Friday July 31, 2015

64 degrees w/6 mph

Day 78

Could a day be any more beautiful!!

Beverly's Forget-me-nots she planted for her father three yrs ago

Last couple of nights the moon shone so bright.  You could see Cobble Stone Beach in the moonlight!  Wish my camera could take a picture…it probably can, I just don’t know how. 

Fog horn went off about midnight, but no fog this morning.  

The lobstermen are taking their time this morning, usually we hear them out bright and early, but there are only a couple of boats out this morning.

Coffee and English muffins w/eggs….sitting on the front porch soaking up the sun and surf.  Larry said we could see about 25 miles out to see “before” the curvature of the earth, due to our elevation.  If we are on the beach it is about 17 miles.

A little computer work with my inventory and sales, take up the guest sheets and towels and then get ready for Ethan’s boat load of visitors. 

I grabbed a couple of short sleeved shirts the last time we went ashore…it’s starting to get HOT and I’m fixin to take a pair of scissors to a few of these long sleeve shirts.  I even thought about Larry giving me a haircut…it can grow back!

A group came up before Ethan got here so we started our tours, Larry wasn’t able to get down and help this morning.  This group was from McKinney, Texas.  They come up here every summer…I can definitely see why!  More visitors arrived, sometimes a little overwhelming.  I want to talk to each one and give them a great tour and at the same time be in the gift shop helping them find just perfect item to purchase. 

Visitors from Texas

We did have our first little one of the year…Aiden is 6 mths old, he’s my youngest visitor and such a cutie!   Some folks were having picnics, other lounging in the sun with their wine, other walking trails.  Larry went down and helped them get off. 

Aiden our youngest visitor so far

A young man, a teenager was going through the museum, he asked, "what is that", I turned to look, he was looking on the desk....I asked him what he was referring to...he pointed to the typewriter!!!!!!!!  Ok do you feel old now!!!

Now what do you call this ancient machine...the kids love it!

Later a boy about 10 was looking at the typewriter and asked me where he could get one, he was so in-thrilled with it.

Later a couple, a Dr and his wife, they were just out sailing and had never been here!  Then a mother and her little 2 yr old, Jacksanna, came and did the tour.  The mother had been in our cove before and had come up before, but had never gone through the museum or lighthouse. Everyone is always so very thankful.  The mom and daughter had a husband down in the cove, she said he wasn’t able to walk up and they are going to stay the night in the cove….this is the first of a 10 day sailing vacation….wow!  Jackanna said I could take her picture!  She was carrying a rock she had gotten off the cove beach.

Jacksanna and her momma

More weedeatting to do!  Seagulls aren’t happy!

Around 6 it was 75 degrees with a 10 mph wind, not complaining any!

Hamburger Taco noodles for dinner with cornbread!

As I was cleaning, I noticed a book, there are so many out here to keep someone busy for a long time and I did think that I might read some…but have only read one book, except for my Bible which I’m still working on reading through.  Anyway, the name of this book: Lighthouse in my Life, by Philmore B.Wass.  He was a child at Libby Island Light Station. I want to share what he writes at the beginning of his Foreword…

...physical presence speaks of absolute service to mankind, and their lights, beaming across a dark wilderness of sea, are widely recognized as beacons of care, integrity , and perseverance.  And no wonder: the number of lives saved and the amount of property protected can never be known.  How often has a glance at their white glimmer corrected a course or reassured a weary mariner?  

WOW this speaks volumes and is deep.  At the end of the same beginning of his book he is talking about the lighthouses disappearing because of the new technology and the building disappearing from the islands…he then writes….Surely we could find a way to utilize these still habitable buildings, providing opportunities for interested people to experience today the unique lifeways that he describes.  The F.O.S.I.L. does exactly this!  Not only for the caretakers each year, but for all the visitors to the island!  Thank You F.O.S.I.L.!!  The full moon is spectacular tonight!

