PORTLAND, MAINE AND GREAT FRIENDS

When we first retired and started full-timing, we stayed the first winter in Galveston because Mr. W's mother was very ill and we didn't want to get very far away from home.  We met a couple there that were older than us, but they PUT US TO SHAME!  They got up everyday and were out by 9:00, came back around 5:00.  They visited museums, points of interest, historical sites, surrounding towns, tour sites, and everything in-between.  They also fell in love with Texas, so, of course we fell in love with them.  Donna and Norm have been after us to visit Maine since we met them.  Once they found out we were coming, they have been planning a time to get together with us and take us on a guided tour of their city.

The first place we went was to Portland Head Lighthouse on Cape Elizabeth. Construction began in 1787 at the directive of George Washington, and was completed on January 10, 1791, using a fund of $1,500. Whale oil lamps were originally used for illumination. In 1787, while Maine was still part of the state of Massachusetts, George Washington engaged two masons from the town of Falmouth, Jonathan Bryant and John Nichols, and instructed them to take charge of the construction of a lighthouse on Portland Head. The original plans called for the tower to be 58 feet tall. When the masons completed this task, they climbed to the top of the tower and realized that it would not be visible beyond the headlands to the south, so it was raised approximately 20 feet.

The tower was built of rubblestone, and Washington gave the masons four years to build it. While it was under construction in 1789, the federal government was being formed and for a while it looked as though the lighthouse would not be finished. Following passage of their ninth law, the first congress made an appropriation and authorized the Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, to inform the mechanics that they could go on with the completion of the tower. On August 10, 1790, the second session of congress appropriated a sum not to exceed $1500, and under the direction of the President, "to cause the said lighthouse to be finished and completed accordingly." The tower was completed during 1790 and first lit January 10, 1791.

During the American Civil War, raids on shipping in and out of Portland Harbor became commonplace, and because of the necessity for ships at sea to sight Portland Head Light as soon as possible, the tower was raised twenty feet. The current keepers' house was built in 1891. When Halfway Rock Light was built, Portland Head Light was considered less important and in 1883 the tower was shortened 20 feet.

This is just an interesting fact, The lighthouse is also featured on a postcard in the opening credits of National Lampoon's Vacation.

When we left the lighthouse, we went to eat lunch.  We went to a great place, called the Lobster Shack, on the beach to have lunch. The weather was absolutely beautiful for eating outside and the food was great. 

We then took a ride through Portland and looked at some of the sights. There are some beautiful homes and gorgeous coastlines. Of course the company was the best thing.  We always have a great time and enjoy being Norm and Donna every time we have the chance to get together.  

Our favorite Maine-iacs