Day 17 August Cruise Boothbay Harbor to Robinhood Marina Friday August 28, 2020

The clouds of yesterday headed east to reveal bright sun morning. The day was mild with only a slight breeze. Nice last day

The sun coaxed me out of bed. It was nice to see the sun on the last day of our cruise. Yes we planned to end on a nice day because we looked ahead and scheduled it - another joy of being retired instead of having to plan to the Sunday of the end of a vacation week.

Today's photos will start with one from yesterday that shows the high tide.

And here is the scene with today's low tide. Even in an "urban" setting the tide makes a great difference in the scene. I never tire of watching the shifting view that tide provides.

And we went on our walk out to Spruce Point. You have seen many a photo from this walk in earlier posts this year. This photos is to further demonstrate the lack of people at the motels in Boothbay, and I would suspect those in all of Maine. This lot would normally be nearly full this time of day and time of year.

On returning to town I was brought short when I finally noticed this door still here. It had been at the end of an old building that sat on the site for more years that I know of. Its principle function was it contained of all things. a bowling alley.  After the owner died a number of years ago it was purchased to make way for condos - but it hasn't happened - and the old door lingers for another year - will it be there next year?

And I know you seen this photo before of Indian Point, but I love seeing it very time I pass

And we noticed that Hannaford's Supermarket had lobster on sale - the cheapest in years. Well can you think of better end of cruise dinner? Me neither. We got enough for lobster rolls for lunch tomorrow. Here the Admiral is dressed in her finest lobster eating tee shirt - no napkin required. Let's eat!!

And here is a fitting shot. This is taken from slip E13. It is the slip that we first had when we arrived at Robinhood with our new to us Bayliner 38 in 1999.  It's been a wonderful 22 seasons here at RMC.

So as you can see the sun is about to go down on another wonderful day on the water it must be time to say ................

Good Night and May God Bless

Day 16 August Cruise Seal Cove to Boothbay Harbor Thursday August 27, 2020

The breeze of yesterday petered out to calm over night. The clear evening air stayed to reveal bright sun. But high clouds moved in before 8:00 and stayed all day - making fun of the forecast sunny day. The day was supposed to be sunny. We had talked about once in Boothbay having an end of the trip ice cream as the forecast was for a nice day. But the ice cream shop didn't get our business or likely much on anyone else's as clouds covered the predicted blue sky. Oh well the wind was calm and the trip from Seal Cove to Boothbay was easy and calm. As you can see the clouds had the upper hand today. One thing to note is you can see the abnormally high high tide - about 1.5 feet above normal. Maybe tomorrow will bring the forecast sunny day and mild temperatures - and ice cream. While I do not have an abundance of wonderful photos to share today. I would like to note that it was a pleasant nice day. Just being on the boat is fun - and a safe place to be. As night settled in I counted the number of lights in the hundreds of hotels rooms visible from our vantage point - I only needed to use two hands and one foot to keep track of the non-dark rooms - tourism and particularly hotels must have had an unprecedented poor year. After a wonderful steak on the barbie dinner, we played another round of Sky-Jo, I won't reveal the two straight game winner, but she was rather happy after the outcome several nights ago. So as the Admiral settles in for the night with a bounce in her step and a smile on her face, I will pass on her wishes to all of ............ Good Night and May God Bless

Day 15 August Cruise Greenland Cove to Seal Cove Wednesday August 26 2020

Last night was windy but little chop on the water.The clear evening air stayed to reveal bright sun. The brisk NW wind of a clearing front remained all day until evening.


The aftermath of heavy thunderstorms rolling through was a clear night full of stars and a sun that shone unimpeded through crystal clear skies. The wind was stiff all night but we had picked a good place to anchor as the high land close to us dampened the wind considerably and prevented any waves from forming - although we did get a few mild sets of lobster boat wakes in the early morning to remind us that our bed was still a floating one.

We left around 9:00. Like the day before, our as a crow flies start to stop distance of 14 miles was considerably shorter than our around all the peninsulas and thorough channel distance of 25 miles.  But we had planned well and most of our running was in the lee side of land and the windward areas had limited fetch so even with the 15-20 gusting to 30 knot winds, we had only minor waves to contend with for about 30 minutes.

Here we are leaving Greenland Cove and you can see the minor wavelets that were in the cove.

The bright sun made a perfect light to silhouette the distance lobster boat and island.

We rounded Pemaquid Point and with the wind blowing off the land we were able to get close for some nice photos of the oft photographed lighthouse.

Around Pemaquid point and  across Johns Bay we entered the cross peninsula thoroughfare that bisects So. Bristol.  We stopped at the fisherman's coop for fuel - $1.80 per gallon - including tax.  Places like Boothbay are charging near $2.90 - we may even have some money left for an ice cream in Boothbay!!

Here are some photos from our stop at the fuel dock.

Out the other side of the thoroughfare and we were in the Damariscotta River. It was still windy but the nearness of the lee shore gave us a pleasant ride.

And here we are entering Seal Cove - one of our favorite anchorages. And the first one we anchored in after acquiring Perelandra over 21 years ago.

Compare the photos and you can see the difference the tide makes on the scenery and the amount of water surface.

A wonderful dinner of chicken with white sauce was a prelude to several games of Sky-Jo (that's Sky-bro for my buddy Rick from Eagle One). I won't divulge who won, but Rick would be proud of me tonight.

As I am completely exhausted from my hard fought games, I am sure that it is time to say ...............

Good Night and May God Bless

Day 14 August Cruise Maple Juice Cove to Greenland Cove Tuesday August 25, 2020

Last night was mild and good sleeping weather. The clear evening air gave way to the fog over night. The fog cleared mid morning to muted sunlight. Large thunderstorms passed by at dinner time.
 

The morning began with fog but it was not the "so dense it will never burn off" type. And as predicted the fog scaled up nicely about mid morning.

Our trip today was a distance as the crow flies of about 6 miles from Maple Juice Cove to Greenland Cove. But with all the twists and turns - very nice ones I might add - it was just about double the straight, but not possible, route.

Our trip also started in the fog but it scaled up nicely after several miles of navigation by instruments versus by sight.

Our circuitous route included passing the village of Friendship. It is a lobster boat town with no pretense to want to cater to pleasure craft - thus the name of the town seems very contrary to their welcome mat.

A nice scene at low tide.
 

The mainland on the right and Hog Island on the left.

The Audubon Society camp building on the Hog Island
 

The very narrow but beautiful passage by Hog Island. Our destination of Greenland Cove is just up ahead and to the right.

 
 We dinghied over to Hog Island and hiked the east side trail.

An old outhouse for the audubon camp

A plaque regarding the formation of the island as a public place

Some of the Audubon buildings used for meals and meeting - not being used this year. But the sounds of ongoing  repair projects could be heard emanating from this building

 

The late afternoon brought a very strong band of thunderstorms moving over us from the west.
These aerial shots were taken after we had weathered the storm - and enjoyed a fine dinner of stuffed pasta shells.

The sky did have this very strange looking color of purple. It seemed a little ethereal.

The night has "scaled up" and the day has scaled down, so time to say ...................

Good Night and May God Bless