Day 49, 5 July

7 visitors

Fred down near the southern tip of Seguin Island

Hurricane Arthur had passed us in the night with lots of pouring rain and a bit of wind.

It was nice to see that it was not raining in the morning and much less humidity than before the storm. It steadily cleared throughout the day. Had a relaxing morning doing a bit of weeding and finishing the blog and some knitting. At around noon we decided to hike down the South trail to see the waves at the point. We had just started down the soggy South trail and went up a big rock with water coming down it and crossed a big rock that is right before a seagull nest that we have been watching for a month. To our horror there was a chick lying in the middle of the trail looking dead. I looked closer to see that he was still breathing but wet and cold. I gently scooped him up in my hands to see and eye open. I immediately put him inside my jacket against me for warmth and heartbeat. As I went back over the rock I saw his nest mate lying dead on the rock – I had missed him on the way in. It just ripped our hearts apart to see this carnage after watching their eggs and mother sitting on the nest all these long days. Did not see any sign of the mother anywhere. I raced back to the house with my precious cargo and we quickly set up a plastic bin with a towel, paper towels and cloth rags as a nest. By now he was pretty dried off and fuzzy but still limp and lifeless except for breathing and a blink. I loosely wrapped him in his cloth nest and left him quiet and warm in the bedroom upstairs while we returned to the South trail to complete our hike. As we passed the sad empty nest again I noticed another body of the 3^rd younger chick. It was just too much to bear to see this sad horrible affliction to this budding family that we had watched and cared about for the last month. So with heavy heart and worries about my little patient we went down to the south point of the island and looked at the crashing waves on the cliffs. We had seen two chicks here in the rocks before the storm and wondered what happened to them. As we got back to the grassy ridge we saw a chick that was pretty far along and that was a good sign to see that he survived the hurricane. So we went back to the house and I raced upstairs to find my little baby sleeping peacefully in his nest. A few hours later he was awake and sitting with bright little black eyes. I prepared a mixture of honey, milk and tiny bread bits that I warmed up. I fed it to him with a ¼ teaspoon. He would open his mouth up indicating he wanted food and I held him and gently opened his mouth and carefully shoveled the gruel way down his gullet. I have taken care of lots of tiny sparrow chicks in California much in the same way except using an eyedropper and knew what to do. The gull was actually easier since he was so much bigger. I gave him about 6 mouthfuls and then some water and put him back in the bin. He was now standing – very wobbly and trying to walk about. I left him be in the quiet warm upstairs room.

Arthur Seguin 4th

After a lunch of soups and chips and salsa I weeded in my garden and tied a few pea plants to sticks for them to climb on. Again I fed the little chick in the same way and he seemed a bit more chipper. I fed him about every two hours with the last feeding at about 9 PM. Baby birds sleep through the night and are quiet.

At around 5:30 pm we got a call from Ethan asking if his brother could come up for a look. Of course – surprised to have anyone come out today. Anthony showed up with another brother and 3 others that we gave a nice tour to. Later about 7:30 pm a man and his son appeared from their sailboat in the cove and we gave them a nice tour also.  The FOSILS folks asked Fred if he would apply another coat of joint compound to some taped drywall joints in the guest quarters.  After reading on the net how to do this, he gave it a shot, never having done this before.  Turned out to be pretty easy.  The evening had cleared pretty much and started a dinner of pork chops and salad. At about 9:30 pm I ventured outside for a look and noticed the fireworks going off along all the coastlines – about 12 displays. We went up in the tower and went outside to see the shows. They were small but fun to see so many for a delayed 4^th of July fireworks showing. I managed to squeeze in some weight training and stretching before one last feeding for Arthur Seguin the 4^th and a kiss on his fuzzy little spotted head to bid him sweet dreams and more recovery. For me, off to a fretful sleep thinking about his poor little siblings that I felt so sad and helpless at not being able to save.

