DAY #64 - HIGH & BIRCH ISLANDS TO HARBOR & HALL ISLANDS

SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2008

We woke up to a real mess this morning. The lapping of water nearby is actually what woke me up. As expected we had swung around in the anchorage due to a wind change, however, the wind had gone a lot further than expected and we were right next to a pile of rocks. I checked the depth --- 6 ft of water with a boat that draws 5 ft --- Ok --- I checked the state of the tide --- Essentially low --- Ok --- Maybe instead of panicking we could be patient and have some coffee before heading out --- A few minutes later: Thud, Thud, Thud --- We were bouncing the keel of a 10 ton boat on a rock --- Quick, let's get out of here --- On goes the motor --- Up comes the chain and anchor --- So we motor towards the back side of another island --- GPS says 8 ft --- Good, I won't have to pull the anchor up far --- Suddenly as we are positioning to drop the anchor the whole boat glides up and over a smooth rock --- Sharon says: Let's get out of here --- I say: No kidding --- So I reposition out a little and drop the hook --- The day had better improve. I will be diving to check the keel for damage later or tomorrow. Lessons learned: Always allow for a significant margin of error when anchoring - just fitting in is not adequate. If in doubt when anchoring then move right away - it is kind of like reefing early - something you never feel like doing but you better get wise.

Later we ran west, before a northeast wind, to the island group of Harbor and Hall Islands. There is a rock ledge at the end of the harbor between the two islands which forms a very protected anchorage. The owner of Harbor Island has been kind enough to make his island open to the public as long as everyone respects his privacy. Thank you! There are many trails around and through the center of the islands. Early in the season one can find wild roses and raspberries lining these paths. As one walks through the woods you frequently come across little "fairy huts" which have been carefully constructed of natural things found in the forest and along the shore. Some of them are very intricate.

Later in the day I dove into the 56 degree water and checked the keel of our boat. I found only minor scratches and very small gouges along the bottom of the keel. I suppose the barrier coat will have to be touched up in those areas.



18.2 NM

DAY #63 - WHITE ISLANDS TO HIGH & BIRCH ISLANDS

SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2008



We headed west across West Penobscot Bay to another group of islands. We usually anchor between High and Birch Islands. In the past when we sailed our Catalina 22 we would go far in between the islands due to our shallow draft, however, now we must anchor more in the open. A front was due to come through tonight and the wind was expected to go around the compass and get rather strong so we had to be extra careful today. After measuring the distances on our GPS we put our anchor directly in the middle of a 350 foot clear area and put out 135 foot of chain. After repeated evaluations of our situation we felt secure.





During the 1800s and early 1900s both High and Dix Islands were quarried for large granite blocks that were sent by sailing and steam ships to the cities of New York, Charleston, and Philadelphia for the construction of post offices and other large buildings. Consequently there is a large granite wharf on High Island where the blocks were loaded on ships.





When we arrived the tide was up so we went over to the wharf to explore. Later in the day things looked totally different.





As we attended our sunset celebration the storm front and a fog bank started to descend upon us.



8.3 NM

DAY #62 - PULPIT HARBOR TO WHITE ISLANDS

SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2008



The wind had blown itself out over the last few days so we set out and motored down West Penobscot Bay and Hurricane Sound to the White Islands. The White Islands are a group of islands that form a fairly narrow slot that appears to be open at both ends, however, rocks and ledges block the one end except at high tide. Consequently, one has excellent views of the entire West Penobscot Bay and the hills behind Camden on the far shore. Hardly anyone goes to this anchorage because it is rather tricky due to its narrow nature and reversing tidal currents. All the better for us. Sometimes you feel as if you are anchored in open water, yet 6 hours later you are surrounded by rocks due to the 12 foot tides.







Charles Lindbergh and his wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh donated part of the White Island group to the Nature Conservancy. The other islands are uninhabited. During the summer you can occasionally see Hurricane Island Outward Bound students doing their "Solo" rotation on the islands.





Of course the great views provide excellent sunset experiences.









11 NM

DAY #61 - PULPIT HARBOR

SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2008

Gale warnings! We are not going anywhere. The remnants of Hurricane Ike will be passing just to our north.





Despite the wind, the windjammer left in the afternoon when the wind had possibly moderated at little.



This evening we ate the last of the mussels from Flanders Bay as we watched the sunset. The mussels had actually improved with time. We store our mussels in a mesh bag that we hang over the side of the boat. When we are sailing we put them in a bucket of seawater.

