107 DAYS ON SEGUIN
The FULL, UNEDITED 24 Page Log book.
By Cyndy Carney and Kate Power
(Note: 2007 Interviewed and selected caretakers were Cyndy Carney, Kate Power and Carney Hamilton to be caretakers on Seguin Island from Memorial Day through Labor Day)
15/26/07
I’m by myself this time- first time ever. Ethan and his friend Jeremy picked me up as scheduled at 7:30 at Popham. We were on Island by eight. I was traveling light so we all got on the dinghy and made it up in one trip.
There are 3 eggs (Ethan thinks Seagull) on the beach along with a lot of trash washed up from the Patriot’s Day storm. Ethan took a few buoys back that belonged to his friends.
At the house there is a lot of brick dust and more flies then I can count. After cleaning I headed down to start mowing and the lawnmower quit on me. I must say I was not too disappointed as it afforded the perfect opportunity for a dip. The water is about 52 degrees. I didn’t even wear my booties and mitts.
Lots of fishermen out today but so far no visitors.
3:00- First visitors from Missouri! They share a boat out of Georgetown-will surely become members!
5/27/07
I am surprised how well I slept- like a baby until around 5:00 when a low blood sugar and the sunrise woke me up. I went back to bed and back to peaceful sleep until about 7:00. I unpacked the museum and found an article about a Phippsburg women- Brett Mooney- who swam from Popham to Seguin to celebrate the 200th anniversary!! What an inspiration! I also raised the flag for the first time. What a powerful feeling.
Went below to finish the lawn then took a skinny dip to cool off. I scared the brown duck who was sitting on the eggs. I’ll have to look up what kind of duck she is.
Out on the back porch having lunch when I small white plane flies by. Could it be Greg Bridgman?? He circles around again and I think it is. What a great neighborhood.
Ethan showed up with 1 guest and a few friends. He taught me how to run the weed whacker but it ran out of string before long. Oh well. It’s time for a shower anyway.
Carney called before I could get into the shower. Yeah!! I miss her so much. She was in a salon having her nails done, being driven by a limo for Ally Barnes’ birthday. What different lives we are living. Me alone on Seguin- she is in a limo shopping from Bath to Portland. I’m sure she is enjoying her time as much as I am mine. Off to the shower.
A shower hardly ever feels that good. Good music on the radio, a good book to read, and a short nap will complete this wonderful day.
6/6/07
The weather wasn’t great this week but Ethan braved getting 4 groups out today. Nathan and Tasha escorted us out on the first trip. Seas were high but thanks to our able-bodied seamen/chicas we got here safe and sound…maybe a little wet.
The USM geologic/geographic group also braved their way out today. They are a lovely group of people studying the island for the week, from all accounts they are courageous, adventurous, eager, and a hard working group.
Noof is so tired. He swam back and forth with every dinghy trip then hiked the trail. He doesn’t really know what to think yet but I know he’ll love it once he feels at home.
Kate is a good roommate!
We expect Jo Conking and Rick and 3 Coast Guard (CG) people and A.W.W. at seven tomorrow morning, so I’m off to rest up.
6/7
So I learned 3 very important things today. They are as follows.
1. Am very allergic (don’t know what) to something here.
2. When you leave your toothbrush on the counter, flies land on it and the WILL die between the bristles.
3. I cannot start the weedwhacker.
Cyndy and I worked our butts off today. AWW and the CG restoration crew, along with PR peeps, come to the island this morning @ 7 a.m. So, we were up and ready to greet them. All were pleasant and one man named Nick helped fix our water/plumbing issues. (We showered! We now are appropriate to receive guests!) He also fixed the ride-around lawn mower.
Speaking of lawn mowing, we cut prob. Half the lawn down below, and 1/3 of the path up. Cyndy’s weedwhacker malfunctioned and I couldn’t start mine without the help of a cuter and stronger geology boy, so we called it a day around 4. (I felt very accomplished though it looked like we handed the lawnmower off to a drunken homeless man. The ride-around doesn’t angle well; there are tufts of long grass peeping through the shorn patches like trees that survived a clearcut.
After the work day was over, (we do, after all pick our own hours) Cyndy and I hopped down to the geologists camp site, where the mowing job completed by the team totally put mine to shame…although they can start a weedwhacker, I cannot, all makes sense.
After the visit, we walked down cobblestone trail where we were promptly dive bombed by a seagull. (NESTING AREA…EEP.) The bird was quite angry with us for encroaching on her territory and dived us on the way back as well. At least there was no pooing action.
Jam packed day- more lawns tomorrow? Sun permitting.
6/8
Found a tick and had a ritual burning. Yikes!!
We got a late start today. Around 8:20 before we flew the flag and started work after breakfast.
We basically spent the day mowing and weed whacking our brains out. Kate had mowed ¾ of our world and I have weed whacked (and hand plucked) just one trail.
Got a visit tonight from a random kayaker who actually grew up with Kate’s college roommate. (Dave Porter.)
Took a trip down the island to find T.P. for the Geology troops. They were very thankful.
Weather forecast doesn’t look good for the weekend but hopefully will be receiving company Sunday- DAD!
The team came up to share the sunset and stayed for a rousing game of scrabble. Kate was the perfect hostess and let the boys win. I learned a lot about their mapping project.
6/9
Got up a little late 6:45, but started right in on the mowing of the front yard. It was very wet and the mowers stopped every minute, clogged w/wet grass. The majority of the mowing is done. If you look at it from the tower it is amazing!!!! The day is foggy and the mowing is almost impossible. We plan to deal with H20 issues. I think we’ve found the line to the bottom of the island that will allow us to water the compost but need to fill the cistern first.
