Destination Reached - Rockland, Maine

The trip to Rockland from Boothbay was just stunning.  We had to travel through this channel called the Muscle Ridge Channel that was a little unnerving due to all the rocks and ledges.  But it was well marked so we had no problems.

What sometimes looks to me to be just a very large rock they call an island.  Island? Rock?  No matter - they are all marked on the chart.

Barely a ripple on the water as this lobsterman checks his traps.  It is the calm before the storm.  We were trying to reach Rockland ahead of some weather that we knew was heading that way.

Island

We thought that this rock looked like a whale. 

It is so odd to see these islands with only one house on them.  There is not even a lighthouse on this one.

 And this was the view as we started to round the corner into Rockland Harbor.  We had no idea there were mountains!  We just couldn't believe how beautiful it was.  You can see the storm clouds starting to gather.

 Here we are Rockland Harbor - this lighthouse lights the way into the harbor.  As it turned out we made it just in time - the rain started to fall just as we were entering our slip.  A prelude of things to come.  That night we experienced a real "Nor'Easter".  The wind blew 35 to 40 knots and the entire dock was moving several feet.  We have never had that much movement while at the dock!  But we couldn't get off the boat - the dock was a very unsafe place to be.  There was nothing to do but ride it out.  Needless to say there was no sleep that night!

Boothbay Harbor

Ferry heading into Boothbay Harbor

From Harpswell we continued "down east" to Boothbay Harbor.  Being from the midwest about all I knew of Maine was that it bordered Canada and was very cold in the winter.  I also knew that it was comfortable in the summer.  After so many hot and extremely humid summers I was ready for a summer where we would enjoy being outside.  

We have learned that you really don't want to head to Maine until around July.  Spring in Maine is pretty darn chilly.  Or at least that was the case this year.  Mainers assured us that this spring was "unusual".  

Boothbay Harbor

This is the mooring field in Boothbay Harbor.  A "mooring" is basically an anchor that is already set and attached to a float.  You grab the "penant" or line attached to the float and attach it to your boat.  That's it - pretty simple really.  

Boothbay Harbor

Yes - it really is this pretty!!  We had our first taste of lobster here.  Boothbay is in Casco Bay - a prime sailing area in the summer.  Maine has over 4,600 Islands!!!!  Many of them are here in Casco Bay.  But we are headed to Penobscot Bay which is where Acadia National Park is located.  Another prime sailing area.

Our next stop after Boothbay will be our final destination for the summer - Rockland, Maine.  We have a slip there for the season and will explore as much of Maine as we can from there. Even if you came back year after year you would not see everything there is to see - nonetheless we will do our best.
 

Harpswell, Maine

Pony docks with lobster traps

Our destination after Kittery was Portland but we were making good time and decided to go a bit further.  So... we went on to a little place in Casco Bay called Harpswell, Maine.  The further we go the prettier it becomes.  We are seeing more and more big rocks in the water.  And Islands - lots and lots of Islands!

Boats on mooring balls at Dolphin Marina

 It is becoming very important to be diligent with our navigation.  Not only are there many rocks but there are also many ledges.  A ledge is like a shelf in the water where the water depth changes very suddenly.  

A pony dock

 A couple of the places we have been to have wanted us to tie up to a "pony" dock.  This photo is of a "pony" dock.  I had never heard of or seen a pony dock before reaching Maine.  You will often see them piled high with lobster traps.

A small seal

 As we were sailing along I looked over and saw this small seal swimming along beside the boat.   And of course, before too long we saw a shark swimming by as well!

 All along there are Islands with lighthouses.  At one point all the lighthouses were automated.  The lighthouse keepers houses were auctioned.  Some lucky souls bought some pretty neat places.

 And as I mentioned there are now more and more rocks - many of them are quite large.  Careful navigation is a must!!

Maine!!!

May 31st and we have reached Maine!  Kittery, Maine, the first port in Maine is right across the river from Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  We arrived around 3:30 in the afternoon and found our mooring ball at the Kittery Point Yacht Yard.  

Our neighbor sitting on his mooring ball!

 

Kittery Point Yacht Yard on arrival

It was a beautiful, sunny day when we pulled in but within 30 minutes the fog started rolling in.

