Franklin Island

[Ben Fuller]

I've been paddling Muscongus for a decade anyway. As often as not when you look seaward you see Franklin Island light. The light was established in 1807; the current tower was built in 1855. I'd paddled out to the light a number of times but the island is a IF&W seabird island and is closed from 1 April to 31 August.

So last Sunday on a bluebird day, light southerly and warm, I shoved off from Friendship and two hours,and about 5.5 nm later, after a half hour Mita island inspection stop, landed on Franklin. Landed in a little rock notch under the CG pier. Walked to a large wooden platform about at the light level past a roofless oil house down a path with raspberries still ripe and golden rod, Monarch's flitting about. From the platform ( helo platform) you get a view from Pemaquid in the west, to Allen in the east. Trees shield Monhegan. Muscongus is laid out in front of you, with the Camden Hills in the background.

Walking down to the tower is a bonus. When the Coast Guard automated the light the keepers brick house and outbuildings were knocked down. Foundations still exist. The CG pier is on the site of the old boathouse and you can see 1878? cut into the stone by some Lighthouse Service person with time.

Back via Allen and Benner Island and down the chain just south of Caldwell, home via Gay Island 17 nm about 4 and a half hours. Only real crossing is the run from Franklin to Allen, 3 nm and there is no landing down that chain.

But Franklin is easy to reach as an out and back using one of the MITA islands as a base or as a day trip. Biggest crossing is 3/4 nm and you there are plenty of chances to pull back.

If you are on Muscongus this time of year, you should give it a try.

[EEL]

> I'd paddled out to the light a number of

>times but the island is a IF&W seabird island and is closed

>from 1 April to 31 August.

One reason I think it is great to paddle in Sept. even Downeast, is all the islands you can then visit since most are barred until Aug. 31. Added benefit is the stable weather. Not sure if increased swell is benefit or not.

>

>

>If you are on Muscongus this time of year, you should give

>it a try.

Care to hazard a guess as to what the foilage might be like there over Columbus Day weekend?

Ed Lawson

[Ben Fuller]

Island themselves would have boring foliage...spruce doesn't change much, but looking up to the Camden Hills would be pretty good. And the hardwoods away from the salt spray ( which is why they don't like island edges) should be pretty good. Supposed to be a banner foliage year. As we said when I lived in the south "y'all come." That said I will be down at Delmarva.