Learned how to “make a point” I marked the old outhouse thanks to my new friends Andrew and Ben and Julius and Peter.
We took naps-Kate for an hour- me for almost 4!!! I think that’s a new record.
Went down to join Mark’s crew for supper. We had good food and great laughs! Then the whole crew came up and we had more laughs until midnight! What a blast. We’ll miss them.
6/10
It is a beautiful day! Dave is coming out with Lance and Rachael. David and Lance are FOS volunteers extraordinaire, Rachel is mother by trade. It should be a great day.
GOOD THINGS: Mussells picked by Kate
Air drop from Anne and Greg
Grill from David
Hugs from Julius
Swimming
Visit from family
Our Geologists left today L. We hope some will be back for the FOS annual meeting. David, Lance, and Jim did a lot of work on the broken stuff. We now have 2 full Cisterns, one working weed wacker and the riding mower also seems to be in better shape.
Kate found mussels and cooked them for an appetizer. We also christened the grill w/ turkey sausage for supper. It has been an absolutely perfect day, weather wise and this evening is no different. Absolutely fabulous!! Rachel gave us a new appreciation for the birds on the island. She talked about coming out and mapping the bird population.
We got lots of gifts today: family, friends, food, visits from a place, hug from Julius. We are blessed.
6/11
Today we dubbed a “half work day” due to the predicted rain showers for the afternoon. On Lance’s advice, we raked the grass clippings off the remainder of the lawn while Cyndy cleared the piles and ran the mower after me. After 3 hours of that, I had 2 blisters and my back felt like an 80-year-olds. But there is something satisfying about getting hard work done.
We were able to see the storm moving north, it was at least a mile wide. One side of the island was sunny, the other was totally dark. Rockin.
No visitors, not surprising being it was a Monday and the weather was turning to poop. Tomorrow’s attack plan: TRAILS. Hoo-boy.
6/12
Kate spent the day hand mowing and raking. I gathered grass clippings and ran the yard king. The yard looks great. David said to bring ashore both weedwackers for repair/replacement.
We took the afternoon off, looked for more mussels, and went for a skinny dip. Ethan called to say the seas would be too high tomorrow so don’t expect to leave till Thursday.
6/13
Today was awesome. We read our books, ate, packed for our trip ashore tomorrow. Ethan made a good call. Seas were very high today. We did get the light dusted. That light never ceases to amaze me. We are both looking forward to getting home for a day. Kate found what looks like a great job on the internet. We’ll keep our fingers crossed!
Got our first radio call tonight from Dave Power/father extraordinaire.
6/14
Kate and I went off island today. I went to work; Kate got a great gift for her parents for father’s day/Linda’s birthday. I spent ½ with Carney. She seems great- I miss her so much.
The cove was vicious tonight. Kate paddled three trips successfully and I got the donkey engine going. When we got to the top the sun was setting with a rainbow!! AND Dave Porter had left sunflowers and a lovely note for us. Life can’t get better!!!
6/15
I was lame today due to a knee injury. Spent most of the day on the computer. Kate did a great job mowing below. She even did the campground!! We napped for a bit. Kate painted the flag post and a new sign. We took a walk down to the cove. It was quite choppy. Dave Porter did not email Kate yet. I am losing miserably at scrabble.
6//16
Today I took it upon myself to improve the aesthetics of the island. I painted the flag pole base and laid some bricks around the base. It looks lovely. I also made a new “unsafe, keep off sign.” It came out not good.
6/19
Got some more mowing done. Kate made beautiful brownies and home made sweet potato chips.
The cove was warm and calm today. We rowed out to receive four lobsters from Jackson. What a gift!
David came out with steak tips so we’ll have surf and turf tonight. SWEET!!! He brought out gifts from Natalie….sheets…towels….good stuff for the bathroom above the upstairs. It was a perfect day weather wise but no visitors.
We have one weedwacker back, but I seem to have broken it again. Maybe I just wasn’t meant to weedwack.
6/21
CG crew came out and determined the new fog signal will be installed at the top of the whistle house. YEAH! But we will miss Hubert (old fog signal.) They will be back next week.
One set of visitors, including a young man from Sweden. They were delightful and left a nice donation. Rachal and I painted the picnic table this morning. I’m afraid it will still be a few days before we can sit on it as that paint takes forever to dry and the weather is not looking good. Our major problem today was the toilet on the keeper side. Kate and I literally scooped composted poo water for an hour. It is an experience we will never be able to explain, or erase from our minds.
Carney and Rachel set up the gift shop very nicely. We hope to have shoppers soon.
6/22
Started scraping the donkey engine house in preparation of tomorrow’s work party. The weather turned so we focused on cleaning inside and cooking for our expected guests. After an afternoon of showers and Thunderstorms, we happily received Dave Porter for his 3rd visit. Kate made pizza and Dave brought strawberry shortcake…yum.
Carney and Rachel fixed up the rooms over the museum. They even scrubbed the tub, it is looking very nice.
The wind has picked up significantly so I think Dave will stay the night and paddle back first thing in the morning to make it to a wedding in MA. He is a pleasure to have.
Looking forward to working crew company tomorrow!!
6/23
FOS work party day. We painted the donkey engine house, stained the stairs to the beach and the toilet, and painted the keeper side of the porch. Dad also worked on installing the weather station…oh yeah, the weedwacker broke again, too.
