June 20th, 2012

Today we took an excursion to Baker Island. We were led by a ranger of Acadia National Park, which made it a bit more interesting. On our boat ride over to Baker Island we spotted a harbor seal, and the ranger informed us that gray seals are also common in that area. We also caught a glimpse of a Harbor Porpoise. Some other cool wildlife we saw were Common Loons, Cormorants, Black Guillemots, and a Bald Eagle. We were in the south eastern part of Maine, which is actually the first part of the United States to see sunlight. There are numerous islands in this region, but many of them are privately owned. In the 1940's, a large fire altered the main islands structure completely. It burnt down some hundred houses, or rather mansions, that were on the Island.

Once on Baker Island we learned about the Gilley family, who occupied Baker Island for multiple generations. William and Hannah Gilley were the first Gilley's on the Island, and they raised their twelve children there. They had to be completely self sustaining on the Island, providing food and water for themselves.

Once William had grown old, and his kids were grown, he was asked to be the lighthouse keeper of Baker Island. He and the family did a find job and operating the lighthouse. Unfortunately, it was discovered that the Island was actually owned by someone of foreign French royalty. The Gilley's were eventually forced to move off of the Island. The ranger was actually a distant relative of Hannah Gilley, which was a nice twist to the story.

After our tour we got some free time on the Island. We sat along the rocks, enjoyed a nice peanut butter and jelly, and had a magnificent view of the water. This little excursion made me appreciate National Parks in general because they are what allow people like us to come and visit these places. Baker Island could have just been another privately owned island for some wealthy person, instead it is a nice piece of history we can go and see.

We took the boat back over to the main land and returned to our camp ground.

My classmates Avery, Tom, and I on the ride back to our campsite.