Off to Baker Island Aboard the Picnic Boat
During one of my recent weekends in Maine, I suggested to my guests that we travel by boat to explore Baker Island. Baker is one of the five islands in the Town of Cranberry Isles and it marks the southwestern entrance to Frenchman Bay. In the early 1800’s, the Gilley family moved to Baker Island and took possession of it, creating the Gilley family homestead, farm fields, and apple orchard.
Surrounding the island are craggy shoals and a sand bar running between Baker Island and Little Cranberry Island. In 1828, to warn boaters about these dangers, President John Quincy Adams ordered that a lighthouse be erected on the highest part of Baker Island. It is the oldest lighthouse in the area and is still operating today. Please enjoy this little tour of a very special place.
1 This is my beautiful 36-foot classic Hinkley picnic boat. I love this craft for its sleekness, its speed, and its roominess. I christened it Skylands II.
2 Because of something called a jet drive, this boat has no propellers to tangle in lobster-pot lines or seaweed beds. I can glide it safely through coastal waters.
3 Over the years, we have used this boat to go whale watching, looking for puffins, exploring, antiquing in Blue Hill, and picnicking on the neighboring islands off the coast of Mt. Desert Island.
4 On this particular day, Skylands II transported us to Baker Island, which offers a glimpse into what life was like during the 19th century.
5 This is the Gilley house - the Gilley family inhabited Baker Island for 123 continuous years.
6 The Gilley house from another angle - what a great view!
7 The Baker Island lighthouse is still operational. It is the oldest lighthouse in the Mount Desert Island area.
8 The sign describing the lighthouse - interesting that whale oil was once used to keep the light burning and is now powered by a 35 watt solar panel.
9 The Gilley burial ground - Charles A. Gilley died at 67-years of age.
10 Phebe J. Stanley lived to be 87-years and 3-months old. The Stanleys came to Baker Island to marry Gilley girls.
11 Samuel B. Gilley died in 1922 at 70-years and 25-days of age.
12 A lovely view of the mountains of Mount Desert Island
13 Baker Island is known for its flat rock formations. On the south shore is a series of huge flat slabs of granite, referred to as the 'Dance Floor,' where dances were actually held.
14 The pink granite boulders along the shore are amazing.
15 I love the contrast of pink and blue.
16 Enjoying the wonderful surroundings
17 My friend, Stephen Sills - celebrated interior designer - was amazed by these formations.
18 He wished that he could carry just one away with him.
19 Scott was fascinated.
20 The tide was going out.
21 Island sculpture
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Martha, as I've said before, you are so Blessed! What a beautiful place to be able to visit. Is this place being preserved for future generations to enjoy?
Gloria!!
Posted by: Gloria | August 12th, 2010 at 12:24 am
Beautiful pictures. Those pink granite boulders look amazing against the cornflower blue sky. I can't hear the name Skylands without thinking about a Margarita! We still use the Skyland recipe in this household for Mexican parties and I'm ever thankful for it!
Posted by: Christian / @vfbr2001 | August 12th, 2010 at 1:39 am
Hi Martha,
I love hearing about remote places like Baker’s island and then to see pictures too is even better. What a fascinating piece of history dating back to John Quincy Adams! The Gilley house reminds me of the houses in that John Adams series that was shown on HBO. I think they actually look better on the outside than on the inside though.
~
I just had to Google this place and get more info and found out the government purchased the entire island for $300.00 just to erect the lighthouse and William Gilley was the first lighthouse keeper. The bad part is, he wasn’t given squatters rights yet his family cleared portions of the land and farmed it for 17 years. The terms of the 1855 agreement states that the government has to keep the boat landing open for all persons interested in the island, so that’s a good thing. There’s more for anyone interested in Googling it.
~
Thanks Martha! Your pictures make me want to fly up and see that place for myself. So beautiful! Trish
Posted by: Trish | August 12th, 2010 at 9:29 am
There's nothing better than spending a day on the water!
Posted by: Lynn from For Love or Funny | August 12th, 2010 at 9:40 am
What beautiful pictures! In the DC area our waters aren't as blue (not really blue at all) so those rich blues waters are definitely an envy.
Thanks for sharing!
Cheers!
Alleen
Posted by: Alleen Sangiuliano | August 12th, 2010 at 9:42 am
Thank you Martha for sharing your wonderful trips. You could do a TV show with your travels. You have a beautiful way of presenting geography and history of our country. You and the Ken Burns team should consider a partnership. Bonnie DiAngelo
Posted by: bonnie | August 12th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Martha, thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | August 12th, 2010 at 10:19 am
As always your blog inspires me... I have been so busy plotting a family vacation to the Gaspe coast of Quebec [very similar landscapes]... that I forgot to renew my boating license and rent a boat! Hopefully I can find something as fun as the Hinkley!
There is nothing more fun than roaming ports on a beautiful day stopping to eat and shop at will. True heaven!
