July 18, 2024 – Downeast Belfast, ME
The day began with heavy rain. When that slowed down we hitched the car to WAWA and headed on our way. Well, almost on our way. We just HAD to make a stop at the LL Bean store in Ellsworth.
Then heading west for more Downeast adventures, we drove through Bucksport and across a couple of bridges. The first was a smaller one onto Verona Island and that was followed by a more impressive one, the cable-stayed Penobscot Narrows Bridge. We stopped at the bridge for a couple of reasons.
First, the current bridge replaced the then famous 1931 Waldo-Hancock Bridge. It had been so recognized for its beauty that it actually became a tourist attraction. However, a 2003 rehab project exposed badly corroded cables that could not be repaired. And so it had to be replaced, and quickly! Amazingly, its replacement was planned, funded, designed, permitted and built in only 42 months.
The new bridge also claims to have the tallest public bridge observatory in the world, the Narrows Observatory. That sounded pretty cool so we paid the small fee, walked inside the base and rode the elevator up 420 feet above the Penobscot River. Finally, we climbed a couple of flights of stairs to get above the elevator structure. And there we got a wonderful, 360 degree view of the Penobscot River Narrows.
The second reason for our stop was to tour Fort Knox. Established in 1844, its purpose was to protect the Penobscot River Valley against a possible future British naval incursion. Unlike many early forts, it did not depend on earthworks as part of its structure. This one was a masonry fort, completely built of large granite blocks. Impressive as it was, the fort never saw military action. In 1923 it was finally declared excess property by the federal government and sold to the state of Maine for just over $2,000.
We had reservations at Moorings Campground in Belfast, ME. It is a lovely, if a bit pricey, campground with excellent water views of Penobscot Bay and a campsite layout that staggers sites so that everyone gets to share that view.
The main reason for us to spend time here is Belfast’s 18th annual Maine Celtic Celebration. It was to feature lots of music, a cheese roll championship, heavy games and a Celtic dog show. We roamed the downtown area and saw that preparations for the event were well underway. Tents were being set up and finishing touches being placed on the main performance stage.
July 19, 2024 – Downeast Belfast, ME
Our day started with breakfast at Traci’s Diner for breakfast. We walked the part of the downtown and waterfront admiring some of the architecture and the working harbor scenes.
Then, wandering through the early arrival vendor tents looking for lunch we saw a meat pie tent. Inquiring, the woman said, yes, she offered gluten free meat pies. Imagine our surprise! We both ordered pies made with brisket, sauerkraut and Irish cheddar. Excellent!
That evening we joined a host of other folks to listen to a couple of opening night musical acts. The Community Band Belfast Bay Fiddlers are just what their name says. Afterwards, The Napper Tandies with the Brinn Brothers performed a tribute to the Pogues.
July 20, 2024 – Downeast Belfast, ME
After breakfast, Sandy spent some time on the beach while Bill read. Temp was in the low ‘80’s” but it was hot!
Then we headed into town for the town’s Saturday farmer’s market. The United Farmers Market of Maine in Belfast is an indoor affair with a wide variety of fresh and prepared food and artisan works for sale. We roamed the aisles and, while we saw lots of good stuff for sale, we left empty handed. In a camper you simply don’t have the latitude to purchase much just-for-fun stuff.
Heading over to the site of the Celtic Festival, we watched a dance demonstration. There a woman showed us how percussive dance developed. Then she brought audience members out onto the floor to learn some of the rudiments of the art for themselves. Sandy joined that group and did a credible job at being percussive while Bill looked on.
Later we were joined by Ray & Paula who we’d met in Lamoine SP and who’d first told us about the festival. We spent most of the rest of the day with them, watching various acts in each of the three festival’s performance venues.
As the diners began to thin out after 8:00, we commandeered seats on the dock for a good view of the fireworks that were set off as part of the festival. Great seats for a lovely display!