Beautiful sunset...Mount Washington in the distance....86 miles away

Thursday July 30, 2015

63 degrees w/ 9 mph winds

Day 77

I started to document the time we have left, but when I counted it out and actually wrote it down, it was a little depressing.  I’m trying to soak up as much as possible because I’m not sure if or when we will be able to come again. 

It’s early, the lobstermen are out on the ocean, the seagulls are squawking, the waves are hitting the cliffs below, then we hear a bird we hadn’t heard before.   Just the idea that we are hearing a “different” bird and that we realize its different is wonderful.

I slept in a little longer than norm.  Larry was already up, flag out, coffee made!  I love this man!  He asked how I felt…better, a lot better!

He had been reading the newspaper article and having his coffee out on the porch.  I wonder if I could “bottle” some porch time.  Then when I get home, I could take a swig once in a while and for a moment be back here!!  Seguin in a bottle! With technology this is probably something not too far off.

Taking photos of kids taking photos!!!

I measured the plate today so they could add my dad's name to the USCG board of keepers

Breakfast…not for me today, but I fixed Larry some banana bread warmed…ok, yes I made it yesterday and yes I just cut it and warmed it in the microwave!  

Heard voices and it was Larry, two men and two precious little girls.  One of the men had helped Larry bring up our water…I began my welcoming and info and he said, “just a minute, I’ve got to catch my breath”…..It actually made me feel good, come to find out later he was a Navy guy…so this old, fluffy woman doesn’t feel so bad at being out of breath, when a younger, stronger, Navy guy was too…he made my day!

This group was from Damoras Cove Island…he, Chub, owned the lighthouse station.  He purchased it back about 30 yrs ago and they spend their summers there.  He had come to Seguin to show his two girls and his Navy friend our island.  This was a first for the Navy guy…sorry, I wish I remembered his name, but he had never been in a lighthouse…they had just picked him up and were headed back to Damoras Cove.

Went through my new inventory, checking, folding, putting them out on the shelves.  Larry was headed back down to greet Ethan’s boat of visitors. It is a beautiful, cool day, but it is a little foggy off the island.

Ethan had a boat load today, I love the look on their faces as they arrive at the top are able to see the lighthouse.  You can see the lighthouse from offshore, but when you arrive in the cove, you can’t see it till you are at the top.  So it’s always the “cake topper”, that beautiful thing on top of the wedding cake!  One young lady turned 10 today and this is what she wanted to do was to come to Seguin.  Had more folks interested in contacting the office and renting out the guest quarters.

We didn’t have any more visitors today.  We did a few chores finished unpacking yesterdays supplies and putting away the clothes. The weather was changing and eventually the winds got stronger.  At one point they were 25 mph with some rain.  The rain was more like it was being blown in and not raining down on us.  They skies were dark with some fog.  The wind had some of the doors rattling and it pulled the screen out of the bathroom window.  We got the flag down and hung it in the hall to dry.  

Dinner…we went simple, ham sandwich with lettuce from our garden, and sliced tomatoes fresh from the store, chips and tea completed it.  Cookies and milk for dessert while watching a movie….Iron Man 3.

Wednesday

Day 76

Our “go ashore” day! 

Three WW greeted us from Ethan’s boat.  From the equipment that we transferred to the dingy I knew they would be working on the Boat House structure.  I can’t brag on these workers enough.  Not only do they give of their time to preserve this great place, but what they do physically is so impressive!  I also have to brag about how they do things….brains….they don’t just throw some paint here or there or use duck tape to hold something…they work and measure and make sure it’s done correctly.  Thank You!!!!

I “try” to always have a treat for them like cookies or banana bread and some cold sweet tea.

Ken brought me a “The Times Record” newspaper…Bev and I made the front page!!  It was an article about SummerFest

We did our regular “list” of stuff….I still make a list…I’m afraid that I might forget something and then go another week needing that item. 

This is an example of our list:

Ethan: 7am

Cyndys: guest laundry/trash/water

Office: drop off $/get more inventory/get mail/ any additional info,etc… from Catherine

Breakfast: Usually we go to Southgate Café…this is located on Washington St. and Hinkley…it is also at the Southgate of BIW, Bath Iron Works.  I think this is a general dynamics company…so for you Texans..we know ours as GD…then there was or maybe still is GDRA, that’s where I spent my summers at General Dynamics Recreational A (not sure what the A stands for).

