June 13 Saturday Plymouth to Mattapoisett

Last day of our trip. Today includes going through the Cape Cod Canal as you can see in the map below. There are no locks in the canal and so it is open to both sides. So intuitively it seems that there should be no current in the canal. But that is not the case. This is apparently due to the tides not going up evenly on either side of the canal. The current can actually be up to 5 knots. So our plan was to be at the canal when the current was headed in our direction. That was forecast for around 11:00 am.

  

So we left Plymouth in the morning with enough time of maybe allow some sailing. That turned out to be the case and it was a beautiful day.

I am again amazed how narrow the Mayflower is and how it didn't capsize in even moderate seas.

The entrance lighthouse for Plymouth.

The entrance to the Cape Cod canal.

The first bridge to the Cape. It was very busy.

We did call Cape Cod Canal traffic control and confirmed that there would not be any closing of the railroad bridge. The reason for checking is we are enjoying a 5 knot current going in our direction and did not want to be in the position of having to turn into the current to hold position.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy is located on the west entrance to the canal. 

It was good to exit the canal and not have the Buzzards Bay chop in our face.

We only had to motor a few miles to reach Mattapoisett harbor.

We found the mooring for Chickadee and spent the afternoon cleaning the boat. Andrea will pick up us in the morning. I found out that there was an ice cream shop somewhere near the town landing. So after dinner I was off to find it.

Here is the very large town landing dock. There is nice park on the other side of the parking lot.

And here is my find. An ice cream trailer in the parking lot. The ice cream was great and it was a generous portion. A nice ending for our trip

 It was a great trip. It always fun to move to different places by boat. It is so different from traveling by car in many ways including needing to really consider the weather and the speed at which you travel in which 30 to 40 miles is a full day. So now that I have finished my ice cream and returned to Chickadee III......So

Good Night and May God Bless

June 12 Friday Gloucester to Plymouth

 Today's trip leg is about 48 miles and is nearly straight across Massachusetts Bay.

 

The day was much like yesterday. So we needed to hunt for a breeze to sail - which we did for some stretches. 

Waiting for breeze. Note the boat is level.

Approaching the entrance to Plymouth Harbor.

It is a long ways into the harbor. I had to wonder why the pilgrims picked this location - as they did have a motor like we did. There are many fingers of sand where houses are built on top of each other.

Some are stuck on stilts 

Finally turning into the inner harbor.

Passing Plymouth Rock. I know it is a significant historical place, but the Wikipedia listing in the link says "Plymouth Rock is a boulder"  

And the original (not really) of the Mayflower. I want to know as it is so narrow why didn't it tip over in a good breeze or sea.

The cloudy day turned nice and mild. Time to sit in the sun.

And watch the real paddle wheel board go by. 

As the night began to creep over us.

 So Good Night and May God Bless

June 11 Thursday Isle of Shoals to Gloucester

 The fine weather continued for our 35 mile leg from Isle of Shoals to Gloucester

The day featured high clouds that in turn reduced any seas breeze. Thus much of the day was spent motoring.

Here we are saying good bye to Star Island

And passing the White Island Lighthouse on south side of the island cluster.

We have rounded Cape Ann and are turning into Gloucester harbor. Notice the glassy sea.

Fueling and taking on water and ice.

The Captain suggested a dinner out. The crew did not argue. A waterfront spot in an inner harbor finger was a great choice.

Captain Glen helming on ride back to back Chickadee III. Notice that the evening was warm enough for short sleeves. 

This was a particularly fun stop for me as it was the first and last stop of our Great Loop Trip in 2018/2019.

Good Night and May God Bless