Kittery Point Yacht Yard 30 minutes after arrival

 What a difference an hour makes!  We were thanking our lucky stars that we were safely in port.  But we kept thinking what if we had been delayed by an hour?  

 As the fog rolled in it started out light but within 45 minutes you could barely see the boats moored right next to you!

45 minutes we can barely see the neighboring boat

 We knew there would be fog in Maine - we did not know we would be greeted by fog within in the first hour of being in Maine!  What a greeting!

Rockport, Massachusetts

Loading the lobster traps on the boat

From Newport, Rhode Island we sailed up to Rockport, Massachusetts.  Most folks head for Gloucester which is a great place.  We chose Rockport which is just a bit further because it is easy to get in and out.  This is the land of commercial fishing - lobstermen mostly.

Rockport Wharf

 Rockport looks like a very quaint town.  A fishermens town.  But... our outboard motor is not running so we are stuck on the boat.

Rockport Wharf

They have very high tides here - 6 feet or more.  Hence, the ladder to get up from the water.

This is the entrance to Rockport - it is a very small harbor.  The mooring balls are for the Yacht Club but the town will let you tie up to their "pony" dock for a fee.  We have been doing day sails since Cape May, NJ.  We did one overnight run but without an enclosed cockpit it was cold, cold, cold!  So... we gave up on that and decided we would get settled in at night where we have heat.  Too early in the season for this part of the country.

Sailing Capital of the World...

Castle Hill Light

It was a short sail from Block Island to Newport, Rhode Island.  Yet again we were going to have to take a day and wait out yet more bad weather.  Fortunately, for us we made some new friends along the way who happen to live near Newport.  So the delay was not bad at all! 

Mansion

Newport is known as the sailing capital of the world.  There are some beautiful boats there!  High dollar boats owned by famous yachtsmen.  America's Cup sailors.  Newport was also once the summer destination for the very wealthy - Vanderbilts and Astors.  A few past presidents had summer homes in Newport as well such as JFK and Eisenhower.  The mansions still stand and some are now open to the public.  

Fixer Upper on a Rock

 Newport is a sailors town for sure.  There is a "Seamen's Church" where sailors can go to get a shower, do laundry or get a bite to eat.  There is also a newer "Sailor's Institute" that also provides services for sailors.  Long, long sailing history.  

Mooring field in Newport, RI

 

 

 We felt a little like step children here however. These boats have matching dinghies!  All the boats shine and sparkle while we were looking a little worn from travel.

Block Island, Rhode Island

Submarine!!!

We left Port Washington, NY and sailed to Clinton, CT for a couple of nights.  More weather was moving in and we decided we needed to get on up the Sound and sit out the rain in Clinton.  That is the thing about cruising you are always timing your travels with the weather.  They say the most dangerous thing on a boat is a schedule!  Unfortunately, for us I am still working and although we allow ourselves plenty of time there is still always a little time pressure.  Once the weather moved out, we headed out.  Our intent was to anchor at Fischers Island and head to Newport, RI the next day.  There is an area where the current runs swift called the "Race".  It is another area you have to time with the tide.  Well we reached Fishers Island really early and it looked like we would reach the "Race" at the perfect time so we changed course and decided to go on to Block Island, RI.  Block Island sits about 15 nm off the coast of Rhode Island in the Atlantic Ocean.  As I mentioned the Coast Pilot (information for mariners published by the US govt) warned of submarines operating in the area.  But... we never thought we would actually see one.  But there it was out in the Atlantic on the way to Block Island!!  Michael was really hoping to see one and so we were thrilled!

This is the entrance to an anchorage/mooring field called the Great Salt Pond on Block Island. 

Block Island, Rhode Island

Forty percent of the entire Island is set aside for conservation.  One of the last 10 places in the Western Hemisphere preserved.  In the summer it is a popular place.  Unfortunately, our outboard motor was not running so we did not make it to shore. And then again the next day we had to make a run for Newport as weather was bearing down on us! 

Mooring field in the Great Salt Pond, Block Island

Sunset - Block Island

We will be returning to Block Island and this time we will go see the town.  Beautiful little gem out there in the Atlantic Ocean!