Laundry:

Rodgers: Ace Hardware…we get everything from toilet paper (marine quality) & lightbulbs to paint, etc…

Walgreens: Rx, otc meds, etc…

Walmart:  in Brunswick, groceries, but we also go to Shaws in Bath, and if there is some kind of electrical items, etc… we might go to Staples.

We always do our groceries last because of the cold items.  We haven’t had to ice anything down yet.

Weather vane on top of Popham Community Chapel - where we park

We usually don’t eat lunch, if we do it’s to split something at Spinneys or Percys while we wait for our boat ride back to the island.If we have time we take a different road and see the sites….Maine is beautiful!

 

Storm was coming...also a photo of my new sign

We had two hours before we were to meet Ethan, so we went to Georgetown, Maine.  Seguin is actually part of Georgetown, for it’s address.  We went to Reid State Park and took photos of Seguin from their beach.  Each time we have ventured out and wanted to “see” a beach or something else…if it had a entry area where they charged – they would let us in for free because aren’t getting out to use the beach or anything, we are just wanting to see Maine.  When I show you my photo’s they don’t even begin to show you how beautiful this place is.  The people have all been so friendly!

 

These two siblings: Lorraine and Tom Skofield were children for about 9 yrs on Seguin

Larry mingling at Summer Fest

Mainers like their Whoopie Pies...this one is 5 pds, one of the Summer Fest auction items.

We have never been late to meet Ethan, we usually are way early….But since Ethan needed us at a certain time and we knew it was important, everything towards the end of the day happened.  We wanted to get Ethan a burger…well they took forever…we stopped to pickup our waterfrom Cyndy’s, but couldn’t find it…then we had the slowpokes driving in front of us, then a bus went to turn into Popham Beach and sat talking to the police officer for a long time (double yellow lines and police officer meant we couldn’t go around it).  I had lots of excuses, but it made us late about 10 minutes!  Sorry Ethan!  

Cyndy had also come out with Ethan’s tour group to work, so it was good to see her.  She had brought out our water jugs, the ones we were looking for, which is a great help.

We got them in Ethan’s boat and us on the dingy and off they went.  We could see two storms coming from two different directions.  I did pray that all of Ethan’s plans went well and safety. 

 

Summer Fest Buffet of Clam Chowder, Lobster Rolls, Corn on the cob and Veg Lasagna...no Sweet Tea though

Now for the only thing that we dread on this beautiful majestic ocean spot………….getting our supplies to the top!  This is when I start thinking we could live on tuna fish or weenies for a week.  When we make it to the top we fill like we have climbed Mount Washington.  We are heaving and gasping for breath, sweating, etc… 

Then we heard voices…we had visitors, a family of 7.  They could see this old woman trying to catch her breath (I’ve had bronchitis or something) so one of the sweet young men ran down to help Larry push our wagon up around the lighthouse….Thank You!

Auctioneer at Summer Fest...more Whoopie Pies...but much smaller than the first one

They told us that they come once a year, but were still thrilled about the museum and tower.  They lit up when I told them about the upstairs guest quarters.  One lady said she had been a member of F.O.S.I.L. in the past, and was going to renew her membership.  I took them up and they were excited talking about bringing her dad out, etc…  They left because of the storms headed our way, but said they would be back soon!  If their parents hadn’t been at the bottom, I would have made them stay up here with us till the storm passed.

 

View of Seguin Island from Reid State Park Beach

Storm…..it rained a little and then the sun shone bright….thinking about Ethan…..Thank you God!!

 

The entrance to Reid State Park...love this!!

This is the street you turn down to go to Reid State Park....Seguinland Rd (need this sign)

Dinner…too tired to eat!

Took the flag down and went to bed early!  We really did think that our shore days that “we” would get better.

