Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth, ME

After a quick stop in Portland yesterday for fish n chips, I headed south across the Casco Bay Bridge to Cape Elizabeth. I followed the signs for Portland Head Light, which took me to Fort Williams Park. There are three distinct elements of the park: The lighthouse area, the military structures and the Goddard Mansion.

Portland Head Light

One of the earliest American lighthouses and one of the most photographed.

Portland Head Light

A ghostly lighthouse in the distance

Who is this Annie Maguire?

Don't strain your neck

Ah-OO-gah!!

Cove near the lighthouse

Whistle House

(Click on it to enlarge and read)

The Goddard Mansion

I'm fascinated by structures, such as this, that have fallen into disrepair. The original owner transferred the property to the military(bad move) when the area became a fort and it was used for married housing. The basement was used as an Officer's Club. I apologize for the inordinate number of pics of the mansion, but, like I said, I was fascinated.














Military Structures

Battery Erasmus Keyes

Pop Culture

I think a scene from Hostel was filmed here

Battery Blair

Central Power House

Reid Beach State Park, Georgetown, ME

View of Griffith Head from picnic shelter area

Wednesday was beach day for the camp, so off we went to Reid Beach State Park. We started off with lunch for everyone at the picnic shelter and then moved over to the beach. It was low tide, so there was a lot of contrasting colors and contours.

Small tidal pool

Sand amid rock

Seaweed covered rocks

Black and tan

Groovy, man! (I got nothing)

A long, sandy beach, which is rare in Maine. View from Griffith Head

View from Griffith Head

Portland, ME

U.S. Customs House on Commercial St.

I had the day off today, so I went to Portland to hang out. The foggy, misty weather was appropriate for this New England port city. Old Port is the section of town I like to go to. It's close to the waterfront and filled with shops and bars and restaurants. Although there are a few modern buildings scattered about, most of Old Port consists of older brick buildings with a lot of them being warehouse type buildings.

Rí Rá Irish Pub

I've been sampling the fish n chips in Portland. I've been to Dry Dock Restaurant and Tavern, Gilbert's Chowder House and Rí Rá. Gilbert's weren't that good and the most expensive of the three. Dry Dock was a good value and tasted good, but had the smallest portion of the three. Rí Rá is, by far, the best of them. Fresh haddock dipped in a beer batter that was light and crispy. And, of course, a 7&7 to wash it down. One of better orders of fish n chips I've ever had; almost on par with the order I got at a Britsh pub in Gibraltar.

Pub

Bar and restaurant section

Why have one bar when you can have two?

Door to the bar-only side

Fresh haddock with beer batter

That meal didn't have a chance

Old Port

View down Commercial St.

Corner of Moulton St. and Fore St. looking north

View up Exchange St. from Fore St.

I want a cop to chase me down this

Wharf St.

Commercial St. near the piers

Simplicity and symmetry

The Waterfront

The Wharf

Not many boats on the water today

Wharf warehouse

Boat with lobster traps

Java Net Café

My hangout in Old Port on Exchange St.

Good atmosphere.
Similar to FoJo Coffee Works...but with customers.
(Ohhhh, snap!)

Dessert