Off to Baker Island Aboard the Picnic Boat

August 12, 2010

Off to Baker Island Aboard the Picnic Boat

During one of my recent weekends in Maine, I suggested to my guests that we travel by boat to explore Baker Island. Baker is one of the five islands in the Town of Cranberry Isles and it marks the southwestern entrance to Frenchman Bay. In the early 1800’s, the Gilley family moved to Baker Island and took possession of it, creating the Gilley family homestead, farm fields, and apple orchard.

Surrounding the island are craggy shoals and a sand bar running between Baker Island and Little Cranberry Island. In 1828, to warn boaters about these dangers, President John Quincy Adams ordered that a lighthouse be erected on the highest part of Baker Island. It is the oldest lighthouse in the area and is still operating today. Please enjoy this little tour of a very special place.

: This is my beautiful 36-foot classic Hinkley picnic boat. I love this craft for its sleekness, its speed, and its roominess. I christened it Skylands II.

: Because of something called a jet drive, this boat has no propellers to tangle in lobster-pot lines or seaweed beds. I can glide it safely through coastal waters.

: Over the years, we have used this boat to go whale watching, looking for puffins, exploring, antiquing in Blue Hill, and picnicking on the neighboring islands off the coast of Mt. Desert Island.

: On this particular day, Skylands II transported us to Baker Island, which offers a glimpse into what life was like during the 19th century.

: This is the Gilley house – the Gilley family inhabited Baker Island for 123 continuous years.

: The Baker Island lighthouse is still operational. It is the oldest lighthouse in the Mount Desert Island area.

: The sign describing the lighthouse – interesting that whale oil was once used to keep the light burning and is now powered by a 35 watt solar panel.

: Baker Island is known for its flat rock formations. On the south shore is a series of huge flat slabs of granite, referred to as the ‘Dance Floor,’ where dances were actually held.