Tuesday July 28, 2015

63 degrees w/ 6 mph winds

Day  75

Thank you God for a clear day….first day of no fog in I think 4 days.  Wish Bev and Bo could have had one of these days…it’s beautiful!  I’ve missed my morning views of the ocean, waves and Cobble Stone Beach.

There must be a little fog close to the Whistle House, because the foghorn is still sounding…but I can’t see it.

Lobstermen are already working hard.  When we can see them coming…it’s like they are late…because they are coming straight at us and they are coming in hard and fast.  I’m told that around Seguin Island is a fabulous place for lobster.  It is as rocky as the island, thus giving the Lobster a place to live.  I also found out that the Lobster will “shed” his shell…this is where the “soft” shell Lobster come from…it’s during this time before they grow a new hard shell.  Same Lobster, just a time of year.

Poor Larry…he had to listen to me cough all night, he won’t let me go to a different room.  Only cough meds we brought were his, but it has codine in it…so I could take it and not cough…but itch…not sure which would be better?

Larry’s in the kitchen…and that’s where I like him…anyway, he just called me to come see a tug boat pulling an odd looking crane type boat…the odd boat had “Prock Marine 7” on the side…I’ll take a photo with my phone…hate that my camera is at shore, but hopefully my phone will take a good one.

It’s 8:30 and we are planning our day.  Since we haven’t been able to do any outside work in the last 4 days, we need to hit several spots with the mower and weedeatter.

Time…originally when we arrived on Seguin, we set our alarm to wake us…we are one hour ahead of our normal time zone.  Now, we wake when we want, which just happens to be about 7 to 7:30 every morning…which is the same as 6 to 6:30 in Texas.  Alarm…only on the day Ethan comes for us, there is no way we would ever think of being causing him or the WW that he brings to be late getting on the island.

10:20…I can barely see Cobble Stone Beach…the fog is back…only a few moments ago I could see everywhere clearly.  That was quick and a first for me.  I’ve seen it coming and slowly cover us.  I’ve woken in the morning and been covered and slowly watched the sun dissipate it away.  I can see how a vessel could get in trouble real quick.  Oh my…I just thought of a kayaker (I’ve yet to spell kayaker correctly the first time) possibly being out there and this happen this fast.

By 1:00 it was 72 degrees and wind speed of 3…visitors had come and gone, they do the tours and either sit and have a picnic around the lighthouse, or they scurry off to try to walk a trail before they have to be back at the cove to catch a ride back with Ethan.  The fog…well it came and went, but looks like it could come back quickly.  Enjoying the time it’s gone.  I think I will try to take a video one day and add it to my post, not sure if I can.

By 3 the temp was already starting to go down to 68…by 8 it was 63.

We had a few more boat show up and they came up to visit.  It still amazes me that folks that have lived here, Popham Beach/Phippsburg area, their entire lives and have never been to Seguin.  They are truly amazed at what they have once they visit.

Sorry about no photos….but I will be getting my camera tomorrow when we go ashore.  Yeah!!

Bandit will be joining us tomorrow…he needs a pedi!

Frito Pie for dinner….a movie from our hard drive…and some cough meds for me!

Monday July 27, 2015

60 degrees w/2 mph winds

Day 74  

Foggy…I can see the tram, but not past it.  The fog horn isn’t working well…can barely hear it…need to call the CG. 

Larry fixed breakfast (yes I do fix it sometimes…but not if I don’t have too.  He fixed Eggs, Bacon, grilled potatoes, and toast.  We have really enjoyed Bo and Bev.  We talked about each others jobs, where Bo has been in the military, etc… 

Bev has already striped the sheets and remade the beds next door, then she swept.  They have emptied their cooler to leave some items for us, which is always welcomed.

Bev wanted to go down to the cove and spend a few minutes there alone.  For her and me, Seguin represents our beginning of life.  Our parents were here….it was just them and us, since we are the first baby.  It’s just a great place to be and remember our past and the future.

Ethan said he was coming out, just don’t know if he has a group today.  He will be taking Bo and Bev back to shore. 

