until I came home and read up (some of which is, tragically, not savory at all!). The school now works within the public school system in the area and has outreach to other Maine schools. 

As we enjoyed the quiet day walking the island, we came upon a sign pointing in the direction of the pet cemetery, which is encircled with large stones. Within it is a large stone with a plaque of dedication to Governor Baxter's 14 Irish setters. There are also two headstones. One is engraved in memory of Jerry Roan, a beloved horse. And the other is again engraved in memory "To Gov. Baxter Dogs / For Over 40 Years / His Constant Companions / 1887-1926." It's a little creepy or not depending on how your imagination runs wild. (We did not see any wildly misbehaving cats!) Baxter reportedly had a   great love for animals! 

Baxter not only donated this gem of an island to the state but acres and acres surrounding Mount Katahdin, known as the rugged and wild hiking and camping area of Baxter State Park, and another 30 acres in Portland called Baxter Woods. 

If you are ever in Falmouth, take a side trip to Mackworth Island, pack a picnic and sit on one of the beaches or walk and enjoy the views between  the trees. I've lived here nearly my entire life and had never been there. It's worthwhile, and you'll be intrigued by it's history as well along the way. 

For more on Mackworth Island State Park, go here. There are small fees and not a whole lot of parking

but wait a while and a spot may open up, like it did for us on that busy fall Saturday. 

Other Baxter resources: Baxter Woods (on my to-visit list!) 

Baxter State Park--Maine's tallest mountain, Katahdin, is the main attraction. It is the northern terminus to the Appalachian Trail, and even a day hike is not for the inexperienced, out of shape, or faint of heart! There are other trails, camping, kayaking, and water falls, really so much more to do and see then the big mountain (I was greeted by a moose in the road the last time we were there). Plan ahead and make park reservations if needed. 

This link is some Baxter family history in relation to Bowdoin College given at a talk by State Historian Earle Shettleworth at the opening of a Baxter family exhibition at the school in 2012.

And for all things Stephen King, because some just have to! 

You can peak at views of Casco Bay through
the trees on Mackworth Island.