This is really getting old.  We awoke to another cold, dreary, rainy day.  Oh where, oh where is springtime.  Hopefully, just around the corner.  So the question now was, do we stay home or take a chance that the weather will improve and head out?  In the end we chose to stay put and give our aching knees time to recover from yesterday.  Tomorrow, though, we know we will be out and about.

So let’s go back now to the Seal Cove Auto Museum located in Seal Cove, Maine.  This is an absolutely fascinating place that our friends Hoag and Max mentioned to us.  I am so glad they did.  This is not to be missed, especially if you are into all things automotive.  What a wonderful treat indeed.

The Seal Cove Auto Museum is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, housing a collection of vehicles, automotive items, and other objects that tell the story of innovation and ingenuity in New England and America through the early development of the auto. The Museum was originally founded by Richard C. Paine, Jr. as a place to keep and display his personal automotive collection.

In the mid-50s, Richard operated the Seal Cove Garage selling everything from Mercedes-Benz to Saabs and even Borgwards and Porsche diesel tractors.

His favorite car back then was the Mercedes 300 SL ‘Gull Wing’ Coupe, as testified by a sales slip with a penciled in note reading, “RCP’s private car.”  It cost him $8,175 new then but after his death it was valued at $1,500,000.

During his lifetime Richard formed the nonprofit Seal Cove Auto Museum to provide a place to keep and display his extraordinary collection. Although he donated a few cars to the Museum outright, the bulk of the collection on display remained in a personal Trust until the time of his death.  Richard alone ran the museum at that time and the following is part of a story of an individual who visited it during the 80’s.

We were driving to the Bass Harbor lighthouse and spotted the “auto museum” sign from the road, not really expecting much. When we entered and I saw rows of truly the best of the best cars ever made, I was just “sucked in,” walking right by the cash register. By the way, I’m a car guy. There were a couple of times I came back to the front to ask more car questions. My enthusiasm was infectious.  Later Richard joined us and answered more questions and told us some stories.  We went from car to car, Richard telling me how he had gotten this one or maybe going over the ropes to point out something unique about that one.  What a great man.

After his death a new board was chosen for the Museum with a mission to preserve Richard’s core collection, and to keep the Paine Legacy alive. Talking with the museum’s chief mechanic Peter yesterday, I was told that when they first entered the warehouse that housed the original collection it was so full of cars that you could barely walk among them.

The new board worked with the Trust, which owns most of the cars, to find a way to continue to make the core of the Paine collection accessible to the public.  Ultimately, some duplicate cars, motorcycles, and automobile memorabilia were sold by Bonhams at an auction on September 25-26, 2008 that attracted the attention of collectors from around the world.  When all was said and done the total raised was nearly $8,500,000.

Today The Seal Cove Auto Museum which is tucked away in a metal building on a back road of Mount Desert Island, Maine, displays automobiles representing the technology, design aesthetic, and lifestyle of the years between 1895-1917.  This is usually referred to as the Brass Era.  Again the museum’s chief mechanic Peter shared with me that every Saturday a woman comes in – as she has for the past twenty or more years – to polish all the brass on the cars.  Trust me, she has her hands full.

So let’s go inside.  These are two pictures of the overall view of the museum as you first enter.

 

This is a picture of a 1913 Peugot type 150 on display that is considered priceless.  

This is what is called a skiff body and is created in triple layers of mahogany planking, riveted on a frame of ash. Between the second and third plies there is a layer of canvas, which assured great rigidity.  ‘The resulting design was little short of revolutionary at the time.  Today critics consider it to be one of the most beautiful automobiles ever, a masterpiece of the art of bodybuilding.

To appreciate the impact of the skiff, one must see it in the context of its contemporaries. Most designs of that era were characterized by a ‘box’ which covered the engine, terminating with a break at the windshield, and behind this, a bulky upholstered body for the passengers. At the very rear the fuel tank was slung between the frame rails.   In contrast the skiff  combined graceful transitions and elegant curving lines. The engine hood flared up to a low, slanting windshield and the gas tank was hidden behind the front seat to expose the rounded, voluptuous tail.

In any case, the skiff idea took hold and soon skiff bodies were being built on many different chassis. For more information and better pictures of this incredible car go to the following link https://www.sealcoveautomuseum.org/collection-test/1913-peugeot/

Next is a car that Jay Leno has been trying to buy in order to add to his considerable collection of steam cars.  The answer though is always not for sale.  The car is 1910 White Steamer.

