Simply Portland...Utterly Devine

Introducing Captain Elvis!!!

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Elvis is a character without even trying to be one. He’s a natural man. A take-me-as-I-am man. Elvis refuses to sweat the small stuff like crime...the cost of living…the hustle & bustle of life…clothing.

Told me he was sleeping when he got the call to come to the marina. He didn’t want to keep me waiting so he came as he was. Like I said…a natural man.

As we puttered across the vastness of the ocean I think about SammyB and how she wouldn’t come near this little boat. I wonder if I should be on it. But I can see the island so it’s not a far swim…just in case.

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nice shorts..........and yep I'd need a cruise ship AND two life vest!

Wow, I think of the book I read that has a PA setting, so many things occurred on Navy Island...can't think of the title now.......looking forward to viewing it through your eyes.

Your driver knew? LOL, but I shouldn't laugh. I can imagine your outrage and now reeking of beer like you had been drinking since you got up. Glad you could go with the "flow" ;) Oh, I hate life jackets, too, they feel like you are choking.

Beautiful pictures!

Sammy, I remember someone posting the name of the book a while ago. Hopefully whoever it was will see this and post the book's title again. Since going onto the island I would like to know more about what took place in that hotel and those cottages.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Schuttzie

Your driver knew? LOL, but I shouldn't laugh. I can imagine your outrage and now reeking of beer like you had been drinking since you got up. Glad you could go with the "flow" ;) Oh, I hate life jackets, too, they feel like you are choking.

Beautiful pictures!

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Yes Schuttzie, he knew. I wasn't angry because it was opened, I was heated because he didn't tell me. A human can not re-secure a cap on a bottle of beer but that's what he tried to do instead of telling me what really happened. LOL you hate lifejackets too!!!!! I'm a big girl so when I put one on I feel like a linebacker. NOT an attractive look at all.

Today I did something I wanted to do since my first visit to Portland and that is get to look around Navy Island. I remember the driver pointing at the island telling me and the two ladies I was traveling with that it was once a tourist resort but now it’s used by the Royal Navy. Looking hard in the direction of the island, I could see what appeared to be a two-story building being overtaken by nature. I had to get a closer look.

So two years later I’m standing on the sands of Navy Island.

I didn’t even know it was listed in TA as a Portland “thing to do” until a few days ago. However, unless you are into gazing at ruins or perhaps seeking a reclusive retreat or would like to take a low impact island hike, I’m not suggesting for anyone to block out time from a visit and hire a boat to go over. I went because I’m too curious for my own good.

This is what you see before the boat reaches the dock The ruins of the Navy Island Hotel. I didn’t expect it to be so close to the shore nor look so intimidating.

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The below photo was taken in 2005. The hotel was not operational, just more of it to see before the storms began to dismantle it.

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The government authorized to have the debris cleared leaving the frame structure that stands today.

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Although the building remains in general are an eerie sight, the beach and hotel area is kept clean. The Royal Navy uses the grounds so they do a lot to keep fallen leave and trees from accumulating.

Parties are also held here. A crew comes over to clean both the inside and outside. Sound system is set up inside. cook stands are grilling on the beach. I missed out on one in January. Found out about it the day after. Now I ask if any parties are planned for other there. I’m determined to catch one sooner or later. What fun it will be to taxi over in a boat in the darkness and dance all night in the sand.

I think you all are talking about the book "The Pirates Daughter" by Margaret Cezair-Thompson.