The work party left around 3:00 and then we had to chill, we got a LOT done today.
Emily Chandler came with her dad Peter for a little bit, too. It was a special moment, Nat Chandler (her grandfather) was one of the founding members of FOS and the flag is big and beautiful. I am sure he would be proud. We will take special care of it.
6/24
We painted the lattice on the front of the house and Kate starting mowing on the South trail. We are still unable to clear the North Trail due to weedwacker issues. We had the most visitors today to date. Local visitors Dave Percy and his girlfriend Brandy came and chatted for a bit. Not much work today but good practice giving tours. Our visitors included someone from Alaska!!
Carney mowed. I think she likes it. Rachel, Kate and Cyndy finished the donkey engine house. Some of us napped and Kate was like a wild bangee doing laps around the top, sprinting the stairs and doing crunches and push ups. Just watching her exhausted us all.
EVENTFUL WEEK
7/4
Happy Fourth of July!!!
Kate came ashore with Ethan early this morning only to discover a dead battery in her car. Lucky for her Ethan had stopped at Spinney’s for breakfast and gallantly came to her rescue.
Back to the island around 4:00 in 4 foot seas. It’s a good thing we left when we did because the waves are at least 6’ now and the weather station reports winds gusting up to 28 with the average wind speed over the last 10 minutes at 22 out of the south.
I have been away for a week on sick leave. I dreamt about Seguin every night. It is heaven here. No matter how hard the work is- it is easier to do it here.
We are having a cozy night sipping tea and reading. Lots of inside plans for tomorrow as rain is predicted!
We saw 8 fireworks displays! From Portland to Rockland, it was really amazing.
7/5
4:45 a.m. What a wild night, woke up at three to see a wild storm pass low over the island through the rays of the light. It was eerie and fascinating. I think the wind blew the wind speed measurer off the weather station- will check later. The sky is now clearing, and the wind is dying and the sun is rising- but I’m going to go back to sleep.
Kate and I both got up late but I think I hold the Sequin record for staying in bed until 9;45- it feels sinful. We did a lot of eating and reading today (rainy) I went down later and got the veggies to plant. Now our garden boasts cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, basil, zinnias, red bell peppers and a watermelon plant (to see what will happen.) We are keeping our fingers crossed for fresh veggies.
The seas have subsided to a lulling roll. The wind is only 10 mph now and the weather station reports .33 inches of rain collected last night. I would have guessed an inch but maybe it was blowing so hard the rain collector couldn’t catch it all.
I almost forgot about our little miracle this morning. Upon inspecting her impatients in the flower boxes, Kate reported that the wind had apparently been so strong last night that it blew one of the morning glories out of the box. She vowed to go look for it and if she found it, put it in water to grow before replanting it. I went outside to make a phone call and started searching the grounds. Low and behold, I found her morning glory right under the box!!! I TRIED TO PICK IT UP BUT IT APPEARED TO HAVE PLANTED ITSELF OVERNIGHT! I RAN IN TO TELL Kate I found her morning glory and it was a miracle! She ran out to see. She touched it and then, with hesitation realized something- she forgot that she had replanted it the other day…..Oh well. So it was a faux miracle, but a miracle just the same.
7/6
Another slow day. The fog just couldn’t make up its mind.
Kate walked to cobblestone beach in search of sea glass and a wishing rock and to watch the high seas break over the rocks. She was inspired and created dozens of sea glass ornaments. They are beautiful!!!
I mowed the picnic area and partially down the cove trail. I rewarded myself with a dip in the ocean. Ahhhhh.
We also made gooey brownies- we recommend Hershey’s low fat brownie mix. The brownies are just as delicious as full fat ones, but they come out the perfect chewy-ness.
7/8
We had a three-F day. Fog, friends, and family. We woke to a thick bank of fog and decided it was unlikely we would have visitors. We were free to explore the north trail. It hadn’t been mowed in 2 years and David gave it a 1st good run last week. Michael Broza came with the work crew yesterday and spent the entire day on it. It is now navigable. Thanks guys!!!
Upon our return, Kate discovered visitors mulling around the museum. They were our only visitors of the day (from Brunswick). They reported calm seas and no wind.
As expected, our friends Anne and Greg Bridgman stopped for a visit on their way to Penobscot Bay for their one week sailing vacation, while visiting the radio sounds “Seguin Island, this is the Lovely Linda.” Dave and Linda! (Kate’s family.) They brought out Kate’s cousin and his wife, Justin and Shannon. They braved the fog and suddenly we had a party going on.
Anne and Greg invited us for dinner on “Ghost Dancing,” (their boat) and we paddled out with a fresh cherry cobbler we made earlier. On the way out, I could smell the warm aroma of fish chowder. After a three hour visit with good food, good conversation, and a fun little game, Kate and I rowed back against the wind and tide only to be greeted by a gorgeous crimson sunset.
All is good.
7/9
Anne and Greg came up after breakfast. We had a short visit and they are on their way to Boothbay Harbor and Round Pond, probably motoring the whole way because, you guessed it’s still foggy with light winds. No guests, probably lots of cooking and reading to come.
7/10
Today started the same as the last three- SO FOGGY.But at around 10:30 it started to clear. We ran to the whistle house, broke out the mowers and mowed like madwomen for almost 2 hours. The top of the island is mowed!!! Just as we were finishing up we had visitors: a couple sailing out of Falmouth. They had been gone since Thursday and were headed back in disgust with the weather that they’d had on their trip. Kate made blondies and ran 9 laps around the top of the island while I did CEI business.