In 1858, at the age of 22, Thomas White began manufacturing New England-type sewing machines which he sold for $10 apiece. The first machines were manufactured at the small Wilkinson Machine Shop in Templeton, Massachusetts.

In the late 1890s, the company diversified its operation and began manufacturing items such as roller skates, bicycles, kerosene lamps, lathes, and screw machines. In 1901, the company produced its first automobile. Thomas White, still president of the company, gave control of vehicle production to his three sons, Windsor, Rollin, and Walter. All were all auto enthusiasts, and helped get the company into the automobile industry.

In November, 1906, the auto making part of the business split off into a separate company, named the White Company. After 1911, the company stopped making Steamers and focused on producing gasoline driven engines. Over the course of their steam-making career, the company produced 9,122 White Steamers.

President Taft threw his considerable weight behind the infant U.S. auto industry when he rode in the 40-horsepower White Model M for his inauguration in 1909. Taft’s White was used for more formal functions around Washington. It was the first presidential limousine, replacing the horse-drawn carriages that had served every president from George Washington to Teddy Roosevelt, Taft’s predecessor.

“William Howard Taft brought this car into the White House, and because of that act, the automobile industry, American political culture, road building and the whole economy… changed to be the way it is today,” said Michael L. Bromley, author of “Taft and the First Motoring Presidency.”

For more information on White Steamers this link will take you to an excellent piece presented by Jay Leno:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKX1KgIkBwg

Next is a 1908 Stanley Steamer called the Rocket which was considered the fastest car in the world between 1906 to 1910.

This is an example of an early electric car, a 1922 Detroit Electric.  It was rated at 80 miles per charge but recorded over 211 miles on a single charge.  Henry Ford purchased one for his wife since she refused to drive a gasoline powered car.

Next up is 1904 Curved Dash Olds.  This was the first high-volume produced automobile.  It was introduced by the Olds company in 1901 and produced through 1907.

Next is a 1904 Stanley Steamer which used a tiller (like the Olds above) instead of a steering wheel since most people of that time had no idea what a steering wheel was..

Continuing, here are some more pictures of the cars now on display.  Unfortunately, space does not permit showing all of them.

 

1915 E.R.P. Series B Touring Car.

1904 Cadillac

1906 Ford 

1912 Alco

Yes, there were motorcycles.

 

Now we come to Wayne Carini of Chasing Classic Car fame.  Or is it?  Take a look.

Actually this is The Museum’s Head Mechanic, Peter Brown, who has been mistakenly identified many times as the famous Wayne Carini.  Peter was gracious enough to take Barbara and myself behind the curtain to view some of the cars that have not yet been restored and may never be.  Here they are, this first one is yet to be identified as to make and model.

This one is called the mystery truck since no one has an idea what it is or who produced it or even if it was originally a pickup truck or later converted to one.  It has an air-cooled two-cylinder engine with the fuel tank under the seat.  It has a storage box mounted to the frame in the rear.  There are no plaques or other identifying marks that would help to identify the maker or the model or the year.  Peter stated so far no one has been able to figure out who made it or when or why.

Peter, we discovered, will be participating in this years Great Race.  Ten days, 17 cities, and over 2,000 miles.  The 2018 Hemmings Motor News Great Race is an intense competition for vintage cars, and it is coming to the Seal Cove Auto Museum this June. In its 35th year, this long-distance, time-speed-endurance rally tests the abilities of 120 racers and their pre-1972 cars.

This race is not a test of top speed. Instead, it tests teams’ abilities to follow a precise course, using only a set of instructions (no maps allowed) indicating every turn, speed change, and stop, with the goal of arriving at each designated checkpoint at exactly the right time. Any technologies such as GPS or electronic odometers are prohibited; only analog odometers and stop-watches may be used.

Peter will drive a 1930 Ford Model A boat-tailed speedster owned by Ford Reiche.

Reiche will act as navigator, a challenging role, as he will have to determine the exact speeds to travel every minute of the route, described in a list of detailed instructions given to the team on the morning of each day of the race.

Then it was time to visit the garage.  Yes, they let you right in where they work and restore the vehicles on display.  Here we see a group of volunteer mechanics trying to get what they call the community car (because it is frequently taken out on runs in the community) running again.  Seems there was no compression on cylinder number one.

