We dropped off our mooring in Tenants Harbor Sunday, July 31 mid morning after cutting and slicing a half of a fresh, wonderful cantaloupe and wrapping half of the melon to share with an older couple on their boat named "tango" moored next to us. They have a yellow lab and 2 cats on board. They keep a car here at Tenants and have family or friends meet th here to daysail and they can go to art openings and activities in Rockland when they are interested.
The day was sunny from the very beginning and after passing by the empty lighthouse structures on Southern Island (now occupied by some members of the Wyeth family) we pointed east toward Rockland and were soon under full sail with 5-10 kn of wind.
We had another seal sighting as we evidently snuck up on a large seal with his head and back of neck exposed above water. We him looked 90 degrees to the left and saw us 30 ft away
, he dove under water.
At noon, we called Cathy and Herb Stackhouse to let them know we were sailing thru Muscle Ridge Channel at that moment within in view of their cottage on Seal Bay. We caught them at home and Herb came out an waved! I could see him thru the binoculars!
We carried the sails beautifully thru the long channel and arrived at Owl's Head Lighthouse on Owls Head at 2:30pm and after going to the dock at Journey's End Marina to have a pumpout and take on water, we a were settled on our mooring by 4:30.it is a nice harbor tho half of the waterfront is occupied by old seafood packing buildings that are now used to store boats for the winter.
We met up with Cathy and Herb again on Monday afternoon and they drove us east where we saw thecows that look like Oreo cookies: black or dark brown skins fore and act and a white band around their center!!
We drove thru Rockport and stopped to see their Tony "inlet" of a harbor surrounded by a park, and then we drove on eastward toward Camden voted the village with the most lovely harbor in Maine. The line between Rockport and Camden is no line aT all- the beautiful homes of Rockport blend gently into those of Camden. They showed us the town park set on a rising hill where people sit to enjoy music from bands down on the waters edge. We then all discovered the Riverside footbridge which had fantastic fleer baskets hanging along the railings! A multitude of photos were taken there. We got a taste of the highend galleries which primarily focused on the beauty of Maine and the harbors. So much to see! A very quaint town with several good restaurants. We enjoyed the Warefront Restaurant that evening and thoroughly loved it even tho the fog came in so thick we could no longer see the harbor!
Back to the boat before dark in the fog- we have decided that taking a hand-held compass bearing might be a good idea in the future tho we found Second Wind easily.we became acquainted with the laundry mat on Park St and jess' Seafood Market where we bought fresh halibut, a Quart of tiny, sweet fresh Maine blueberries(my first taste of these) and heirloom tomatoes! How delicious!went to bed feeling like kings!
Herb and Cathy have really helped us learn our way around!
Today we will walk up to buy a prepaid data device as we are not sure that we will be able to check weather buoys with AT&T for the next few weeks before we leave the boat for the winter.
David decided t Journeys End here in Rockland is the place so we will return here in early to late Sept to haul out.For now, On with the day! The sun is out, and Camden awaits!
Cindra and David
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Back Post: : Thursday, July 29,2011 : Sailing to Tenant's Harbor
We left Long Cove on Thursday( I made a mistake; We left Boothbay on Wed. not Tuesday)) with beautiful morning skies and winds that filled in nicely from the S-SE from 8 to 12 knots. Under full sail from 10:30- 14:30 past Old Man's Ledge with Monhegan Island coming into better view. Monhegan is the Island where the Wyeth family summered and paintied for some 20 years. As I understand there is no where to anchor or moor so a ferry for the day or to stay a night or 2 is the only way to truly see the Island. It is 1.7 miles long and about .5 mile wide with walking trails and a couple Inns. After Lunch , we rounded Old Man's ledge and had just come up to our waypoint off Old Cilley ledge at 1320 when we were looking close starboard and saw a huge humpback whale do a gentle roll along side us! I imagine she came over to see what we were as we were sailing at about 5 knots. She rolled again gently , and we could see that she was about as long as our 36 foot vessel! She rolled 4 times then never surfaced again. I ran D down stairs to turn on the gentle Sirius station as we have heard whales like music but she had another plan.
