Lighthouse Cruise on the Kennebec River

 

Kennebec River

There's nothing like a day playing hooky on the river! I grabbed the camera and headed for the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath for a lighthouse cruise down the Kennebec. These cruises run through the summer into fall. They're a great opportunity to get out on the water for 2 - 6 hours and see the Kennebec lights, the Sasanoa River and wildlife along the way.

Here are some shots from my 2 hour cruise on the river:

Bath Iron Works - Zumwalt Class Destroyer

Doubling Point Light

Kennebec Light

Harbor seal Kennebec River

Osprey nest on channel marker

Maine Maritime Museum lighthouse cruise boat

Kennebec River Range Lights

Ah Summer!

Just hanging around

Selfie stick

Squirrel Point

Don't forget to pick up a copy of the Maine Guide to Lighthouses and Harbors (usually in the living room on the side table). After the cruise down the river you can drive to see the lighthouses from land as well. Here are some of the daytrips I took to see them: Doubling Point and Squirrel Point.

Also visible on this river cruise is Fort Popham, Pond Island Light and, off in the distance, Seguin Island Light. There are different trips out to Pond Island and Seguin that allow you to get off the boat and wander around. Seguin is 3 miles off the coast of Popham Beach.

How to get there: From White Cedar Inn take Rt 1 north to Bath. Follow signs to Maine Maritime Museum to go on the cruise and wander around the museum for an in depth look at maritime traditions in Maine. For Popham Beach, Fort Popham and Fort Baldwin continue on Rt 209 from Bath to Phippsburg. You can take a couple of side roads (Parker Head Rd) for a more scenic, slower-paced route. 

One hike we haven't done yet is Morse Mountain overlooking the Morse River just off Popham Beach. Instead of turning to follow Rt 209 to the beach, you stay straight on Rt 216. More info when we go there!

Pick up a packed lunch for a day exploring!

White Cedar Inn Bed and Breakfast 178 Main St Freeport, Maine 04032

www.whitecedarinn.com

Sweet Potato Bread Pudding

 

Sweet Potato Bread Pudding

Nothing says 'Fall' like the color orange! Leaves, pumpkins, Halloween costumes, sweet potatoes. And nothing says sweet New England comfort food like bread pudding. Without further ado, here's your new Sunday brunch or Thanksgiving go to sweet.

Sweet Potato Bread Pudding
(serves 8 - 10)

1 loaf Italian bread ripped into large chunks
2 -3 medium sweet potatoes, baked
1/2 c pecans
4 c milk
4 eggs
1 c brown sugar, loose, not packed
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon

butter

Bake sweet potatoes in 400 degree oven for about 1 hour. Let sit until cool enough to handle.

In the meantime: butter a 9x12" baking dish and shred enough Italian bread to completely cover the bottom of the pan. Set aside to dry out. 

When sweet potatoes are ready, scoop out of skins, and place on top of bread, spreading out to cover surface and pushing down to fill in spaces. Sprinkle pecans on top, pressing into sweet potato.

Beat eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon in large bowl. Pour over bread and sweet potatoes. Set aside in fridge until liquid is absorbed (about 3 hours). You may need to push the bread back down if it starts to float around. Cut pats of butter and place on top of soaked bread, one pat per serving.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake bread pudding for 45 - 50 minutes until pudding is set. Let cool slightly. Scoop onto plates. Top with ice cream, whipped cream or maple syrup.We drizzled maple syrup on the plate, then topped with homemade whipped cream.

White Cedar Inn Bed and Breakfast 178 Main St Freeport, Maine 04032

www.whitecedarinn.com