Friday, June 26, 2015

Pemaquid Peninsula Day Trip

Pemaquid Point Light
Pemaquid Point Light
The Pemaquid Point loop drive from Newcastle to Bristol to New Harbor to Waldoboro is a truly scenic drive at any time of year. Pemaquid Point Light is open in the summer so you can go right up into the light (weather permitting).

Starting out early in the morning is the best way to take in most of the sights. There will always be something you missed that needs another day to see!

Here are some highlights you can enjoy on your day trip to Pemaquid Peninsula:

Pemaquid Harbor
Pemaquid Harbor

Fort William Henry
Fort William Henry


New Harbor lobster boats
New Harbor lobster boats

lobster roll at Shaw's on the harbor
Lobster roll at Shaw's on the harbor
Artist at work

Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve
Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve

Hauling the lobsters
Atlantic white sided dolphins Muscongus Bay
Dolphins in Muscongus Bay
Franklin Island light
Franklin Island Light from Hardy Boat

puffin with fish
Puffin bringing home the (bacon) fish

puffins Eastern Egg Rock
Puffins
Quiet refuge on Upper Round Pound Rd

Picnic at Muscongus Bay Lobster

Old Rock Schoolhouse
Old Rock Schoolhouse
So, how do you go about following this route and seeing these sites? Route 1 North from White Cedar Inn to Newcastle. Take Rt 129 across the bridge to Damariscotta. (Stop at Reny's - A Maine Adventure) Follow Rt 129 to Rt 130 to Fort William Henry. Leaving the fort, continue to the end of Rt 130 to find Pemaquid Pt lighthouse.  (If it's a hot day, look for the Bristol Swimming Hole for a dip in the cold, moving water.)

From there, head back along Rt 130 to the Pemaquid Loop then to Rt 32 (New Harbor). From May to August you can take Hardy Boat Cruises to Eastern Egg Rock to see the puffins. Stop at Shaw's for lobster roll!

Continue on Rt 32 just past the dock to the Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve. (Parking is along the side of the road.)

Just off Rt 32 is Upper Round Pond Rd, a scenic drive, that will take you to the Old Rock Schoolhouse. Back down Upper Round Pond Rd to Rt 32 again, take a left and head to Muscongus Bay Lobster and Round Pond Lobster Co-op. (Stop in at the Granite Hall Store in Round Pond for ice cream!) The Co-op does steamed lobster. Muscongus Bay Lobster does all kinds of lobster plus fried foods.

Stuffed with lobster, continue on Rt 32 to Waldoboro, then head south on Rt 1 and back to the inn. Still hungry? Pull back off Rt 1 in Newcastle and go to the Newcastle Publick House.

Ask us for map to plan your trip!

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

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Pond Island Light

Pond Island Light
Pond Island Light

Pond Island Light
Pond Island Light

Pond Island Light
Pond Island Light
Pond Island Light is on a small bit of rock in the Kennebec River. It is easily visible from Fort Popham, Popham Beach and Fort Baldwin.

You can also take a lighthouse cruise out of the Maine Maritime Museum for a closer look at the lighthouses along the river and out to Seguin Light.

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

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Franklin Island Lighthouse

Franklin Island Lighthouse
Franklin Island Lighthouse
Located in the Muscongus Bay, the Franklin Island Lighthouse is easily visible from the deck of the Hardy Boat Cruise's trip to Eastern Egg Rock to see the puffins. The island is part of the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Access to the island is difficult.  Some islands are closed to foot traffic from April through August to allow seabirds to nest.

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