Day 48, 4 July

2 visitors

Seagull Enjoying the Storm

Happy 4^th of July!!!! It was mostly overcast with some morning patchy sun which quickly turned to rain periods throughout the day from the storm/hurricane Arthur effects. Around 9:30 am our nice couple from yesterday came up from their boat as promised to do some shopping in our gift store and presented us with a bottle of wine. How thoughtful and kind of them to thank us like that. They had to leave to get to Boothbay and safe from the weather. I pulled a few weeds in my garden and checked my flower gardens and other plantings. Inventoried the gift shop and finally had breakfast/lunch of pizza and strawberries. A shower and made up 2 twin beds, one on each side to ready for the next guests and my brother Karl and his wife Lori. They would be showing up earlier the next week from Alaska for a little visit. So everything

Wild rose covered with raindrops

was ready.  Dr. Fred performed various tasks and went down to the cove to put a new roll of toilet paper in the outhouse. I set down to check email and do my nails. The weather let up a bit with the rain stopping but overcast, warm and humid. I got a call from Fred asking if I wanted to hike the peninsula from Cove to Cobblestone. So I got my rain pants and jacket on in case it started raining – which it did as I started my way down to the cove. I was a little concerned about hiking on the wet rocky cliffs and rocks, but proceeded anyway, being careful. I had my waterproof Boggs boots on and got the feel of them on the wet rocks and felt more assured of no slipping, but was still careful. I already had a bruised back and didn’t need more bruises. My collection of mosquito bites was added to with a bite to the neck as I came down the

Long Exposure Night Photo of Lighthouse with Milky Way in Background
Taken by Adam Woodworth, www.adamwoodworth.com

lighthouse trail earlier. They liked to get my thumbs also when that is the only thing sticking out of my jacket sleeves at night and my thumbs itch. Pesky little bloodsuckers! Fred doesn’t seem to get bit at all.  We had a nice safe hike around to Cobblestone and it was sweltering in the heat and humidity with rain pants on. The rain did pick up more but I took the jacket off to cool off during the hike. Back to the house we went to relax and start the blog. I called my brother Karl who had a delayed flight to Boston from the storm but he and Lori had made it and they had just gotten to Rockport where they will be visiting friends for a few days before coming to visit us. We heard from Kim and turns out the flights were cancelled in Portland and she drove all night to Wash Dulles to catch a flight back to Denver. Got word that her lobsters that she ordered and had sent home, got back before she did!

Since the rain was very heavy we relaxed inside and had a nice dinner of salad, grilled sole with leftover risotto. We did bit more knitting and watching the news and call it a day and then off to bed. 

This is Fred, I have included another long exposure night shot of the light house with the milky way in the background. It was taken by Adam Woodworth.  He was nice enough to allow me post his picture.  His website is www.adamwoodworth.com.

Day 47, 3 July

Sunrise

11 visitors

We got off the island early this morning on a warm sunny day. Witnessed a beautiful sunrise.  Our friend Kim went with us since she reluctantly had to go home. We first went to Cyndy’s house to get water and leave the trash and introduce Hinkley to his Auntie Kim. She was amazed at his large size and pleased at how friendly he was. Kim is a real dog lover also. Fred then went over to do laundry and Kim and I went to get apple cheddar kieshes and mocha and tea at Café Crème. 

U.S. Navy Stealth Ship USS Numwalt at Bath Iron Works

On the way to Bath we always drive by the historic Bath Iron Works which has been building ships since 1762, 33 years before the first Seguin Lighthouse was built in 1795.  We then went to the office to see Catherine and deliver our sales and pick up our mail and more gift store stuff. Kim got a few more things to take home. Onward we went down the street to do a little shopping, stopping at Reny’s to have a look and then onward to Wilson’s drugstore. It was still a bit early for the other stores but we killed enough time that they started to open up. We enjoyed the Made in Maine store and got some things there. Fred gave us a call that he was done and ready to come back. He was going to stop in the office and go to Crème to download some magazines. Kim and I walked back up the street and looked in more shops. She then went back to Crème to check emails and flight info. I ducked into a jewelry store that I noticed before, down under the big ramp going to a back parking lot from the main street. There was an elderly lady that asked me if I could help her with her walker. She was transitioning from the wooden ramp to the pavement – all which was steep. So I held her walker steady while she made the steps to her walker and felt comfortable. I kept an eye on her and made sure she was progressing downward with no problems. So I ducked into the store and saw the beach glass wrapped in silver wire and asked if I could have a piece wrapped. They said they could certainly do that and I produced my aquamarine heart beach glass to be wrapped. It should be done by next week to pick up.

