Log of Monday, June 16, 2008

Monday, June 16 grey, still--forecast for rain later.

1630 Plan to get underway after coffee.

The schedule calls for us to end the day in the vicinity of Boothbay Harbor so we can be sure of meeting Ryck there the following morning. That means 30 miles with variable visibility and no wind to speak of. We motor at about 5 kts, so the distance is not a problem. But we aren't particularly looking forward to six hours of standing in the chilly rain peering through mist with the monotonous rumble of the diesel making it just a bit noisy for easy conversation.

0715 - Aweigh-misty morning. Tom at the helm, Paul learning the quirks of the stove, GW navigating.

Our course took us out the Muscle Ridges past Whitehead Island, then on SW past the mouth of Tenants Harbor. At Mosquito I. we turn West past Port Clyde and on, more West than South, across the mouth of Muscongus Bay. The legs range from a few miles down to a few hundred yards and, while there are plenty of ledges all along the way, the course is well marked. The visibility is up and down all day, so things keep appearing and disappearing in the mist. But from a navigational standpoint it remains tolerable.

10:00 Eastern Egg Rock abeam, gray, wind 3-5 SSW, motoring, scotch mist.

We are just running compass courses all day, but there is no particular tension.

10:10 Whale (probably Minke) dead ahead 200-300 yds surfaced several times.

1114 Pemaquid Pt. Abeam.

It doesn't seem to matter what is going on in the rest of the world, the sea is always a bit uneasy off Pemaquid Point. The sea monsters are stirring somewhere in the depths around here.

Went thru Fisherman's Is. passage & into Boothbay Harbor. Many romping seals. Fueled up @ Carousel Marina @ 1300; drive around harbor; reconnoiter mtg. place for Ryck. Motored around to Linekin Bay & anchored @ 1430. Exclnt lunch, nap, chat; rain stops around 1530.

Another one of North Wind's favored anchorages is in Lewis Cove, just around the corner Eastward from Boothbay. This is a quiet spot surrounded by summer cottages set in the woods, but if you land at the little park at the head of the cove it is only a five minute walk to the bustle of Boothbay Harbor's waterfront.

1830 - after taking a spin around the anchorage on a plane to bail the Zodiac, we went ashore for dinner. Walked around the waterfront and shopping area. Admired "Ernestina" on the ways and finally settled on a restaurant at the footbridge where we had fine lobsters & other seafood. Back to the boat ~2200 and to bed.

Somewhere in there we made phone contact with Ryck. He is back from his trip, and is staying in a B&B in Bath, we confirm the town dock meeting place for the next morning.