CHINAR SHADE : A VISIT TO PORTLAND AND PEAKS ISLAND IN CASCO BAY

PHOTOS OF OLD PORTLAND

( The Portland Lighthouse )

( House of Henry Longfellow )

( A ship passing through the Casco Bay bridge ,)

PHOTOS OF VISIT TO PEAKS ISLAND

(Photograph of Portland ferry terminal with lobster boats and traps )

( The Golf cart is the modern of transport )

A VISIT TO PORTLAND AND PEAKS ISLAND ON THE ATLANTIC OCEAN IN MAINE STATE OF NEW ENGLAND ,USA

On 25th August 2024, from Ossipee Lake house in New Hampshire , we went to Portland and Peaks Island falling in Casco Bay of Maine state of the US. It was about one and half hour drive by car. Ossipee Lake falls in New Hampshire state. Both the states are a part of the New England area of the US . New England is mostly green, full of lakes, fruits, wines, maple syrup, flowers, birds, hills, waterfalls and pleasant summers. Maine is well known for its wildlife. Bears and mooses, along with white-tailed deers are the major wildlife attractions of this region. However, smaller mammals such as beaver are also very popular . One can see a variety of birds in Maine . Some common birds seen over here could be listed as, American Goldfinch ,House finch , Black capped Chickadee, Chipping sparrow , American Robin, Blue Jay, wood duck,Common eider, Northern cardinal,Red bellied woodpecker, Atlantic puffin,Mourning dove, House warbler,Common loon, Hooded warbler, Dark eyes junco and many more.Climatically it resembles Kashmir with four distinct seasons.Both ,Maine and New Hampshire states are adjacent to each other.

This part of the New England was inhabited by the native Abenaki tribe before the immigrants from England arrived here sometime in first quarter of the 17th century. Portland town and Peaks Island fall in Casco Bay of the Atlantic Ocean. Before coming to Portland town and Peaks Island, it is quite pertinent to say something about Casco Bay

CASCO BAY

Both bays and gulfs are also part of a sea or ocean. A bay is a broad, recessed coastal inlet where the land curves inward. There is a coastline on three sides of a bay. A gulf is a more defined and deeper inlet with the entrance more enclosed.

Casco Bay encompasses more than 300 islands communities and two of Maine’s largest cities, Portland and South Portland, and two of Maine’s newest towns, Long Island and Chebeague Island. Casco Bay is both a working waterfront—a port of call for cruise ships, oil tankers, and container ships—and a scenic postcard of historic forts, stalwart lighthouses, secluded anchorages, and many islands.

Casco Bay, as an estuary, is where rivers and tides converge. Rivers add nutrients and tides deliver cold, oxygen-rich seawater. The Bay provides relatively protected habitat for 850 species of marine life and 150 kinds of water birds that feed, breed, and raise their young here.

Native Americans harvested this rich estuary, camping on Casco Bay islands to hunt, fish, and dig clams. Prehistoric spear and harpoon points, fish bones and shell heaps found on Casco Bay islands help trace ancient peoples’ late winter, spring and summer camps. While evidence of native tribes dates back 2,000 years, other artifacts reach back over 4,000 years.

( Photo of native people in Casco Bay )

By the 1730s, Europeans had begun drastically affecting the Bay and its native residents. Since then, Casco Bay and the waters that feed into it have supported industries such as shipping, commercial fishing and tourism, and have also made the area a popular destination for living, working and recreating.

An inlet on Maine’s southern coast, Casco Bay is a rich maritime area spotted with lighthouses, historic forts, and seven small islands. Calm conditions make Casco Bay an ideal spot for boating, sailing, and kayaking.

Many interested visitors to this area prefer to go in lobster boats( designed to be smooth and stable on ocean waters) to fish lobsters. Lobstering season starts from May and is over by November end due to harsh winters. Apart from lobsters, a wide variety of marine life also enters the lobster traps . Some common varieties include , rock crabs. snails, starfish and hermit crabs . Most of these visitors entering the lobster traps are thrown back into the sea.

( A painting showing a lobster boats in Casco Bay )

PORTLAND

Portland is a old town of Maine state perched on Casco Bay of Atlantic ocean.

The town has a permanent population of about 70,000 people .It is a town of ferries ,festivals, music,wines ,coffee, lobsters and Art Walks. Henry Longfellow, who lived in Portland called it, "A city by the Sea". Once a trading and fishing settlement of the immigrants from UK , Portland town is full of architecture and landmarks where modernity meets the old-world ambiance . Portland offers some of the best access to neighbouring islands( just a ferry ride away), historic forts, and lighthouses all falling in Casco Bay .Portland's waterfront is still a working port. The old town has narrow ,gas-lit streets that lead to delightful shops ,galleries,and a multitudes of acclaimed restaurants.

