| Casco Bay's rocky shorelines and forested islands are | | | | including Harriet Beecher Stowe, Henry Longfellow and |
| a beautiful sight in summer. However, you can't see | | | | early 19th century landscape painters attracted by the |
| them by car. You have to take a ferry on the oldest | | | | beautiful scenery and stately mansions. However, |
| ferry service in the country. Just a few miles from | | | | Diamond Cove was also the site of Fort McKinley, |
| downtown Portland, you can see secluded coves, | | | | which was built during the Spanish American War to |
| lobster boats, lighthouses and wildflowers in front of | | | | protect Portland Harbor. The Fort was in active |
| summer cottages and fishing piers. | | | | service until 1945, but is now on the Register of Historic |
| To the islanders, the ferries are a lifeline, carrying kids | | | | Places in the United States. There is currently a |
| to school on the mainland and residents to doctor's | | | | museum and gift shop there, operating on a volunteer |
| appointments, cars, groceries, building supplies and mail. | | | | basis. |
| Almost without fail, the ferries of the Casco Bay Line | | | | Special cruises feature lobster bakes in a rustic |
| make their regular daily runs through all kinds of | | | | "summerhouse" on Peaks Island for groups of up to |
| weather. | | | | 400. Or you can take a music cruise and listen to |
| Peaks Island, Little Diamond, Great Diamond and Cliff | | | | everything from jazz to blues to rock to country. |
| Island are all part of the City of Portland. Although | | | | There's something for everyone on the Casco Bay |
| there are only 1,000 year round residents on Peaks | | | | Ferry Line, even if you just go along on the Mail Run |
| Island, there are several times that many in the | | | | and never set foot on land. The beautiful islands and |
| summer months. Peaks Island is only 20 minutes from | | | | rocky coastline are at their best when viewed from |
| Portland by ferry and there are several ferry runs a | | | | the ocean. You might even see a porpoise or harbor |
| day depending on the season. You can explore the | | | | seal! At any rate, you'll return from your ferry trip |
| whole island on foot or bike in less than an hour, | | | | refreshed and relaxed from the salt air and good |
| because it's only a mile wide and about two miles long! | | | | company aboard the Casco Bay Line ferry. |
| Great Diamond Island has seen many famous visitors, | | | | |