At last our first whale sighting from the quiet of our own cockpit and to think we both were looking right where she surfaced just 30 ft away- it was a miracle! I knew the day was special as we sailed but had no idea there was a "whale more" to come!
Sadly at 1430, we rolled in the sails as we could not carry them into Tenant's Harbor. After passing safely thru about 1000 fluorescent lobster buoys (which were really a pretty sight with the afternoon sun shining on them.) We picked up a free mooring which belongs to a friend we met in boothbay. Herb and Cathy Stackhouse , (formerly of Pensacola now based in Washington, Georgia) bought a cottage on Sprucehead Island just the next village over from Tenant's. They picked us up and we drove the short 10 miles down to Port Clyde where the Monhegan ferry departs. I was afraid it would not have much character since they have cars parked there for overnight ferry travelers but there was only one small lot that by no menas marred the town. Ate at the Dip Net that is newly owned by one of the LL BEan grandaughters. Great Fish and visit .
Friday morning after pancakes and sausage on board, we went ashore for some jogging and showers at the Lyman-Morse Yacht center. Then to Herb and Cathy's cottage that evening for Grilled Halibut steaks that were out of this world good! Their cottage is perfectly Maine and has a 200 degree view of Seal Bay and False Whitehead Harbor! Unbelievable! Then back to the boat just before the predicted light rain which fell nearly all night. Awoke to dry, clearing skies. Relaxing in Maine. We expect to shove off for Rockland in the next day or 2 to receive mail.
Cindra, David and Lulu, too
At last our first whale sighting from the quiet of our own cockpit and to think we both were looking right where she surfaced just 30 ft away- it was a miracle! I knew the day was special as we sailed but had no idea there was a "whale more" to come!
Sadly at 1430, we rolled in the sails as we could not carry them into Tenant's Harbor. After passing safely thru about 1000 fluorescent lobster buoys (which were really a pretty sight with the afternoon sun shining on them.) We picked up a free mooring which belongs to a friend we met in boothbay. Herb and Cathy Stackhouse , (formerly of Pensacola now based in Washington, Georgia) bought a cottage on Sprucehead Island just the next village over from Tenant's. They picked us up and we drove the short 10 miles down to Port Clyde where the Monhegan ferry departs. I was afraid it would not have much character since they have cars parked there for overnight ferry travelers but there was only one small lot that by no menas marred the town. Ate at the Dip Net that is newly owned by one of the LL BEan grandaughters. Great Fish and visit .
Friday morning after pancakes and sausage on board, we went ashore for some jogging and showers at the Lyman-Morse Yacht center. Then to Herb and Cathy's cottage that evening for Grilled Halibut steaks that were out of this world good! Their cottage is perfectly Maine and has a 200 degree view of Seal Bay and False Whitehead Harbor! Unbelievable! Then back to the boat just before the predicted light rain which fell nearly all night. Awoke to dry, clearing skies. Relaxing in Maine. We expect to shove off for Rockland in the next day or 2 to receive mail.
Cindra, David and Lulu, too
Back post: Tuesday, July 27, 2011 :Heading for Long Cove off Muscongus Bay
We have been with patchy AT&T service since leaving Boothbay on Tuesday so I will go back to catch you up!
We left Boothbay Harbor under beautiful skies with 1-2 foot seas but with winds so light we couldn't carry the sails. We motored the short 14 miles to Long Cove to take a free mooring and see Bill and Ellen Addison who have a sweet old family (3 generations) cottage on Long Cove. They are members once again of Christ Church! We arrived just after lunch and then were treated to a land tour of South Bristol, Christmas Cove, Gamage Yacht Harbor, Fort Wm Henry on the Damariscotta River and Pemaquid Lighthouse on Pemaquid Point and Shaw's Seafood Restaurant on New Harbor for dinner. We really enjoyed our visit and the night on Long Cove was quiet with only one lobsterman starting his engine long after our rising at 8am! The sound of the water lapping on the nearby rocky beach was our bedtime lullaby.