We thought we heard voices earlier, but looked outside and couldn’t hear or see anyone.

Bev just got back, she hasn’t been gone long, she fell!  Her hip is hurting and she skinned her lower leg.  She will be bruised, but she said she was ok.  She did hear a family out on one of the trails.

1:00 we headed to the cove…I kept watching Beverly as she would turn and look at the lighthouse…she would take a few more steps and look back.  Most people won’t understand what she and I feel for this place, but they do come and love being here and seeing it…to them it’s just another piece of Maine History, another lighthouse….to Bev and me…it’s OUR LIGHTHOUSE.

Ethan got them loaded and headed back to shore, we said our goodbyes and hugs….I’m sorry that they have to go, but I feel like we are blessed to be able to stay a little longer.  The other boat group that had come up were still in the cove, they started leaving the same as Ethan.  We are alone.

I’ve been trying to get sick…thus trying to NOT get sick…my chest is tight and I’ve been coughing the last few nights.  I didn’t bring anything for a cold…since we are here from May to September.  So I’m doctoring with allergy meds, hot tea, etc….  I’ll pick up something in town on Wednesday.  I might have to sleep in the other room just so Larry can sleep.

Rambo tried to get along with Bandit, I think if they had had a few more days they would have been best buds.  He is a sweet puppy, he’s just an alpha male.

Wasn’t sure we will get any more visitors today because of the fog, but a couple who have parked their sailboat in the cove came up for visit.

Larry and I were talking and it was as if we had known Bev and Bo forever…maybe it’s the time we spent on the phone, or texting, or facebook…or all the GREAT info she gave us to prepare us for island living.  It was Bo who helped me prepare for my blog, he went step by step on how to set one up, etc….  Miss Ya’ll already!!

Sunday July 26, 2015

57 degrees w/7 mph winds

Day 73   

Sorry to you Texans who are having those 100 degree days!  A good cup of hot coffee, long sleeves, sitting on the front porch here on Seguin, listening to the waves crash on the rocks below, with my island sister Bev….God is so GOOD!

Breakfast Burritos for breakfast. We had Bo and Bev over for breakfast.  Lots of good conversations. Lots of fun!

It’s just a little foggy outside, the fog horn is sounding. 

I didn’t think anyone would come today, but wasn’t sure.  Texted Ethan and he said nobody today.  So the only visitors would be the ones who came in their own boats, or kayaks. 

Bev, Bo, Larry and I decided to go on a hike…so off to the Cove Trail to look for seaglass and shells.  We filled a bucket for Bev to take home.  So much fun talking about our parents and about Seguin.  We ventured over to Cobble Stone Beach and I collected drift wood to make a tree.  There were a few places that I just hadn’t gone to that I got to do today!  We made it back to the top around 2 and decided to sit and have crackers, cheese and meat snacks.  More talking and conversations and general good time! 

Then we went out to look over the other area’s at the top here…we went to the Whistle House…Larry wanted Bo to see the new mower…it’s so pretty!   We talked about the guy who had worked so hard to organize the shop.  I told Bev about the three Washita Engines that were generators and where they sat and how our parents turned them on and off.  Bo told us about when they were keepers and where he had cleared the sumac.  Sumac is overrunning this place!  We noticed where the Maine Island Trails Association had cleared an area down by the Whistle House where a building had set…pretty neat.

Back to the house and Bev and I toured the basement and the museum.  She had never known about the skylights at the top of the stairs.  Her parents never ate the rabbits that were here on Seguin…mine did.

We originally were going to have fried chicken, but we decided on hotdogs.  Larry grilled them, I opened the can of chili, put out cheese, relish, onions and mustard….added chips and we had a great dinner. 

We have tried to get Rambo, their Chihuahua to like ours, but he doesn’t…I’m sure in time they might be best buds.

 The only reason I’m not in bed at this time is that I needed to write the blog…Bev and Bo have already gone to the guest side and were headed to bed and Larry just left me and Bandit alone. 

