Boat trip

We just got home from our sail to Penobscot Bay, and it's the first extended sail that hasn't made me feel wobbly - still bracing against the roll of the ocean - back on land.  That's because our dog Cody ensured that we got to dry land every day for at least an hour's walk.  So sealegs don't persist. 

    Here's some glimpses, below:   

     

       Our new-to-us (used) boat that we've christened "Memory." This will be our first extended trip on her (which we've got to - heh heh - practice for our retirement).  It's a J-boat, which means it sails fast, and it's about 36 feet long, which means that it's comfortable for a couple - with occasional guests - to live on.  The only glitch is that she was built in France, and thus takes butane to fuel her stove.  She came with a canister about 3/4 full when we started out, and that would have to last us for the trip because we couldn't find a butane supplier anywhere in the Northeast.    

Cody in his lifejacket (which, once he got his sealegs, and discovered that lying on the cockpit floor provided plenty of support when heeling over under sail, he didn't need anymore).  Note the little handle on top to pull him to safety.

Our first dawn, when we're just leaving our permanent mooring near Portland. The sun on the boats is a promise of fair winds and wonders to come.

Seals off Half-moon Cove on the Damariscotta River.  Note the dark head of one swimming in the background.  This is the way we mostly saw them, in the water with their doglike heads turned to us curiously as we passed, the only light thing about them the sun occasionally reflecting off their whiskers.  But out on the rocks, their coats lighten up as they dry, some of them even appearing white.

Big Pile 1: on a northwest cliff of North Haven Island, Penobscot Bay. 

Big Pile 2, next door.

Rowing Cody in to explore a beckoning beach.  His front paws over the edge of the dinghy is an example of his sealegs.

Holbrook Island sanctuary, on Cape Rosier just below Castine.

Here's an example of the many island paths and sights that pulled us along by wonder -

upon wonder (a lobster-pot tree)

to a timeless horizon.

Calling the wild and crazy boy

who has to have one more dip before going back to the boat.

Twilight in Pulpit Harbor, North Haven, where we grabbed a friend's mooring for the night.

Our last morning, rafted up with friends who sailed out to meet us in Quahog Bay near Cundy's Harbor, to give us hot coffee and breakfast (because we'd run out of Butane a couple of days before) for the sail back home.

   

Hope you're all doing well.  It's wonderful to be home and back in the blog.       

Comments

[wally]

Welcome back. Great pics. What an adventure!

[Cowtown Pattie]

Mary,

What a wonderful new experience! The photos were great, and each time I see Cody, I just wanna kiss his big gentle face. What a charmer!

"Mary" just won't do anymore...you need a proper pirate name. How about "Cutlass Mary"?

Now, there's a sea-going lass, Cutlass Mary and her faithful muttmate, Cody.

[notdotdot]

Hooray, you're back safe and sound...so says the landlubber!
Wow! Cody did more than well. Great shot...I'm partial to Cody's pictures and Pulpit Harbor. Really love the 1st one of Cody and the one in the dinghy with you.
Again, welcome back.

[Rolinda]

What wonderful "MEMORIES"--very appropriate name for your "retirement" yacht!! Cody is so much a part of your family---so special. Thanks for sharing! Ro

[Annie in Austin]

Another landlubber here, who had to take dramamine just to look at the photos, but what wonderful things you've seen. The trees look so enormous and so ancient!

Annie

[Tabor]

This trip brought back memories of when we used to take our mutt out on the boat (an outboard) when heading out to beaches in the South Pacific of Palau. The dog was so good on overnights and just like Cody hung his paws over the bow as we headed into land, eager to get his business done and explore.

[Dan]

Mary Lee-

Beautiful photos, and looks like you had a good trip on her. I'd definitely recommend you get the stove re-fit for propane.

Dan

P.S. Finished Marley & Me per your recommendation... loved it.

[joared]

Beautiful photos, spectacular views! Sailing looks quite attractive to me. Did I read correctly that you ran out of butane? How did you resolve that?
Look forward to reading more about your adventures.

[Tillerman]

It sure is a beautiful place.

[Richard]

I enjoyed your photos. I'm a Pennsylvanian who has a love affair with Maine. I hope you folks remember how fortunate you are living so close to all that incredible beauty. If only I could, on a whim, hop in the car ...

[aaron]

I think you can get butane cannisters in Nova Scotia or New Brunswick. My folks have a butane stove on their schooner but must lay in a supply of them for trips to Maine. Don't know why the cannisters are a threat to the American way of life, but they are markedly absent from the U.S. market.

A butane-and-smoked-herring-bying trip might be a good excuse for a cruise a bit farther downeast next summer.

Beautiful pics

[Ronni Bennett]

Wonderful pictures. Looks like a great trip and Cody seems to have taken to sailing like a - well sailor.

Was excited to see the mention of Castine. Soon after I decided on Portland as my next home, amba of ambivablog sent me a lovely memoir of a woman who lived in Castine some decades ago. It's a beautiful book, but I can't remember the name of it and it's still packed away. But I'll be making a (car) trip to Castine at some point. Lovely name for a town, don't you think.

Welcome back...

[Chancy]

I feel as if I got to sail with you and Cody just by looking at and enjoying the lovely photos. Cody looks like he is in complete conrol. :)

[Terri]

Welcome back! Gosh, did I ever enjoy these photos, so thank you so much for sharing them with us.
Your boat is just lovely. And Cody.....what a cool dog he is! Had he ever been sailing before? He looks like he was born to it. Looks like you had a wonderful trip. The scenery was gorgeous and I admire your sailing ability.

[zuleme]

We were out there too for a couple of days on the Dory Volante. From Rockland to Winter Harbor. Dory Volante is a catamaran owned by good friends. Could have passed you somewhere.

[Boating Accessories]

Sounds like a great trip!