“ISLAND FIX” – “STAR FOR A DAY” – 15 SEPTEMBER 2024

On 17 November I related I was behind on completing my trip writings. And, in spite of what I wrote below – now on 18 November I hope to finish and share this afternoon on Star Island at their first Open House to encourage you to take a trip and then plan more time there.

I have to catch up with writing to remember my adventures – I began writing this post 23 September, and now back to it on 8 November, at which time I started by laying out all the images, short narrative to fill in later – I have about ten experiences still to document from almost eleven months ago. But, as a plaque on my desk states, “The Best Way to Get Something Done Is To Begin.”

On Sunday 15 September I joined with 300 of my friends to travel out into the ocean to Star Island off the coast of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. What a great opportunity to re-experience this amazing special place. I have had two stays here – in September 2012, I attended a photography workshop here – and Click Here for a List of those Posts. Then in September 2021, during Covid, I did a midweek conference – basically a “do it yourself'” with no schedule. Click Here for my Post of that Bucolic Time.

When I received the email announcing the open house day, I immediately bought my ticket – a bargain for the ride out on the Thomas Leighton (ha, ha, and back) as well as food, entertainment, and just being back on Star Island.. Boarding began at 12:15, departure at 12:50 and arrival just after 2 pm. I left home early to arrive in Portsmouth so as to “not miss the boat.”

timing is important to coincide with the raising of Memorial Bridge on the hour and half hour.

remember my galleries may be clicked for larger image views.

And, below the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard – on the north side of the river in Maine.

Below a submarine in dry dock undergoing an overhaul (I took a DDG through overhaul in Philadelphia in 1976-77).

Long abandoned, the Portsmouth Naval Prison. One standing joke in the Navy Supply Corps (I retired as a Navy Supply Corps Officer) is that if you “mess up” (well illegally) the prison below will become home for awhile. Packed with asbestos, holes in the roof, hopefully someday a plan will be developed to save this impressive structure.

This view below from the WAZE app on my phone shows you the Isles of Shoals which are approximately 6 miles off the coast of New Hampshire and Maine.

Approaching you first pass by Appledore Island, first settled about 1640. Part of Kittery, Maine, the population moved to Star Island in New Hampshire around 1700 to escape taxes from Massachusetts which “owned” the land that later became Maine. I spent a fun few hours on Appledore in September 2012.