Thursday
September 1, 2016
Our day off-island was postponed from Wednesday to today and it was an earlier a wake-up call than usual for going to the mainland. We were up in the dark at 4:30am – strange to think that at one point sunrise was right around the time we got up but we were up even before first light today. After a quick breakfast of Irish soda bread and coffee, we went down the hill to get ready for Ethan to arrive at 5:40am.
This morning, we had more than our usual load to take to the mainland including four empty water jugs (one more than normal), our two packs, and cooler bag. Additional to that, we also had two big plastic trash bags with guest linens that need to be washed, a couple of empty merchandise bins, and then several bins and bags of things we’re moving back to our truck ahead of leaving Seguin soon.
Down at the Cove, we loaded up the dinghy with just enough space for the two of us to also fit and still had a few things on the beach waiting for the second trip to Ethan’s boat. We tried to fit it all but it just wasn’t going to happen. While we were down there, we got savaged by mosquitos like nothing we’ve experienced this summer. They were swarming all over both of us and we ended up putting on our rain jackets with hoods up and hands in our pockets. It was like
pig pen with a cloud swirling around his head only instead of dirt, it was mosquitos. Before Ethan arrived, we rowed out and just floated in the cove hoping it wouldn’t be as bad over the water and it was marginally better but not much. When Ethan arrived and we commented on how bad they were, Ethan said we’re onto the second generation of mosquitoes this summer and these are the offspring of the strongest of the first generation. Survival of the fittest and meanest! We had PMSD (Post Mosquito Stress Disorder).
Ken and Cyndy were onboard Ethan’s boat and they rowed in after us and brought out our last few bags/bins and then we took off for Popham while they stayed on Seguin to sub for us while we were away. Once underway, the mosquitoes disappeared but we were still glad to have our rain jackets on because it was a wet trip across to the mainland. Once at Popham, we go the truck from the chapel and loaded up dockside. We then did
our regular errands including laundry, shopping at Shaw’s (record low amount spent – less than $10) and Roger’s hardware and then stopped for a late breakfast at Mae’s in downtown Bath (I had bagels and lox, Patty had zucchini pancakes). On our way back to Popham, we stopped at Cyndy’s to pick up our mail (thanks Jude for another care package) and to fill our water jugs.
By 10:30, we were back at the high dock to catch Ethan’s big boat ferry back to Seguin. The ferry was full with folks on their way to visit Seguin and we chatted with several of them that were fascinated that we were living there for the summer. One person had been following our blog this summer and recognized us from some of the pictures we post. When we arrived in the cove, five visitors were leaving Seguin in their own boat and it felt good to know Ken and Cyndy were up the hill and had taken care of them and that we didn’t need to rush up the hill ahead of the ferry group. Instead, we were on the fifth and last dinghy ride from the ferry and had time to put the water away before heading up the hill knowing Cyndy and Ken had things under control.
We said hi to our subs and then had a chance to put our things away before gradually transitioning back to us by the time they needed to head down to catch the ferry back to Popham. We were so grateful they got up at an insanely early hour to come over and help us this morning.
The mosquitoes weren’t bad when we got back to the island so I guess it was the time of day that made them particularly bad this morning but the flies were out in force now. Ken told me he had to really lay on bug spray to keep them away from him. Fortunately, the wind picked up a little as the afternoon went on and that helped to chase away the flies.
Among the people on the ferry that we met was a younger couple from Albany, one of whom had a James Madison University shirt that commented on because I have so many family members and friends that attended JMU. They hiked some of the trails before going up in the tower towards the end of the time they had on Seguin. Another woman we met lives near Cundy’s Harbor but is originally from Guatemala and gave us lots of suggestions of places to visit if we get down there one day (we hope to). Another local couple talked to Patty for a long time about opportunities to get involved with F.O.S.I.L.S. and perhaps apply to caretake one year. We also had a member of the Percy family from Popham who brought along two out of town friends.
We heard from some visitors that there is a dead seal on the Cobblestone Beach and Patty shared that with parents that she overheard mentioned they were going down there before catching the ferry back to Popham. Patty told them about the seal in case it would upset their kids but they told Patty the kids are tough Mainers and the seal would be a highlight of their trip to Seguin. Off they went happily…
When things quieted down after the ferry left, we relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. After getting up early and going hard since, we were both a little tired. For dinner, we cooked hot dogs on the grill and ate them with Pringles. Nothing fancy. Of to bed early….really early.
Visitors – 34
Favorite Moment(s) – talking with visitors on the ferry and then returning to Seguin knowing Ken and Cyndy were already here.
Sunrise – 5:54am
Sunset – 7:05pm
#Seguinisland #seguinislandlight #seguinislandlighthouse #maine #LifeOnTheRock