We went to the cove for a dip and gathered more sea glass to make ornaments. More reading. Kate had an allergic reaction- the first one in two weeks! She took 2 benadryl and has been passed out ever since. It’s a powerful drug.
Well, I guess we need the sleep because we have requested to be picked up early and dropped off late tomorrow. I am finding 8 hours is not enough time to get in all I have to do for the week!! Word to the wise- your time on Wednesdays is short so use it wisely!!
7/12
Finally a sunny day!! A little fog early but by 9:30 we had perfect sunny, 75 degree weather.
With virtually no mowing left to do and no paint to paint anything we decided to try our hands at fishing. We found one old rod in the Donkey engine house, cut up some very old hot dogs, tied Noof to the tram and set out in the dinghy. We tied to a mooring, bait the hook and tried to let out the reel. It was broken and we were willing to break it more in order to fix it. The next thing we know Noof has gotten out of his collar and he is swimming toward us. Sans collar it is impossible to pull him aboard so I slid off the boat into the water and swam him in.
The water is glorious. Kate perseveres in the fishing endeavor, however breaks the reel all the way and finds a way to work it by hand.
ON shore I decide to start clearing rocks off the beach. It is hard work but very satisfying.
After about 15 minutes, Kate decides fishing is not her sport. Besides, she is getting hungry and the stench of rotten hot dogs in the hull was overpowering.
Kate goes up for lunch, and Noof and I follow after another 15 minutes of rock tossing. Boy, am I going to be sore tomorrow.
We lounge and read over lunch then venture down the tramway a little ways to pick crabapples for jelly. It doesn’t take long before we have ½ bucket full. We google a recipe, clean and slice the apples, boil and add sugar, and boil some more. The recipe said boil 10 minutes. I think we boiled closer to 2 hours. The results are fantastic! We ended up with 2 medium and 2 small jars. I’ll add the recipe to the Seguin cookbook (which I signed up to help with the other day.)
2 groups of visitors today- 1 couple in the morning and a family of 10 this after noon.
Kate took a 10 lap run today with three sets of steps. I weeded the garden and did some CEI work.
We had Caribbean rice mix with shrimp and a salad for supper and enjoyed one of the most spectacular sunsets yet.
7/13
Friday the 13th and the best day weather wise yet. We had a wonderfully easy, breezy day.
After breakfast we hiked down to retrieve the extension ladder to prepare for painting the front of the house.
Kate took off, with the weed wacker in hand to attack the last part of the North trail. I went to work
7/14
Lots of visitors this beautiful Sat. morning. Ethan brought a family of 10 (in two trips), a couple with their two terriers, Anne, Troy, and their friend Mark, and 2 couples. After being so slow for so long it felt like a mad dash until around 1:30. In the midst of the commotino Ethan rode out to Black Diamond to get us eight lobsters for tonight from Jackson Percy. We are looking forward to Vicki and Alan coming tonight.
7/15
They’re here! We ate, we gabbed, we watched the rain storm.
Kevin Race with Dave Power to help us fix the mooring. Jim Bennett came out as well, and the three men managed to remove three bolts from the door In the lighthouse. Hooray!
Noofie had a trip to the style salon…he was bathed and brushed and Blow-dried and now we can sit next to him without the permeating smell of wet dog infiltrating our noses.
Linda (mom!) and I walked around the island and found a baby seagull chick on the Cobblestone trail and we are concerned- it was a new baby and we hope the mom comes back and helps it. We planned the speech for the meeting this year- woot. It will be funny.
7/16
Kate and I painted the front of the house today. It was a real pleasure cleaning up after the acrylic- no muss and fuss- just wipe with water. If this paint lasts as long us oil base it will be a miracle.
Vicki and Alan had to leave today at noon. We had a nice walk on the cove trail before Ethan arrived. They had a beautiful day for a ride in.
The Harvey Gamage, a tall ship/learning vessel moored in the cove and we enjoyed the company of 21 young folks (middle school aged) and their three instructors for the afternoon.
The took tours and walked the trails. This was their second day on a five day cruise ending in Boston. They spent their first day aboard in choppy seas and pouring rain. They all seemed happy and relieved to be spending a sunny day on Seguin shores. They are off now, sailing to Portland tonight. What a sight to see, the tall ship with its sail flying across the setting sun.
We had a few other small groups and said one postcard. Before the Harvey Gamage left they presented us with a nice thank you note and a pair of t-shirts.
This afternoon, we finished painting I worked on CEI stuff, Kate had a run and we got some reading in. A very balanced, enjoyable day.
8:00 p.m.
Who is knocking at the door but Dave Porter with his buddies Phil and Bobby. Bobby’s mom and I went ot he same high school! What a small world! They are going to camp her tonight so I’m sure we’ll be swapping stories. What a great surprise!
7/17
The tres amigos (Dave Porter and his 2 buddies) were leaving early this morning but got waylaid a bit when dave Power and Linda arrived with the Denkers (Harry, Lawrene, and Anna) just as they were leaving. They were true gentlemen and turned around to help them carry their gear to the top. Then off they paddled as we watched from the vista.
It is great to have the Denkers back. They are right at home fixing toilet vents, giving tours, picking mussels from the shore and making a wonderful suppers.
It was a spectacular sunny summer day on Seguin. Our first visitors were from Russia, our last set from the Burg. Variety is the spice of lige. Lawrene took most of the tower tours and I did the gift shop and museum. It was a pleasure to see both Harry and David so relaxed, even napping!
