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| Note the little boy sitting on the cabin top. |
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Sailing Vacation
August 2014
Our two week sailing vacation is wrapping up. Nothing better that visiting our favorite spots and discovering a few news ones. The summer cruising season is short and the cruising population relatively small so we often recognize at least one boat in an anchorage. It has been nice to meet up with people and boats we hadn't seen in a while and to make a few new friends. It is hard to listen to the full time cruisers talk about plans to head south but also at the same time will be easy to slip into life back on land. Part time cruising is a dichotomy.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Cruising Kids
August 2014
The girls seem to settle back into cruising life seamlessly. It is a pleasure to see how naturally they move on the boat and enjoy the routine. Their creative juices flow as they work on projects, explore and play in the water.
The girls seem to settle back into cruising life seamlessly. It is a pleasure to see how naturally they move on the boat and enjoy the routine. Their creative juices flow as they work on projects, explore and play in the water.
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| Mia on the phone with her French tutor |
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| Remi hoping to get her photo in Young Rider magazine |
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| The best catch of the day |
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| Mia is now into photography |
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| And the endless water games |
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Frenchboro
August 2014
Frenchboro is a place we talk about, especially in January, when looking back on summer adventures. It is a great place to hike, have an authentic lobster dinner and in general just enjoy. Even though our favorite family run lobster shack (Offshore) was no longer there, Lund Restaurant is ever present. We had more than one meal on their water front deck as Borealis was moored feet away. Good wine, a warmish sunny evening, fresh lobster and homemade ice cream sandwiches made for a very relaxed family.
Frenchboro is a place we talk about, especially in January, when looking back on summer adventures. It is a great place to hike, have an authentic lobster dinner and in general just enjoy. Even though our favorite family run lobster shack (Offshore) was no longer there, Lund Restaurant is ever present. We had more than one meal on their water front deck as Borealis was moored feet away. Good wine, a warmish sunny evening, fresh lobster and homemade ice cream sandwiches made for a very relaxed family.
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| The monster ice cream sandwiches were just as good as they remembered. |
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Merchant Harbor
August 2014
After a foggy day it was nice to settle into a calm, clear and quiet harbor. The exploring was by SUP and dingy was good.
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After a foggy day it was nice to settle into a calm, clear and quiet harbor. The exploring was by SUP and dingy was good.
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| Successful kelp hunting |
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
POTS!!
August 2014
At times we spend a lot of energy avoiding getting fouled in lobster pots here in Maine. When they are dense it takes two of us to stay on top of them, especially if it is foggy and they come up fast or if they have toggles and decisions have to be made on which ones are a pair. (See here for an earlier post on toggle pots.) We've been unbelievable lucky considering we've spent 8 seasons sailing in the area. We hear the dreaded thud and shudder every once in while, as the hull brushes the float, and there is an instant rush to get the engine in neutral. I like to think that our speedy reaction has saved us from getting the lines wrapped around the prop, in truth it is probably pure luck. Our luck ran out today. I was on watch, in an area where pot density wasn't ridiculous. I must of spaced out, there was a thud, shudder and significant drop in speed. Not good. Pablo messed around for a bit and reluctantly got in the 60 degree water with a knife. It took a few tries but he successfully untangled the prop. He was even able to tie off the pot so the lobster man wouldn't loose his pot. I was more vigilant afterwards!
At times we spend a lot of energy avoiding getting fouled in lobster pots here in Maine. When they are dense it takes two of us to stay on top of them, especially if it is foggy and they come up fast or if they have toggles and decisions have to be made on which ones are a pair. (See here for an earlier post on toggle pots.) We've been unbelievable lucky considering we've spent 8 seasons sailing in the area. We hear the dreaded thud and shudder every once in while, as the hull brushes the float, and there is an instant rush to get the engine in neutral. I like to think that our speedy reaction has saved us from getting the lines wrapped around the prop, in truth it is probably pure luck. Our luck ran out today. I was on watch, in an area where pot density wasn't ridiculous. I must of spaced out, there was a thud, shudder and significant drop in speed. Not good. Pablo messed around for a bit and reluctantly got in the 60 degree water with a knife. It took a few tries but he successfully untangled the prop. He was even able to tie off the pot so the lobster man wouldn't loose his pot. I was more vigilant afterwards!
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| I find it next to impossible to capture the number of pots in a photo. I think Mia did well with this one. |
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| Trying to untangle a pot from the prop |
Sunday, August 10, 2014
White Island
August 2014
White Island has been on our list of places to visit for a while. Today the conditions and timing were just right. A nice couple on a big trawler waved us over as we were circling looking for the ultimate spot. They wanted to let us know that they were weighing anchor within minutes and we were happy to take over their prime spot. There were many small day tripper boats occupying much of the anchorage so their spot was a score! This anchorage has a million nooks and crannies to explore. The boulders are perfect for a picnic and the sand bar is about as beachy as you get in Maine. This is the kind of anchorage where you are not sure it is the same place at high and low tide.
