|
|
Getting to Vinalhaven,
the ferry, lighthouses
|
|
Rockland ME is where you go to get the ferry to
Vinalhaven. Follow route 17 from Augusta ME and the
follow the signs for the Vinalhaven ferry. Check
the ferry schedule on the links above. If it is
in-season, (in the summer) you won't be able to get
your car onto the island unless you have a
reservation. On weekends you may have trouble
finding parking that you'll need so you can go over as a pedestrian.
The best time to arrive to look for parking is just
after the ferry has left, when pedestrians coming
fromthe island have already picked up
their cars and left the lots.
|
|
Go back to the intro page for links to ferry schedules.
|
|
|
This is route 1 which runs up and down the Maine
seacoast. Route 17 starts just in front of us and
runs west north west to Augusta.
|
|
|
|
Here is the port and fish
processing area in Rockland.
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to find a place to park (parking is
hard to find on Saturdays during the summer) and
buy your ferry tickets in the large building in
this parking lot. There are two parking lots here,
one operated by the state, and one operated by the
local boat repair and maintenance company. In
either case it will cost about $5/day.
|
|
|
|
This is the government side of the
parking lot and a view toward part of the Rockland
waterfront area.
|
|
|
|
If you're waiting for your ferry to
arrive, consider eating at The Brown Bag.
|
|
|
|
At long last, the ferry
arrives.
|
|
|
|
This is the ferry dock as seen from the water
side. Notice the green ramp that will lower down
onto the ferry's deck to allow cars to drive onto
shore.
|
|
|
|
|
Now we're heading out to sea. This is looking
back toward Rockland.
|
|
|
|
Off to port (left) we passed the
Rockland "??" lighthouse.
|
|
|
|
Here is a better photo
|
|
|
|
...and another.
|
|
|
|
|
...and another..
|
|
|
|
Here's one of the other ferries
heading toward Rockland
|
|
|
|
Later, off to starboard (right) is
the Owl's Head lighthouse. This is still part of
the mainland.
|
|
|
|
A better picture of Owl's Head.
|
|
|
|
Here we are approaching the island
after about 50 minutes of travel
|
|
|
|
As we round the island to approach
the port there are some vacation homes off to the
left,
|
|
|
|
On the way we passed many small
islands. The islands, including Vinalhaven, are
mostly rock with a bit of topsoil on top.
|
|
|
|
Finally, after over an hour, we
approach Carver's Harbor, Vinalhaven Island.
|
|
|
|
|