The Hyde school counselors came late after noon. Rich and Brian are both Hyde alum- now working the summer program. We had a nice chat and went over thr project list. They will be installed on the island Sunday. About six kids and 2 counselors for 4 day stints.
Lawrene and Anna took Kate to show her good places to find mussels while Harry and I did the dishes.
7/18
A hectic day ashore. Kate is staying until Sat. when she’ll come back with me after the annual meeting. She ahs an interview in Fitchburg, MA tomorrow.
I came home to the Denkers, Kevin and Phil. What a nice homecoming. Kevin brought 8 lobsters for out dinner, complete with butter and lemon. One can never have too many lobster fresh from the sea. Phil van the tram with all the supplies..what a treat. The ice cream I bought at Percy’s even survived the trip. What a life!
7/19
We woke at 7:30- late especially for Harry. By 8:30 Harry was busy cutting slats from scrap wood in the whistle house to be nailed to the tram way b Anna and I. We made fast work of it and had completed the job by 11:30.
The tramway is now safe for keepers even in the wettest of weather. Yay!
No rest for the weary as at 11:45 we received 30 visitors from Small Point Summer Camp. They had emailed to say they were coming but I never thought they’d show up with five boats, all moor on one mooring and get 20 5-7 year olds to the top on such a dreary day. But they are hardy folk and we were happy to see them. They brought picnic lunch, took tours of the tower and museum and played kick ball on the helicopter pad.
As they were finishing their tours Anne and Greg surprised us with a stop on the tail end of their week long sail. As always, they did not come empty handed. We enjoyed a loaf of warm anadama bread and a short visit before they headed out to Sebasco for the night.
As Anne and Greg left, Jeff, Jenny, and Liz arrived with 7 students from Kentucky. It was great to see them. 3 year old jenny s right at home-what a kick. We gave them a tour and they hiked the North Trail. They sampled the blueberries toward the end of the trail and report they are delicious. The weather report didn’t look good so they didn’t stay long but they’ll be back with a new group next week.
Then sadly, it was time to pack up the Denkers and head to the cove to meet David who would take them to shore. Many will meet them at the Kennebec tavern for cocktails, appetizers, and lots of good sea stories.
So Noof and I are left with an empty island. I have vowed to do CEI work but alas I have not been able to use the internet. To keep busy I clean the fridge, make enchiladas, and rearrange the front room.
I hope to finish my book tonight and be ready to hunker down to a full day of CEI work tomorrow.
7/20
Steeped in fog, I stayed slumbered until 8:30, woke to no internet, no email, and only a few minutes left on the phone.
I spent the morning working on the presentation fro tomorrows annual meeting.
When the fog finally lifted and I regained communications, I quickly raised the flag, put minutes on the cell phone and did the email. Having phone minutes gives me a sense of security out here like no lock ever could.
The grass is dry enough to mow so off I go.
Did all the hand mowing up top in between visitors. Two separate groups from New Hampshire. They seem to be following each other. One had a dog and Noof made a friend. He followed them down to the cove and snuck a dip. Is he my dog or what. I hope he dries by tonight.
I finished the mowing with the rider. The top of the island is complete. It feels good. Having accomplished something today I treated my self to cheese and crackers and salmon and salad and rice for dinner.
7/21
Annual meetin day and my 2nd day ashore in a week. I am looking forward to bringing Kate home tonight. I’ve missed her sparkling attitude and the music she makes so freely.
Ethan said he would pick me up around 10. I told him the earlier the better. When he calls at 5:15 a.m. I am kind of sorry I said that. It all works out in the end and I get a full and much more relaxed day ashore.
The annual meeting seems small this year- maybe about 65 people. Our presentation was well received. I think people particularly enjoyed the seagull dive bombing reenactment and the paint and scrape song. There was a lot of good auction items and as always a plethora of yummy salads and desserts to top off burgers and dogs by Dave and Lance.
It was a beautiful night. We mingled with guests. Board members, members and even some recent visitors were in attendance. I heard some great tales from Tom Skofield who lived on the island from when he was 1-6 years old. It would be nice to get his oral history on tape/video. We had a beautiful ride out. It is great to have Kate back.
7/22
The busiest day ever! If we had had time to count I’m sure we had 100 on island today plus the first installation of Hyde School kids.
Amongst the crowd was Andrew, one of our “befriends” yesterday their program ended and his parents and cousin came out to join him. He is taking them around to share some his experiences. They were delightful and it was great to see Andrew again.
7/23
Happy to wake to fog this morning and the prospects of a slow day after yesterday’s crowds. We missed low tide yesterday due to traffic and vowed to gather mussels today for tonight’s dinner.
We headed down cove trail, bucket and buoy in hand when we came upon 2 baby seagulls trotting in front of us. A flock of anxious parents made their feelings known and we aborted that plan quickly. We ended up with a successful harvest from the cove.
Mid day, while watching a move, we heard voices in the museum. It was assistant keeper Henry LeBlanc (1963) with wife and friends. He told us tales and asked if we had seen the pink elephants, he remembers seeing on occasion during his tour of duty here. He was here for about 15 months. At that time it was a bachelor isle. He was one of 4 men stationed on Seguin. They had one week off 3 weeks on. While on they served 4 hour shifts. There was a buoy south east of the island , when they couldn’t see the buoy they turned on the light and the fog signal. He reported thousands of rabbits inhabiting the island. They got most of their supplies from Popham CG station every week upon the rotation of the keepers. They traded local fishermen CG white paint for lobsters. There were many white fishing boats that year. For dinner we had our mussels on pesto pasta and a salad with leftover salmon. What a life!