One can see tourists from all over the world walking on the old cobbled paths looking for restaurants, theatres, art museums and historic sites. They also visit breweries for crafted beer, wineries, concert halls or enjoy water- taxi rides, rent a bike and go for a bike tours. A visit to Maine Maritime Museum can be a rich experience . So can be a scenic train ride along Portland's waterfront. There are many Parks worth visiting . Some tourists go for a sea cruise while some visit Opera Maine . Buses and ships also take you for Portland city / sea tour charging something around 45 dollars.

One can also drive or walk over the Casco Bay bridge for a scenic view of Casco Bay and Portland. The Casco Bay bridge connects Portland to South Portland. It has a great view of the harbour for watching boats and ships .The Casco Bay bridge opens dramatically to give passage to ships. The sea traffic has precedence over the land traffic over here . The best enjoyable thing could be a ferry ride to Peaks Island .

Maine never never allowed slavery . However Portland was a major port involved in the slave trade. It was also a centre for slave stowaways who escaped on ships. Runaway slaves then alighted at Portland and made an overland journey up to Canada for freedom. Something that surprised and me over here and in many places in the US is the recreational use of marijuna . It is legal if the smoker is above 21 years. Marijuna is sold at retail stores throughout Maine . I am certain that the federal and State government will have to review this liberal policy in larger public interests .

PEAKS ISLAND

Casco bay has over 300 islands . Six islands namely Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island, Great Diamond Island, Long Island, Chebeague Island and Cliff Island are inhabited but Peaks Island happens to be the largest inhabited island in the bay.

Spread over 720 acres and once known as the Coney Island of Maine, and later an important WW II outpost, Peaks Island today is a neighbourhood within the town of Portland. Home to artists, retirees, commuters of all sorts and a substantial summer population, Peaks Island boasts a small town feel with unparalleled ocean views and access. The efficient ferry connectivity( 15 minutes time one way ) from Portland makes Peaks an ideal, family friendly destination. The two way ferry fare per adult is 14 dollars . However seniors and children get 50% rebate. Some residents move cars and motorbikes on the ferry .

The permanent population of this Island is about 900 which during summer season goes up to 4000. The harbour side of the Island is largely inhabited while the side facing Atlantic Ocean is often struck by sea storms and high tide. We were told that January 2024 storm damaged roads and also swept ashore huge stones and rock pieces. Some summer houses on that side suffered extensive damage. The harbour side has hotels, restaurants , churches, two cemeteries, health centre, police office, post office, fire brigade office and an art gallery and the Fifth Maine Museum. The historic Fifth Maine Museum showcases lots Island history plus tons of Civil War and World War ll artifacts. Clean drinking water distributed through pipes to the residents. The island is administered from Portland through an elected council of residents.

( A view of Atlantic Ocean from Peaks Island by Avtar Mota )

Before the immigrants from UK arrived ,the Island was inhabited by native tribes. The immigrants faced strong hostility from the natives during initial period. However after 1750, two separate villages were established by the immigrants who later owned the entire land on the Island . With affluence visiting the American society, Peaks Island was developed as a recreational spot .Hotels, shops, dance halls, restaurants, cottages ,summer theatres and amusement parks were opened in this small island.Twelve steam boats would carry thousands people to and from between Portland and Peaks every day during summer season. Ferries have replaced steam boats now. World War II brought new people and public investment to the island. The military defence of Portland harbour was built at the Peaks Island .I also saw people commuting daily to Portland town for jobs or middle /secondary school education. We were told that inspite of all modern facilities, winters are severe as temperature may fall to minus twenty degrees Celsius. Battery operated Golf carts are a reliable and popular mode of transport for movement within the Island.Most of the Golf cart owners are tourist guides as well. They are local residents who supplement their income by providing Golf cart facility to tourists. As tour guides, these owner drivers keep telling history of the island as they drive . We also engaged a soft spoken educated lady for our visit . She told us this :-

" I reside in this island . My daughter served in Hyderabad , India for sometime . She made friends over there. I live alone and drive this Golf cart run on battery. It keeps me engaged apart from supplementing my income. We have a well knit community over here . People from all religions live peacefully .I studied in that school and went for my middle and secondary education to Portland. Life is tough in winters. Although small in size, this forest has bears and deers. Once a group of 90 deers came out in open on the island. We shrank in our rooms for three days. We have to be careful about fires also. My grandfather had told me that three fires that occurred between 1918 and 1936 put an end to all over here . Life is certainly slow here. We get cut off everyday from world after 7.45 PM when the last ferry departs for Portland. Should there be an emergency , one has to contact police or fire services who provide jet boat to go to Portland.Our community in the Island also publishes a newspaper that is distributed free of cost."