Posted by: R. | August 12th, 2010 at 11:11 am
Thanks for an amazing night last night, Martha! One of our auction items at this year's Friends of Acadia Benefit is a trip and picnic for 30 guests to Baker Island's Dancing Rocks. If any of your friends want to bid on it, have them visit our website to download the catalog and absentee bid form. http://www.friendsofacadia.org
You're GREAT!
Posted by: Lisa Horsch Clark - Friends of Acadia | August 12th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Special. I laugh at all of you lugging a rock to the Skylands II and heading home with the boat going along at about a 45 degree angle to water.
Posted by: Margie | August 12th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
I just found out you are moving to the Hallmark Channel. We don't have cable. You are an inspiration and I will miss seeing you every day.
Posted by: Melissa Rosendahl | August 12th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Thank you for sharing your diary & photos. Martha you are a blessed woman. Enjoy everyday to the fullest. I'll miss seeing you as Melissa will. We do not have cable or the dish any longer with recession downsizing.
Posted by: Louisea | August 12th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Martha..
Iive been thinking... what more can u ask for? You practically have everything...all the very best to you.
P/S: Happy Birthday!
With Love,
Marina
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Posted by: marina | August 13th, 2010 at 2:03 am
Wow, it is beautiful. Sad to see the gravestones getting a bit dim. The men in those days adored their women, chose a gal and then married her and stayed with her through thick and thin. Power men in those days...men who knew what they wanted and stayed the course. What happened?
Posted by: http://twitter.com/Geotravel | August 13th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Martha, thank you so much for the absolutely beautiful party that you gave for the benefit of The Friends of Acadia, last week. Skylands looked beautiful and all your goodies were delicious. The guests, including me, were delighted to be a part of your gracious hospitality and to enjoy the wonderful Maine environment that you have created. Lillie Johnson
Posted by: froglil | August 16th, 2010 at 11:51 am
Rather cool site you've got here. Thanks for it. I like such topics and anything connected to them. I definitely want to read more on that blog soon.
Bella Swenson
Posted by: escort exclusive | August 17th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Thanks so much for hosting the patron party last week! It was a delight to see your lovely home...hope to see you out on your guide boat soon on Long Pond!
Posted by: mary mccall | August 17th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
I am very familiar with Seal Harbor, the old LIbrary there. Somesound.all of Mount Desert and the Park, as I grew up every summer there since I was born. Although we are from Concord Massachusetts. As little girls, we would count down the days til school was out and we were packed to go "down Maine". Many mornings, my Dad, would scoot off meet John D. Rockerfeller at the corner drug store in Bar Harbor. Mr R was quite old even then, but I do remember them being so enthralled with thier discussions of upcoming events and projects for the area.
Your pics are great, Skyland is looking superb. Just on the other side of Cadillac, sitting 50 yards or so from high tide, is the Emerson Cottage.(nine acres) My Dad built it with the help of a Norwegien Desiger / Builder in 1950. I still listen to the water hitting the rocks outside my bedroom window. ALl the smells of the fresh salt air and newly tractor cut fields. Fond memories of my Mom sending us girls to our vast bluberry field early in the morning to pick the berries for her great muffins and cakes and pies. Lobster stews were enjoyed on a foggy fireplace days. As kids we were taught to dig the clams for lunch, right in front of the house. My family, and now my children are blessed to have kept the summer cottage in the family all these years. You too are now blessed to also be enjoying this spectacular area. I think it may be one of the most beautiful places on earth. Scoodic Point is also specatular with its open ocean and thousands of Puffins riding the waves on a white capped ocean afternoons. You could check it out on the Picnic Boat. You could be there in fifteen minutes with the engines in those Jet Boats. The Emerson family just loves it there and I have spent three winters there in early 2000's. Magnificent blue and greens and whites of winter should also be experienced. Enjoy Martha, you have earned the right to this extroadinary area. Truly Magnificent! DId I mentioi that we are thrilled to have you?
Posted by: Caroline | August 23rd, 2010 at 12:47 am
Hi Martha, This is a fabulous blog about your trip to Baker Island in your wonderful picnic boat, Skylands 11. I especially enjoy the photos of your fantastic boat. It is so beautiful and I'm sure it's fun to ride in. The beautiful blue sky and water certainly make your stunning white boat stand out. The lighthouse and the 19th century area of Baker Island is fun to look at. Thanks for sharing this great trip with us. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 23rd, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Dear Martha, thank you so much for the absolutely fabulous party that you gave for the benefit of The Friends of Acadia. It was my first visit to Skylands and it is absolutely beautiful. The food was delicious and your warm hospitality provided a wonderful experience for all who attended. Thank you for opening Skylands for us all to enjoy!
Donna Reis
FOA Board Member
Posted by: Donna Reis | September 5th, 2010 at 3:06 pm