Fall Break in Maine Day 4

Grammie and Grandpa need their rest, so mom and I are taking the kids (and Aunt Denise) to Portland to ride the mail boat. The mail boat is a boat that goes around to many of the islands outside of Portland, it delivers mail and goods to the residents that live on the islands. It is also used as transportation for the residents who live on the islands so that they can travel to the main land.

We knew it was going to be a chilly ride, but they do have a part of the boat that is not open aired if it gets to chilly. To start out though we had to be in the open air, front of the boat.

One of the sites to see during the ride is an old abandoned fort, you can see trees growing out of the top of it. Built back in the 1800's this fort never saw battle, but was there just in case.

The kids were given a map of the tour and enjoyed some time drawing out the path that we took around the islands.

The picturesque islands were very pretty to look at, we also got to be "leap peepers" seeing some of the beautiful New England foliage...we also got to see an interesting boat, with a van on it!

On the way back to Portland we got to see some seals in the water which was pretty cool. I also talked with a women who lives on one of the islands about island life. She says it expensive living on the island, with costs like having two cars, one of which you pay for parking and storage in Portland, you have to pay for you cargo you bring to and from the island.

Some of the islands are pretty big with their own stores and restaurants, where others are small and don't even accommodate cars. Personally, I think island life would be ok for a week, but that would be enough for me! I like to go to many places to want to live on an island.

The most populated island has two stores, some restaurants and even an elementary school...maybe one year we could come back and stay on that island...otherwise we will just visit!