It’s been so good to get to know Bev and Bo…I hate that they are leaving tomorrow, but thanks to facebook, our cell phones and emails…we can continue to know each other.  They are going to leave with Ethan’s group of visitors tomorrow around 1:30. 

When you find yourself in a position to help someone, be happy and feel blessed because God is answering that person’s prayer though you. 

Our purpose on earth is not to get lost in the dark but to be a light to others, so that they many find their way.

Saturday July 25, 2015

Day 72….I think I’m going to start adding a countdown of how many days we have left on the island.  I don’t want it to hit me too quickly.  I want to know I have so many days to soak up all that Seguin has to offer me.

Woke this morning at Ken and Dots house….Bandit slept over on Larry’s bed and never moved.  Ken was down in the kitchen cooking bacon and Blueberry Pancakes.  The smell filled the air.  After a great breakfast, and goodbyes...we hurried off to get to the dock to catch a ride with Ethan back to the island.  

We met Bo and Bev, as well as Ethan at Fort Popham dock.  We loaded all of our supplies…except my camera…I guess I put in the back seat of the pickup and totally missed seeing it this morning…so now I don’t have my photo’s from last nights SummerFest to share.  So next Thursday I’ll share with ya’ll.

Preparing to leave Popham to go to Seguin...Bev, Bo and Me

Seguin...straight ahead

Well we arrived at high tide, which means that we have to get off on the rocks, which is mingled with slippery seaweed. 

Up the hill we went with both Rambo and Bandit and our baggage.  We were just a little exhausted.  There is something about going ashore that totally wears you out!

We got to the house and Bev and I talked about our momma’s and the house, we looked through the museum.  We spent the rest of the day talking about life on Seguin.  Comparing stories, talking about what works and what might need to be worked on.  So much of what Larry and I know and do is because Bev was so gracious and through the past year has made suggestions.  Some of those suggestions were: layer clothing…cause it’s cold in the morning, then as it gets warmer, your shucking clothes and then toward the evening you’re looking for that jacket again.    Other ideas were to not bring very many clothes and to bring my old ones, because you are out working daily.  Crocks, a great shoe to wear on the island. The wagon…omg….we could not have made it without the wagon, as soon as she heard we weren’t going to be able to use the tram she suggest the wagon!  Putting the twin beds together to make a king…and so many other ideas.

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They went on hike down the South Trail.

Bev walkiing the South Trail

Seal

Enjoying the walk, seeing the familiar sites, taking photos and while they were out they spotted a seal out in the water.  The seals are here, they are usually camouflaged by the rocks.  If you get close they are scared and rush out, so seeing them close isn’t always available.

The weather was cold and windy…it got down to 56 degrees.  I didn’t think we would get any visitors, but we did.  They were all from their individual boats. 

Bo prepared dinner, they originally were going to do a shrimp boil, but when she learned I was allergic, they decided to do shish kabobs….they were fabulous!  I fixed baked potatoes and got fresh lettuce and spinach out of my garden.  I also collected fresh chives for the potatoes.  Later I made a dump cake!

Bo and Larry

We talked more about our parents, about them living here, about their neighbors, about everything.  It was so good to finally meet them.  Cyndy wasn’t able to join us out here and spend time with all of us.  We missed her! I will be able to share a few photos that Beverly let me download from her camera!

Me, Bev and Cyndy at SummerFest

Ethan receiving his Volunteer of the Year! 

It has been a great day…now for bedtime!

Friday July 24, 2015

Day 71

Got up early and started the day…we had to be ready to go with Ethan at 1:30 to head to shore.  This was the first time we have left the island by itself.  Usually someone comes and stays while we are gone…it felt different leaving.

Cyndy, Beverly and Bo Ramsey met us at the dock.  This was the first time for us to meet them in person.  Beverly is my island sister.  She came to Seguin when she was a week old…I didn’t come till I was a year old.  We had only talked via facebook and some phone calls.  They were the keepers in 2012 and they really helped us prepare for our time on the island.   

