A Getaway to The Isles of Shoals

Every so often, we like to travel outside the Lakes Region and discuss some of the other natural wonders of our incredible state! Today, we want to talk about Star Island and the Thomas Laighton boat trip from Portsmouth Harbor that takes you through all nine islands of the Isles of Shoals! Technically today’s blog tells a story based in New Hampshire and Maine but…we think you can handle it!

On the trip out on the Thomas Laighton with the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company, you get the whole song and dance! The boat captain and his first mate tell stories of the Shipyard prison as you go through the harbor, stories about the founding of the isles, and other tales that will tickle your “historical fancy!” Recently, I went on a walking tour out to Star Island with my family. We have a direct relationship to the pirate Phillip Babb who once lived on the island and hid his “booty” there! He was also best friends with Blackbeard so clearly, my family has the ghostly connections!

Shipping out to see on the boat, you can sit inside with the Bloody Mary’s, or you can sit on one the decks where you’re sure to see sea life around the boat. Once you reach the isles, the great stories really begin. You can see it in the craftsmanship of the buildings, in the gardens, and the monuments on Star Island where the boat lets off. Star Island is owned by a non-profit with connections to the Unitarian Universalists as well as the United Church of Christ, and they host retreats for groups of church families. However, the islands are open to tourists from the Thomas Laighton all summer. The hotel on Star Island hosts getaways for couples who can rent a room for overnights starting in mid June. The food served out of the hotel is fantastic so being surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the big wrap around porch is heavenly with all the great sights and smells!

We’re going to share with you two links to more information on the Isles of Shoals. The first is an article from New England’s own Yankee Magazine! In 1980, they did a spread on the murders at Smuttynose Island that took place in 1873. The article, Horror on Smuttynose tells the story of Louis Wagner, a man who the families on the Isles of Shoals trusted to be a part of their fishing business. The account is a chilling one. I recently read a book on the murders sitting outside in downtown Lincoln and got scared by the vibration of my own cell phone! Read the story if you dare!!!

The other information we’re going to share with you in the video done with New Hampshire Public Television that explains more about the Isles, their history, and a group of students working to preserve wildlife on the islands. There is less than a month left of summer before school starts! Get planning on your next New Hampshire getaway and share it with us @LakesRegAirportShuttle on Instagram!