full fathom five

This summer's short, edgy cruise

September's the best month in Maine, because the air turns crystal clear with an undercurrent of crispness, the tourists have all gone home so roads and waterways are uncrowded and uninhabited islands completely deserted, and there's the bittersweet feeling of the end of summer that makes every moment of sun and fair winds precious.  Here's our boat, newly in the water after a too-busy summer.  Several systems: autopilot, refrigeration, water, are on the blink, but we're going anyway.  We want to store up memories for the coming winter.  You can see the mission of our boat very faintly on the stern: Memory.

So the first week of September, we set sail to Penobscot Bay, sailing a long 11 hours from Yarmouth to get up there quickly, because we only had a week.  Although our dog Cody wouldn't get out from underfoot, becoming a hazard on deck, he forced us to get off the boat frequently to hike on islands.  Here's a view after a long climb up Fox Rocks on Vinalhaven, looking down on Long Cove.  You can see why Penobscot Bay is one of the most interesting places to sail in the world. In almost any vista, there are hints of hidden, mysterious, and beautiful coves.   

Here's Cody just savoring his precious moments off the boat, where his feet have the purchase to make him secure, even in water.  This beach is mostly periwinkle and mussell shells, glinting yellow, white, and lavender from a shiny black background when wet.  And they sound like heavy rain when pulled back into the sea on receding waves. 

On Pickering Island, an almost two mile stretch of land near North Haven, there's only one human habitation: a one-room log cabin.  The indoor/outdoor fireplace here gives an idea of the cabin's age (about 70 years, I'd say) and how much the owners love the island.  Feathers, unusually-shaped rocks, animal skulls, and driftwood adorn the mantlepiece.   

And it's wonderful to come home to the Fall garden, with ornamental grass (miscanthus sinensus) pulled down over the brick walk by heavy pink blooms.

Edgy sailing

Although we got home six days ago, the cable-modem on our computer has been intermittent.  The cable company finally came yesterday and "swapped out" our old box for a new one, and everything seems up and running - and blessedly fast once again.  So we'll post pictures of our trip and our Fall garden soon.

    Meanwhile, it's good to be back home.  The sailing trip was problematic because precious systems on the boat - like refrigeration, automatic pilot, water, etc. - broke down.  My husband was so busy this summer, that he only got to boat repairs a week before we left.  It was the first time all summer the boat's been in the water as well, so everything was a bit rusty. 

    And our dog Cody, who came with us, has grown a year older since his last sail, when he was content to lie below when we were under sail.  Not so this time.  He's bonded so fully with us in the past year, that he had to be up on deck with us whenever we were there, and glued himself to the nearest leg when things got rough.  There were a few hairy moments, like when we lost a cushion overboard and had to circle it several times to try and pull it up with the boat-hook.  I was at the helm, and got us into a surprise jibe that almost took poor Cody's head off when the boom halyards shot from one side of the transom to the other.   

    That and other close calls made me decide never to bring Cody aboard again.  The fact that he has no traction on fiberglass, and thus gets scared easily when we heel over, plastering himself against our legs, puts him in danger and, in turn, makes him a dangerous distraction.  Once we made that decision, though, it seemed to resolve things for us, promising that future sails will be simpler, and Cody will be happier at home with friends on solid ground.   

Gone Sailing

My husband and I and dog Cody are off for a week's sail to Penobscot Bay.  It's the first time we've had the boat in the water all summer; that's how busy we've been.  So this will be a welcome break, and we'll bring home some pictures.  Early September is the most beautiful time in Maine, and anticipation is a great feeling.  I'm savoring it.   

    We'll be home next Sunday, Sept. 9, and I'll post our pictures early that following week.  Hope you all enjoy these sparkling clear days and crisp nights in the meantime.