Fort Knox...No, There's No Gold Here

Fort Knox, Prospect, Maine

A few weeks ago my family took a drive to Prospect, Maine, home of Fort Knox and the Penobscot Narrows Observatory.  This is not the Fort Knox with all the gold.  That one's in Kentucky.  This Fort Knox is Maine's largest historic fort standing watch over the Penobscot River and the town of Bucksport, and one of our favorite spots to experience a touch of Maine history.

Exploring the passages within the fort walls.

My 10-year-old son loves to explore the labyrinth of tunnels circumventing the fort's interior and exterior walls.  The walls of the fort were designed to allow soldiers to patrol the perimeter of the fort without having to go outside.  It's important to bring a flashlight, as the tunnels can get pretty dark.  During this outing, we opted for headlamps so as to keep our hands free.

Fort Knox overlooking the village of Bucksport.

If you're looking for a good workout, take the stairs from the fort down to Battery "B" on the river's edge.  These enclosed stairways stay cool in the summer, since they are mostly underground, and will beat your "Stairmaster" any day.  In this area you'll find a cannon ball furnace that heated up cannon balls that were to be fired at ships.  The cannon balls were heated at such a high temperature, they could start a fire if it hit the ship the right way.

The fort was built to protect Bangor from a British naval invasion.  Bangor was a strategic port in the mid-1800s because it was the Lumber Capital of the World with a huge exporting business.

Abutting Fort Knox is the Penobscot Narrows Observatory; the only bridge observatory in the United States.  Observatory admission is paid at the front gate of Fort Knox.

View of Fort Knox from the Penobscot Narrows Observatory.

A one-minute elevator ride rewards you with beautiful 360-degree views, including a birds-eye view of Fort Knox.  The observation deck is 420 feet above the river with some signage labeling what you're seeing out the window.

Penobscot Narrows Observatory, towering above the treeline.

Bethany and Ashton striking a pose between the old an new bridges.

Rangeley, Maine

Height of Land, Route 17 in Rangeley

Smalls Falls on the Sandy River

Rangeley, Maine is a town of about 1,200 near the New Hampshire border.  It's a four-season resort with seemingly unlimited outdoor recreational opportunities.  About 4 hours from Boston by car, the last leg of the drive is along the 52-mile-long Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway.

Just south of town, one of the easily accessible natural attractions along the byway is Smalls Falls, a 54-foot series of cascades tumbling down a rock face with two or three different pools that beckon swimmers to take a refreshing dip on a hot summer day.  A footbridge crosses the river below the falls and it makes a good vantage point from which to watch daring young men as they leap from the sheer rock faces into the churning pools below.  For the more reserved swimmer, there are crystal clear pools at the foot of the falls to keep you cool as well.  There is ample parking, and many picnic tables for those who wish to pack a lunch and spend a couple hours taking in this beautiful setting.

As you roll into town, the trees part ways and you are treated to a scenic vista of the lake and surrounding mountains, providing a taste of what has attracted outdoor enthusiasts for generations.

Scenic overlook on Route 4 as you head into Rangeley

The outdoor sporting heritage is evident throughout town, as the streets are lined with outdoor-related shops and float planes bob in the water along side the town dock.  Plus, don't miss the Rangeley Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum in Oquossuc.  Built in 2010, this museum displays artifacts and memorabilia that represents the hunting and fishing culture that shaped this region.

Waterfront rental on Rangeley Lake

There are accommodations aplenty, so finding a comfortable place to stay is very easy.  One option is the  historic Rangeley Inn.  With its 35 inn rooms, restaurant and tavern, the Rangeley Inn has been serving up hospitality since the late 1800s.  You might also choose a beautiful waterfront cottage, or one of the many family-friendly motels.  No matter where you stay, you can always find a place to put your feet up and let stress take a holiday.  If you come, be sure to strap your canoe or kayak to the car, or perhaps rent a pontoon boat for a loon's-eye view of the area.  From most of the cottages, you are rewarded with views of Saddleback Mountain looming in the distance and reflecting in the shimmering waters. 

Saddleback Mountain is also a great ski resort in the winter.

If you're ambitious, you might take a day hike along the Appalachian Trail to the 4,116-foot summit of Saddleback Mountain.  But if you want a more family-friendly hike, I'd suggest Bald Mountain, a 2,400-foot mountain that sits smack dab between Rangeley Lake and Mooselookmeguntic Lake.  The views from the summit are absolutely stunning and the short, mile-long trail is just long enough so the kids can have a great  hike in the morning and get back to the lakeside lodge for a swim in the afternoon.


If you're not staying at a waterfront property, you can take advantage of the public swimming area at Rangeley Lake State Park on the south side of the lake.  Or, if you want a family camping outing, reserve one of the waterfront sites at the park.

Sunrise over Rangeley Lake

And as the sun begins to lower in the sky and night begins to fall, break out the marshmallows, chocolate bars and graham crackers for s'mores around the campfire.  Most places have fire pits which can become a great place to make new friends beneath the starry skies.  But as you make new acquaintances, keep an eye to the sky and watch for shooting stars, because on a clear night the sky above Rangeley Lake is your own personal planetarium (I saw three shooting stars last time I was there).

For a memorable family vacation, Rangeley can deliver.