| After our previous note, Summer started the transition into Fall, which is perhaps the best time for cruising Maine. The cold fronts came through with more authority, but each front brought several days of crisp clear weather. As the weather cooled, the summer vacationers and southbound cruisers gradually departed leaving the harbors quieter and towns more laid-back. By September, the mornings were getting "frosty", a few leaves were turning red and gold, and we saw great "V" shaped strings of geese flying southward. |
| In August we left Penobscot Bay eastbound via the Eggemoggin Reach, a beautiful inland passage between Deer Island and the mainland. Brooklin, a town at the east end of the reach is the home of the Wooden Boat School on the grounds of a former estate. Cruising sailors can pick up a mooring or anchor and are welcome to visit. |
| A few miles across Jericho Bay, at Buckle Harbor, trails lead through spruce forests to shore-side outlooks, granite boulders, and white sand "pocket" beaches. In bright sunlight, the water over the white sand has the same cerulean hue as water over tropical coral sands. |
| Our next stop was the harbor at Islesford on Little Cranberry Island where there are beautiful views of the mountains of Mt. Desert Island and an interesting but very small town with a population of mixed summer people and fishermen. |
| Northeast Harbor on Mt. Desert Island, a few miles to the north, is a "classic" Maine cruising destination. Here, in a harbor crowded with moorings, one "rubs gunwales" with beautiful antique wooden Alden and Concordia yawls as well as "classic plastic" boats from Hinckley and Morris. While we were there, the Morris yard was holding one of their 5-year "reunions". There were dozens of Morris sailing yachts of all sizes, acres of sparking varnished teak, and gleaming dark blue painted hulls. |
| Somesville is a short sail up Somes Sound, a deep fjord running between the mountains and cliffs of Mt. Desert Island. It is almost the stereotype of a New England village, with 200 year-old white clapboard houses and spired churches set back on well kept lawns with large maples. The free town landing is a short walk to a great bookstore and the bus stop. One can go virtually anywhere on the island on one or another of the bus routes and all are free (propane powered and sponsored by L.L. Bean to ameliorate congestion and auto exhaust pollution in Acadia National Park). |
| Somesville was the culmination of our trip. Returning leisurely to Yarmouth during September we revisited some of our favorite places and found some interesting new harbors. We encountered friends along the way, some by design and others by happy circumstance. We are reminded that the cruising grounds may be paradise, but the friends we meet are priceless. |
| The Barred Islands anchorage in Penobscot Bay was especially beautiful with sun rising through a frosty morning fog. Port Clyde was an interesting and picturesque "fishing village". Maple Juice Cove is overlooked by the Olsen House, made famous by the paintings of Andrew Wyeth. |
| Casco Bay near Portland is crowded in summer, but was a cruising paradise in mid-September. The famous blueberry muffins at the restaurant in Potts Harbor were outstanding. We shared the hiking trails and beautiful views of Jewel Island with a field trip of interesting students from the Maine Academy of Art. Our last night at anchor in the Goslings we enjoyed the rare solitude of being completely alone. |
| Jane & Jay Stormer - 11/03/2007 |
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Created with iView MediaPro | Saturday, November 3, 2007