Bath City Hall

Onward to meet Fred and Kim at Café Crème. All 3 of us crossed the street to go inside the very impressive City Hall building which was all decked out in red, white and blue banners for the 4^th. We all used the bathrooms and looked up and down the 3 floors at the charming old offices and courtrooms. After that excursion we moved our cars and found a place to eat – a little bistro on the main street called Solo. Fred and I shared a cold sweet potato/carrot soup and each had a delicious pulled pork sandwich. Kim had a big plate full of mussels with fries. After our yummy lunch we went back to the cars and said our goodbyes – WAHHHHH!  Kim was going to head down to Portland to catch her flight with a stop in Freeport to check out LL Bean. We got some groceries at Bartlett’s and then drove around a bit and returned to Bath to get some ice cream before getting groceries at Shaw’s. When we came out of Shaw’s we noticed the big clouds building for thundershowers. Got to the dock with Ethan arriving and loaded up our stuff and quickly on our way back to the island. Ethan wanted to get us there and get back before all hell broke loose. He had brought back the work party of 3 earlier due to the impending storm when he had some visitors that he took there and back on his morning/afternoon trip. I got off the boat OK into the shallow water and was starting to walk toward the shore when I was suddenly falling backward and under as the ferry went back also. Luckily Ethan saw me and grabbed me upright and I only got my lower half soaked! I did smack my back against the boat edge and knew I’d have a nice bruise there but otherwise I was fine. We got our stuff off and onto shore when we noticed another dinghy tied up – visitors. We met a very nice couple at the kiosk and they had just come to shore when we arrived. Their pretty sailboat was moored in the cove. While Fred lugged everything to the tram the couple grabbed a few things and we walked up to the house. I immediately gave them a tour of the lighthouse and they were so excited and appreciative. I guided them to the museum and ran over to help direct Fred with the tram and we got our stuff to the top.

Back to the museum and gift shop to our visitors. They left after a bit, promising to come back in the morning to get a few things in the gift shop. We were exhausted after unpacking our stuff and relaxed in the late afternoon. The weather was sunny but quickly clouded over with the impending storm. We relaxed more and read our mail and knit. We just had some Ramen noodle soup for dinner since we had big breakfast and lunch. The rain started and we were soon falling asleep from our busy day. It seemed so quiet without Kim to talk and cook with – we missed her already. Off to bed wondering if she made her flight and was winging her way safely home.

Day 46, 2 July

3 visitors

Unafraid baby bird on Cobblestone trail

We did not go off the island due to small craft warnings and the morning was warm and balmy. Kim and I spread out the seaweed in the garden that was leftover from the lobsters.  After a breakfast of leftover pancakes Fred did more weed whacking on the Cobblestone, Main and South and trails. Kim went to the cove determined to find some mussels to gather. I opted to care for Sacatar and write up the blog. I got a call from Kim that there was a party of three on the trail from a sailboat that was moored in the cove. I stayed on alert at the house expecting visitors but none showed up so I took a quick shower and made up the bed in the guest quarters. The wind was getting stronger and stronger from a predicted storm on the way. Fred and Kim returned from their endeavors. Kim had found her elusive mussels and had gathered about 2.5 dozen. We decided to have a lunch of them and also the leftover beef stroganoff. Kim steamed the mussels in a bit of red sangria wine and garlic and butter. They were delicious along with the stroganoff. As we were finishing lunch a party of 3 showed up for a tour and Fred gave them one.

After lunch Kim and I went down to Cobblestone beach to dump off the lobster and mussel shells. We then went back to the cove where

Young Seagulls on Rocks at South Point

Fred had pulled out an old flower box from the boathouse. I watered the box and planted some flower seeds in it while Kim picked her way along the rocky shoreline to the left of the boathouse. After I finished planting my seeds, we went back up the main trail to South trail where Fred joined us for a hike to the southern tip of the island. We sat and rested and took in the views and watched the 6-ft waves crash on the rocks. We spied two baby seagulls that were poking around the rock cliffs. They were still covered on down feathers but were now about 8 inches tall and their beaks appeared nearly full size.  Awkward looking.  Fred had spotted them earlier and actually rescued one that got stuck in a spot where he was suspended with his feet in the air. Fred used part of the weed whacker to scoop him up to where his feet could reach and he

