Sept. 11 – South Portland, ME

South Port Marine

“The world is but canvas to our imaginations.” —Henry David Thoreau

High winds and seas were predicted for today, so we stayed put securely tied to our dock. After the front blew in and the sun came out we rode our bikes out to Fort Williams Park, 90 acres of rugged beauty on Casco Bay. The park is home to the iconic Portland Head Light and Museum and offers awe-inspiring ocean views. The park is on the grounds of the former Fort Williams, which was an active military base from 1898 until 1963.

Portland Head Light was built in 1791 in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The light station sits on a head of land at the entrance of the primary shipping channel into Portland Harbor.

Looking towards Portland from the lighthouse

Looking out into Casco Bay from the park

Looking towards at Portland

Battery Keyes was one of the last two batteries built at the fort in 1906 and it is one of several ruins of the fort that still remains.

Predating the fort, the Gaddard Mansion was designed and built in 1858,  it was one of the first “grand” homes along the Cape Elizabeth shore. It was acquired by the army in 1900 and used as Non-Commissioned Officers Quarters and later included an NCO Club.