Cindra
We left Boothbay Harbor under beautiful skies with 1-2 foot seas but with winds so light we couldn't carry the sails. We motored the short 14 miles to Long Cove to take a free mooring and see Bill and Ellen Addison who have a sweet old family (3 generations) cottage on Long Cove. They are members once again of Christ Church! We arrived just after lunch and then were treated to a land tour of South Bristol, Christmas Cove, Gamage Yacht Harbor, Fort Wm Henry on the Damariscotta River and Pemaquid Lighthouse on Pemaquid Point and Shaw's Seafood Restaurant on New Harbor for dinner. We really enjoyed our visit and the night on Long Cove was quiet with only one lobsterman starting his engine long after our rising at 8am! The sound of the water lapping on the nearby rocky beach was our bedtime lullaby.
Cindra
Sunday, July 24, 2011
We love it here, but I guess we should go east!
We departed Biddeford Pool with it's Tiny 4 room clubhouse for Boothbay Harbor Maine. I was wondering how it would be with more activity in the harbor- I was getting used to quiet small harbors.
The wind was on our stern and very light so we had t
Our first day with very little sailing. We kept the main out most of the day for stabilization. We passed the spectacular Sequin island, Maine. You must google this island as it is mammoth in height and holds the last lighthouses with a fresnel lens. The others have been changed out to solar, but the people petitioned the coast guard to leave this one as it is very significant even in navigation today and it needs a bright light not a solar one that may not shine strongly all the time. You must google it for a photo!! It is a very old light asGeorge Washington signed the deed for the land a d it has held a light I bieve since the late 1700s.
We arrived into Boothbay Harbor around 2:30 and found them to be having an unusually hot afternoon- 95! it cooled down at 7pm and has been nice ever since then.
The harbor is smaller and quieter than either of us expected. It offers 20 us restaurants and neat locally owned nice shops and galleries and a free trolley that will take you to the large grocery a few miles away and it circles every 30 minutes. The marina loaned us a car to drive 4 miles to the campground to fill our spare propane tank.
I called Dondy and Tom Buckley from Christ church and found that 3 other couples from Christ Church were also vacationing here this week! We met the Boneys, the carltons,
the Modjeskis at The Buckleys for dinner last night and boy were they surprised to see us!
We are enjoying the lobster and Haddock!
After an adjustment on the autopilot, we will travel just 12 miles east to Long Cove where Bill Addison has a summer cottage And a mooring ball! We look forward to meeting his wife- they are also members of Christ Church.This morning, We enjoyed a pancake breakfast onboard with Muffet and Ed Crowell who drove over from Harrison, Me.
Time to turn in as the lobstermen can't lobster on Sundays so they will be raring to go tomorrow, Monday.
The wind was on our stern and very light so we had t
Our first day with very little sailing. We kept the main out most of the day for stabilization. We passed the spectacular Sequin island, Maine. You must google this island as it is mammoth in height and holds the last lighthouses with a fresnel lens. The others have been changed out to solar, but the people petitioned the coast guard to leave this one as it is very significant even in navigation today and it needs a bright light not a solar one that may not shine strongly all the time. You must google it for a photo!! It is a very old light asGeorge Washington signed the deed for the land a d it has held a light I bieve since the late 1700s.
We arrived into Boothbay Harbor around 2:30 and found them to be having an unusually hot afternoon- 95! it cooled down at 7pm and has been nice ever since then.
The harbor is smaller and quieter than either of us expected. It offers 20 us restaurants and neat locally owned nice shops and galleries and a free trolley that will take you to the large grocery a few miles away and it circles every 30 minutes. The marina loaned us a car to drive 4 miles to the campground to fill our spare propane tank.
I called Dondy and Tom Buckley from Christ church and found that 3 other couples from Christ Church were also vacationing here this week! We met the Boneys, the carltons,
the Modjeskis at The Buckleys for dinner last night and boy were they surprised to see us!
We are enjoying the lobster and Haddock!
After an adjustment on the autopilot, we will travel just 12 miles east to Long Cove where Bill Addison has a summer cottage And a mooring ball! We look forward to meeting his wife- they are also members of Christ Church.This morning, We enjoyed a pancake breakfast onboard with Muffet and Ed Crowell who drove over from Harrison, Me.
Time to turn in as the lobstermen can't lobster on Sundays so they will be raring to go tomorrow, Monday.
