Maine: Isles of Shoals Escape August 26, 2011

The Isles of Shoals are a destination every New Englander should reach at least once in this life A collection of ten small islands, they feature everything the region stands for: summer hotels, a lighthouse, historic fishermen's graveyards, statues to early explorers, and an historical stopping point for fall migration along the New England coast. We'll be visiting the Isles for a weekend of exploration that will include a stop on Star Island to see the Oceanic Hotel, a remnant from the 1890s, where cedar waxwings beg for food on the porch like house sparrows and the sea battles stone on the rocky east end of the island; Appledore Island for the Shoals Marine Laboratory, the Cornell bird banding station and a tour of Celia Thaxter's garden; and to White and Seavey Islands to see the late season remnants of the tern colony that breeds there throughout the summer. John, coauthor of Images of America: Isles of Shoals, will share his knowledge of the islands and their colorful natural history past, as we celebrate the retreating days of the summer season. Registration is required. Call 781-837-9400 for details. See http://www.massaudubon.org/catalog/listing.php?program_code=1096-SS11SU1 for more information.