DAY #60 - PULPIT HARBOR

SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2008

Rain and fog are predicted today, and high winds predicted tonight, so we will stay in protected Pulpit Harbor today.



Despite the fog and rain a windjammer came in today.

DAY #59 - BOLD & DEVIL ISLANDS TO PULPIT HARBOR

SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2008





There was not wind today so we motored across East Penobscot Bay, through Fox Island Thorofare, and up West Penobscot Bay to Pulpit Harbor.





As we entered Pulpit Harbor we saw the huge osprey nest was occupied, as it has been for generations.







Pulpit Harbor is known for its sunsets over Penobscot Bay and the hills of Camden. Windjammers frequent the harbor before returning to Camden. We finished the day by paying our respects to the sunset and attending Prairie Home Companion and Thistle & Shamrock services.





21.6 NM

DAY #58 - SOUTHWEST HARBOR TO BOLD & DEVIL ISLANDS

SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2008

The wind was blowing out of the southwest at 15 - 25+ but we were really in the mood to sail so we double reefed the main and tacked southwest of Mt. Desert and then up Toothacher Bay and across Jericho Bay to Bold and Devil Islands harbor. In those winds we should have reefed the yankee also but it was too hard to do once we were out there. Next year we will try a furler. Sorry it was too rough and windy to get the camera out.

32.1 NM

DAY #57 - NORWOOD COVE TO SOUTHWEST HARBOR, MAINE

SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2008

We motored the short distance to Southwest Harbor. We spent the day walking to the store to top off our provisions and doing laundry. We also walked to West Marine to buy the new hard bound Taft Maine cruising guide but found that West Marine refuses the carry the guide because the publisher does not have insurance. Now is that ridiculous or what? Then we explored the area in an effort to find a different access to the store and Southwest Harbor. After several miles of walking we decided that Norwood Cove was not feasible and that Valley Cove was the only other option.



All that said and done, we went over to Beal's for the usual and then to the ice cream shop.



1.8 NM

DAY #56 - HOLBROOK ISLAND TO NORWOOD COVE, MT DESERT ISLAND

SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2008

From Holbrook Island Harbor one has nice views of historic Castine with its maritime academy.







Since the front came through yesterday the wind was out of the northwest at 15 - 20 knots. We ran down Penobscot Bay and Eggemoggin Reach and then reached across Blue Hill Bay to Mt. Desert Island. It was time to pay our final respects to Beals Lobster Pier before starting our trek south.







While sailing down Eggemoggin Reach we passed countless windjammers. Apparently they were having some kind of gathering at the Wooden Boat School.

36.5 NM

DAY #55 - MERCHANT ISLAND TO HOLBROOK ISLAND HARBOR

SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2008

We sailed up East Penobscot Bay to Holbrook Island Harbor. While sailing a strong front came across the bay and reportedly hit us with 40 - 50 knot winds (we were too busy to look at the instrument). We got the sails down and to boat pointed into the wind just in time. We just motored to keep the boat stationary and pointing into the wind until the front had passed and then we sailed the rest of the way.



21.9 NM

DAY # 54 - OPEECHEE TO MERCHANT ISLAND HARBOR

SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2008

We left Opeechee and had a very nice sail down Jericho Bay, and through Merchant Row to Merchant Island Harbor.







Merchant Island is a nice anchorage because of the views of the islands around Deer Island Thorofare and the sunsets over the water and islands. You can watch windjammers coast back and forth in both Merchant Row and Deer Island Thorofare.





21.3 NM

DAY #53 - PRETTY MARSH HARBOR TO OPEECHEE ISLAND HARBOR

SEPTEMBER 7TH, 2008

We sailed across Blue Hill Bay to Opeechee Island Harbor (one of our favorite anchorages because of the views and the fact that no one goes there).





When we had departed on this trip we had basically provisioned for four months. That also included wine and assorted alcohol. It saves us a lot of money and time and effort not to have to reprovision along the way. Well, when we were preparing to go to Canada we realized we could not take any fresh meat, produce, or more than two bottles of alcohol. What to do? We ate the fresh food but could not drink 3.5 months worth of wine and alcohol. So as pirates did in the past we stashed our treasure on an island until we returned. Today we went ashore to retrieve treasure. Now the boat sits on an even keel once again. Anyone up for a party?





11.2 NM