ME II: exploration - inner roads

· Maine Event

Today we chose to walk down a new inner road. We are on the main loop that goes around the island and is called Seashore Avenue. Several usually dirt roads lead off of it towards the center of the island. We aim to explore all of them. We have taken most of the routes on the South end of the island as they lead to the place we are staying. Today we went farther on Seashore and took the first left towards the center of the island which turned out to be Alderbrook Way which lead to Florida. On the way, we discovered a beautiful large lake that is on land near Battery Steele. During WWII a large portion (less than 1/4 but close) of the island was claimed by eminent domain and 55 military buildings were built including the Battery Steele which is an enormous concrete structure with dark hallways and domed structures. It is now owned by Peaks Island Land Preserve. It also has a number of trails over and through the dismantled military structure. You can read more about that here if that is your thing at the Island Journal. The inner areas of the island are much quieter and you can hear the trees whisper. It is also cooler and softer because it is shadier. The seashore is bright and the sun is strong and the breezes are cool - it's all rather intense. Inland all that is softened. I love the giant big maples and red oaks they feel like guardian angels and I like the sounds they make in the breeze. We had leftover lentil soup with added beautiful radish greens and a salad for lunch.

In the afternoon, our next-door neighbor came over – he turned out to be the owner and fixed something on the stove and told us about the history of this house. We lazed around until Rosemary came out for a visit to see our island digs and we went out for dinner to the Cockeyed Gull which is the main restaurant on the island. The food was excellent. As we said goodbye at the ferry I noticed a gravestone in the center of a curb cut smack-dab in the middle of the hubbub.

Battery Steele entrance. It was covered with dirt and plants to hide it but now they are really taking over. The flowers and narrow path make it look so innocuous.
This is a close-up of the hallway in the previous image. The next image is looking down the hallway on the right in this image.
This is a super long and dark tunnel that we didn't go down and not many taggers / graphic artists made it past the opening either.
tire swing by the armament
Tire swing anyone?
kitchen with table hutch and fridge with windows in the background
Here is our modest kitchen overlooking the most beautiful marsh. A small electric stove is behind the fridge.
beach cottage living room
This is the living room, and the windows open onto Seashore Ave and the Atlantic accompanied by other little islands.
woman sitting on a porch in a sun hat wearing a blue jacket
Out on the porch is the best seats in the house with a small table for two. It was really windy in this picture.
See in the middle, that is a gravestone. It's in the center of town surrounded by traffic on all sides.
Here is a close up of it.

George Cleeve was one of the early people historically associated with Peaks. However, this is strange to find a single gravestone in the middle of a curb cut where cars and golf carts can turn around and pick up people exiting the ferry. I've walked past this at least 20 times and never saw it.

Go forth and notice the unnoticed right in front of you.

Sending love and appreciation to you all,

Tawnia