Few places are so captivating and romantic that you feel drawn in the minute you step out of your vehicle. Owls Head Light State Park is such a place. We decided on a whim to pack up our four kids, load the van, and travel 65 miles along scenic Route 1 to see what all of the hype was about.
When I stepped out of the van, I was immediately taken aback by the sweet smells–of the ocean breeze, wildflowers, and that rustic, earthy smell of a forest untouched by the influences of modern man. It enveloped me. With camera in tow, we began to traverse the path toward the lighthouse. I took a few moments to take pictures of my children as the warm sun tickled their faces. As we neared the clearing of the lighthouse, there were periods of giggling sandwiched between dashes toward our destination, and then gasps as we finally arrived at the light.
The lighthouse keeper’s house was nestled in front of trees to our left. The light was perched at the top, and there was a vast expanse of ocean to our right. I can still remember the childlike anticipation I felt with each step, and when we finally reached the top, I was overwhelmed by the breathtaking view. We were surrounded by picturesque mountains, and the ocean was teeming with activity. We spotted a ferry, lobsterboats, sailboats, patrol boats, and many species of seabirds. The sun was positioned closely to the horizon, so the lighthouse seemed to glow with natural light, and it gave off its own warmth as we huddled closely together in awe of its simple beauty. I couldn’t help but think of its significance in maritime history, like all other lighthouses in Maine, and my gratitude to the United States Coast Guard and the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands for working together to preserve, maintain, and protect its grounds for future generations to enjoy.
After taking it all in, we decided to visit the beach so the kids could swim and explore. We had no idea that the beach on the other side of the lighthouse was equally beautiful, and boy were we thrilled when we saw it. The shape of the beach itself was inviting. It was a crescent beach, with exquisitely-shaped rocks, protected by jagged cliffs to the right and large mountain-shaped ledges on the left. All four kids ran off in different directions. Their personalities were attracted to different features and aspects of the beach. Our oldest, most daring child immediately ran into the water, and spent his time body surfing the waves. Our middle son, who is the most reserved of the bunch, sat on the beach scanning for glimmers of vibrant colors in search of sea glass. Our youngest son, the little explorer, examined every piece of driftwood, turned over every rock, admired every seabird, and smelled every wildflower. The princess, hand in hand with her father, walked to the other end of the beach to take it all in. I captured it all with my camera. It brought me so much joy to watch all of them enjoy Owls Head Light State Park in their own way. It was an experience we will never forget, and one we look forward to repeating in the near future.