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White Island has been on our list of places to visit for a while. Today the conditions and timing were just right. A nice couple on a big trawler waved us over as we were circling looking for the ultimate spot. They wanted to let us know that they were weighing anchor within minutes and we were happy to take over their prime spot. There were many small day tripper boats occupying much of the anchorage so their spot was a score! This anchorage has a million nooks and crannies to explore. The boulders are perfect for a picnic and the sand bar is about as beachy as you get in Maine. This is the kind of anchorage where you are not sure it is the same place at high and low tide.
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| Cormorants airing out |
Friday, August 8, 2014
SUPing
August 2014
We bought two inflatable paddle boards earlier in the season and have had a lot of fun with them. I've explored Bare Hill Pond near our house and most anchorage we've been in this summer. Honestly, I really didn't get SUPing until my friend Traci convinced me to try it. Now I'm a total convert. The feeling I get from it is almost as good as from swimming. Remi comes along with me on adventures. But it isn't extreme enough for Mia. It works best for her if she is being towed behind the dinghy at full speed, surfing across a wake.
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We bought two inflatable paddle boards earlier in the season and have had a lot of fun with them. I've explored Bare Hill Pond near our house and most anchorage we've been in this summer. Honestly, I really didn't get SUPing until my friend Traci convinced me to try it. Now I'm a total convert. The feeling I get from it is almost as good as from swimming. Remi comes along with me on adventures. But it isn't extreme enough for Mia. It works best for her if she is being towed behind the dinghy at full speed, surfing across a wake.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
High and Dix
August 2014
The anchorage between High and Dix Islands is in the very top of our favorite places in Maine. It is a perfect stopping point when heading into or out of Penobscot Bay. It is usually fairly quiet, the exploring in shallow water and on multiple small islands is top notch. The views are spectacular and it is surprisingly protected. What more could we ask for?
The anchorage between High and Dix Islands is in the very top of our favorite places in Maine. It is a perfect stopping point when heading into or out of Penobscot Bay. It is usually fairly quiet, the exploring in shallow water and on multiple small islands is top notch. The views are spectacular and it is surprisingly protected. What more could we ask for?
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| The captain looking relaxed |
Monday, August 4, 2014
Five Islands
August 2014
We often end up on a mooring in Five Islands. Not only because it is a very convenient stopping point between Casco and Penobscot Bays but it always seems to provide beautiful photo ops. It is also perfect for over-nighters to and from Cape Cod. Aaand there happens to be a lobster shack and ice cream stand on the dock....
We often end up on a mooring in Five Islands. Not only because it is a very convenient stopping point between Casco and Penobscot Bays but it always seems to provide beautiful photo ops. It is also perfect for over-nighters to and from Cape Cod. Aaand there happens to be a lobster shack and ice cream stand on the dock....
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| After passage sisterly silliness |
Monday, July 21, 2014
Little Whaleboat
July 2014
When we don't have time for a long trip Little Whaleboat is one of our go-to spots.
When we don't have time for a long trip Little Whaleboat is one of our go-to spots.
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| The buoy collection is growing |
Monday, July 7, 2014
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Exploring
June 2014
Exploration is in full swing. School is out, looking forward to full season of adventure.
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Exploration is in full swing. School is out, looking forward to full season of adventure.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
WOO HOO!
May 2014
The weather is finally warming up. It feels great to be spending time in Maine and especially on the water. Jewel Island was surprisingly quiet.
The weather is finally warming up. It feels great to be spending time in Maine and especially on the water. Jewel Island was surprisingly quiet.
Monday, April 21, 2014
The Season Begins
April 2014
With the snow gone it is time to get the boat unwrapped and put back together. Pablo does most of this himself but decided to have the yard do bottom paint and polish the topsides this spring. All the masts at this Brewers are stored inside. Check out the cool racks in their work shed.
With the snow gone it is time to get the boat unwrapped and put back together. Pablo does most of this himself but decided to have the yard do bottom paint and polish the topsides this spring. All the masts at this Brewers are stored inside. Check out the cool racks in their work shed.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Spring Check Up
March 2014
We like to get our Maine fix even during the winter. So you'll find us under the shrink wrap from time to time. With the heater on it isn't ridiculously cold, especially on a sunny day. Pablo makes sure all is well with the systems, I usually clean and the kids play with games they haven't seen for a while. Looking forward to being on the water again.
We like to get our Maine fix even during the winter. So you'll find us under the shrink wrap from time to time. With the heater on it isn't ridiculously cold, especially on a sunny day. Pablo makes sure all is well with the systems, I usually clean and the kids play with games they haven't seen for a while. Looking forward to being on the water again.
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