Wednesday, August 26, 2009

HOG ISLAND, FLANDER'S BAY

DAY #34 - SATURDAY, AUGUST 15TH, 2009



Today we stayed at anchor in Flander's Bay. We walked the shore of Hog Island and enjoyed the views of Mt. Desert Island in the distance.



We finished the day by attending "Prairie Home Companion" and "Thistle & Shamrock" services as the sunset.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

MUD HOLE TO FLANDERS BAY

DAY #33 - FRIDAY, AUGUST 14TH, 2009



We have done all the hikes that we know of in this area so it is time to head west. At high tide we passed over the bar at the mouth of the Mud Hole and waved goodbye to the light on Mistake Island as we passed.



This is Petit Manan Light. Since it is a solitary tall structure off the coast we used it to zero our radar unit as we passed.



After we rounded Schoodic Point (the gateway to down east) we passed another light just outside Winter Harbor.



The outside of the islands guarding Frenchman's Bay.



A classic tall ship taking tourists from Bar Harbor out for a short spin around the bay and among the islands.

46 NM

Friday, August 21, 2009

MUD HOLE AND GREAT WASS ISLAND

DAY #32 - THURSDAY, AUGUST 13TH, 2009



We decided to walk the trails of Great Wass Island Preserve.



When doing walks in Maine we often remark on how little wildlife we see. However, on Great Wass Island there seems to be an abundance of deer that we totally unimpressed by our presence.



Part of the walk is along the rocky shore of the island.



We walked right by two bambies that thought they were hidden.



Evergreen, back at the Mud Hole, waiting for more adventures.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

MISTAKE ISLAND TO THE MUD HOLE

DAY #31 - WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12TH, 2009



We started the day by going ashore and walking the length of Mistake Island to the lonely automated outpost facing the sea.



The shores are very high and rugged in this area.



On the return we could not help but stop and pick blue berries and raspberries.



We then motored over to the Mud Hole. One has to wait for mid tide or higher in order to gain entry due to the fact that there is only 2 foot of water over the rocks at the entry during low tide. It is considered a hurricane hole. A channel cutter also came in and anchored nearby.



The mud hole is so protected that the water is often like glass.



2.3 NM

CUTLER TO MISTAKE ISLAND

DAY #30 - TUESDAY, AUGUST 11TH, 2009



Today we sailed west to Mistake Island. It is a small island which is open to the public. Berries can be found everywhere along the path to the lighthouse.



Rocky shores show how little soil there is covering them.



"A wise man builds his house upon a rock." Are we sure about that?



Sunset at the anchorage.

24.8 NM

Monday, August 17, 2009

CUTLER & THE "BOLD COAST"

DAY #29 - AUGUST 10TH, 2009



One of our favorite experiences, in Maine, is to be welcomed ashore by the sweet smell of wild roses. Today we decided to hike the trails of the Cutler Coast Preserve.



Wildflowers were to be found everywhere.



Lichen of every imaginable type grow throughout the woods.



The only thing missing from this inland lake was a moose.



Wild flowers everywhere - even along the coast.



The fog had been thick all day but it started to lift just as we reached the coast.



The Bold Coast.



Seagulls at ease despite the water crashing nearby.



One can't take too many photos of this coast. Sharon, take the camera away from me.







The coast trail was very easy to follow despite its being on the edge of small cliffs in many places.



Back at the Cutler harbor, several new sailboats had come in. One fellow, from Jersey, England, had just made the crossing solo by way of Greenland and Iceland.



Towards late afternoon the fog started to roll back in.



Since the fog was coming in off the sea we still had a brilliant evening.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

CROSS ISLAND TO CUTLER, MAINE (LITTLE RIVER)

DAY #28 - SUNDAY, AUGUST 9TH, 2009



Today we moved east to Cutler, on Little River. The harbor is a quaint little fishing village which is well protected by Little River Island. This will be as far east as we go since the Canadian border is only a short distance up the coast and we don't want all the hassle associated with going back and forth between the two countries.



It was Sunday so most of the lobster boats were hanging on their moorings.

7 NM

CROSS ISLAND, MAINE

DAY #27 - AUGUST 8TH, 2009



We decided to continue to explore the wonderful trails on Cross Island.



Once again we crossed the island and ended up walking along the southeast shore.



There were always signs showing the way home.



Most of the trails through the woods are very well worn by the students making for very pleasant walks.



The wood carver has been busy.



Islands to the east of Cross Island.



We found this drawing in the old Coast Guard station which now is the Hurricane Island outpost headquarters.



We are always reassured when we round the last turn of the trail and see "Evergreen" safely riding at anchor.

CROSS ISLAND, MAINE

DAY #26 - FRIDAY, AUGUST 7TH, 2009



Hurricane Island Outward Bound has an outpost on Cross Island. "Pulling Boats" are the only means of transportation for the students.



Cross Island is nearly completely forested and the forest floor is covered with moss.



We set out and crossed the island to an inlet on the south shore.



The south coast is very rocky due to its exposure.





The Hurricane Island students have set out in their pulling boat. They are riding the current down the coast. They look very small in the hand of mother nature.



The students learn to do everything that needs to be done on the boat. When there is not enough wind they row.



On the trail back to the boat we came across a sign showing the way back to the old coast guard station.



Back on the boat, we caught a last glimpse of the sunset before the mosquitoes drove us below.