Eagle Island Lighthouse

September in Maine is amazing. The warm days, cool nights, and hints of autumn make Blue Hill especially lovely.

I took advantage of Maine's first Open Lighthouse Day to get on the Eagle Island mailboat. Guests Bob and Margie from Illinois joined me and we agreed it was a magical day. From Audrey, our mailboat captain, to the Quinns, our hosts for the island tour, we were entertained and well tended to. Bob Quinn gave us the tour across the island to the lighthouse and took us all up inside the lighthouse. The views were spectacular but I also loved the historical feel of the light and the spiral stairway leading to it. Bob and his wife Helene are fifth-generation Eagle Islanders and have great stories to tell. I can't hope to capture his wit and style but he was a delight. One quip about lighthouse tenders, "You have to be able to sleep with the light on." More poignantly, he spoke of when the light became automated and no longer needed someone to tend it: "They took the keepers away from the light."

My Saturdays have a lovely rhythm. I help with breakfast at the inn and then dash to the farmer's market. This week I picked up bread from Jill Smith's Millbrook Bakery, some produce from one of the local farmers, and a goat cheese spread from Sunset Acres Farm. Assistant innkeeper Maura used the cucumber for one of my favorite hors d'oeuvres--Greek grilling cheese with tomato and balsamic reduction with the cucumber slice becoming the cracker. After dropping off the farmer's market purchases, I often stop in other shops about town. This weekend I returned to Handworks Gallery and am now in love with some silver earrings with lots of hoops. They have a truly wonderful selection.

"How is breakfast?" I asked a guest the other morning.
"Just as yummy as the bed."