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New London CT to Burnt Coat Harbor ME

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July 18th we continued up Long Island Sound to a new harbor,
Stonington, CT. What a charming village! We actually spent a couple
of days there since we ventured out with others as the fog rolled in
and kept us captive as we returned. We then traveled out to Block
Island under full sail in rolly seas and building wind along with tall
ship Lady Maryland but took a left to Jamestown as the sun dipped,
it cooled and the swells increased. After a quick dog walk we
munched at the Oyster Bar and retired gratefully satiated. Our
next new harbor, Mattapoiset, was reached again on a clear day
under sail. After blueberry pancakes for Sunday breakfast on July
22, we tackled Buzzards Bay with strong winds. We came into
Onset, just before the Cape Cod Canal and enjoyed a beautiful
sunset with many other cruisers at anchor. The weather is turning
chilly and wet and we are thankful for our enclosure. We have staged
ourselves for an afternoon passage with favorable current through
the Canal and left amid fog we thought was clearing in the late
morning. Alas, the fog settled in thicker as we traversed the canal
without even seeing the bridges overhead. We were spit out into
Cape Cod Bay with less than 50 yard visibility. Training for Maine
began early! Safely into Plymouth MA , thank you to radar,
chartplotter and auto pilot. Whew!

July 24th and we are off to Maine waters, our goal. It was a crisp day, 65 degrees
and unfortunately no wind so we motored! A long 10 hour day brought us into a safe
mooring at Kittery Point back channel with a quick squirt for Otis ashore. The next
morning all is crisp again as we head to Falmouth Foreside. The seas were very rolly
and there was again no wind but we arrived safely after seeing seals and whales.
We went ashore for a date night and missed the last launch and had to borrow a
dinghy after a great bottle of wine. Over there, honey, no over there! We stayed
here on our friend Jack and Gerda's Mooring as we visited Kathleen for a few days
on land. Penny had a great haircut and we stocked the larder and wine cellar. Otis
even had a pedicure. We watched the foxes, raccoons and deer graze in the back
yard while we had a wonderful dinner ashore. We left this haven on July 27th for
points north and up Casco Bay. We headed to one of our favorite anchorages, the
Basin. Sweatshirts then mosquitoes, only in Maine can this happen in one day. We
caught up with Jack and Gerda in Sebasco the next day and we shared stories and a
wonderful Lobster dinner. We returned to the quiet of the Basin for another 2
nights as the Maine fog enveloped us and told us to slow down. We are listening.

After Richard dove to repair our speed transducer in 72 degree water, we moved
along to a new destination, Christmas Cove on the Damariscotta River. We picked up a
local mooring after a long day of motoring under crystal blue, clear skies. Is it our
imagination or are there more lobster pots this year?! The next morning, Aug 1, we
toured the area by foot with Otis leading., stopping to view the swing bridge at The
Gut, South Bristol, a very narrow passage used by the local lobstermen. This is a very
pretty area but we left our mooring at noon. We motored past Eastern Egg Rock in
Muscongus Bay to see a colony of puffins that has been building with the help of human
caretakers, Cornell University and The National Audubon Society. This is a very
remote island without mammal predators and puffins, tern and auks have grown in
numbers. We anchored that night in Maple Juice Cove on the St George River just
before sunset. Quickly we dinghied in to try and find a lobsterman to supply us dinner,
but as they rise very early in the morning, all had left the pounds for home. The next
morning we walked to see the Olson House which was immortalized by Andrew Wyeth
in Christina's World. At dawn it was silent and serene and beautiful.

Our goal is a reunion in Islesboro on Aug 3 of
fellow cruisers of the SSCA. We set off on a
beautiful clear day with winds in our sails up
into one of our favorite areas, Penobscot Bay.
Past Rockland, Camden and into Gilkey Harbor
under full sail. Yahoo! We set our anchor by
2:30 and watched as many others joined us. A
beautiful sunset over the Camden hills but
storms coming tomorrow.

The gathering of mariners was great fun once more.
Informative, lighthearted and comradely. A few neighbors
joined us aboard before the storms cancelled our dinghy
raft-up on Friday and the night was spent by many on anchor
watch. Penny and Otis were fogged in on the early morning
dog walk but all cleared for festivities on Saturday
afternoon. Mary Verlaque of I Wanda gave a great
informative narrative about transport and cruising the Med
to inspire us all to ports far away. The weather moved in
again but we gathered around mother duck, Linda B, for
more cheers and chat. Too much fun!

We spent the day next just hanging out, a long dog walk with new friends, Angela and Mike Jennings of A
Capella, visiting beautiful Warren Island, one of Otis' favorite places. We departed early Aug 6 for Rockland
before more storms were expected. We had a delightful dinner with Mike and Angela aboard their boat and
then the weather hit. 40 knot winds caused some to drag anchor and reposition, lightening was prevalent but
all were safe in the morning, some with a little less sleep. The next day more members came into anchorage,
some of us visited the wonderful Farnsworth Museum for a great show, Bo Bartlett, and we had a few aboard
for sun downers. Another day was spent with rough weather and all were hunkered in for the duration.

August 9 rose glorious, clear and calm. We spent the day in this
friendly and interesting town, visiting the Farnsworth once more so
that Richard could enjoy what I had seen and wanted to see again.. The
Maine Boat and Home show was setting up and we decided to stay to
join them. Great show, beautiful boats and excellent chowda! August 11
it is time to move on and we are headed to the Fox Island Thorofare
between Northhaven and Vinalhaven, the islands in the middle of the
Bay. As were are transiting all the New York Yacht Club is exiting!
30 to 40 boats with the peddle to the metal, headed home.

We are headed to another of our favorite anchorages, McGlathery
Island across Isle of Haute Sound into Merchants Row. We
anchored in this precious spot once more, watching eagles and
deer. We observed nature, cleaned and varnished out of respect
for our ship. We visited our neighbors, Venture Forth, shared a
few stories and we put up our welcome enclosure as rain is
expected . We had much rain and no topside work the next day but
relaxed and read and made some jewelry and bread. At the end of
the day we had an awesome double rainbow.

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Travels of the Viking Rose

We moved on to Burnt Coat Harbor on Swans Island on Aug 14, a new
harbor and find it a welcoming and beautiful space surrounded by
high hills. This a working harbor protected by a beautiful lighthouse.
We had some local chowda aboard and watched tall ships join us at
sunset. Richard joined in a conch shell taps between boats! Such
talent.......