Last night it was shake, rattle and roll until the wind began to die down. Then along would come another good gust and it would start all over again. No harm, no foul, no damage done but it sure got your attention. This morning it was calm for a time but by mid-morning the wind began to pick up again. As of now, it is real calm but the forecast is for a jim dandy of a storm heading in. Might be an interesting night.
Today it was time to go exploring and sight-seeing. But first, once again we needed to get some documents notarized. Off to the town hall in Lubec were they were more than willing to help us out.
Guess what was next door? A fire museum. Was it open? Nope. But they were willing
to open it up for me. Sweet. A really small museum but here is what I found inside. First up is a Torrent. The Torrent was built in 1865 for Marlboro, MA. Lubec purchased the Torrent in 1892 for $125. All parts are original and in working order.
Next, we have an old horse drawn ladder truck. Anyone have any idea where the driver sat? The top ladders were pushed back and there is a seat for the driver in the front.
There was also a horse drawn reel cart
Finally, the original fire alarm for the town of Lubec.
That was all that was there. Like I said, small, but I found it interesting and I remembered to thank the town clerk for opening it up for me.
Once we were through here we were off to the post office which just happened to be next door to the recommended pizza store in town called Morano’s Authentic offering Real Italian Flavor.
Oh yes, the pizza here was delicious. Nice thin crust, great toppings. Here we one of
God’s beautiful people – the first of many we would meet today. Her name is Ginny. She is – ready for this – a network engineer by trade but a pizza maker at heart. She comes from NJ, opened this store last year, did a booming business so has decided to stay and make a go of it. We wish her the best of luck, but with pizza like we had today we have no doubt she will have a thriving business this year and for as long as she decides to do it.
Still in Lubec, we knew that there was another sculpture somewhere. It’s amazing where we have found them hidden in the past. This one was no different. In what appeared to be the most run down section of town there it was. This one is called Beyond the Horizon and the artist behind it is Valerian Jikia from the Republic of Georgia. He
describes his work in this way: my task was to compound the water, sun and rainbow, and create a sculpture with positive energy in the special dramaturgy. Okay, I guess.
Time to leave Lubec for the day, but wait, what is that? This was just too interesting
to pass up. A short walk later I discovered that it was the Lost Fishermen’s Memorial.
Don’t know how many towns or years it covers but tragically there are many, many names engraved on the stones. Obviously, fishing and/or lobstering is a dangerous occupation.
Now it was really time to leave the town of Lubec. We had no real objective in mind this time but just like that we saw a sign for a lighthouse and an arrow pointing to the left so left turn it was. Several miles later we arrived at the West Quoddy HeadLighthouse. It was commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson and first built in 1808. The present tower dates back to 1858 and was staffed by resident light keepers until 1988 when the U.S Coast Guard automated the light. Currently, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands manages the lighthouse.
This lighthouse is at the eastern most point in the United States.
Just to prove that I was really there, I had Barbara take my picture as proof.
Inside the visitor center I found the history of this lighthouse.
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This placard asking the question how many stripes.
Then there was this placard depicting the life of an average light keepers family.
Here we also met two more of God’s beautiful people. Meet Brian and Fran
Both at one time fished for lobster in a recreational role. They had a license for 9 traps on Buzzards Bay and, of course, kept all that they caught. How neat is this, your own fresh supply of lobster. Fran shared how at first, they had to hand pull all their traps up from a depth of about 50 or 60 feet. Only later was their boat equipped with a winch. She also talked about having to replace the bait in each lobster cage with stinky mackle heads. She wrinkled her nose and gave a disgusted look just talking about it. Brian talked about how, at times, it was a rough go especially when the weather turned foul. Now I can honestly say, I’ve met a real authentic lobster person (can’t say lobsterman can I now!). What a treat meeting them and having the time to share with them. It’s amazing the people God brings into our lives.
Time now to get back on the road. That’s when we met another of God’s beautiful
people, a young man named Sam. Sam is on the motorcycle adventure of a lifetime. He left Texas some time ago, made his way up the eastern seaboard to Maine and is now on his way to Canada. I told him that I gave him a thumbs up for following his heart and his dream. He thanked me for the encouragement since he stated that many in the past tried to talk him out of doing this trip. Sam, the time is now to follow your heart.
Leaving Quoddy Head Lighthouse, we discovered yet another lighthouse which is called the sparkplug. Sparkplug lighthouses are cast iron structures built at offshore locations. The keeper’s quarters is a round building, usually three stories in height. The round lantern room sits atop the keeper’s quarters, and the whole structure rests on a solid foundation, usually a concrete or stone caisson. Because of their shape, these lighthouses have come to be called “sparkplugs.” Before the day of gasoline engines, they were sometimes called “coffee pots.” In many places they were called “bug lights,” because at a distance they appeared short and broad, rather like a beetle on the surface of the water.
Sparkplugs were prefabricated, brought to the site by barge, and put in place by floating cranes. They were a low-cost solution to the problem of providing offshore lighthouses in the sounds and bays of the northeastern and mid-Atlantic states, where all but three of the surviving examples are located. This one is in the Southern approach to Lubec Channel, about 300 feet from the border with New Brunswick, Canada. It is an active aid to navigation but privately owned.
Time now to head for home – sort of. We kind of got side-tracked again by a chocolate shop that the locals just rave about. It is called Monica’s Chocolates.
It is just across from the entrance to the RV park. The owner is from Peru and her chocolate is beyond delicious. She took us and several others on a tour of where the chocolate is made on the lower level of the shop. Yes, it is all hand made on location. She also stated that she always tries to employ local people, one has been with her for 9 years, another started last year, and this year there was also a young girl just home from college.
OK, with the entrance to home just across the street from the chocolate shop just like that we were finally home. Time now to catch up on some chores, namely the wishy-washy. We had put it off for a bit too long and were sort of running out of clothes to wear.
Day is now done and once again another beautiful sunset right out the solarium window. Oh my, this view never, ever grows old. Thank you, God, for creating such a beautiful world for us to enjoy day by day, minute by minute. We are, we both agree, so very, very blessed in so many ways. Wonderful discoveries, travels of a lifetime, and so many beautiful people continue to cross our path. Never, ever forget to take time to follow your heart, to follow your dreams. Let’s be honest someday tomorrow may never come. So live each day to the fullest. And now a closing though for us to ponder:
As always, if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries, let me suggest that you turn them over to God. After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.
Time now for our evening prayers and eventually some shut-eye. Till tomorrow.
These are the voyages of Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans. Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before
"On The Road of Retirement" 
Wow, what an interesting day you two had. I saw a smiling face on the sculpture even though that wasn’t the sculptors description. That one was very interesting. I can also see the “sparkplug” styled lighthouse. There are many of God’s people out there just waiting to be met. Enjoy!!
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