The Republican journal., 1909-07-15
A DAY IN cAsTINE.

The second annual 4th of July excursion to
Castine of four Belfast people took place Mon
day, July 9Th, and was successful that it is
| proposed to make it an annual event. They
embarked at $50 a. m. on the trim little steam
er Golden Rod. The weather was made to
order. A fresh northwest wind was blowing,
the air was filled with glorious sunshine and
all nature had been refreshed by the showers
of the night before. After making the regu-
lar landing at the Lime Kiln, Capt. Smallidge,
III response to suggestion from his passengers,
deviated from his regular course and went
down to the wrecked schooner Alice E. Clark,
passing inshore and around her stern. It was
sad sight to see this noble vessel in such a
plight. Two small boats were alongside, but
there were no signs of life aboard, and only
the topgallant- forecastle and the main deck to
little aft of the foremost was out of water.
AS we passed up Castine harbor it was noted
| that the Bolan cottage was deliberately deco
ated and flags were flying everywhere. Last
year launch trip up the Bagaduce occupied
the time until the dinner hour, but this year
drive was decided upon and the party were for
tunate in securing the services of Mr. Edward
Hale, with a nice pair of horses and an easy
riding two-seated blackboard. The route was
left to the driver, and on leaving the wharf he
turned to the right and we went up the harbor,
where sail and motor boats lay at their moor
ings; then,s turning to the left, reached higher
ground, passing everywhere attractive homes
and obtaining charming views of the harbor
with its islands and the Brooksvie hills oppo-
site. The Eastern State Normal School build
ing was hardly recognizable with the improve
ments it has undergone, and the brick dormi-
tory was a new feature. Driving into the old
fort the party mounted the ramparts at the
northwestern angle just as two golfers were
beginning practice. They swung their clubs in
turn and the little white balls flew through the
air an almost incredible distance considering
the strong breeze blowing, and passed over
two fences before landing in field, where the
golfers followed them.
1t would be impossible to follow the course
of the drive in detail, but after a time we were
on private road that led through the Witherle
woods, where overhead and on each side the way
was enclosed by dense growth of spruce and
fir trees, whose balsamic odors and cooling
shade were very grateful. A large clearing
was passed, the scene of fire, and it is very
fortunate that it extended no farther. We
were now on Dice's Head, with the eastern bay
in view, and crossing the outer end of the
clearing over barely perceptable track we
entered another dense growth of spruce, the
trees standing close together that only the
tops were in foliage. Emerging from this
grove we came out into the open and among
the cottages. Our driver took us by the ruins
of the Dome of the Rock hotel, of which only
a small log structure was left. A building has
been erected for dining hall to accommodate
the hotel guests, now domiciled in cottages,
and it was occupied for the first time July Bird.
Our return to the village was by the shore road
and included detour to an old battery which
is just below the Morey cottage The team
was now headed for the Castine House, and in
due time the party sat down to one of John
Vogels 4th of July dinners with appetites so
sharpened by the sea air and the drive that
John said he didn't make cent on u.s.
Judging from appearances Castine has not
received her usual quota of summer visitors.
While few come early to such resorts the
crowd does not materialize until after the first
of July