I had a wonderful time just talking and sharing with all of the volunteers.  One was from New Jersey, name of Jim, but they call him papa smurf.  He grew up in the same northern area of New Jersey where I was born and raised.  Small world.  All of these guys come north, when the museum is open, to volunteer their time and mechanical skills.  A great bunch of guys that I had the pleasure of hanging out with for about an hour.

Finally, it was time to go but before we did we were asked to sign the guest book.  But guess who beat us to it?  Yep, our good friend and sight-seeing companion, Benny the Bison.  Let me again say, if you are ever up in this neck of the woods, this is one place you just have to get to.  What a wonderful, fascinating collection of priceless automobiles, as well as, a volunteer staff that goes the extra mile to make your visit special in every way.  Don’t miss it.

So our day was spent inside catching up on the blog and taking naps.  Did the sun ever come out?  You bet!  Just in time for it to go down for the night.  Go figure.  But no complaints from us, we had another great day spent together doing whatever we felt like doing.  How neat is that.  Try telling your boss you want a day like that.

Time now to wrap things up and prepare for tomorrow.  Tomorrow we’re going to chase down some more sculptures, visit the chiropractor again, and who knows what else.  Before leaving, a thought for each of us:

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once again we awoke to a cold, dreary, rainy day.   What to do?  Of course, not getting up at all was one option.  Another was to stay home and play dominoes and nap off and on.  Then, too, we could perhaps find some type of attraction that would permit us to stay indoors.  One definite goal we had been getting more stamps for Barbara’s National Passport Book.  So the last option won out.  We would drive over to the Hulls Cove Visitor Center and then go to the Seal Cove Auto Museum.  Indoors all the way.

Since we were only going to two places, we were in no rush to get going.  After all we figured we would be home by early afternoon no matter what.  Yea.  To make a long story short we left at around 11 am and did not get home until after 6 pm.  In addition, we covered we figured conservatively speaking some 150 miles.  How?

Here we go.  On the way over, we knew of another sculpture that was on the way so we decided to make that our first stop.  This sculpture was located at Sumner Memorial Park which is located on the Schoodic National Scenic Byway.  The park itself is named

after Charles Sumner who had been a doctor and leading citizen of the town of Sullivan.

The sculpture located here is entitled Sullivan Tower and was created by Jo Kley from Germany.  His explanation of his work is:  I chose the shape of a tower as it is a universal icon that is understood by any society and race.  I may not understand

 

 

nor see exactly what the artist sees, but since chasing these pieces down I’ve begun somehow to gain a new appreciation for art.  The time and labor that went into these sculptures, the craftsmanship that is evident, the way that the granite has been worked is really quite amazing.

We were back on the road again and now heading toward Acadia National Park.  Our

destination was the Hulls Cove Visitor Center which is at the beginning of the 27 mile Park Loop Road.  Here is Barbara at the entrance before we actually began the climb to the visitor’s center.

Now for some the following would present no problem but for the two of us with our bad knees, this was just a bit daunting.  But you say, only two levels?  Oh no, multiply this times 6!  First up, then of course you have to come back down.  But we did it.

This was our destination the visitor center itself just inside these doors.

Once inside this was what we were interested in, additional stamps for Barbara’s National Passport Book.  There are many, many stamps to be collected and entered, some of which we know we will not get to.  But we are going to get as many as we can while we are here.  Of course, it means another trip along the 27 mile Park Loop Road.  But not today, it is just too miserable and the visibility is zero.  Another day.

This then was our second stop.  After this we were back on the road and headed for a local attraction that friends of ours had mentioned as not be missed no matter what.

However, this is going to have to wait till tomorrow because there are just too many pictures and too many stories to tell of our visit here.  So join us tomorrow as we bring you the story and pictures of this absolutely fascinating place.

Wait, though, we’re not finished.  Oh no.  We had heard that there was a really neat lighthouse out this way, so let’s go find it.  It took awhile and what seemed forever to locate it but in due time we were there.  Where being the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.

Marking the entrance to Bass Harbor as well as Blue Hill Bay, the Bass Harbor Lighthouse on Mount Desert Island in Tremont, Maine was built in 1858. A fog bell and tower were added in 1876.  The lighthouse, situated on Acadia National Park land, stands 56 feet above mean high water.

