Eastern Rail Trail, Portland, Maine

August 29, 2019

We moved to our campsite yesterday morning. Landen a bit tired so let him get a good nap and then headed for Sam’s Club to resupply.

We got caught in a downpour at Sam’s and the cashier made Landen a rain hat.

The Eastern Trail is also known as the East Coast Greenway. We started our ride at Bug Light Park. No, not Bud Light.

Bug Lighthouse was erected in 1875. The unique style sets it apart from any other lighthouse in the world. It is the official seal of the city of South Portland.
There is a fort just to the left of the lighthouse. Someone told us it was built but never used.
This was the perfect place to begin our ride. We love breathing in the salty ocean air. It reminded us both of California.

This trail goes all the way to Kennebunk about 30 miles away. We knew that some of the trail was paved, some hard pack and some on road. Our plan was to ride as far as we could before the pavement ended.

Remnants of the original railroad track.
Loved riding through these tall pines. We passed some areas of forest that provided nice cool shade. Also, some salt marshes where we saw various marine birds.

We were able to ride as far as the Wainwright Sports Complex before the trail began to follow a busy highway. The sports complex was beautiful with soccer fields, baseball and football fields.

Liberty Ship Memorial in Bug Light Park. During WWII the park was the site of a major ship building facility. At one time 30,000 people worked here.

Oh what a perfect day, our first Maine miles, a nice bike ride, breathing good salty sea air, a bit of history and PB&J’s.