 |
Fly with the Eagles - Eagle and Jewell Island - 1 Day |
|
Journey type: History you can visit by boat. Dates: Both Eagle and Jewell are state owned, however Eagle is only open June 15 - Labor Day
Synopsis:
This journey takes you first to Eagle Island, where you'll be treated to the history of Admiral Peary and his beloved summer home. The vista is awe inspiring. Next, journey to Jewell Island, with a living history dating thousands of years. Walk the marked paths, visit tall towers leftover from WWII (where you'll experience amazing vistas) and anchor in Jewell's exceptional cove. Back on shore, visit the Peary Museum on the Bowdoin College campus. Round trip distance on water: 14 miles.
9:00 am - Launch at Dolphin Marina:We begin our same day journey Fly with the Eagles by launching out of Dolphin Marina and Restaurant. They're located near the southern most tip of Harpswell Neck. [Mapit!]. Harpswell Neck is adjacent to Brunswick, Maine, which is about a 30 minute drive north of Portland Maine. We selected Dolphin to begin and end this journey because of its proximity to Eagle Island and its all-tide ramp. In 2006 the fees amounted to $10/day for parking and $10 total for launch and retrieval. You can read more about Dolphin Marina, launch and parking and it's most excellent (but somewhat pricy) restaurant here. Moorings and limited slips are available.
9:15 am - Head for Eagle Island Via Potts HarborDolphin is in Potts Harbor, a wide and fairly protected body of water. As you move from Dolphin you'll immediately see fields of lobster buoys. If you've never maneuvered your boat among traps it can be scary at first. Don't be afraid to turn the wheel or rudder substantially to go around them and you?ll be fine. Another experience in Potts Harbor are the working lobster boats that whiz in and out almost constantly. In fact, if you take a mooring at Dolphin Marina you'll hardly notice the natural waves of the water but you will take notice of the wakes from these boats - none of which seem to slow down as they go past the marina. If you need to take a mooring, ask for one as far away from the channel as possible.
9:30 am - Arrive Eagle Island
Moorings are provided. If full, see if an owner will let you double up. We do not recommend anchoring at Eagle due to currents and questionable holding ground. State Park rangers will usually welcome you at the dock, where you can tie up your dingy or discharge passengers and then leave. We've written extensively about Eagle Island in our other Boatmaine Eagle Island article, so we won't repeat that here. Suffice to say it is a historical and entertaining way to visit an island with a spectacular view, lots of history and beautiful walking paths that wrap the island.
CAUTIONARY NOTES FOR CHILDREN: Two sides of Admiral Peary's home have substantial drops to rock. There is no protective fencing to prevent children (or anyone) from falling off. Caution should be exercised.
12:00 noon: Picnic Lunch at Eagle IslandBring your lunch to Eagle Island and feast on the picnic tables that overlook the water - what a treat! There is a large grassy, maintained field and the views are spectacular.
1 pm: Depart for Jewell IslandNext stop on the day's journey is equally historical Jewell Island - whose post-european history dates back to the 1500's as chronicled in Peter W. Benoit's book. More recently Jewell Island was used during WWII as an observation post and now is a state-owned treasure. Getting there is pretty simple, in fact, you can easily see Jewell from Eagle Island. As the crow flies the distance is about 3 nautical miles. But you can't boat as the crow flies due to ledges and rocks, so pay attention to your official chart of the area. As you begin to make your way from Eagle to Jewell, you may experience tidal currents for the first part of the journey depending on where you are in the tide cycle. Boats with motors should have no problem navigating the currents even at their worst - but it always is cause for a strange feeling in the pit of my tummy when I feel the boat want to move on it's own. Kayakers should definitely take the tide into account if attempting to traverse either side of Eagle Island. You may have seen the Fisherman's Monument as you were heading towards Eagle, but if not, look over your left shoulder as you depart from Eagle after clearing its southern tip. You'll see what looks like a tall triangular tower.
2 pm: Arrive Jewell Island at Cocktail CoveCooktail Cove and Jewell Island is a favorite destination. There's lots to explore on this state-owned, Maine Island Trail Association operated island.
Start with the walking paths. You'll need a dingy to get to shore - although sometimes the MITA representative is willing to assist.
There are two tall concrete towers left over from WWII that offer spectacular views as they rise some 60-70' above the island.
CAUTION FOR CHILDREN:
These towers were not built with kids in mind. As the sign says when you approach them - use at your own risk. The sign doesn't say - but I am saying - keep your kids with you at all times.
You can read our other article on Jewell here to get more details about this wonderful place to visit.
5 pm: Back to DolphinAt this point, if you simply must leave, return to Dolphin Marina. You can catch dinner there, but there are also dozens of excellent restaurants in Brunswick, Maine 20 minutes up the road.
If you are there during the daytime, visit his namesake museum at Bowdoin College, which you will probably pass on the way to or fro Dolphin. Visit their website here.
|