 

The lighthouse is now automated and remains an active aid to navigation.

Today was an excellent example of why the lighthouse is still needed.  Take a look at the fog that was like a thick blanket across the whole harbor.  Hard to see anything out there.

On January 21, 1988, the lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places, reference number 87002273, under the title of Bass Harbor Head Light Station.

The keeper’s house is currently being used for Coast Guard housing.  I read this and well the imp in me wanted to knock on the door to see if it was really true.  But I didn’t.

Onward.  The day was still not over.  Nope.  We knew of two more sculptures that were on our way home, so we decided to see if we could find them.  The first one we found was in the town of Southwest Harbor and is called Sisters.

The artist who sculptured this work is named Roy Patterson who is from Maine.  His explanation of his work is:  the intention was to create a presence in space, a sense of being that merges with the primal presence of the stone.  

At this point it was getting late in the afternoon, real late, and we had not yet had anything for lunch.  Not to worry.  Right next to the above sculpture we found this neat little local spot where we were able to get a bite to eat.  We find that it is fun and interesting to try to stop at local shops whenever possible.  Glad we stopped here.

Guess what?  Not finished just yet.  We had one more sculpture to locate.  So off we went in quest of it.  Yes, we found it.  It was located at Lamoine State Park.  Lamoine State Park is a nice 55 acre park for those who want to escape the crowds on Mount Desert Island. It has an oceanside setting with picnic and campsite areas, hot showers, a dock, boat access, a pebble beach and allows fishing.   The sculpture we located here is called Dialog and was created by artist Roland Mayer from Germany.

 

HIs explanation of his work is as follows:  The play of forms of load-bearing parts, the treatment of the diverse surfaces – from the split to the drilled and from the brush-hammered to the polished surface – all this offers interesting activity and changing sights and views depending on the lighting conditions and the spectator’s position.  Unfortunately, today was not a day to see it with the sunlight on it for there was none.

Now we were ready to call it a day and so we headed toward home.  The hour was late, it was still raining, and our knees were sore and aching – because of the weather and the climbing and walking we had done all day.  But we did it!  Hand in hand, singing our song, traveling along.

Night is now here.  We’re ready for more bumps in the dark hours of this night.  Bumps?  Yup, have no idea what but every night it seems something is always out there running around and sounds like it is bumping into either Graybeard or Little Graybeard.  Sorry, I’m not really interested in knowing what it is!  Just as long as it is gone by dawns early light.  Despite the rain and the gloom we had another great day.  Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for the fascinating story of the Seal Cove Auto Museum.  And now a closing thought:

I still haven’t learned to act my age – and never hope to

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

 

 

Imagine my surprise when I came out from the bedroom this morning to the living room and found the temperature outside at 47 degrees! Hey, isn’t this summer time?

Oh, I forgot, summer here is during the month of August and then it’s winter time, September to the next August.  Ah well, it could be worse, it could be snowing.  Perish the thought!

So today was a day I had been looking forward to for several days.  Barbara had finally found a chiropractor who didn’t run the other way when they

found out we lived in an RV.  I guess most of them believe that they will never get paid by someone who is always on the move.  So, first visit was today with two more to come, one this Thursday, and then another next Monday.  How do I feel?  Thankfully much, much better.  I should be good to go by next Tuesday when we move north.

So that was the first part of the day.  Returning home, we walked in the front door and discovered it was a bit chilly inside.  Top is inside, bottom is outside. Time for the heat pump.

It was not only chilly but the rain was coming down.  This was the view out the front solarium window in the afternoon.

But this I know a chilly, rainy day here is better than any day at work.

Let’s turn our attention now to Schoodic Woods Campground.

 

It has, I discovered, quite an interesting history regarding its development and how it came to be a national park.

The land that the campground sits on was once owned by the Modena family of Italy who was interested in developing the land into a large-scale resort.  Many in the area believed that the development would be an enormous economic opportunity for the two Schoodic Peninsula communities that had been distressed since the closing of the former U.S. Navy base at Winter Harbor in 2002.  There were others, though, who were more interested in the conservation of the area.

In the conversation group was Lyme Timber.  Lyme Timber, a private timberland investment management firm from Hanover, New Hampshire, entered into an agreement to buy the land from the Modena family.  However, soon after the announcement was made, a private family foundation approached Lyme Timber and offered to provide the capital for the purchase so it could then donate the land to Acadia National Park.

