Before I get too far offshore with this week’s adventure to Monhegan Island, I’d like to mention new information regarding last week’s subject, the new book “The Baycliff Saltwater Farm Family” by Dr. Clarice Yentsch. I mentioned that the book could be found through Waypoint Foundation’s website. Well, the good news is that it will now be available at Boothbay Harbor’s Sherman’s Bookstore. I didn’t goof exactly, but I wasn’t certain enough to mention this last week. So, get your copy soon because there may not be an unlimited supply.

Now, about our family visit to Monhegan Island.

In recent times, our family tries to gather for a week on Monhegan. Sometimes we succeed with our attempt and sometimes there are extenuating circumstances like last year when our eldest daughter was very pregnant. Too risky to cross the channel! But this year, we made up for last year’s reluctance. Monhegan, aside from being our family gathering spot, is far and away one of our most special places. 

I have spent time on Monhegan, off and on, for over 40 years. One of my early adventures was for “Trap Day” when it was Jan. 1. I cruised to the island via the mail boat Laura B, from Port Clyde with Captain Jimmy Barstow at the helm. It was a real doozy of a crossing, rock and roll, baby! When we landed, I was still spinning in my head but greeted warmly by old friends Doug and Harry Odom with whom I stayed in their unheated attic on a cot. I did not change clothes for a week and slept fully wrapped in lined arctic, heavy weather, winter, full length hooded government issue Coast Guard attire given to me by good friend Joe Bernath, who served aboard Coast Guard icebreaker Eastwind. It was a chilly visit!

This year’s stay on Monhegan was a real adventure with two infant children. But, once a home base was established, the children settled into a rhythm, as did we, the adults. Our location at the Jenney cottage was terrific. In the past, we had stayed at the “Wik-Wak” cottage, but that has not been available for several years after some fairly major renovations. During COVID, the owner family from New York took refuge there and I guess decided not to rent. Can’t say that I blame them. Funky reconfigured fish shack with plenty of island history. We really enjoyed our time there.

However, new digs became necessary and we found the Jenney cottage through dear friend Lisa Brackett, and never looked back. In fact, we rarely looked back because the look forward to the ocean was pretty darned swell. We could keep track of visiting boat traffic — The Balmy Days from Boothbay Harbor, two Hardy boat loads from New Harbor and the mailboat Laura B from Port Clyde. An additional daily boat from Port Clyde brings visitors as well.

The dock area across from Mañana Island is a busy spot in peak season with lots of loading, unloading, fishing and bathing suited tumble plungers launching from the pier!

We hiked daily to the cliffs, lounged, cooked, ate, napped and enjoyed very active little ones who found their first Monhegan visit an exploring adventure. As always, we were so grateful for our time together with generous thanks to the Balmy Days crew. Special thanks to captain Terry Alford, who wove us through the fogs of arrival and departure.

Until next time! Thank you.