Seal Harbor to Northeast Harbor, ME

Saturday, 25 July 2015

We departed Seal Harbor around 0800 on this crisp, cool morning.  (Crisp and cool means I was bundled up in warm clothes, and constantly putting my hands in my pockets to keep them warm)  Water temperature read 52 something at one point.  I think it was 57 degrees in Boothbay this morning.  So, no, Bob, the dogs aren't merrily splashing around in the harbor.

Anyhow, the tide was low, and seals were out laying on the rocks.  Someone used the term, "sunning themselves," and we all laughed, because there was no sun.

"Hi guys, I'm from Florida."

"Anyone want to come to Florida with me?"

We crossed East Penobscot Bay, and under the south side of Deer Isle, through the Deer Island Thoroughfare.   We crossed the Eastern Passage, and immediately to the south of Desert Island, and around thru the Western Way Inlet, into Northeast Harbor.   A lot of boats converged upon Northeast Harbor about the same time, and the radio was full of calls to the harbormaster wanting moorings.  We were assigned to a floating dock, which we shared with the Nordic Tug ENCORE.  

The floating dock is about 40 feet long, and anchored some way to the bottom, but free floating from the shore and other vessels.  The whole, floating platform, is an interesting concept, and the dogs enjoyed getting off the boat and walking in a new place.  It is, however a short, narrow walk.

The harbor operates a launch that picked us up and took us to the shoreside dock.  We emptied our trash, paid the harbormaster, and jumped on a free bus that is sponsored by LL Bean, running into Acadia National Park.

The ride was great, and the scenery spectacular.  We rode parts of two different bus routes, and got off to investigate at Jordans Pond, the visitors center, and a place called Thunder Rock.  The gorgeous cliffs we saw from the sea are a red colored granite.  The view from the land is an interesting change of perspective than the one from the sea.  I like both!

By the time we returned to the boat, we were tuckered out.  A fun day, a secure mooring/dock, and a cold night in store for us tonight.