Lyme and the family foundation formed Schoodic Woods LLC, with the Hanover company remaining as managing member of the partnership so the foundation could remain anonymous. So the campground was built and the total cost of acquiring the property and of building the campground and trail network adding up to $29 million.  To this day no one knows the name of the family foundation.  Imagine having that kind of money!

Here is where it gets interesting.  Many believed that it could not become a national park until and unless Congress gave its approval.  Not so.  Just like that it came under the control of the National Park Service.  How?  They stated that under a 1926 law they only needed approval from Congress for purchase of land, but not donated land.  Deed done.  So today it is part of Acadia National Park.

But why the uproar?  Everyone expected it to happen so what was the problem?  The primary concern for Winter Harbor officials was the loss of property tax revenue that resulted from having the federal government take.

The solution?  The Maine Coast Heritage Trust came up with a solution by offering, thanks to multiple donors, to give the town each year the full amount of what would have been owed in property taxes had the land remained in private hands, according to officials. The land trust will pay $7,821.75 to Winter Harbor annually, which was the tax bill total for having the entire parcel classified as tree growth, as Lyme Timber did.

Now for some facts about the Schoodic peninsula and the campground

• The campground has 33 RV sites with water and power, including 20 pull-through; 50 car tent sites with electric, including 26 listed as for only tents; 9 private hike-in sites with no electric and no open fires allowed; and two group sites.
• The 8.3 miles of well-graded gravel bike paths echo the carriage roads on Mount Desert Island, down to the carved wooden signs. In addition to adding to the 6 miles of the one-way Schoodic Park Loop Road, these new paths provide an important connection between the east and west sides of the peninsula.
• There is a 5.5 mile one-way section of park road that hugs the coast around the peninsula with several turnouts that offer breathtaking views of the Maine coast and its waters
• The 4.7 miles of  hiking trails in the Schoodic Woods section are a nice complement to the existing trails further south on Schoodic Peninsula.
• The campground’s 100-seat amphitheater hosts ranger-led programs, such as talks about monitoring birds, butterflies and bats, and the role that Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt played in preserving national parks.
• There are no shower facilities at the campground, a conscious decision to encourage local business development of camper-focused services
• Schoodic Point, located at the southern tip of Schoodic Peninsula must not be missed as it provides one of the best places to view pounding surf during rough seas as well as stunning views of Cadillac Mountain to the West.

So, time now to call it a day.  Night is upon us as is the rain.  It’s not supposed to let up until sometime Wednesday.  The temperature is also supposed to stay in the 40 to 50 degree range.  Such is life.  We will survive, traveling and cuddling together, hand in hand, under a nice warm blanket.  Hey, hope your weather is better and that your day was as great as ours.  Now a closing thought for all of us:

Live with Intention

Be Bold In The Face of Adversity

Live the Life You Were Destined for

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

An early morning visitor, an afternoon of sightseeing, and adventures in fine dining.  This morning as is usual for me I was up around 5:30 am.  Since there were no TV channels available for the local news, I decided to do some work on the computer which is in the solarium.  Out of the corner of my eye I caught something moving, coming toward Graybeard, and then I saw it, the fellow pictured below.  I later found out from a park ranger what I saw was a snowshoe hare.  We sat and stared at each other for a few minutes and then as quickly as he appeared he was off and gone.

So as the morning began to unfold the big question became, what to do today?  We decided that first we would continue our dominoes game from last evening.  It is still to be completed, probably tonight if I don’t take too long with the blog!

Next, we decided to try to find a couple more of the sculptures on the Maine Sculpture Trail.  So off we went to locate two more that were supposed to be near our home.  Well, we found them, both of them.  The first is called A Glimpse of the Moon (how do they come up with these names) and was sculptured by Jesse Salisbury a local Maine resident.  His explanation of his work is this:  With my work I am demonstrating the movement possible in what is generally seen as a still, solid and permanent medium.  If he says so, I guess that is what it shows.  Right?

The next sculpture we found was called Transitory and was sculptured by Doninaka Griengraber from Poland.  His explanation of his work is this:  The sculpture is intended as a reflection upon the notion of identity, marking it, revealing it, hidden and evasive as it is. . . Again, he said it, not me so I guess it must be so.  I think.

