Maine Event: Day 32

We had a nice morning and walked to the transit center. The bus was on time. It was relatively full and the driver was great. Everyone kept their masks on and if someone had it pulled down the driver would ask them to mask up in a nice way and everyone was well behaved. 

We arrived and the superb hostess and my dear friend Paula met us at the bus stop and took us to her friend to see the most spectacular front yard garden ever! We sat in the backyard and ate apple crisp drank coffee and talked about politics. From there we went on a walk up to Beech Hill from which you could see in all directions. Including all the way off to Mount Desert Island in the distance. The walk up the hill is through what I think might be young beech trees but might also be birch trees. Also, the ground is covered with wild blueberry plants and wildflowers. It is not blueberry season right now but it will be at some point and there are just so many. 

We then went to her sweet home and made a lovely dinner of squash soup, sauteed kale, corn on the cob, and fresh tomatoes - all from home gardens in Rockland. We went for a brief post-dinner walk down to the ocean and then back to the railroad tracks and back home. It couldn't have been a better day. 

The day started off beautifully. Here are flowers growing on the outside of Clark Street Community Garden.

Just a mass of flowers on the walk home from the garden. Enjoying all the bright colors.

Slightly blurry shot due to being taken from a moving bus. This is about 30 mins into our journey. YAY! The sign of our destination. Rockland is about 7K people and has a cute downtown and is a tourist destination but it doesn't feel like it. They have two large ferry terminals of the green variety similar to the one on Peak's Island. Vinalhaven a large island off of Rockland is a big draw and many people come through Rockland it it and other islands.

We passed many rivers on our bus trip to Rockland. I'd say more than 5 large ones.

This picture doesn't do the garden justice but it's huge, in the front yard and all maintained by a 78 year old!

Wildflowers on Beech hill in Rockland Maine.

View of Chickawaukie Pond in Rockland from Beech Hill. The perimeter is just over 3 miles. It looks like a lake to me but I guess if they want to call it a pond they can.

Sunset as seen from Beech Hill

This stone house is here and is open for use it has a bathroom and stove and tables. This is at the top of Beech Hill. It is at the pinnacle of a large nature preserve that is 295 acres is held by a land trust. You can learn more here (Wikipedia) and here at the Coastal Mountains Land Trust. It is called the Beechnut Hut and was built in 1913 it fell into disrepair and was recently restored. It is really lovely. Check out that sod roof!

Mushrooms were spotted on the way back down Beech Hill. (Note to self: Must learn more about mushrooms).

Moonlight on our post-dinner walk.

This was in a yard and I think it was a full neon red heart the camera didn't quite know what to do with it. You can't see it but it is located on the wall of an out building in a yard where clearly an artist lives. Heart flags are all the rage here too. I think the idea is that we should all show more kindness towards one another.

So happy to be able to spend a little time with my dear friend.

Sending oodles of love,

Tawnia