F.O.S.I.L. group were having their annual SummerFest.  This was an event where they sold tickets to the event.  They collected items to be used for a silent auction as well as some items that they auctioned off.  Larry and I gave a presentation….we’ll I prepared the presentation and Larry gave it.  It was a powerpoint about Past/Present/Future of Seguin.  I got to use several photo’s from 1960 and compared what my parents did out here and what we do.  The sea air can reek havoc on building up here.  So I showed the “before” and “after” of different projects…like the back concrete porch.

They choose a “Volunteer of the Year” and this year it was our Captain Ethan!

They served vegetable lasagna, corn on the cob, lobster rolls, clam chowder….I’m sorry I mean…clam chowda. 

They did something that I had never done…they had a “Needs” list of wood and bolts…they listed the item and told the amount to buy the wood…so the timber to fix the tram was 100.00 a piece and there were ten pieces needed.  Only a couple of pieces of timber were “sold/bought”.  I’m thinking that maybe if they sold each timber in sectioned, people might be able to purchase more.  It would be like four folks going in together to make it happen…one guy give 50…the next guy 20…the next 25…the last 5…that way each one was able to help with the amount that they were able to give.

I met Tom Skolfield’s son and daughter.  Their father was the first USCG lighthouse keeper for Seguin in 1939.   I sat and talked with him for a moment and really enjoyed hearing what he knew about the island…I never knew there was a blacksmith’s shop, or that there was a “look” out tower on the rock just a little southeast of the house.

We were able to put a lot of faces to names we had heard. 

Ken and Dot invited us to spend the night with.

I’m writing this on Saturday morning and I guess I left my camera in the pickup this morning…so it will be Wednesday before I’m able to show you photo’s.

Thursday July 23, 2015

60 degrees w/ 3 mph winds

Day 70

Photo of photographers taking photos!

Last night we had overnight guest who were up most of the night taking photos.  They were exhausted this morning.  They are out for the week taking photos of different Lighthouses. 

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They brought a “old” uniform: hat, shoes, suit, etc…  We just happened to have a visitor who was doing a magazine article and traveling up the coast.  He was a perfect model. 

Our visitor helping by being their model

Ethan was going to be picking them up around 9 this morning so they could head to their next lighthouse.

Breakfast….nope, we started early and didn’t slow down for lunch either.

I stressed all day, I needed to be cleaning my side and the guest quarters, but I felt that my presentation for the SummerFest tomorrow night should be my primary concern.  I worked on it until Larry called and said we had guest coming. So I started the tours. 

9:30 Jeff and David came out this morning in their boat to work, so Larry went out to meet them to “dingy” them in.  They were going to be working on the Boat House support that was started earlier last week.

Larry stayed to help them and to finish mowing.  He was going to stay and help when Ethan’s boat came with visitors about 11:00.  So he helped get the first group off the dingy then headed up to help with tours…it takes two… one in the museum and gift shop and the other in the tower and outside.  As always, visitors are intrigued about the island and its history.    

First visitors of the day

Ethan's group of visitors

After that group left, a few more boat loads came up.  Larry was working so I gave both tours….I forget what I said, but it felt good when a gentleman, who had been here several times before said, “I have never heard that” to something I said….I think I was telling how the “Head” keeper came to live on the East side of the duplex.  The story is that the Head Keeper was going to stay in the two story house that stood alone, a little ways from the duplex.  But the first couple of times the fog horn went off, and it was loud, the Head guy came up and told the assistant keeper to move down to the house and the Head guy and his family moved to the duplex!

I continued to use every moment I could to work on the presentation….I’m doing a powerpoint presentation on the Past/Present/Future of Seguin.  When I told Larry I had some 70 slides…he almost passed out… “it’s going to take you an hour”….nope…I did it in 10 minutes and they told me I had 20…all is well.

Went and did a little cleaning of the guest quarters, will finish in the morning.  Beverly, Bo and Rambo will joining us on Saturday night.  Beverly has already planned a Shrimp Boil…this will be our first!  We’ve told Cyndy that she has to join us on the island!  Cyndy is our “go to” girl while we are here in Maine!

