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Last week I found myself alone in Acadia Park on a midweek trip which I rarely do as it is more enjoyable to be there with Lee sharing the wonders of the place. After a fine morning where I spoke with the Park Ranger at the base of the cliffs of the Precipice about the family of peregrine falcons who nest there each year. The younsters fledged just the day before and were soaring above the cliffs for short flights before landing on a rock near their nest for a breather. This pair of breeding peregrines managed to raise three chicks to the point of flight, a lesson being learned as we watched through binoculars and scope. Next they will learn to find food from their very able parents teachings.
The ranger who I have met many times before has a most interesting name, Ed Hawkes. I resisted the pun that he has heard for his entire life.
At noon I had lunch and decided to take the cruise on a four masted schooner called the Margaret Todd from Bar Harbor just outside of Acadia. Photos of my morning will be here next week. Today they are all of the sunfilled afternoon on shore and sailing out to Frenchman's Bay.
Summer here in this part of Maine frequently reveals treasures that are ever a joy to experience for the first time, or to re-experience for the next opportunity that presents itself. As in life what is ever a delight will present in a new light as long as we enter into the moment that is given.
Here is the Margaret Todd at her pier -
God
is the Ocean offering its riches without reason,
without explanation.
We,
if we follow our longing for union with the Beloved,
and are called to the sea's shore,
we will wait for the vessel to carry us from
life on land,
to where freedom from bondage to mere existence
becomes complete oneness, with our Creator.
That
ship awaits us all, to bring each one to New Life.
Her
sails will not be raised until we are on board –
such is the patience of God's Unconditional Love.
Bill Lagerstrom, 2014
Lunch being served at the hotel and restaurant at the foot of the walkway to the Margaret Todd.
Halfway to the ship I caught the scene of the bay where this flower box was placed.
Sails raised we headed out.
The view of Acadia from a mile out.
I have always been enamored with ships and the ocean. While working on these photos I tried to see the ship from the eyes of sailors who plied the waters a hundred years ago. The two images that follow are my offering as homage to the past when only the wind was the engine to move the great ships around the world.
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Leaving the ship after docking I spied a wedding party and their photographer as memories were captured. This may be my favorite image of the day as the story of tourists and wedding party unfolded with remarkable contrast where neither saw each other.
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Just a moment in Bar Harbor which reminded me of Italy.
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Some humor:
Until next week, Peace and Serenity,
Bill Lagerstrom
