USA incl Alaska

A last minute holiday to the American and Canadian East coast brings us on our first full day, to Newport, Rhode Island. This taken just after sunrise from our cruise ship as we enter this exciting port town. PiP shows more of the bridge. This is the Claiborne Pell Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in New England. The overall length of the bridge is 3,428 meters (11,247 feet). Its main towers reach 122 meters (400 feet) above the water surface, and the roadway height reaches as high as 66 meters (217 feet). The lighthouse is called: Rose Island Lighthouse. Enjoy

USA – A ride out from the port just out to the other end of town brings us onto quite a famous 3½ mile cliff walk. We see here the late autumn trees that colour so beautiful in this part of the world but alas, we missed all of that after storms over the last weeks took their toll. We do this walk on a good surfaced path that switches sometimes over some pretty dodgy boulders on the shore edge past some 64 of the most impressive villas and mansions in the state, each one in its small park but surrounded by high fences to keep us prying tourist as far away as possible - except that is, for the ones that open their doors for paying tours. See PiP for an example. Enjoy full screen

A view east over the Atlantic to the Island of Martha’s Vineyard in the far distance and then mainland Europe some 3000 miles further. We are near Newport, Rhode Island which in itself is around 150 miles north of New York. It’s rather nice to see some familiar type of coast with cormorants drying their wings on the small island in front of us. Enjoy full screen

Our second port of call on this trip to the US and Canada is to Portland, Maine. In the short time we were there, a trip to see some of Portland’s famous lighthouses was a must! “Affectionately referred to as Bug Light because of its small stature, Portland Breakwater Lighthouse in Bug Light Park (Madison Street, South Portland) was built in 1855 of cast iron with a brick lining on a granite block foundation. The lighthouse was first lit in 1875. During World War II in 1942, lighthouse beacons were dimmed for security reasons, and Bug Light wasn't re-lit until 2002 when the Coast Guard added a solar-powered light. This elegant-looking lighthouse is unique because it's believed to be the only lighthouse in the world shaped like a 4th-century Greek monument. Four Corinthian columns hold up the lens.” www.tripsavvy.com/lighthouses-to-see-near-portland-maine-4159575 HWW, have a great day.

Another from the Cliff Walk of Newport, Rhode Island showing the rather nice coast as well as another glimpse of the mansion gardens that abound here. We were to walk way past the distant houses. Enjoy the weekend.

Another lighthouse on this tour of three in Portland, Maine, USA. A longish run, skip and jump along this 900 metre breakwater after being warned that it was dangerous to walk on these slabs of natural stones. I took the risk after seeing quite a few families with young children also taking the same risk. Apparently, visitors can usually get inside and get the thrill of walking around the fenced verandas. In the background we can see Fort Gorges built in 1858. Built in 1898, Spring Point Ledge Light is a sparkplug lighthouse in Casco Bay, South Portland, that marks a dangerous reef on the west side of the main shipping channel into Portland Harbour. It is the only caisson-style light station in the United States. Visitors can walk to it, thanks to the breakwater built by the Army Corps of Engineer in 1950. It is still an active navigational aid, and was automated in the 20th century. Enjoy full screen

Spring Point Ledge: Another view of this splendid caisson-style lighthouse at Portland, Maine, USA . We get a fuller look of the 900 metre breakwater here built by the Army Corps of Engineer in 1950. A fast game of hopscotch as I raced from end to end in time to catch my ride back to the ship. The building in the background is Fort Gorges built in 1858. See PiP for my earlier version and extra details. Enjoy full screen

Our home for two weeks as we cruised from Port Canaveral in Florida USA north to NovaScotia in Canada and back again, taking in just six ports of call. Here she is in Portland, Maine, USA, our last stop before entering Canadian waters. Quite by coincidence we cruised with her sister-ship the ‘Discovery 2’ earlier this year. (PiP) Ship facts: Tonnage:69,130 GT, Length 264metres, beam: 32 metres, height: 50 metres with 11 decks and holding a possible 1830 passengers plus 720-50 crew. Not quite the monster cruise ship of today: The present largest is 236,000 GT and holds 7000 passengers + 2300 crew (Royal Caribbean, Wonder of the Seas) Enjoy full screen.

As our cruise ship glides towards the harbour here at this very nice coastal town, we look forward to a short tour of lighthouses and perhaps a walk through the old town too. Some of my lighthouses are already on here as shown in the PiPs. Here too is a view view of our ship once docked here. See last photo. Enjoy full screen