A handsome lighthouse plus an attractive archipelago of islands: That's the coast of Maine, right?

It's also the picture of paddling on Cobbosseecontee Lake, located quite squarely in Central Maine in the inland Winthrop-Monmouth area.

Grabbing our one good opportunity to get out in our canoes and kayaks this week, a group of friends and I paddled the length of Cobbosseecontee on Wednesday.

It was the same bunch as last week -- see Oct. 5 'Fogbound? Not us' -- plus Pat Ledlie of Buckfield, who paddles a Necky named 'Gavia.' That's Latin for Loon. Also met Pat through the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club.

Shortly after launching at the East Winthrop boat landing, we passed a fine-looking lighthouse, built in 1908.

This lighthouse, built in 1908, is the dominant feature of the northern part of Cobbosseecontee Lake
Scott Andrews photos

Another mile south, and we threaded amongst a handsome set of islands, several of which are owned by the Kennebec Land Trust and open to careful public use.

Pat Ledlie paddles amongst the islands of Cobbosseecontee Lake

Pat's kayak is named 'Gavia,' Latin for Loon

We took out at the East Monmouth boat landing, after about eight miles of paddling.

Pat and Anne Tarbell get kayak-cozy for my camera

A brisk northeast wind helped propel us along, and late afternoon's low sun angle reminded us that there won't be too many more days like this in the 2005 season.

E-mail this entry to a friend