7/24
A foggy morning allows me almost a full days work on CEI business. The technology does not like the fog and communications through email are VERY frustrating. I have to reboot every few minutes but I et my ¼ report and a cover letter done. What a load off.
The sun arrives around noon and the Hyde group prepares for departure. They told one boy he would have to stay a few more days- and he decided to eat some poison(?) berries. They took him off and to the hospital but he’ll be back next week. The new Hyde group arrives as the rest of the others leave.
7/25 On Shore day
7/26
Another great day in paradise. We started the day with a visit from CG by helicopter! It landed on the helipad and dropped off 4 men who came to see if they could fix it- but they couldn’t- yeah! We would really miss it. They did show us how to turn it off if we wanted. They also brought cleaning pads to clean the light bulb. We have to turn off the light for at least 15 minutes to let it cool, then wipe it with the pads. If we get oil from our hands on it , it may explode! Dust does not affect its shine but rust from leaking water does so we need to check it particularly after a storm.
All the visitors were extremely nice today. We had about 30 plus the Hyde group.
This weeks group is a leadership group. Today’s project included clearing rocks from the beach and splitting into 3 teams to make rafts (out of trash!) which they raced to the CG buoy and back. What fun! We have some good pictures.
Kate had a special delight today when one of the senior men on one of her tours took of his shirt and gave her a pectoral dance while she was taking their family photo. Gross.
We ended the night with a small fireworks display from Popham beach. What a treat!
7/27
Busy busy morning. I think we had 8 tours by 12:30. A pair of what we think were A3s from BNAS circled the top of the island…a thrill for keepers and visitors alike. I was on the cat walk with visitors and it felt like you could reach out and touch them.
Surprisingly slow afternoon which afforded us a little beach time in the sun. The sea glass collection is growing in preparation of stormy days ahead.
7/28
The forecast warns us of 4 straight days without sunshine-possible in thundershowers everyday. One group braves the fog in their motor boat from long island in new Meadows River. The captain seemed nervous about getting back so they didn’t stay long.
It never really did rain. The new group of Hyde kids (5 15 year old boys) cut under the tram and were set free in the afternoon to build a raft. It was Brian and Steve (counselors) against the boys.
The boys built a large raft that held all five of them. B and S’s was very compact with lots of Styrofoam. Both rafts floated but rowing energy was lacking.
Brian called off the race before it really got started due to incoming weather. They will try again tomorrow. I spent my entire evening researching digital cameras. I am determined to get one this Wed. while ashore. I am aching to document this experience in photos. We are already ½ way through the summer and time is fleeting.
7/30
Extremely slow Sunday. Despite weather predictions it was a hot, sunny, humid day on Seguin. Only 2 sets of visitors. Slow, lazy, and sunny---that never happens!
7/31
Kate started the cooking her raspberries. She made a yummy cobbler and a very special jar of jelly.
Jeff, Liz, and Jenn came back with another group from Kentucky, it was great to see them.
Kate had out her seaglass necklace materials and I showed Jenn how to make her own necklace. She was very proud. Tonight the Hyde kids are coming up with seaglass they gathered today-it will be arts and crafts night at the keepers quarters!
I spent some of the day doing CEI business. We got a call from the CG-Boothbay looking for a 32 beige sailboat from Harpswell with three people aboard. Unfortunately we could not report a sighting. We sure hope everyone is OK.
8/2
It is good to be back after a day on shore. It is another gorgeous day. This weeks Hyde group was industrious during our absence. They worked on the North trail, rebuilding the bridge through the swampy part. Then they collected shells for dinner. They were up relatively early this morning. One of the counselors came up to the porch to show me what he found in the reeds. He asked if I knew what it was and said the kids thought it was a backscratcher, they even used it as one….and it was the poop rake for the composting toilet.
Steady day of visitors. We had a farewell feast for Hyde counselors Brian, Adele, Mick, and Dick. Jackson dropped off 10 lobsters and we had corn of the cob, pesto potato salad and strawberry shortcake. The kids came up at around 8 for seminar which by all reports went very well.
8/3
David Power brought dick and Theresa out for a nice visit. They had lunch and walked the North trail. The Hyde kids did a really wonderful job finishing the trail and repairing the bridge.
The Hyde group left today. I think Ethan took five trips with all the counselors, kids, and 2 weeks worth of gear. What a scene, we really will miss them.
8/4
Woke up to a call from Anne W.W. saying they are not coming due to thick fog. The Bridgemans did make it with Seth Washburn, his daughter Katy and grandkids Ben and Brooke. We toured, snacked, make friendship bracelets and had a lot of laughs. It was a short visit as Anne had to get back for a sail for peace.
David arrived at the same time. He quickly got to work “putzing” around. The man never rests! His CG friend Mark and his wife showed up around lunchtime, so he finally stopped and spent some time with them.
Thunderstorms could be heard near north so David made a quick exit around 5:15. The wind is low and the flies are prolific tonight!
8/5
We were swamped with visitors from 9-5 today. We had at least 75 people today and they came steadily throughout the day. It still amazes us how many people say they’ve “driven by a thousand times but never stopped”. I hope they will al become members now that they’ve experienced the island’s beauty.
Brian and Adele (from Hyde) showed up as promised towards the end of the day. We expected then to show up by way of Ethan but Briand bought a boat!
