If you plan to visit New England, you should try to include a trip to some of the islands in Maine. This is the state with the most offshore islands. According to the records of the Maine State Planning Office, the Pine Tree State boasts over 4,600 of these small landmasses.
These landmasses were formed as a result of what in geology is known as a drowned coast. The sea level rose, mainly due to glacial melting at the end of the last ice age about 25 000 years ago. As the water flowed into the landscape, valleys turned into bays and the tops of submerged mountains became isles.
Most of these are very small. In fact, many are little more than rocky outcrops that form habitats for marine life and, in some cases, are home to a lighthouse. About 1 200 have a surface area of more than an acre.
People live on 41 isles only. In most cases this is only for the summer. However, there are a few small communities that are permanent and in summer they simply grow in size. There are three main geographic groups of these permanent communities.
Down East and Acadia includes Great Cranberry, Little Cranberry, Isle Au Haut, Frenchboro, Eastport on Moose Island and Swan's Island. Great Cranberry and Little Cranberry, which is also known as Islesford, are two of the five Cranberry Isles. Eastport is a commercial shipping port and the easternmost city in the United States. Frenchboro consists of twelve islands and is home to the annual Frenchboro Lobster Festival. Swan's Island hosts the Sweet Chariot Music Festival every year.
The Greater Portland and Casco Bay Islands consist of communities near Portland. In fact, Cliff Island, Peaks Island, Great Diamond and Long Island all form part of the Greater Portland area. Cousins Island is part of Yarmouth while Great Chebeague is an independent town community.
Criehaven and Bayley are two of the communities that make up the Mid-coast Penobscot Bay area. While Bayley is actually part of the town of Harpswell, Criehaven is the East Coast's community that is furthest offshore. Other communities in this area are Matinicus, Islesboro, Vinalhaven, North Haven, Monhegan and Deer Isle. The latter is also known as Stonington.
Some of these communities are connected to the mainland by bridge. However, most are accessible only by ferry or water taxi. If you have your own private yacht or if you can get a ride on one, getting to any of these locations will not be a problem either. Transport once you're in one of these communities is easy too. Some of them are so small that there are no cars and you can easily get by on bicycle or golf cart. Alternatively, you can hoof it.
You can also get to these places with the help of the Maine Island Trail. Since 1988 this has been a way for travelers to get from the mainland to their ideal camping or hiking spot in one of about 150 offshore locales, whether it is an inhabited one or not. It is the largest water trail in the country, stretching from Cape Porpoise Harbor in the vicinity of Kennebunkport all the way to Machias. It also continues on to places in Canada's New Brunswick.
If you feel the need to escape the hustle and bustle of city life more often than just for a few days, you may want to buy your own island. It is in fact possible to buy your own slice of offshore heaven, since of the islands in Maine, about 600 are in private hands. Realtors will help you find your dream property to escape to as often as you want.
These landmasses were formed as a result of what in geology is known as a drowned coast. The sea level rose, mainly due to glacial melting at the end of the last ice age about 25 000 years ago. As the water flowed into the landscape, valleys turned into bays and the tops of submerged mountains became isles.
Most of these are very small. In fact, many are little more than rocky outcrops that form habitats for marine life and, in some cases, are home to a lighthouse. About 1 200 have a surface area of more than an acre.
People live on 41 isles only. In most cases this is only for the summer. However, there are a few small communities that are permanent and in summer they simply grow in size. There are three main geographic groups of these permanent communities.
Down East and Acadia includes Great Cranberry, Little Cranberry, Isle Au Haut, Frenchboro, Eastport on Moose Island and Swan's Island. Great Cranberry and Little Cranberry, which is also known as Islesford, are two of the five Cranberry Isles. Eastport is a commercial shipping port and the easternmost city in the United States. Frenchboro consists of twelve islands and is home to the annual Frenchboro Lobster Festival. Swan's Island hosts the Sweet Chariot Music Festival every year.
The Greater Portland and Casco Bay Islands consist of communities near Portland. In fact, Cliff Island, Peaks Island, Great Diamond and Long Island all form part of the Greater Portland area. Cousins Island is part of Yarmouth while Great Chebeague is an independent town community.
Criehaven and Bayley are two of the communities that make up the Mid-coast Penobscot Bay area. While Bayley is actually part of the town of Harpswell, Criehaven is the East Coast's community that is furthest offshore. Other communities in this area are Matinicus, Islesboro, Vinalhaven, North Haven, Monhegan and Deer Isle. The latter is also known as Stonington.
Some of these communities are connected to the mainland by bridge. However, most are accessible only by ferry or water taxi. If you have your own private yacht or if you can get a ride on one, getting to any of these locations will not be a problem either. Transport once you're in one of these communities is easy too. Some of them are so small that there are no cars and you can easily get by on bicycle or golf cart. Alternatively, you can hoof it.
You can also get to these places with the help of the Maine Island Trail. Since 1988 this has been a way for travelers to get from the mainland to their ideal camping or hiking spot in one of about 150 offshore locales, whether it is an inhabited one or not. It is the largest water trail in the country, stretching from Cape Porpoise Harbor in the vicinity of Kennebunkport all the way to Machias. It also continues on to places in Canada's New Brunswick.
If you feel the need to escape the hustle and bustle of city life more often than just for a few days, you may want to buy your own island. It is in fact possible to buy your own slice of offshore heaven, since of the islands in Maine, about 600 are in private hands. Realtors will help you find your dream property to escape to as often as you want.
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