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Posts: 4
Location: Cambridge MA
Registered:
August 2005
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Eagle Island (Casco Bay)
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Wed, 10 August 2005 11:13
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I have visited Eagle Island a few times this summer and thought a short report would be a good idea for this forum.
Eagle Island is the one-time home of Commodore Peary, who is credited (with some dispute) as the first person to reach the North Pole. It is now a Maine State Park and run by the Parks commission. It has several moorings on the northwest approach and a nice dock and float. Keep your eyes open! There are many nasty ledges near the dock (to either side) although they are pretty much visible at all tides. Check your charts! The rangers monitor channel 9 and will pick you up from the mooring if you do not have your own dinghy.
Ashore there is the beautiful summer home of the Peary family, very well taken care of, and some really nice trails that provide a good view of the islands inhabitants, oh and a potty. Alas, despite the name, I have yet to see an eagle on Eagle Island (Osprey can often be seen if you cruise around Whaleboat - about 2 miles west/northwest), but plenty of seagulls. A short but pleasant walk around the island, but the outer trails are often closed in nesting season, which seems to be all summer.
The house itself has a lot of informationa nd newspaper clippings about Peary, his family and explorations. There is a beautiful library, much interesting information about the wildlife, some really friendly volunteers, several stuffed birds (Peary was an amateur taxidermist), etc. You really get a good idea of what the place was like around the early part of the 20th century.
On the northeast end (by the house) is a rocky beach that has a nice view of the breakers over the rocks but is quite protected for swimming (if you can stand Maine water temps). You can often see touring groups of kayakers there since it is a short paddle to Potts' Harbor.
You may see another house on the shore near the moorings, that is the Ranger's residence and should be left alone. Likewise landing anywhere else on the island is not only forbidden, but quite dangerous since the inside is surrounded by ledge and the outside exposed to the ocean swells and quite rocky.
Definitely worth the day trip from Portland, Freeport, etc.
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