It is an 18 foot Maco with 135 hp Evinrude. He took us for a ride around the island then in to Popham where we got ice cream and sandwiches at Percy’s. It was really fun to have a nice outing after a hard days work. It was also neat to see the island from all sides, I’d only been all around once before. I took my camera but Brian was going too fast to get any really good photos. We also stopped by Ethan’s house, and he gave us Shark steak for dinner!
8/6
Nice morning, with one visitor who slept in the cove last night. By mid day, it was raining “cats and dogs”. I took a 2 hour nap! Kate read, we watched a movie….rain equals lazy days.
8/7
Kate was off by 10:30 for a 2:00 interview with the Coastal Journal and a 6:00 with a company in Westbrook. She was on fire when she left- I know she will knock their socks off.
Very foggy all day- no visitors. I busied myself with cleaning, reading, throwing rocks and skinny dipping.
Kate called, she got the job with the Coastal Journal, and felt really good about the other interview. Dave Porter is taking her to Robinhood meeting house for dinner.
8/10
The Outward Bound crew stayed on their pull boats in the cove last night. We promised them a dinghy ride onto shore by 8:00 this a.m. We were a but way-layed by the presence of a huge ship and many tugs at the ready to pull it up the Kennebec- presumably to BIW for repairs. Even the lobstermen stopped their work to witness the operation.
We did get to the outward bound folk eventually, they had 2 boats with 13 kids in each. It took us several trips in our ever worsening dinghies to get them all ashore. They took tours and then went back to the cove to move rocks from the beach and place them under the beach stairs in order to retard the erosion. They made quick work of it and then we gave them tours. They were off by 11:30.
Just as we settled in for a nap Denise and tom showed up from make a wish. We had donated a one night stay on Seguin to their annual auction and just yesterday received the letter saying it raised 750 dollars! We chatted for a bit, gave them a tour, and invited them to join us for breakfast when they return with the auction winners.
8/11
Busy from 8-7 with visitors. We are VERY TIRED-but Kate got a call around 8 p.m. from Dave Porter…he’s at the buoy, and he’s brining ice cream out in his kayak.
8/12
Another busy day. David came out to meet with the historic preservation committee on repairing the boat ways but he had to leave before they got here. Anne W.W. arrived with people about installing internet. Dave Porter spent the day- he and kate did a nice hike down the North Trail and down around to the rocks to cove then up again. They also mowed the lawn, unfortunately, Dave had to paddle back for work tomorrow.
8/13-8/17
A steady week of visitors and good weather it is a good thing we are on maintenance mode with lawn and trails. We could see Mt. Washington on Tuesday. Carney and ant came out with us on Weds. To take senior pictures. Aunt Julie gave Kate a new remedy for her poison ivy-blow drying the affected skin. It itches it without making the rash worse!
The Zucchini is growing like crazy. We even gave one away. The watermelon actually has flowers so we decided to break open our “pretend” watermelon (one we bought and placed in the garden as a joke.)
Kate accepted the job with Current Publishing after a few distraught days of decision making and wheeling and dealing. She took the job with C.J. originally, but Current counter offered. In the end I think she made the right choice and will be very happy. Now its on to apt. hunting!
8/18
Winds around 30 mph with heavy storm clouds to the North East. There was a nice lightening storm around 5:30 a.m. but no rain. The seas don’t appear to be too high but there are plenty of white caps.
Kate’s poison ivy is a lot better. My knees are a lot worse. I can barely walk this morning.
Anne W.W. and Troy came around 11:00 with Steve Normand, his wife Mercy, Gary, and a few others.
As they were laving 3 kayakers pulled into the cove frantic because they had lost one of their party when turning into the cove. After about ½ hour of madly running around the entire island to tray and find her we called the CG. Although radio and phone contact was confusing at best, the rescue boat showed up very quickly. About 2 minutes before the CG came into the cove, Elaine showed up- she pulled in the west side of the island and hiked through the poison ivy. We were VERY relieved to see her. It was a physically and emotionally draining few hours but all is well that ends well, and we hope they will think twice before venturing out during a small craft warning.
But…Ethan and his dad came out to take them back to shore. On the way they stopped to look at where she had left the kayak up on the rocks. One of the guys wanted to jump ship and swim to get the kayak…(not the brightest idea…). Ethan said he had a few strong words for them and promised to bring them back tomorrow. Some people never learn!
8/19
It was a beautiful calm day and we had lots of visitors. They were steady and pretty evenly spaced so the day went well.
The baby seagulls were flying today! It is amazing how fast they have grown. They are about the size of the adults but still dark gray. This was the first day we saw them fly. The fishermen seem to be fishing further out and there is a hint of fall in the air.
8/20
Another glorious day with a hint of fall in the air. We are expecting Anne and Greg today so we headed down to the cove a little after 9. The tide is almost low and the beach is once again littered with rocks. Just a week ago it was a nice sandy beach (thanks mostly to the Hyde kids) but I guess mother nature likes her rocks there.
We paddle out in the dinghy to test Kate’s duct tape job on the dinghy and wait for Anne and Greg.
The duct tape holds relatively well and the Bridgemans pull in around 10. They present us with beautiful head wreaths and yes- molasses cookies!
I think Anne and her molasses cookies are one of the only things that can make Seguin nicer.
Very busy day. 50th Bday party with great sandwiches (guest will give recipe for Seguin cookbook?) and chocolate covered strawberries.
We could see Mt. Washington today, again!
8/21
Mount Washington again today! We had 6 groups of visitors and got the lawns mowed, finished our books- all before noon!
Ethan showed up with photographer Bill Hammond (?) who took lots of pictures. Watch for Seguin in next year’s Maine scenic calendars.
