Ted Wight's St. Louis Style

The Quest For Birch Island

My recent family vacation to Maine started with two poems that we had hanging in our farmhouse.  They were drafted and given to my great grandfather when he was there on a hunting/fishing trip in 1909. I knew that we wanted to go to Maine again this year and thought ....why don't we go to the same place our great grandfather went. On each poem the place of record was Birch Island, Maine.  I googled Birch Island and found it.  I also found a wonderful lodge to stay- Attean Lake Lodge.  The lodge brochure mentioned that people had been coming to the lodge since the late 1800s. I thought...this is it and my great grandfather must have stayed in the same lodge.  Well we arrived at the remote lake, located only minutes from the Canadian border, and arrived at our lodge.  That night at dinner we were speaking to one of the other guests and he told me that we were at the wrong Birch Island.  This Birch Island was on Attean Lake and our Birch Island was on Holeb Lake.  Oops...after so much work to get there.  Well it turned out that Birch Island on Holeb Lake was just the next lake over.  There are some hunting cottages on it, though not a lodge to stay.  The next morning I spoke with the owner of the lodge and he put us on course to see the other Birch Island.  We motor boated across our 7 mile lake....hiked 1.5 miles through the woods and arrived at the shore of Holeb Lake.  Our lodge hides two canoes in the woods for guest to use on this lake.  We pattled 5 miles and finally arrived at our destination....Birch Island!  Two construction guys greeted us at the shore.  We were the first people they had seen on the island in 3 weeks.  Birch Island on Holeb Lake used to be a fancy destination owned by an exclusive Boston country club for its guests.  My great grandfather lived in Kansas City and was in the cattle business.  He must have had a business associate that invited him.  Birch Island has seen better days and was a little run down...though enchanting.  Sorry for the long post....though look at the pictures and descriptions below for an illustration of our journey. (This is my last vacation post....sorry to my readers who are bored by this and want more local St. Louis posts.)

The poem below was printed on birch paper. My grandfather's last name was Forrest...thus the cute way of incorporating the last name into the poem.

 

Another poem....

 

Traveling to our destination....

And canoeing in Holeb Lake to Birch Island... being chased by storms periodically

 

And then Birch Island!....finally!

 

 

 

Out Houses

 

Antique Wood Boat Show

The other day we had the treat of seeing a wooden boat show at Lake Keuka in New York. Each is a piece of artwork.

 

 

 

I even loved the antique motors

 

A Day at Lake Keuka, NY

My brother lives in Corning, NY and keeps a couple of sail boats at Lake Keuka, one of the Finger Lakes.  It is a natural lake that was formed by the glaciers and is crystal clear. We spent a couple of days sailing and eating lots of iced cream...in fact, I think I had iced cream every day for over a week.

(Teddy, my son, hardly took his airport-found "ray bans" off the whole trip.) 

(My other son- Nicholas....I promise I did not have him pose for this picture.)

Hotel Ste Germaine- Montreal

The other night we were in Montreal and stayed at the hip Hotel Ste Germaine.  A couple of years ago we stayed at one of their hotels in Toronto.  Notice how the shower has a glass wall to the main room....you just have to remember to close the blinds!

From Birch Island, Maine to Quebec City, Canada

Today we left Attean Lake Lodge after three days.  We had another 5 AM kayak tour, though still no moose. Tonight we are in Quebec City which is the most European city I have visited in North America.  It really is lovely and we are looking forward to dinner at a French bistro tonight.

A sign in Jackman, Maine....I don't think I want to stay at this hotel.

 

Although I never saw a moose....I saw these treats....I think they are called Canadian Lilies

 

Another interesting sign in Jackman, Maine

A Day of Sailing and Kayaking

A 5 AM in the morning, my brother and I got up to go look for moose.  We could not get the motor started in our boat so we went kayaking.  We saw two bald eagles, loons and a kingfisher, though no moose.  Tonight we are going to try again....the motor is working now!!!  My sons had a great day sailing and kayaking.

 

 

Here is where we are staying....Attean Lake Lodge on Birch Island. All guests have their own cabin.  It is fun....no electricity, just gas and oil laps....though we do have hot water! Don't be fooled...we are not roughing it....last night I had Osso Buco.

Jackman,Maine- The Alps of Maine

We are near the Canadian border in Maine.  They call this area the Swiss Alps of Maine.  I am still trying to see a moose.  We saw moose tracks yesterday!

Jul 12, 2010

I am in Maine for a few says on Birch Island. My great grandparents came here in 1909 and we decided to check it out. That dot in the water is a loon! My goal is to see a moose.

Warhol Museum

I am in Pittsburgh with my sons looking at University of Pittsburgh or commonly called Pitt. We went to the Warhol Museum last night. Great place and a must see next time you are in Pittsburgh.

   

 

Quinta Maria Cortez Guest House- Puerto Vallerta

Well I am back to reality and what looks like dreary weather in St. Louis.  At least it is not freezing cold.  I am always happy when January comes to an end.  February is a short month and March brings the emergence of Spring. Here are some last pics of the fabulous place we stayed at in Puerto Vallerta- Quinta Maria Cortez.  I almost hate to give the name out, for it will become too popular and harder to get a room.