M/V Perfect Fit: Hello from Portland.

Friday, July 19, 2024

Hello from Portland.

We docked in Portland yesterday, after we stopped at two of the many islands that surround Portland in Casco Bay. These islands are served by an extensive ferry service from Portland, as there are no bridges to most of the islands. The islands are rock edifices, and the ones that are not land sanctuaries, have multi-million dollars homes on them. I can only imagine what it costs to build these homes on the islands. Claiborne and family arrive tomorrow, and we are in the process of making the boat ready for guests. We are incredibly excited to see them! So, I only have time for a short post, and the pics are jumbled again, but here they are:

One of our stops was on Diamond Island. It was home to Fort McKinley which was active through WWII. The fort, officers and enlisted homes and barracks, are now private residences, in a gated community. Since it is on the national historic register, all renovations have to keep the same look as the old fort. There is a hotel and two restaurants in old fort out buildings and on weekends, the ferry is full of people to stay at the hotel. The hotel is also a destination wedding site, with quite the setup. This is the restaurant entrance. Out back it has a large porch overlooking the marina, which fills up at happy hour!

One of the private homes.

The trek into Portland takes us around many island, you just have to watch out for rocks and lobster pots! Absolutely stunning vistas.

Alexis is still flying her LSU flag, which draws a few comments...

The Dolphin Marina and Restaurant, in Harpswell.

Diamond Cove.

I am on the paddleboard by an old Navy bunker on Diamond. German U-boats would enter the sound and reek havoc on shipping, so a blimp base was added to Diamond Island defenses, protecting the entrance to Portland Harbor.