Hi there, glad you found me!
The full project description is right here, but in a nutshell, I plan to walk all the way around the shoreline of Mount Desert Island. I’m inviting lots of people to join me to talk about their interest in the shoreline, whether it’s human history, marine biology, tourism, birds, fishing, eel grass, geology, just about everything – and I post those interviews here on the blog. I’m also producing a still life photo for each walk, like this one:
If you’d like to join me, I can’t wait to hear what you have to share! Use the “Contact” tab up above to set that up – tell me which section of the shore you’re interested in, and have a look at the “Permission Slips” tab, too.
Wish me luck, and decent weather!
Hope to see you on the shore,
Jenn
Hi Jenn. Your project is very interesting! I will be returning to live in Bar Harbor year round in early April. I’d love to join you on a walk when I return. Happy hunting!
Thank you, Carol, that would be lovely!
i am living on the north shore of massachusetts but would love to join you when you do otter creek. my family settled the area in the 1700s and had fish shacks on the shore there. i grew up lobstering and tub trawling with my great grandfather. would love to share some history.
That’s awesome, I’m so glad you contacted me. Look forward to meeting you and seeing those old photos.
Frosted Valentine’s! Glad you did not continue exploring for that cave. Message to Cynthia Lawry: Please get in touch, who was your grandfather? We are trying to figure it out. Are you related to the Lawry on the 1930 census?
Karen, I’ll put you and Cynthia in touch with each other.
Hello!
Very interesting project and a great idea. I’m keeping tabs on your blog for photo scouting possibilities but I appreciate the science as well. Thanks for sharing this! I think it’s great.
Best,
M. Alden
Just want to let you know how much I love receiving each new edition of The Coast Walk Project. You have chosen to do something difficult and wonderful and it is so appreciated. Perhaps a book will be made of all of this when you round the last bend of the island? Keep up the good work!!!
We have hiked all over Acadia on 3 different week-long visits and can’t wait to return for more. One of the great places.
Ellen Joy
Baltimore, MD
Hi Ellen, Thanks so much for writing – I do have a book in mind, although I’ve no idea how all this will fit! Hope you get back to the island soon.
Hi Jennifer,
I’d love to go with you on your hikes.
That would be lovely!
Hi Jennifer,
Guess I have come late to your blog but it is fascinating. For a while anyway, I’m a denizen of MDI’s coast. As a volunteer I participate in various shoreline cleanups from time to time, and I work, part time seasonal, for the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce helping visitors from cruise ships find their way around. Following your journey through your blog helps me to do better. Thank you
Hi James,
Thank you! And don’t worry, this project will take years to complete, so you’ll have plenty of time to catch up.
Jenn
Hello Jennifer, My name is Jeanean Songco Martin. I am a painter and just wanted to say that I think your work is fascinating. I have always admired people who take the time to really “see”. Your approach to art is so personal and unique. Many of the early explorers like Audubon and Lewis and Clark take on projects that they have an interest in but ultimately the whole world benefits by. We are living in an age of extremes. The climate change and excesses of our culture, especially the problems with trash and plastics seem unsurmountable. I think the first step is to acknowledge how important it is to preserve natural environments and keep them viable and healthy for the future. Your work illustrates the beauty you see and bring to others. Good luck with your walk. I loved Maine when I visited a few years ago and would love to come back some day and paint. who knows maybe I will apply for a residency. you are an inspiration! take care, Jeanean. p.s. I have a art/travel blog jeaneanpainter.com. if you would like to take a peek. also my website: http://www.jeaneansongcomartin.com
Jeanean, Thank you so much! I’m glad you are enjoying the project. Your paintings are lovely – I saw on your blog that you found the Common Good popovers, so it sounds like you had a great visit! If you come back, let me know and I’ll show you the studio.
It’s an interesting idea, turning your coastal walks into a project of documenting what you find with an artist’s eye and finding experts to help you document. Reading about your project reminded me of one rainy day when I was about 14 or 15 years old, when out of boredom or ennui, I decided to traverse the entire shoreline of the island upon which I lived, to see if it could be done. There were places where I had to cross a front yard (along the coast the front yard was the ocean side), especially as the tide was rising. Some parts were not passable, being cliffs with water at the base at all tides. I now live on a peninsula about 30 minutes from that island. A full coast walk is not possible here for several reasons. Sometimes I hear the tourists say how beautiful it is, just as people do when visiting MDI, but when you live in a place for long enough, no matter how beautiful you can become inured to that beauty. I have found that it is important to pause pay attention to the wind flicking my hair and to listen and decipher the nature sounds from the synthetic. I try to imagine what it was like before European settlers arrived. It can reawaken the core senses and bring forth fresh eyes for old and young. Thank you for staying awake to the beauty that surrounds you and sharing it with the world.
Jennifer, Thank you!