Sculpture hunting over it was now time to find a local spot to eat before continuing our journey of sightseeing.  We had read a lot of good reviews about a place called The Pickled Wrinkle and so we decided to give it a try.

Now you may be asking How did it get its name?  It’s named, yes, for their local specialty which is a pickled wrinkle.  A pickled wrinkle you ask?  Well, here is the explanation

So, Wrinkles, which are pickled whelks, are an old Maine delicacy in the Downeast region.  The pickled sea snails with the funny name have inspired curiosity among the uninitiated and delighted those who have had the courage to try them. Here it is on the plate in front of me.  Yes, I just had to try one.  Sort of chewy, but not bad at all.

Then I went for something a bit more normal which was Fish and Chips The basket was made up of beautifully prepared chunks of fresh haddock and, of course, fries and home-made cole slaw.  Oh wow, so good, so very, very good!  Barbara had a BLT Wrap which she too also declared a home run.

During lunch, we also had the opportunity to talk with two lovely ladies about kids, sightseeing in general, our crazy lifestyle and how they never, ever would eat a pickled wrinkle.  Once lunch was finished it was back to sightseeing.  We now set out for The Schoodic Institue at Acadia National Park.  

 

The Institute is on the site of the former Naval Security Group Activity Winter Harbor.  How did it get here?  In the early 1930s, John D. Rockefeller Jr. got into his mind that he wanted to build a shore road in Acadia National Park for visitors to enjoy the incredible Maine coastline. The creation of this road meant that the Navy had to move a radio listening post that was located on Mount Desert Island. This decision ultimately resulted in an architectural beauty known as Rockefeller Hall.

So the listening post was moved to this location and for the next seven decades, the Navy used Rockefeller Hall as the central building in the Naval compound to monitor encrypted communications. The purposes and uses of the

 

listening station varied over the years, and the technologies evolved.  Over the years, though, the primary mission of the Navy Base was to use their Antenna Array (often called an Elephant Cage because of its ring shape and tall antenna poles) in conjunction with satellites to triangulate the location of foreign warships.  

Not only did this enable the US Navy to track foreign warships, but it provided ships equipped with cruise missiles with a means of over the horizon targeting.  Following is a picture of some of the equipment that was used during those years.

This describes how they actually used to locate a target far out to sea.

In 2002, the Navy decided to shut the base down in the face of a dramatically changing technological climate and turned the 100 acre property back over to the National Park Service.  During its prime, the base consisted of 35 plus buildings and housed over 350 naval employees and their families.

This is a picture of a memorial dedicated to those who used to live and work there.

From 2002 to 2009 Rockefeller Hall sat unused. But the hall was given the opportunity for a new place in Maine’s history by the widow of a Winter Harbor native; her name is Edith Robb Dixon.  In 2009, Mrs. Dixon honored her late husband’s memory, Fitz Eugene Dixon, Jr., by awarding the National Park Service a $1 million gift to renovate and repurpose the distinctive Rockefeller Hall into a welcome center for the Schoodic Education and Research Center Institute.

Today, the primary use of Rockefeller Hall – as well as all the other buildings on site – is on-site accommodations for visiting professors, scholars and others who come to the campus. Additional uses include a Conference Center and Welcome Center for the campus on the first floor.

It is also used to host children and young adult programs that attempt to connect today’s youth with their environment.

There are many others who work here monitoring the state of today’s environment and climate.

An added bonus for us was the time we also spent with a couple who currently volunteers here but  has also volunteered at other national parks.  It was fascinating listening to their experiences and they in turn also encouraged us to get involved in the park system as volunteers.

After leaving here we went up to Schoodic Point and just spent some time looking out over the water.  We both agreed with the way the sun was glistening on the water it almost looked like someone had spread hundreds of diamonds across the surface.  It shimmered and glistened with such beauty it was breathtaking.  What a beautiful world God has created.

So our day has finished and we are now in for the night.  It’s dark and the temperature is quickly dropping.  The next week promises to be a rather chilly one with the temperatures during the day not likely to get out of the mid to high 50’s.  Time to bring back out the sweat pants and sweat shirts!  Once again we had a fantastic day, made all the better by the fact that we did it together.  Hope you enjoyed your day as well.  A closing thought for all of us:

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

.