NWP 35. Psychological support cat

18-Sept-24 Rockland, Maine

As was the case in Port Ludlow up the road from Seattle at the beginning of this trip, find myself having a morning brew sitting outside in the warm sun overlooking still and silent waters. Now on the east coast though. In Lubec. Technically the Bay of Fundy.

This is definitely the way to start a day. Even at 0900hrs it’s hot. Another scorching 30C day beckons. Magnificent vista before me. Canada is just to my right a few hundred metres away across the water.

Could sit here all day. Read the paper. Have a brew. Or two.

Could stay here another day. Too.

But need to skedaddle.

Just down the road is the official easternmost point of the USA. At West Quoddy Lighthouse. Arriving can hear a groaning noise. From a buoy (which Americans pronounce ‘boo-ey’) just offshore. It’s called a groaner and groans with the waves. Every. Few. Seconds. To warn of rocks. Glad I don’t live near that!

So.

Have now been to the northernmost point of the continental USA. Barrow in Alaska.

But not the northernmost point of the contiguous USA. The lower 48 as they refer to it in Alaska. No. That’s in Northwest Angle, Minnesota. Quite why the northern point is in a town called Northwest I do not know. So. Another trip to do.

Have now been to the southernmost point of the continental and contiguous USA. Key West in Florida.

And.

Have now been to the easternmost point. West Quoddy Lighthouse.

Just the west to do. Oh. And the centre of the contiguous USA. In Lebanon, Kansas.

Perusing the small museum inside the Lighthouse Keeper’s former home. In walks husband and wife. Husband has a very large square grey container strapped to his chest. At first assume it’s a baby carrier.

Until.

Woman announces to receptionist.

It’s my psychological support cat.

Oh FFS!!!

Really!?!

Barking mad.

Receptionist asks to have a look at the moggy. It’s plonked on the desk.

Jeez.

It. Is. Massive.

Never seen a cat that big.

Looks an evil thing too.

Even has a mane.

Could be a baby lion. Were it not grey and black.

See for yourselves, dear reader, in the photo below. And the size of the crate it’s being carried in.

Built in 1808, West Quoddy lighthouse was necessary for the safe passage of merchant ships to Eastport up the coast. What you see today is the third iteration. Was originally built of wood. And octagonal. The original light was 90 feet above sea level and could be visible 21 miles away.

When the British occupied Eastport during the War of 1812, British soldiers operated the lighthouse. West Quoddy thus became one of the few lighthouses to be under the control of a foreign government.

The name ‘Quoddy’ is derived from the local native American tribe ‘Passamaquoddy’. Meaning ‘people of the dawn’.

Being in the Bay of Fundy, the tide rises and fall an average of nearly 16 feet.

Pleasant and easy drive south on Highway 1. Passing through small towns and villages with white pained clapboard buildings. Set off against a bright blue sky.

Lunch at Scovills Millside Dining in Harrington. Building is from 1868 but owner says, “Not as old as where you come from!”

Further on is Tidal Falls. Picturesque spot where the incoming tidal waters of the Bay of Fundy rush up into a pinch point over a shallow rocky bottom in the river causing a waterfall effect going one way as the tide comes in. And then the waterfall is reversed a few hours later when the tide goes out draining the inlet. See video below.

Cross the Penobscot Narrows using the newer bridge. The original steel bridge built in 1931 had to be replaced in 2007. Someone had the bright idea of including an observation room in one of the two towers. And for a small fee, a lift whizzes you up 128 metres for amazing views.

Because I know, dear reader, you would like to see the view from the top. No expense was spared. Paid up and up I went.

To the tallest public bridge observatory. In. The. World.

Ta da.

Great view as you will see in the photos below.

I mentioned yesterday that I had no plans and nothing booked. Spontaneity is the key. So it was only this morning that I booked the Rockland Harbour Hotel (www.rocklandharborhotel.com).

Rockland being famous for holding the annual Lobster Festival.

Ask for a recommendation for the best restaurant in town for lobster.

Hill’s. Is the answer.

Off I toddle.

Third day in a row of having lobster for dinner. When in Maine.

Past couple of nights have had picked lobster (already out of its shell) with prawns, clams, scallops, haddock, crab. But don’t feel like I’ve had lobster. If you know what I mean.

So.

Tonight.

Going all in for lobster in a shell.

Sit down. Order drinks.

Then.

Order a whole lobster. In its shell.

Oh yes.

But.

Rockland’s best restaurant in town for lobster (according to hotel reception).

Does. Not. Have. Any. Sodding. Lobster. In. A. Shell.

What the.

No.