Portsmouth, NH to Portland, ME

This morning I crossed the river from New Hampshire into Maine. I stopped halfway to walk a short mile trail at the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. This is yet another lovely are, dense forest over looking marshland leading out to the ocean. Although I could hear a number of birds, they were elusive, hiding in the foliage. I had to settle for some landscape shots.

Rachel Carson was an early environmental visionary, known for her first book Silent Spring. The book was the result of her environmental efforts with regard to synthetic pesticides, which eventually led to a national reversal of policies and the cessation of use of DDT and other pesticides. It also inspired a grassroots environmental movement that led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, sadly emasculated of late. Carson was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter.

I continued up to Portland and, once settled in my hotel, took a walk along the waterfront. The town was bustling with tourists and had many shops and restaurants. One of the big items, both here and in NH, is items made from reused sailcloth.

The long hot summer days must be catching up with me as I crashed and called it an early night. Tomorrow I will drive over to South Portland and explore the lighthouses and coastline.