Our afternoon guests included Jeff Smith and Kimberly Norton- and JEFF PROPOSED ON THE BENCH AT THE TOP OF THE ISLAND TODAY! He presented her w/ a gorgeous ring- she accepted and they toasted with champagne. It made for a happy and festive afternoon.
When Bill was done with his photography we all jumped in Ethan’s friend’s boat for a cruise around the island. We both love a boat ride it is always a treat to see the island from a different perspective.
While making dinner I looked up to find a nuthatch bird sitting in the rafters of the kitchen. YIKES. Thank goodness for Kate who not only got the bird outside, she even finished cooking dinner.
8/25
No visitors yesterday. Small craft advisory-huge waves.
Steener (Kate’s best friend) came out by way of Ethan this morning. The seas were still pretty high but I think Ethan knew how important it was to both Kate and Steener to see each other. After lunch they checked email and found out they got the apartment they wanted in the Old Port. They were so excited- they started talking about furniture and decorations right away.
Anne W.W. and Troy came out with potential ‘08 keepers Tim and Lynn. Kate and I took to them right away!
3 other groups came out all “friends” who just wanted to hike and enjoy the view so no tour towers, very unusual.
Jim Bennett showed up unexpectedly and joined us for dinner. He said he had had a really frustrating day working at home and decided to get in his boat to get out of the heat. When he found himself at the mouth of the Kennebec, he decided to drop by!
Popham’s 400 anniversary culminated in a beautiful and long fireworks display. During the show, mother nature put on a lightening storm to the north. It was better than the fourth of July!
Kate taught me how to tie a bowline today! Another goal achieved.
8/27
David and Linda and Maureen arrived for an overnight. Maureen (Kate’s aunt) is staying the weekend!
Woke to a leaky toilet. Last night David got the button unstuck and I turned the drum about 6 times too much and the drawer got too full. It was not as bad as the first incident. I think partly because we knew what to expect. But in any case, waking up to a malfunctioning toilet is no fun.
We started painting the catwalk and the rails, but the biting flies arrived and we called it quits till tomorrow.
8/28
Last Weds. Ashore and I opted to stay on the island. Kate and Maureen went ashore and did some shopping, went to the doctor and the dentist. Maureen got into a minor fender bender which David fixed by jumping on her bumper.
I got the kitchen floor mopped, the dog bathed, and the lawn moved and had 8 sets of visitors, the last of which was Ted from Sheepscott wooden kayaks and his buddies from last Weds.! They are a great bunch. I hope to stay in touch with them. Kate and Alex drank a box of White Granache by Peter Valle. They were silly, and stayed up really late.
8/30
The sun rose directly over Monhegan today. There is a slight breeze from the south East and the waters are calm.
Mowed down below before David, lance, and Marilyn arrived. Alex, Marilyn, and Kate picked a ton of Blackberries from the North trail. Kate and Alex helped me finish the cat walk rails, and David and Lance worked on the walls above the museum and Maureen painted above the museum.
Kate’s friends Steener and Lizzie are coming tonight!
8/31
Kate is 22 today! Lizzie and Steener are here to help celebrate along with Maureen and Myself.
It is a very foggy, still morning. Maureen seems particularly pleased to be able to experience the foggy atmosphere. The island is a great place to wake up to no matter what the weather is.
The gulls spend the better part of the morning chatting and catching up. They took a walk to Cobblestone and collected driftwood for a potential fire on the beach tonight. Ethan calls to ask if the want a boat ride and they happily acept.
There is not enough room on the boat so Maureen and I stay ashore and make a blackberry pie with Lawrene’s piecrust recipe.
David and Linda arrive around 3 with enough food for 20 people. The wine started flowing and Ethan calls to say he’s coming to dinner with his friend Lawrence.
Ethan came with 2 hard shell lobsters he says he pulled from our trap. They are huge!
We feast on steak tips, lobster, potato salad, homemade bread, roasted veggies, hummingbird cake and ice cream. (Wine is still flowing.) The wind picks up, and Ethan and Lawrence have to depart.
All are in bed by 8:30. What a day!
9/1
It is a gorgeous day and the house is full of friends and family. The blackberry pie makes a delicious breakfast.
David took Lizzie and Steener to Popham early so Lizzie could get started on the 5 hour drive home (to Albany, NY.)
When David got back he of course got to work. He cleaned out under the porch this morning then wee whacked. Maureen cleaned above the museum.
We have Watermelon! They are the size of peas but the definitely are there. Today is another Mt. Washington day!
Make a wish called to say there aren’t coming tonight, no explanation, really…maybe they’ll come next summer.
Nat Henshaw showed up with his son Nick and we invited them for breakfast tomorrow since we were all ready for make a wish. We had about 50 visitors today. Expected it to be busier, but happy to be able to enjoy the island as our summer here is almost done. Very clear, but very beautiful sunset.
9/2
It is a clear blue day, not a cloud in the sky and the seas are calm. It is our last full day on the island. Thank goodness I will be coming back with OIC next weekend. It would be unthinkable to leave this place for good.
I had the last piece of blackberry pie heated and topped with a dollop of cool whip for breakfast looking out onto the pristine ocean. Now that is heaven!
Went down to the beach for a dip and found the small dinghy missing…maybe it committed dinghy suicide. It was in really bad shape, but we were going to put a new bottom on it this winter. We hope it turns up…we miss it.
Nat and Nick showed up around lunch time with Mackerel AND THE DINGHY! Yay!
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