Ahoy its Matt. Today we had French toast mmmm. Then we left Maple Juice Cove. On the way I read in my book and played my ds. Then I drove the boat for a while. I navigated around lobster pots. Then I read the rest of the way to Rockland. When we arrived Nana made some clam chowder. We went and got a Halti for Hoolie. Then Grandpa and I went to the book store and I got a great book. When we got back I read my new book. After that I watched a movie in my hide out (Ed. Matt puts up pillows and cushions as a wall in his aft cabin to shut out the light for watching a movie, a "hide out"). Then we had dinner and it was pork chops. Write to you tomorrow I got to go now.

It was another day of motoring in light winds to reach Rockland for a dock. We passed Owl's Head lighthouse which we usually don't see due to fog but today was fog free. The lobster pots were thick when we passed by Tenants Harbor but they still weren't as numerous as last year. We wanted to stop by Rockland to buy a Halti for Hoolie. It's like a halter used on a horse but it's for a dog. There was a pet store in Rockland that had all sizes. Hoolie wasn't too enthused at first and he's still not comfortable with it but it sure stopped the constant pulling.

From here on out we just plan on sailing, we're in no particular rush to get anywhere and it's a great area for lazy sailing. We'll look at the wind direction tomorrow morning and chose our anchorage.

PS, our dock is right behind the Coast Guard station, good thing we have our inspection sticker from Family Day.

Ahoy its Matt. Today I woke up and had oatmeal. Then we left Boothbay to go to Maple Juice Cove. When we left I read the whole way. In between reading I had lunch. When we arrived I went swimming in water 63 degrees. Then when I was swimming I had a swimming lesson and swam without my life jacket for the first time in water 10 or more feet taller than me. Then we had fudge mmmm. Then I read some more. Then I played my DS. Afterwords I set up for a movie. Write to you tomorrow. PS I can start the dink again and have for the past three days

We had a lazy morning, the best kind on a cruise. We finally got off the mooring at 9:00 and headed for Maple Juice Cove after breakfast in the cockpit, warmed by the rising sun. We had a wonderful sail with winds out of the northwest of 10 to 15 kts. In the direction we were headed, it was a broad reach all the way. I noticed that the number of lobster buoys were definitely less than last year, perhaps 1/2 the number. That's not to say there weren't a lot which required a lot of dodging but still less than before.

Our anchorage is completely protected from all swells and waves. It's only 10 feet at low tide so we don't require much scope and we're as calm as being on land. The surrounding countryside is just beautiful, typical Maine scenery - green pine trees, white houses (but not very many), blue skies and birds to watch. We also saw our first porpoise today swimming around in our cove. We found a spot for Hoolie at a nearby deserted island and he romped around for awhile. I grilled fillet mignon on the back of the boat and Ann baked chocolate brownies for dessert, great! Just a perfect Maine day. We're off to Rockland tomorrow.

Last Day at Boothbay

Ahoy its Matt. Today I woke up and read in my book and had a omelet mmmm. Then we did the wash. Then I worked in the yellow bag of the devil. Then we made beds and put away clothing. Afterwords we had lunch at Kalers and I had a awesome chicken wrap. Then we walked around town. Then I played my DS. Write to you tomorrow. (Ed. Matt had a double dip ice cream cone after he wrote the blog!)

It was a beautiful day for touring town, sunny and warm, well it was above 70 anyway. Doing laundry took most of the morning. There were about half a dozen sailboats that were on their way east and most of them took a mooring at Tugboat Inn in order to use their excellent laundry facilities. The fact of cruising is that you've got to wash clothes once in awhile and finding a convenient marina makes everything easier.

Boothbay is a great place for finding good buys on sweatshirts and all kinds of outerwear. A typical sweatshirt will cost $10 to $20. A cap with Boothbay logo for $5 to $10. A mooring is only $26. It's a fun place with lots to do and good places to eat. Today we returned to Kalers, a local seafood restaurant that's been in business for years and offers good, reasonably priced meals.

Today I found a free internet connection that can be accessed all over the harbor offered by Rocktide Inn. The connection does not require any passwords and XP has no trouble connecting to it. It's one of the choices that come up when a search is done for wireless connections in XP.

Tomorrow we're headed for Maple Juice Cove, the home of Andrew Wyeth's "Christina's World" house. Once in the harbor you can see it off the back of the boat. Neat.

Boothbay - Home of Beautiful Ships

Ahoy it's Matt. Today I woke up and had cereal. We left Jewell Island and I read for most of the way. When I was done reading we had peanut butter with crackers. When we arrived and I got the mooring on the first try. Then we went and had lobster rolls, mmmm. Then we went to town and got a choke collar for Hoolie but it didn't work. Then we went to the fudge factory. Then we came back and had some fudge. Write to you tomorrow

Well the crew spent a restful night, no rocking which was a great relief for all, including the captain. Off we headed for Booth bay and a mooring for the next two days. We wanted some time to explore Boothbay and especially to get lobster rolls across the bay, great treat. I offered to finish off any of the roll that Matthew couldn't eat but he declined. He made the same offer to Nana but she declined also!