We will be going in with Ethan’s group tomorrow to get ready for the SummerFest.  Its going to be held at the Maritime Museum…I’ve heard it’s a wonderful place, I’m looking forward to seeing it, meeting the rest of the committee members: putting names with faces and meeting other guest.  They are also going to be doing an auction to help raise money.

Bandit will be going with us onto shore tomorrow.  I won’t be posting a blog for tomorrow until Saturday night.

Time to sit and relax…we are exhausted, but it’s a good exhaustion!  

Wednesday July 22, 2015

I have no idea what the temp and winds were today…I didn’t look…but it was a beautiful day to go ashore.

Day 69

Called mom to see how their travels home went ….apparently the weather was bad in Boston and their plane sat on the runway for over 2 hours and then they kept them in NY overnight…so it took over 14 hours to get from NY to DFW…I knew they should have stayed!!

Ethan brought a large group to work on the island.  A group of five from the Maine Island Trails Association, worked all day cutting down shrubs, trees and weed under and around the tram.  It is so important to keep the grass and leaves, etc… from covering the ends of the wood so it doesn’t get wet and rot. 

 

Maine Island Trails Association and my WW headed to out to work on Seguin

We had three of our wonderful WW come out and work all day…Cyndy said that the gift shop did fabulous!!  Lots of visitors and sales!

Cyndy and Ethan bright and early this morning!

I had also told Ken that our radio, in the house, wasn’t working this morning.  He and Cyndy checked it and…they couldn't fix it.  They looked in to sending it off to get it fixed vs a new one.  They will let us know later.

Pepper, Ethan's first mate

For our day ashore…we enjoyed our usual breakfast place….Southgate Café!  Contacted Catherine in the office and we didn’t need to come in today.  So….today I’m taking Larry to Freeport to the famous L. L. Bean stores.  He had never been and he really enjoyed shopping…but what’s odd is he didn’t buy anything for himself…I however came home with three sacks….no they were not full…they each had “one” item in each bag. 

Trip back to Brunswick….well, we got lost…I know, how can you get lost, but we did…ended up in a town called Topsham…apparently it is between hwy 295 and 1.  We then thought we could get on 295 and be ok…nope, it was taking further away.  We finally made it to the store, but we found a Target and a Best Buy in Topsham…Yeah! Got our supplies loaded onto Ethan’s boat and we were going to have a group of photographers come out and take photos and spend the night.  This is pretty neat, can’t wait to see what they do.  They brought an old uniform, hat and all and wanted to see if Larry would model it for a photo, but it’s too small.  They were suppose to take photos of some other lighthouses last night but it was too foggy.  Its bright and clear right now, so they should get some nice ones. 

 

Larry taking work supplies to the island

Workers...all volunteers...THANK YOU!!

As we arrived in the cove, we had two sail boats and another boat, apparently they were leaving and waved as they were headed out.  Several trips to get all their special camera equipment and our stuff, plus all of us. 

Wow!! this was taken in our cove

Later a couple from one of the sail boats came up around 6:30…they have never been to Seguin before.  They said they have been sailing the coast for a while and started in Boston.

Ethans takes off with my tired WW and then we see them coming back…our guest had forgotten the uniform…all is well, Brook paddled it out and they headed to shore.

I’ve got to get busy and get my presentation for the SummerFest presentation on Friday.  I know what I want to do, I just have to find all my photo’s.  I’m going to do a power point presentation.  I also get to meet my island sister…Beverly and her husband, Bo.  They were keepers in 2012 and just in case you forgot, or missed a blog, she was a baby here on Seguin with her parents in 1960.  They had already left the island when we arrived.  I hope to also meet Millie, my other island sister…she was here before us with her parents…three little girls who called Seguin their home.

Got ashore and the photography group helped us get everything up the hill.  Cold stuff put away, fresh pitcher of ice tea ready for Larry and our guest if they come over. 

Larry has taken them for a general tour of their quarters, how the potty works, etc...

Now we are taking a break.  Blog time!

Got our groceries, packed the car