On the summer solstice (yesterday) we finally cast off from Yarmouth after two weeks at the boatyard and on a mooring. The boat, shippped by truck, was delayed five days, and arrived just as the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry drenched coastal Maine and slowed our efforts to unpack. I also seriously underestimated the time needed to prepare, install some new equipment, and to take care of maintenance. Most of this should have been done in TX, but was deferred in the press of other business.

But, the people at Royal River Boatyard have been very helpful, and visiting with some old and new friends in the area made it a very enjoyable two weeks. Proximity to a West Marine, well stocked grocery stores, and excellent restaurants was a plus. During several days on the hard, we unpacked, removed (mostly) road stains and grime, painted the bottom, and rigged the mast, during several more days at a floating pier we put on sails and installed a new radar and GPS/chartplotter, and while at a moored float in the harbor, we completed new battery wiring as well as other minor maintenance.

The boatyard and harbor were a very pleasant environment. Both boatyards on the harbor were very busy launching boats for the season. We hadn't fully considered the fact that there is such a very short period of intense activity. The array of vessels was more interesting than we normally see in Galveston/Clear Lake. There were relatively few recent "mass market" boats and lots of "clasic plastic" - Pearson Arlbergs, Bristols, Hinkleys, Aldens, Morris, etc. - and a fair number of great looking old wooden boats. These "real" yachts shared the yards and harbor with many working lobsterboats. We also realize now what a toll year-round exposure to southern sun and hot water takes on a boat. Many of these "good old boats" are beautiful, and put the external condition of our boat to shame.

After years on the Gulf Coast, the tides take some getting used to. Negotiating the ramps to the landing floats at low tide is a challenge, especially hanging on to a loaded dock cart on a 45 degree slope. We learned to adjust the time of big purchases with high tide. Our departure down river was taken on a rising tide so that we would be lifted off if we were to ground, but the narrow chanel was well marked and we had no problem.

The "crack of dawn" comes early in these latitudes, before 5:00 am and sunsets are late, 8:30 pm. As the sun rises and sets obliquely there is a long twighlight. Even in alongside the boatyard and in the harbor, there was a lot of wildlife. Redwing blackbirds singing in the marsh, great blue and black crowned night herrons worked the mudflats along with the ever present herring gulls and ducks. In the water, striped bass ambushed schools of alewives thrashing the surface on a rising tide.

Our first anchorage is at the "Goslings" (Lower Goose Island) Casco Bay, ME. Only about 7 miles from the harbor at Yarmouth, a wooded Island and several islelets and ledges provide good protection as well as beautiful surroundings. Here we see egretts, herons, terns, and wakened to the cry of a loon this morning. Seals pop their heads up beside the boat for a look, and haul out to bask in the sun on the rock ledges.

It is so pleasant here we will spend at least another day. It is only a few miles from one great anchorage to another, and we plan to take our time.

- J. Stormer 06/22/2007

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