We tried walking Hoolie in the crowd but he was impossible, always pulling with all his might. At home and not in crowds he was fine but with all the distractions, it was hopeless. With that we decided to get a Halite, they are specially made for dogs that are similar to the halter used on horses. With it a dog can't pull with its shoulders, it puts the pull on the dog's nose area which has no strength, it turns the head instead - just like on a horse. We found a store in Rockland that carries them and we'll be there on Thursday.

Boothbay is the home of some beautiful boats. The Friendship Sloops are especially pretty and they abound in Maine. For us we haven't sailed very much so far, we expect to remedy that once we reach Penobscot Bay when we no longer have to make a particular destination, we can just sail. There are also larger sailing ships that use Boothbay for their home port, going out several times a day. We have a mooring that faces the center of town so we can see all the comings and goings. It's all very relaxing and enjoyable. We'll do more of the same tomorrow!

Jewell Island - Quiet and German Subs Lookout

Ahoy its Matt. Today we had eggs and ham mmmm. Then we took the dog ashore and the dink was pounded by two waves. Then we left Richmond Island for good. Then I read. I felt queasy and we broke out the sea bands. when we got here I went swimming. When we took the dog ashore Grandpa and I went to a tower on the island. When we came back I swam some more. Then we had dinner. Write to you tomorrow got to take the dog ashore. PS the water was 60.8 degrees.

The rocking didn't let up all night. We had a strong south wind (15 to 20 kts) and island provided complete shielding from the direct waves but waves don't travel in straight lines, they curve around obstacles although they do lose force. Unfortunately, the south wind pointed us south and the swells curved around to hit us from the east providing the entertainment for the night for the crew and a resolution never to come back. By morning, the seas were in full force from days of high winds and to avoid a crew mutiny, the captain decided to make for Jewell Island, a quiet anchorage not too far.

The high winds had kept the anchorage from being too populated, it's usually full from weekenders from Portland. In fact, the ones here were complaining of the rough anchorage but to us it was as calm as a lake. We took advantage of the afternoon sun to go ashore and explore. The island was used during the war as a lookout point for German subs and several abandoned, concrete lookout towers remain and are open for views. Matt and I climbed one and looked out but we both agree that we didn't see any subs. Here's a photo of our anchorage.

Ann prepared a great Mex meal in celebration of the quiet anchorage and you can see form the photo how pleased Matt was. By the way, the winds were supposed to die off around noon but, of course, they did not. It's still howling 15 kts now at 8:30, ha! However, winds are okay as long as there are no swells which is true for our location tonight! Tomorrow we're off for Boothbay.

Richmond Island - VERY ROLLY

Ahoy its me Matt. Today I woke up and slinked into the v berth. I slept until 9:30. Then I came up and had the last of the garlic bread. Then I chatted with Nana. After we arrived I watched a movie and then had lunch. Then Nana and I played cosmic wimpout and won. After that I watched a movie. Then we had dinner and took the dog ashore. I waded in the surf. Write to you tomorrow.

We are currently at anchor and rolling side to side, about 20 degrees per roll at least, constantly. We are protected from the direct impact of the waves from the island but the rollers are coming around the island and hitting us from the side. The winds are 15 to 20 kts with gusts to 26 kts, it will be a wild night. Hard to type with the boat rocking so much, more tomorrow.

On to Portsmouth and a Whale!

Ahoy it's Matt. I woke up and had cereal. Then we left for Portsmouth. Then I read my book until we saw a whale! That was 40 feet long, that's close to the length of the boat. Afterwords I played Mad Libs with Grandpa and Nana. I finished my book and played Cosmic Wimpout with Grandpa. Then when we arrived I went swimming in the pool here. We took a courtesy car to the store and we went back to the boat. Then we had sea food salad for an appetizer. Wright to you tomorrow. PS That was the first whale I've seen in the wild and last night I went to my first concert

The highlight of the day was the whale sighting. I was at the helm and the seas were very calm so any disturbance was easily visible. I noticed movement off to my right and saw a large dark object in the water. Watching it for awhile, it became clear that it was a whale - and it was big - at least compared to our boat. We were only about 4 miles off shore and a whale sighting is rare that close in. It's the first time we've seen a whale on our cruises to Maine.

I commented to Matt last night on the concert we went to that I didn't recognize the songs and neither did Matt so I figured the music was younger than me but older than Matthew (golden 90's?) Still, Matthew enjoyed his first concert and had two slices of pizza and fried dough, such fun.

Leaving Gloucester, we once again passed the twin lighthouses on the way north. I always wondered why they built two identical lighthouses so close together.

In Portsmouth, we're at the Wentworth again but we didn't get the Mercedes courtesy car this time, we got the Pontiac instead, ugh. However, it was nice to drive to a supermarket and stock up. There's a forecast for high winds later in the afternoon on Saturday so we plan on getting an early start, around 6:00 am before they set in. However, the high winds are out of the south so they will be behind us as we go north, taking a bite out of the force.