August 2023 - Local sights including Humpback Whale

August was a much better month than June and most of July. Having completed our Downeast trip we have just enjoyed areas around the marina.  We even had a humpback whale come for a visit as you will see below. 

We have said before that we just like to be on the boat - even at the dock. It is a beautiful place as the photos from the marina attest.

The next several photos are from a dinghy ride down the arm of Riggs Cove.

Another amazing sunset from our slip.

Son Rob and wife Dawn came for a visit. You have seen many a photo op with the Chief with their daughters Maddy, Lauren and Bree, so we had to have one with the four of us. It was their anniversary so we went back to their place in Wolfeboro to visit with the girls and they relaxed for several days on the boat.

This past weekend we headed over to Boothbay.

The Nao Trinadad - a Spanish sailing ship replica - was in port for a visit.

And with fine weather the next morning we were able to get in our 4.5 mile walk to Spruce Point.

A highlight was seeing the humpback whale that took up temporary residence in the cove of our marina. The reason was the abundance of bait fish that also infiltrated Robinhood Cove. As seen in the video linked below, we first saw the whale at the mouth of the Sasanoa River and then in Robinhood Cove (also called Riggs Cove). It was amazing sight and you can see in one clip it swam just off our dock.

 A Whale of a Tale (tail really) video

So now that I have shown you some things that support Dorothy's assertion that "There is no place like home." (waters in our case) it is time to say ....

 Good Night and May God Bless

Day 15 August 5 Friday Boothbay Harbor 2nd day

Today was a rest day - that is we needed some calm after last night's wind and rain. The wind was in the upper 20s with gusts over 30 mph. There was even chop in the harbor. But I still managed to rest well as I know that all the moorings in the anchorage are removed, checked and reset each year. The weather today was cloudy with a few moments of passing blue skies. We did manage a nice walk around town.

If you remember I made a comment in yesterday's post about how the tide changes the scene. I noticed there was a very high tide today and I was attentive enough to capture the following photos that demonstrate the point. While there is not the dramatic scenes of some of our favorite anchorages, the background of the town gives a even better appreciation of the amount of change in tides - that today was over 10 feet.  

Here is high tide.

And low tide

Tomorrow is forecast to be pleasant and we will head back to Robinhood. The light rain as evening falls is actually a soothing sound that encourages me to say ..........

Good Night and May God Bless

Day 14 August 3 Thursday Seal Cove to Boothbay Harbor

The day continued the recent pattern of wonderful mornings. What is amazing is the 180 degree change from the weather pattern that preceded our trip. As we can't remember a worse start to a summer, we really had resigned ourselves to not getting down east this year. But we are thankful we did.

It was just past low tide when we were getting underway. One of the unique things about Maine is in fact the tides. It is amazing to sit in a spot such as Seal Cove and simply watch the scene change with the rise and fall of the tide.

We had to travel down the Damariscotta River. With the aforementioned incoming tide, there was strong current against us - up to four knots at one point.

Here is Ram Island lighthouse at Fisherman's Passage. Soon we will turn to starboard and be headed into Boothbay Harbor.

Our timing is good as our perfect weather has a day of likely storms from a passing front. Winds up to 30 knots for a while this evening. Being on a good mooring in the inner harbor is certainly a great place to let the weather pass.

The last time we were in Boothbay the church was unlit. Tonight the church once again stands aglow over the harbor. 

 Good Night and May God Bless

Day 13 August 2 Wednesday Seal Bay to Seal Cove

We decided that we liked Seal Bay so much that we thought we would stay with the theme and go directly to another favorite - Seal Cove on the Damariscotta River. It was a perfect day to travel with lake- like seas and brilliant sunshine that started at sunrise.

 

Our distance was a good length of about 56 miles. 

Here we are leaving Seal Bay

Goose Rock light marks the east end of Fox Island Thorofare that is the separation between North Haven and Vinalhaven islands.

Here is the village of North Haven.

After we crossed West Penobscot Bay we passed Two Bush Island.

And we took the inside passage that again goes by my lone tree friend and Port Clyde.

Here we have arrived at Seal Cove. As I have mentioned before the beauty of the scene is nearly impossible to capture in photos, but I tried my best.

I will close with a moon picture taken in Seal Bay after I published yesterday's post.

Good Night and God Bless