Encountering Wildlife
Friends,
I have been meaning to tell you while we did not make eye contact with a whale as of yet, we were surrounded by a school of dolphin half way from Gloucester to the Isle of ShoAls! D. Had seen some ripples on the water when the wind grew light then he exclaimed a few minutes later"look!" I saw the long, lean bodies of porpoise 4 - 8 feet below the surface of the wAter about to swim under the boat and others following close behind. Their long, lean bodies with white tummies were so amazing! They stayed with us a few moments then traveled on to the south. Then just 5 miles from
The Isle of Shoals a single grey seal surfaced 20 yards
Away and swam along near us before disappearing.
Then on the way to Biddeford we encountered some 40 black flies over the course of the day they landed on board and wanted to make us their lunch and dinner. We swatted flies til they were all lying dead in the cockpit. this encounter was not as great as the dolphin and seal sightings, but nothing is perfect.
I have been meaning to tell you while we did not make eye contact with a whale as of yet, we were surrounded by a school of dolphin half way from Gloucester to the Isle of ShoAls! D. Had seen some ripples on the water when the wind grew light then he exclaimed a few minutes later"look!" I saw the long, lean bodies of porpoise 4 - 8 feet below the surface of the wAter about to swim under the boat and others following close behind. Their long, lean bodies with white tummies were so amazing! They stayed with us a few moments then traveled on to the south. Then just 5 miles from
The Isle of Shoals a single grey seal surfaced 20 yards
Away and swam along near us before disappearing.
Then on the way to Biddeford we encountered some 40 black flies over the course of the day they landed on board and wanted to make us their lunch and dinner. We swatted flies til they were all lying dead in the cockpit. this encounter was not as great as the dolphin and seal sightings, but nothing is perfect.
Too beautiful to spend time writing!
Ahoy,
This Maine country is so wonderful!
We did indeed have silence with our coffee on Wed. Once we felt the fog/ haze was navigable, we left Isle of Shoals for the mainland, Biddeford Pool Maine about 38 miles east as they say. Up here you are either going "down east" (which is really up northeast)or you are going south.
We had a good day of sailing and entered the more narrow entrance to Wood Island Harbor between Wood island and the neck. We had reserved a mooring that morning and were glad to know we would have a snug spot. We did make note of where others anchored for future visits. The pool is like a pond that nearly empties to a puddle at low tide! Only small craft in there. First time I have ever gone forward to pick up the tether to a mooring to find the lines running with the current opposite the 12 knot breeze! Made 3 passes and I finally got it!I have a patient husband.
The town is really a few B&Bs, grocery/restaurant with the most fabulous views of the rocky islands and moored boats, and a shop or 2. Great walking past well kept summer cottages, private golf club where they walk and carry their clubs
And a simple old Episcopal church high on a hill with a view of the entire neck and waterways.Also enjoyed walking an Audubon trail out to east point that overlooked our entrance from the Atlantic- huge rocky cliffs with waves crashing on them and the sound of the ocean waves was so loud and left me in awe.
Lynda and Andy Creed were at their cabin in New Hampshire so the drove over and met us for lunch! It was so good to see good friends. we make acquaintances
But spend alot of time on our own so seeing them was real therapy! Thank you Lynda and Andywe departed Friday for a 36 mile sail up to Boothbay Harbor.
alot of to
E on our own.
This Maine country is so wonderful!
We did indeed have silence with our coffee on Wed. Once we felt the fog/ haze was navigable, we left Isle of Shoals for the mainland, Biddeford Pool Maine about 38 miles east as they say. Up here you are either going "down east" (which is really up northeast)or you are going south.
We had a good day of sailing and entered the more narrow entrance to Wood Island Harbor between Wood island and the neck. We had reserved a mooring that morning and were glad to know we would have a snug spot. We did make note of where others anchored for future visits. The pool is like a pond that nearly empties to a puddle at low tide! Only small craft in there. First time I have ever gone forward to pick up the tether to a mooring to find the lines running with the current opposite the 12 knot breeze! Made 3 passes and I finally got it!I have a patient husband.