Another shot of the young Seagulls

could keep walking. The area seemed very perilous for two little chicks. I hope their parents were about to care for them. The weather got stormier and we headed back to the house. I decided to play my violin a bit and Kim and Fred joined me in the tower for a little concert. After about an hour I stopped to join our little group to relax and talk and watch the dramatic storm. It rained quite hard and there was thunder and lightening. It was very compelling to play my violin during the height of the storm. The storm eventually passed and there was a long spectacular sunset with a faint pink band starting it out. As the sun set it got under a layer of clouds and set more of them on fire with orange and pink. It seemed to go on a long time as it morphed into more beautiful and ever changing views. Even after the sun had set the bands of pink

Cynthia performing just under the Seguin Light

turned more pastel to blend with the coming of dusk and darkness.

We all headed back to the house for a dinner of Hawaiian-mango-cheese-cinnamon chicken with salad and risotto. We relaxed a tiny bit and Kim had to get all her stuff together since she was planning on leaving us tomorrow to get back to reality. She really enjoyed herself here and was such a joy to have as our guest. She was so helpful with weeding and sea weeding my garden and cooking us delicious meals. She brought 4 bags of yummy foods and drink that she shared and will leave us with. We will miss her greatly and hope maybe we can stop by her house in the Denver area on the way home for an overnight stay. I am too tired to continue and I must get some sleep for tomorrow’s busy excursion into town.

Sweet dreams of thunder and lightening with echoing strains of violin notes keeping in time with pounding raindrops to soothe and relax a great shining presence guarding the night.

Sunset just after a big storm

Selfie of Fred, Cyn and Kim

Day 45, 1 July

5 visitors

Hand Knit Mermaid Dress
Yarn from Sequim, WA - Knit at Seguin Island, ME

A sunny, breezy more humid morning today but very nice on our isle. I got up a bit early to make popovers for everyone and we enjoyed them for breakfast. Kim and I weeded and spread out the seaweed in my garden that we gathered the evening before. Fred went off to weed whack the North trail. Ethan was able to come over with 3 visitors and some lobsters!  I gave a nice tour to a mother and her 2 daughters and Fred and Kim brought up the lobsters in a bucket with seaweed. We put them down in the basement where it was cool. More putzing around my mini gardens and I gave a tour to a nice couple who came over on a sailboat. They had never been to a lighthouse and I gave them a grand tour to our grand Lady. We got back together with Fred and had lunch of guacamole, chips, grapefruit, cheese, salami and crackers. Later Kim and I hiked the South trail taking clippers to trim along the way. I dropped off a ½ gallon of water at the trail junction to bring down later to water my flower box at the kiosk. Fred was still weed whacking. We had a nice hike and came back to the junction where Kim went back up to the house to get her crocs for wading in the water and I continued to the kiosk to water my box. I then went down to the boathouse dock to relax and got a call from Fred and Kim that they were coming down with wine!  So we had a nice happy hour at the dock with the 3

Kim with Crab found in the cove

of us relaxing and talking. Kim really wanted some mussels and ventured out to the cove to look for some. She didn’t find any but did find a big old crab with one claw and we took pictures of ourselves with it before letting it go. We eventually wandered back up to the house to cook the lobsters for dinner. We had them with corn on the cob and potato chips. So Kim finally got her fresh lobster and we were all very happy – mission accomplished! We relaxed in the living room and I started my new knitted dress, a periwinkle blue, fine wool, lace dress. We watched the news and got more and more tired and one by one we went to bed. The knitting was giving me problems and something was not right – I suspected the pattern was incorrect and tried something else which seemed to work and finally went online to check if there were

Lobster Dinner

corrections to the pattern and low and behold there were!  So what I guessed at, turned out to be correct. Not often but occasionally there are errors in patterns and it pays to get online to check before one starts which I should of done but the computer was in use all evening. At least I confirmed it. After 51 years of knitting I can usually figure out fast that something is wrong and fix it.  So I didn’t get to bed till 3 am after washing up but I did figure out the pattern and got 12 rows done!  Visions of knitted blue lace swirling in my head as I drifted quickly off to sleep.