at Appledore. It makes an interesting - but potentially hazardous - stop. You are given a stick (!) to ward off the VERY aggressive gulls. If you ever wondered where gulll nests and young are, this is it. You have to be very careful walking because it's very hard NOT to step on gulls and nests. Momma gulls are very protective of their young! (It's been a few years since I went ashore here so I don't recall the limitations: I think there are designated times and days when visitors are allowed. Refer to a cruising guide).

I always look forward to going ashore at Star Island! So far the mantra "you will come back, you will come back" has been true for me. And there are lots of things to see ashore - but also some areas which are off limits and there are, as you noted, designated times when you are welcome. When you go ashore the first time, they hand you a flyer which explains it all. The snack bar is fun and so is having a meal in the dining room. The price for the latter has gone up over the years. Make sure you ask what is for dinner (or lunch) before reserving a place. They sit you in long tables in the dining room which hold up to about 8 people. Others at the table, I generally found, will introduce yourself and ask what 'group' you are with. When you tell them you came by boat, they will all be interested and ask follow-up questions. It's a fun atmosphere but much more social than your normal dining experience. While not religious myself, I must say that the enthusiasm and good will of people here can be sort of infectious. If you go back to Star Island enough, there will come a day when there is a fire drill - which I found to be entertaining. The views of the harbor from Star and the approaches to the South are particularly striking.

Going to the Isles of Shoals is, for me, a sort of a annual rite of passage. The mesasge I can almost hear the wind whisper is "welcome back to Maine!" (although Star Island and isles to its S are in NH).

Jerry