The town is really a few B&Bs, grocery/restaurant with the most fabulous views of the rocky islands and moored boats, and a shop or 2. Great walking past well kept summer cottages, private golf club where they walk and carry their clubs
And a simple old Episcopal church high on a hill with a view of the entire neck and waterways.Also enjoyed walking an Audubon trail out to east point that overlooked our entrance from the Atlantic- huge rocky cliffs with waves crashing on them and the sound of the ocean waves was so loud and left me in awe.
Lynda and Andy Creed were at their cabin in New Hampshire so the drove over and met us for lunch! It was so good to see good friends. we make acquaintances
But spend alot of time on our own so seeing them was real therapy! Thank you Lynda and Andywe departed Friday for a 36 mile sail up to Boothbay Harbor.
alot of to
E on our own.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
So close but no introduction
Alas, we sailed through Cape Cod Bay with whales nearby yet none surfaced close to us. Truth be told, we were quite busy tending sails, watching for lobster pots floating in the water especially on the port side behind the jib. Several whale watching boats powered thru the Cape from Boston. If we had not had such a good many miles to get to Gloucester, we would have sailed further east to Stellwagen Banks where the whale watchers go.
They were there. we were there, but no introduction.
The last half of the day was a motor sail as the wind was on our nose, but it became more favorable and the wind increased so that we nearly sailed into Gloucester Harbor.
We called the harbormasters Ofc to arrange to take a mooring as close to town as possible. We were directed past red marker 10 just past Ten Pound Island. We picked one up and found out we had been misdirected and were on a private mooring. The Beneteau on the mooring next door said the owners boat was hauled out for some reason and that we might just stay on it for the weekend so we did! We enjoyed the town and hunting and finding sea glass on Ten Pound Island.
Sunday we did laundry and hiked a short way to a Connolly Seafood Mkt. Where we got 4 lobster for $24!!
We boiled them all and had plenty for Lobster salad the next day.
We took the local bus to Rockport, the famous art colony for lunch one day. The bus driver knew everyone along the roads route, and he honked and waved to them all. He gave us tips and named every love cove we passed. Just 40 mes from Boston and all this lovely water and cool temps!
We departed Gloucester this morning and arrived at the Isle of Shoals in MAINE waters! We are so excited to be in Maine! These 7-8 islands are 6 miles from Portsmith, New Ha
Lahore 6 miles away due west.
The word shoals also means "schools" as in schools of codfish which were in abundance in the early days when this was an English cony. It was the most valuable to the Crown because of it abundant schools or shoals of cod.
A lovely night with only 28 drawbacks... Three boats arrived with 28 middle schoolers for an overnight. 28 kids all trying to out talk the other. Oh well, maybe they will sleep in and we can have coffee in the cockpit to utter sence in the morning.
They were there. we were there, but no introduction.
The last half of the day was a motor sail as the wind was on our nose, but it became more favorable and the wind increased so that we nearly sailed into Gloucester Harbor.
We called the harbormasters Ofc to arrange to take a mooring as close to town as possible. We were directed past red marker 10 just past Ten Pound Island. We picked one up and found out we had been misdirected and were on a private mooring. The Beneteau on the mooring next door said the owners boat was hauled out for some reason and that we might just stay on it for the weekend so we did! We enjoyed the town and hunting and finding sea glass on Ten Pound Island.
Sunday we did laundry and hiked a short way to a Connolly Seafood Mkt. Where we got 4 lobster for $24!!
We boiled them all and had plenty for Lobster salad the next day.
We took the local bus to Rockport, the famous art colony for lunch one day. The bus driver knew everyone along the roads route, and he honked and waved to them all. He gave us tips and named every love cove we passed. Just 40 mes from Boston and all this lovely water and cool temps!
We departed Gloucester this morning and arrived at the Isle of Shoals in MAINE waters! We are so excited to be in Maine! These 7-8 islands are 6 miles from Portsmith, New Ha
Lahore 6 miles away due west.
The word shoals also means "schools" as in schools of codfish which were in abundance in the early days when this was an English cony. It was the most valuable to the Crown because of it abundant schools or shoals of cod.
A lovely night with only 28 drawbacks... Three boats arrived with 28 middle schoolers for an overnight. 28 kids all trying to out talk the other. Oh well, maybe they will sleep in and we can have coffee in the cockpit to utter sence in the morning.
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