Fort Point State Park Pier..Picnicking and Fishing

On a fine morning a week or so ago, with the tide running just about perfect, I decided to take a boat ride to Fort Point State Park. 

Located in Stockton Springs, the park is situated on 120 acres, much of it bordering on the head of Penobscot Bay and at the mouth of the Penobscot River and built on the remains of the Revolutionary era, Fort Pownall.

Being very fortunate to be able to travel by boat rather than the road trip up Rt. 1, coupled with the fact that there is a public pier available to boaters, made the trip that much more enjoyable. 

(No worries about beaching the boat on a outgoing tide.)

I've been past the pier many times on my trips up the river in search of the elusive striper but never have I decided to tie up there.

The pier is around 200 feet long with a nice float and ramp and as you can see with no overcrowding and no signs prohibiting one of my favorite activities,  fishing from a pier. 

Located at the same spot as the old steamboat landing 

it offers a sheltered anchorage and groomed picnic area.

Perhaps that is exactly what is in the offing in the very near future with a bit of aforementioned fishing thrown in for good measure.

Picnicking and fishing..a pretty fine combination wouldn't you say?

Meet Bailey..Our New Project

With our last boy Zed, officially starting his "college education" to become a Guide Dog, we now have a new boy and start the process anew..

Meet Bailey..

Bailey was born on April 25th and has been integrating into our household for just a short time. But long enough for us to tell, including Big Ray,  that the new boy will be a project, but a fun project. 

Readers of maine-matters know that boating is a major part of our life style and Bailey could not have a better mentor to show him proper boat dog etiquette than our boy Ray. For instance, who has dibs on all toys..for now.

Of course as the little guy grows he will assert himself more and more and eventually Ray will accept him as an equal, almost...

So here we go again..number 15

Not all have made it. Some just don't want to do it. Just ask Ray. But Bailey seems to have the right stuff. And in another 14 or 15 months we'll find out. 

But until then..batten down the hatches!

Congrats To Zed

Congratulations to our boy Zeddy. 

He passed his IFT (In For Training) exam with flying colors. In fact we have been told through a highly placed source that he is a rock star at Guiding Eyes For The Blind.

Zed following his commands..

A very nice down..

Intense concentration..

A well deserved rest..

So now he is in the formal training program to become a Guide Dog but there is a long way to go for him. Many things can still happen to derail his career. He could get released for stress, or something physical or, as the pressure mounts on him as his training intensifies, he may just say no to it all.

But for now he’s on course and making us very proud parents..

Good Boy Zeddy!